- Kelly Bedard
- Managing Editor
- Rachael Nisenkier
- Senior Staff Writer
- TV, Cinema, Books
- Brian Balduzzi
- Senior Staff Writer
- Theatre (Boston)
- Borah Coburn
- Senior Staff Writer/
- Assistant Editor
- Books
- James Melo
- Staff Writer
- Theatre (Boston/Connecticut)
- Mark Gibbons-Levy
- Staff Writer
- Cinema, Sports
- Vincent Perretti
- Staff Writer
- Music
- Saiya Floyd
- Staff Writer
- TV
- Elizabeth Ramirez
- Staff Writer
- Games, Theatre
- Mike Strizic
- Staff Writer
- Music
- Rebbekah Vega Romero
- Staff Writer
- Theatre (NYC)
- Leeman Kessler
- Staff Writer
- Games
- Amy Strizic
- Staff Writer
- Theatre (Dance)
- Michael Polubiec
- Staff Writer
- TV, Cinema, Theatre
- Laurel Clayton
- Staff Writer
- TV, Cinema, Books
- Lorenzo Pagnotta
- Staff Writer
- Theatre (Toronto)
- Emurii MacArthur
- Staff Writer
- Games
- Mic Raygun
- Staff Writer
- Music
- Matt Dodge
- Staff Writer
- TV, Music
- Nevena Nenova
- Staff Writer
- Cinema
- Eric DePriester
- Staff Writer
- Sports
- Joe Modzelewski
- Staff Writer
- Cinema, Music
- Brock Swinson
- Staff Writer
- Cinema
- Donte Smith
- Staff Writer
- Sports
- Daniela Smith
- Staff Writer
- TV
- Peter Wicks
- Staff Writer
- Cinema, TV
- Michael Distefano
- Staff Writer
- Sports
- Nick Christophers
- Staff Writer
- Cinema
CLICK HERE to see our Contributing Authors,
Former Staffers and Guest Writers
Kelly Bedard
Managing Editor
Kelly graduated from Boston University with a degree in television writing, but what she really acquired in those 4 years away from her beloved Toronto was a body of television review work consisting of 1000+ posts and labeled My TV, mostly the product of hours watching Buffy instead of writing essays. Her overdeveloped love of Shakespeare and musical theatre led her to create sister site My Theatre in 2010. My Cinema and My Bookshelf (now, My Books) followed, as did My Sports Stadium (now, My Sports) when her baseball obsession got the better of her. New additions My Music and My Games rounded out the family and led to the creation of umbrella site My Entertainment World, where the thorough reader can gain an impossibly detailed understanding of Kelly’s every thought and feeling. About Everything. Kelly works as a writer and couch potato in Toronto, is a devoted disciple of the school of Sorkin and would like to thank Joss for his inspirational audio commentaries.
Rachael Nisenkier
Senior Staff Writer- My TV, My Cinema, My Books
Rachael spent four years studying film and slackerdom at Boston University, before taking her pop culture knowledge and penchant for binging on teen dramas on the road. She’s lived in the home of The Wire, the birthplace of The Simpsons, and the land that gave birth to Pedro Almodovar, but she’s now residing in Southern California, which has no connections with pop culture whatsoever. She’s a writer by day and may or may not be a superhero by night. Rachael is the head writer for My Cinema and the founding author of My Books as well as one of the original contributors to My TV.
Brian Balduzzi
Staff Writer- My Theatre (Boston)
Brian is a struggling law student by day, quirky theatre reviewer by night. He is a former neuroscientist, actor, director, and teacher, turned into a taxing, run-loving, Shakespeare-spouting twenty-something in Boston, Massachusetts with an unquenchable craving for loaded cheese fries, margaritas, and hush puppies. He aspires to be the epitome of an oxymoron. Brian heads up My Theatre’s Boston Division.
Borah Coburn
Staff Writer- My Books, My Cinema, My Theatre (Boston)
Borah Coburn is an aspiring actress, sometimes singer, and abusive allitera-holic. She dabbles in other creative arenas as well–particularly the visual arts and clothing/costume design. She really likes Shakespeare, Faulkner, and Joss Stone (that woman is barefoot. All the time!). She holds a BA in English from Boston University. Borah is the head writer for My Books.
James Melo
Staff Writer- My Theatre (Boston/Connecticut)
James Melo is a medieval history major and theater enthusiast, both on stage and off. He specializes in the study of medieval England, and is obsessed with Shakespeare. When not driving himself crazy with school work, he can be found reading, fencing, or riding his bike.
Mark Gibbons-Levy
Staff Writer- My Cinema, My Sports
Mark graduated from Penn State University and holds an MFA in Screenwriting from Boston University. Originally from outside Philadelphia, Mark can be see at any of the local Boston bars in an out-of-town uniform rooting for the wrong team. In his spare time he likes to yell at the people who get questions wrong on Cash Cab, find new coffee shops, and walk in the park. Besides a strong background in Film, Mark is also the proud owner of an extensive comic book collection and a high cholesterol level.
Vincent Perretti
Staff Writer- My Music
After studying film for a few years at Pennsylvania State University, Vince left college after a job opportunity opened at a production house in New York. He’s been in Brooklyn ever since – mostly because it reminds him of his hometown in Philly. It’s got your morning drunks, your walk-down-the-street-bar lifestyle all of us love so much and a river runs through it. Get it? Regardless, most of his days are spent editing, but in his free time he pursues a career in directing/shooting music videos.
Saiya Floyd
Staff Writer- My TV
Saiya is graduate of Boston University with a degree in Film and Television. When she’s not busy procrastinating, she writes screenplays, and hopes to one day make money doing this. Saiya likes TV, movies, plays and naps. Saiya is My TV’s British TV expert.
Elizabeth Ramirez
Staff Writer- My Games, My Theatre (Boston)
Elizabeth Ramirez wants to grow up to live in lighthouse/castle; if possible she’d like to direct theater from it, have a library with every book, and an endless supply of mac and cheese. For now she works in Boston, plays video games, hangs out with The Calliope Project and looks out for chances to use her shiny English degree from Boston University.
Mike Strizic
Staff Writer- My Music
Mike holds a Masters in Literature from the University of Edinburgh. He currently lives in Toronto where he writes, edits and teaches. In summer months he may be found running through the woods with a canoe on his head. His interests include live music, Calvinball and the Rule of Three.
Rebbekah Vega Romero
Staff Writer- My Theatre (NYC)
Rebbekah Vega Romero is thrilled to be joining the team of writers at My Theatre! She has recently moved back to New York City to pursue her career as a singer and actress. While earning her B.A. at Boston University, she appeared in student productions of Sweeney Todd, Spring Awakening, As You Like It, On the Razzle, and Into the Woods, among others. Professional acting credits in Boston include Arcadia (Chloe, Bad Habit Productions), Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio/Paris, Independent Drama Society), A Civil War Christmas (Student Ensemble, Huntington Theatre Company), and The Taming of the Shrew (Ensemble, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company). She’d like to thank Kelly for this opportunity to engage with the theatre community in a new way. Rebbekah heads up the My Theatre NYC Division.
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Leeman Kessler
Staff Writer- My Games
Born in Nigeria, schooled in the States and United Kingdom, and currently treading the Toronto boards, Leeman Kessler is a member of Monkeyman Productions and a dedicated geek. His favourite roles include HP Lovecraft, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and King Kong. When he’s not acting, gaming, karaokeing, or drooling in front of Netflix, he…well okay, he doesn’t do a whole heck of a lot else. Just ask his wife.
Amy Strizic
Staff Writer- My Theatre (Dance)
Amy Strizic holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, majoring in English and Forest Conservation. She works both at the university teaching ballet and at a small studio in Parkdale. Amy has been dancing since she can remember, and performing in a variety of styles. In her free time she enjoys learning new tree species names, mostly in Latin, and practicing aerial circus.
Michael Polubiec
Staff Writer- My TV, My Cinema, My Theatre (Toronto)
Michael has a background in Art History and Curatorial Studies, holding degrees from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Toronto. Someday he would like to get a dog. Michael enjoys reading and talking about art and cinema (and now theatre!?) as well as delving into Wikipedia wormholes. High on his list of dislikes are raisins and walking into screen doors.
Laurel Clayton
Staff Writer- My TV, My Cinema, My Books
Originally from Toronto, Laurel now holds a degree in English Literature from Concordia University in Montreal, where she now semi-permanently lives, works and watches television. She has a lot of very serious opinions about books and television, if you’d like to hear them.
Lorenzo Pagnotta
Staff Writer- My Theatre (Toronto)
Lorenzo Pagnotta has taught drama workshops to both seniors and youth in community centers throughout Montreal and Toronto, and also enjoys performing himself. He aspires to continue growing as an artist, teacher, and researcher; harmoniously combing his skills in both doing theatre and analyzing it. Latest projects include performing the title role in a comical adaptation of Hamlet which toured throughout southern Italy (Teatromania); playing a variety of characters in classroom settings as an actor simulator (Ryerson’s Interpersonal Skills Training Centre); and working as a production assistant on Like an Old Tale (Jumblies Theatre) and Obeah Opera (bcurrent Performing Arts / Theatre Archipelago). Lorenzo recently completed an MA in Italian Studies at McGill University, specializing in contemporary Italian theatre, and holds a BA in Drama and Italian Studies from the University of Alberta.
Emurii MacArthur
Staff Writer- My Games
Emurii has been a gamer since the age of six and a Japanese mediaphile since age ten. Her love of story building, subtext, literary analysis, and character development has drawn her primarily to Japanese RPGs, but she also enjoys other games, like Wario Ware and beat ‘em ups. Currently a law student at Northeastern University, Emurii spends her time reading, cooking, translating, and watching too many television shows. She owns hundreds of pieces of Pokemon merchandise and holds a B.A. in Japanese Language & Literature from Boston University.”
Mic Raygun
Staff Writer- My Music
Mic Raygun is a musician based out of Brooklyn and interns at Ba Da Bing records where he’s attempting to learn as much about the music business as possible before he gets the axe! For the past 10 years Mic has spent most his time producing and listening to music. His obsession with absorbing the characteristics of sound has made him into a meticulous songwriter and engineer. Performing is something Mic is also in love with and has been pursuing a career in it for almost five years. If you couldn’t guess, Mic is writer for My Music.
Matt Dodge
Staff Writer- My TV, My Music
Matt Dodge is originally from Ottawa (go Sens!), where he attended University and somehow ended up with a degree in history and political science. He currently resides in Toronto where he is a full-time procrastinator who occasionally takes a break to scribble some pretentious nonsense on a piece of paper, which he’ll later tear up when people “don’t understand the full impact of subtext”. He knows way too much about hockey, Saved By The Bell, and Star Wars.
Eric DePriester
Staff Writer- My Sports
Eric DePriester is a professional vagrant and occasional writer. After studying Philosophy at Middlebury College, he tour managed a band in Los Angeles, trekked through Europe, waited tables in Boston, wrote a travel guide in Vietnam, and most recently secluded himself in Montana to finish his first novel. Deeply committed to LA sports, his emotional state is often tethered to the Lakers’ roller coaster record or the inevitability of the next Dodgers collapse.
Nevena Nenova
Staff Writer- My Cinema
Nevena Nenova grew up in Bulgaria in a family of professional ski athletes. Instead of following in her parents’ footsteps, she turned to theater. Her early years found her performing in various plays at the community theater in her hometown. Halfway through college in Bulgaria, Nevena received a green card and in 2001 journeyed to the United States where a few years later she earned a BA in screenwriting at Metropolitan State University, MN. Currently she works as an independent interpreter and she is highly involved in the theater/film community in the Twin Cities as a writer, director, and actress. Nevena owes all of her accomplishments to the support of her loving husband, family, and friends… and endless gallons of coffee.
Joe Modzelewski
Staff Writer- My Cinema, My Music
Joe Modzelewski is a student from Oakville, Ontario. He is one who has passionate hopes and aspirations in writing, photography and film. The chains of high school have yet to release him as he still has a year to pay his dues. He is terribly not very clever and wishes he was in a punk band (or at least a Sonic Youth cover band if possible). He has watched too much Arrested Development and thinks that Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd is pretty great.
Brock Swinson
Staff Writer- My Cinema
Brock Swinson is a freelance writer from North Carolina. After college, he spent time exploring the lower 48 writing for websites like eBay, Tokii and Examiner. Currently, he lives in Los Angeles and balances his time between production work and writing while maintaining his blog, Undaunted Magazine.
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Donte Smith
Staff Writer- My Sports
Donte Smith is from Philadelphia PA. Donte has a strong passion for writing weather it’s short stories, screen-plays or articles. Donte attended Pennsylvania State University and the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Donte wants to eventually write scripts for the films we watch daily but for now he is happy making his own stories. Donte can reach on twitter @DonteSmith10
Daniela Smith
Staff Writer- My TV
Daniela Smith graduated from Western University with a degree in Psychology and English Language and Literature. She is always curious and interested in learning about the arts and social issues, in particular. Daniela enjoys analyzing and critiquing what she learns. Currently, she is a freelance writer and editor.
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Peter Wicks
Staff Writer- My Cinema, My TV
Peter Wicks has a degree in film and creative writing from the University of Toledo. Naturally, he works in service of the public at the Toledo Library, an institution that gives him access to a wealth of information to digest. Most of it remains undigested because he’s busy playing board games and watching Netflix.
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Michael Distefano
Staff Writer- My Sports
Michael Distefano is from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Michael has a passion for sports and is looking forward to writing insightful articles about a variety of different sports. Michael attends The University of Western Ontario where he plans to graduate while majoring in Media, Information, and Technoculture. Michael aspires to be a sports journalist for a major sports broadcasting company, and further develop into a sports analyst. You can reach Michael at his personal twitter account @mickey_canucks.
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Nick Christophers
Staff Writer- My Cinema
Nick Christophers has always been immersed in the arts. Whether it is drawing or writing, his passion for both is unwavering. Graduating from the School of Visual Arts with a degree in Media Arts and a minor in Journalism, he created his own caricaturists’ business and still receives calls for parties today. His writing has been published in many online and print magazines, beginning with major Greek publication The National Herald. More recently, Nick’s work has appeared in online publications like www.longisland.com, www.avenue1online.com, www.greekhollywoodreporter.com, and www.mobcandymag.com where he also serves as editor. His original novel Destinies is currently being shopped to publishing houses.
Special Thanks To:
The Bedard Family- for support
Rachael Nisenkier- for help
Aaron Kropf (Stratford Shakespeare Festival)- for faith
Linn Øyen Farley (Drollic Design)- for guidance
Daniel Malen (The TV Addict)- for inspiration
“Dorv”- for original fandom
Sorkin, Whedon, Berlanti, Katims, Rhimes, Shakespeare, Stoppard, Mamet, Brown, Schwartz, Lloyd Webber, Reiner, Soderberg, Fincher, Marshall, Halladay, Hill, McDonald, Patchett, Dahl, Seuss, the Boys, the Loaf, Ms. Swift and so many others- for motivation
