Founder and Artistic Director, Head Drama Facilitator
BFA, Concordia
S.S.W., Sheridan College
Danielle founded DramaWay in 1999. She saw an opportunity in the community to provide creative arts programs, emphasizing a uniquely compassionate, process-oriented approach to educational arts programming for individuals with special needs. Danielle’s philosophy is to always put her participants first.
Danielle’s background as a social service worker and theater artist; combined with her larger-than-life personality are the backbone of DramaWay’s success. As a theatre artist, she knows how to craft a show, and provide engaging programs for individuals of all levels. As a Social Service Worker, she brings great empathy and understanding for each and every individual. Danielle views the arts as a gateway to confidence and community, and hopes to spread her inclusive philosophy, through her work at DramaWay.
“The most rewarding aspect of my job is to see the growth in individuals, many of whom have been attending our program since DramaWay’s inception. When I see the small steps that happen, someone being afraid to go on stage one year and then the next barging onto the stage with full confidence I know we’re really impacting someone’s life.”
-Danielle Strand
Danielle has received media attention for her work from the Canadian Living Magazine, The Annex Gleaner, The Scarborough Mirror, CBC’s Moving On TV program, and continues to be recognized by Community Living Toronto as a valuable community partner. The Erinoakkids Players group, directed and led by Danielle, was awarded The Emerging Performance Arts Group in 2005 by the Mississauga Arts Council.
Prior to founding DramaWay, Danielle worked as a Drama Specialist teaching, directing and supervising Theatre programs within TDSB schools and around the GTA community for Etobicoke Creative Arts, Arts Express Outreach Program, Children’s Arts Theatre School and the City of Toronto. She has created therapeutic programs in collaboration with Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Music Therapists and Behavioural Consultants. Amongst her many credits, Danielle has also performed in numerous productions for theatre companies such as Elysian River Theatre, Imago Theatre, Geordie Theatre Productions and Pumpkin Theatre. She also finds time to perform music with the band Vaslav.
