Performance Design and Production faculty member Debashis Sinha brings industry into the classroom
Debashis Sinha is a celebrated sound designer, composer, performer, and educator who has received numerous accolades for his work. In 2024, Sinha was named one of four finalists for Canada’s most valuable theatre award, the Siminovitch Prize. (external link)
“The Siminovitch Prize is a celebration of Canadian theatre, honouring excellence and innovation since 2001. Awarded annually to exceptional theatre artists, the Siminovitch Prize encourages artists financially and with national recognition. It helps artists deepen their practice and facilitates their ongoing contributions to theatre in Canada.”
As a finalist, Sinha received a national profile and documentary as well as an opportunity to support an emerging artist of their choosing. In the documentary Sinha brings his passion for education to the forefront saying “I’m an expression of the knowledge I carry and the responsibility of transmitting that knowledge will engender new knowledge. That position in the timeline gives me great joy.”
Still of Sinha leading a sound design class from Siminovitch Prize documentary (external link) .
Performance Design and production students participate in a sound design mentoring session with Dasha Plett and Sam Ferguson.
Recently, Sinha collaborated with Winnipeg based sound artist Dasha Plett (external link) (aka PRINCESS DASHA) to curate a performance of live sampling, percussion and electronics. While working together, Sinha brought Plett into a mentoring session of 3rd and 4th year Performance Design and Production students led by sound design mentor Sam Ferguson; forging connections between established and emerging artists.
Later this year, Sinha will be the sound designer for a new adaptation of Anne of Green Gables for the Stratford Festival (external link) . He will also present new research creation as part of Wilding AI (external link) at both the Fiber Festival in Amsterdam, and a world premier of the same project in Montreal.