Meet the Cast
The creators, performers, and peer educators of SExT

Emma Wheaton (Actor & Co-Producer)
What surprised you the most about being in SExT?
​I was most surprised by how easy it was. I expected there to be limits or stiffness in the topics but we talked about anything and everything without censors, so it was easy to learn and have fun. I also still remember all of the information I learned a year and a half later and I hope i will keep the info with me for the rest of my life!
Why is SExT important?
SExT is important because I believe being conservative and avoiding discussion is harmful. People need to be informed so they can make the right decisions for themselves, and themselves only. SExT opens up a discussion.
What’s the best part about acting on stage?
 I loved acting on stage in SExT because I feel very confident and I feel like people are listening to me. I know that all my cast members have my back.

Isfandyar Virani (Actor & Stage Manager & Co-Producer)
Describe yourself in one sentence:
I'm Legend..... Wait for it... Dary
Fun fact about me:
I'm more into engineering then theatre....call me a nerd :D
Why did you get involved with SExT?
To show the youngsters how fun it could be talking about sex ed. if we would use theater.
Why is a show like SExT so important?
​Because "ONLY YES MEANS YES!"

Michelle Nyamekye (Actor & Co-Stage Manager)
Describe yourself in one sentence:  Athletic.
What is your favourite moment of being in SExT?
Having a whole audience listening to my every word when I performed my poem. It made me feel good about myself as a writer.
What surprised you the most about being in SExT?
Having the opportunity to continue with it. I thought it'd be a one time thing, but it's growing.
What is your favourite thing about your community? The closeness I feel to it.
​ What issue tackled in SExT is most important to you and why?
The influence we put on the acceptance of diversity. It's important to be able to have people of all types make a personal connection to what you're showing and the messages you try to convey.

Mary Getachew (Actor & Assistant To The Production Team)
Why did you get involved in SExT?
​I was raised in another country, where Sex Ed wasn’t even on the table academically, so after independently receiving some training here in Canada (i.e. Planned Parenthood Toronto’s SHARP program), deciding to join was a no-brainer: join in on the conversation AND make it fun/interactive using the ARTS? YES PLEASE. 
What is your favourite moment of being in SExT?
The one where my friends and fellow actors and I went from mildly uncomfortable with each other and the topics to hands-on, condom-flinging, note-belching family-level solidarity.
What issue tackled in SExT is most important to you ?
Abusive relationships because we talk a lot as a society around physical safety, but we seem to have held back on the mental and emotional anguish that can exist in “loving” spaces – SExT tackles this head on, and that means the world to me.
Fun fact about me: In my spare time, I love grabbing my guitar Max, some tea, and writing stuff, while pining for the pets I don’t yet have. 

Thuriga Balasubramaniam (Actor & Assistant Social Media Coordinator)
What issue tackled in SExT is most important to you and why?
 Acceptance. It wasn't a topic covered greatly in the play, but it was spoken about quite a bit. It's such a huge thing, acceptance. Because it's such a horrible feeling to have to hide your sexuality and who you love.
Why is SExT important?
 It's important because it gives a unique and fun spin to Sex-Ed. Usually it's sitting in classrooms and watching videos explaining our bodies. But not here. 
What’s the best part about acting on stage?
Being able to bring an entirely made up [person] to life through your actions is such a fun thing to do. It gives me a chance to be people I've never thought I'd be.
What is an interesting fact about you?
 Ummmmmm I literally cannot go a day without embarrassing myself. I once mistook a ceiling poster for a wall and leaned against it. Resulting in me falling over and taking out an entire display. My whole life is embarrassing. You're welcome.

Aleef Khan (Actor & Resident Blog Contributor)
What issue tackled in SExT is most important to you and why?
I guess, the mental health issue segment in SExT was the most important to me, I have been suffering from OCD and Depression for quite a while now. I kept my mouth shut about it because I thought people would see me as weak or a "Sour Puss." In reality people I have spoken to about my mental illnesses have been very supportive.
Why have you stayed involved with SExT?
I have stayed involved with SExT because I am in love with the director (Shh it’s a secret, she cannot know).
Fun fact about me:
I don't like talking to people, but if I do talk to someone, it means I really like them.
Describe myself in one sentence:  
​I want a panda.

Amen Adio (Actor) 
What's your favourite part about performing onstage?
 I like being onstage for the thrill.
What's your favourite thing about your community? 
My favorite thing about my community is that it's quiet.
What surprised you the most about being in SExT?
 I was most surprised by Shiras' bag full of condoms!
Why have you stayed involved with SExT? 
​I finish the things I start.

Charmaine Chang (Actor)
Describe yourself in one sentence: 
A loud, boisterous gal who likes trivia
Fun fact about me:
I'm Jamaican-Chinese!
Why did you get involved with SExT? 
I got involved with SExT because I have always been comfortable with talking about sex, both academically and in comedy (well I'd like to think I'm funny). SExT sounded like a cool way to teach Sex Ed, and since I quite like theatre, I thought it would be a fun thing to be apart of. Fortunately, I was correct.
What surprised you the most about being in SExT? 
What surprised me the most was how accepting everyone is. I was not expecting the group to feel like a second family after a few months. I sometimes have trouble making friends but the group made me feel comfortable right away. All the people here are unique and special in the best way possible, and it's wonderful that I get to act and sing along side them.

Hamza (Actor)
Why is SExT important?
SExT was a very fun experience and actually where I got to learn a lot about myself, built a ton of self confidence. 
What is your favourite thing about your community?
I love the fact that my community is one of the most diverse in the city. Although it can be hard getting things done sometimes.  😅  
What issue tackled in SExT is most important to you and why?
One issue which SExT covers is rape/ violence against women. I believe that despite living in such a diverse and understanding age, this is an issue which our faces today and we should do every little we can to address it.
Why have you stayed involved with SExT?
I love the idea of performing and have come to learn that a theatre performance can be a very efficient way to approach and talk about issues which might be difficult to talk about otherwise. 

Lauren Chang (Actor)
Describe yourself in one sentence:
Obnoxious, but endearingly so.
Fun fact about me: 
I wear dark lipstick to hide the fact that I don't know how to put on makeup.
Why is a show like SExT so important?
It changes the conversation. Teens don't talk about these personal problems to adults, we talk to each other. By doing this, I hope to make sue that at least one person is informed in that conversation.

Niru Jeya (Actor)
Describe yourself in one sentence:
I'm an outgoing person who loves to have fun and is spontaneous and laid back.
Fun fact about me:
I'm a DC comic enthusiast, who's interested in ancient history, admires Tim Burton's movies and loves to be athletic.
Why is a show like SExT so important?  
SExT is the type of show that will educate and broaden peoples mind about sex education. Sitting in class for an hour and watch someone stand there throwing facts about sex education maybe a bit boring. However, through our comical ways we have made sex education more fun to learn.
What is your favourite part about performing onstage?
​My favourite part about performing is the feeling that there's a whole new side of me that comes out that I was not aware of, and through performing I'm able to make people smile. I'm more than happy to be in a show where I'm able to entertain people as well as educate people about things that we may face in life.

Saad Ilyas (Actor)
​What is an interesting fact about you?
When I was a kid, I was scared of grass and unlike most kids who would wanna jump in puddles I would lose it  if I came across one. Keep in mind that this is when I was 3 or 4 years old.
What is your favourite thing about your community?
 My favourite thing about my community is that we're so close knit.
Why is SExT important?
Not a lot of people know a lot about sex education and the way they are taught in school is not exactly exciting for them and this is a very new way of looking at it.
What surprised you the most about being in SExT?
 What surprised me the most was that I didn't know that I was gonna be doing this a year and a half after it first started. It started something so minuscule and became so big.

Sara Ahmed (Actor)
Fun fact about me:
I'm a great chef at 3 AM (but only if my mom doesn't catch me)!
Describe yourself in one sentence: 
I'm the next [INSERT SUCCESSFUL WOMEN] 
What's your fav part about performing on stage:
I love that when I'm on stage I get to capture the attention of my audience and because they're so focused on what's on stage, in a way I'm able to control their emotions depending on how my character acts. Will I make them scared? Laugh? Excited? You never know. 😏
What surprised you the most about being in SExT?:
​I was really surprised at how open everyone in the cast is with one another. Being in the cast with all of them is so great because they make you feel comfortable and safe at all times, so there's no fear of judgement.