From Vision to Reality: The Assistant Designer’s Role
With Rachel Forbes, Gillian Gallow, John Gzowski, Laura Warren and Mikael Kangas
December 7, 2026, 8pm ET
This panel brings together four designers to discuss the working relationship between designers and assistant designers. Panelists will share perspectives on defining roles and responsibilities, setting expectations, communicating effectively, supporting creative collaboration, and creating meaningful learning opportunities. The conversation will also explore fair compensation, professional boundaries, mentorship, and how assistantship opportunities can help emerging designers build sustainable careers.
Workshops and Panels are open to everyone, both members and non-members, across Canada and beyond. Attendance is free of charge. Advance registration is required.
Speakers
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Rachel ForbesSet and Costume DesignerRachel is an award-winning set and costume designer creating for theatre, dance, opera and film. Her designs have been seen on stages, sites and screens all across Canada. Rachel is particularly interested in the development of new works, interdisciplinary explorations, experimental creation methods and designer-led theatre projects. Rachel proudly serves on the board of directors of the Associate Designers of Canada and is an avid mentor, teacher, and supporter of young in craft designers.
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Gillian GallowSet and Costume DesignerGillian was recently awarded the prestigious Siminovitch Prize. She is a Toronto based artist currently designing with the Shaw Festival and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Gillian is the 2018 recipient of the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design. She has been nominated for 8 Dora Mavor Moore awards, and has received 4. Gillian studied design for the theatre at York University and graduated with an honours BFA.
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John GzowskiComposer and Sound DesignerComposer, sound designer, musician and instrument maker John Gzowski worked on over 300 theatre, dance and film productions for which he has done composition, sound design, live foley, live music and as musical director. He has played banjo for opera in Banff, studied Carnatic classical music in India and played oud and guitar in jazz and folk festivals across Canada and Europe. His theatre work has won him 6 Dora’s, from 18 nominations for companies like Stratford, Shaw Festival, Luminato, National Arts Centre, the Mirvishes, MTC, the Arts Club, Canstage, Soulpepper, Dancemakers, Red Sky, Tarragon, Factory Theatre and YPT. Gzowski has played on numerous CD’s, with recent releases with Patricia O’Callghan, Tasa, and Autorickshaw as well as a Juno nomination with Maza Meze. He has run Canada’s first microtonal group, touring Canada playing the works of Harry Partch, composed and performed with several new music groups and worked as co-artistic director of the Music Gallery.
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Mikael KangasLighting DesignerMikael designs lights for theatre, opera, dance & events. Recent work includes; Wozzeck, Madama Butterfly, Nabucco, Fantasma (Canadian Opera Company), Anything Goes, My Fair Lady, The Amen Corner, Damn Yankees,Trouble in Mind, Glass Menagerie, O’Flarety VC (Shaw Festival), Die Walkure (Edmonton Opera), Beehive, Naked Radio (Drayton Entertainment) Chris Mrs., (Boldy Productions), Just for One Day, In Dreams, & Juliet, Room (Mirvish, Assoc. Design) Mikael is the Lighting & Projection Design Coordinator for the Canadian Opera Company, and is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada & United Scenic Artists.
