About Us
The London One Act Festival (LOAF) began in 1999 with seven plays at the Old Factory Theatre. In 2000 the festival moved to The McManus Studio in the Grand Theatre.
As well as growing in length and number of performances, the Festival has also expanded its focus to encompass more of London's artistic community, including displays of artwork by area artists and pre-show musical entertainment provided by local entertainers.
The festival consists of two nights of previews and two nights of adjudicated performances. The adjudication gives the performers, writers and directors an opportunity to learn from the experience. A workshop for participants takes place on the Sunday of the festival. The workshop will be followed by an awards ceremony. Each year the awards are made by local artisans. In the past we have had a blacksmith, potter, metal worker and painter create unique and cherished mementos.
The Festival attracts people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds who are interested in the chance to have their work - acting directing, writing, technical skills - seen by a diverse audience in a creative environment.
LOAF COMMITTEE
Maridon Duncanson
Administrative Director, Webmaster
Sookie Mei
Arts Coordinator
Janice Johnston
Participant Liaison
Debra Chantler
Technical Director
Cameron Johnston
Technical Assistant
About the Adjudicator
Caroline Smith
After graduating from York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Caroline Smith has enjoyed a successful 40-year career in professional theatre as a performer, choreographer, director, adjudicator and playwright, working in numerous theatre across Canada including the Shaw Festival, the Canadian Opera Company, and Drayton Entertainment.
In 1996, Caroline moved to the village of Stirling, Ontario where she founded the Stirling Festival Theatre. Under her leadership as Artistic and Managing Director until 2009, the Stirling Festival won three Lieutenant Governor's Awards and numerous business achievement awards.
Caroline is also a published playwright. Her Panto scripts are annually produced by Drayton Entertainment, and her kitchen-comedy The Kitchen Witches was the winner of the 2005 Samuel French Best Canadian Play Award.
She is currently a Guest Director at the Toronto Film School, dramaturge for the Gaslight Theatre Play Competition in Collingwood, adjudicator for the 2018/19 ACT-CO Festival and freelances as a professional director and choreographer.
