Weyni Mengesha, Award-Winning Director/Dramaturge
Weyni Mengesha is an award winning director/dramaturge who was born in Vancouver and raised in Toronto to Ethiopian parents.
She first received acclaim directing trey anthony’s ‘da kink in my hair, helping build it into an international sensation; and composing its Dora-nominated score. Mengesha has gone on to make a name for herself with other credits including; directing d’bi.young.anitafrika’s play blood.claat, for which she and the production received major critical acclaim and numerous awards across Canada. She directed Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun; her directorial vision garnering the production a place in Toronto’s NOW magazine’s “Top Ten Theatre Productions of 2008”.
Citing her ability to “skillfully blend visuals and emotions,” Mengesha personally earned the number two spot among NOW’s “Top Ten Theatre Artists of 2008.” Her latest production, Yellowman, has received major critical acclaim; citing Mengesha’s work as ‘Triumphant’ (National Post).Mengesha is also a committed mentor of new talent, and producer of youth arts initiatives. She Co-Founded and is the Artistic Director of ‘Sound The Horn’, an organziation dedicated to educating and empowering Ethiopian and Eritrean youth through the arts. Since 2004 STH has been working with People to People Canada to showcase and train over 60 artists annually through its various programs and festivals. She co-directs The A.M.Y Project, an annual theatre training program for young women, with Claire Calnan.
Mengesha has received numerous awards including the Toronto Arts Council Foundation “Emerging Artist of the Year Awardâ€Â, presented by Toronto Mayor David Miller.
Visit her website.
