Bowtie Productions was founded in 2020, initially as a student project, with the goal of creating more opportunities for early-career artists to work on mature, thought-provoking pieces of theatre in small scale, immersive productions. Led by like-minded arts performers and creators from the Toronto theatre community, Bowtie continues to illuminate impactful stories and deliver intimate, rarely produced pieces of fan-favourite theatre.
Now heralded as "one of Toronto's most promising companies" (My Entertainment World), their debut production of the musical Fun Home played a sold out run and formed the foundation for a growing collective. Their 2024 season featuring Falsettos and Hedwig and the Angry Inch played to rave reviews from audiences and critics. These productions have been nominated for a total of 9 Broadway World Award Nominations and 3 Critics Pick Nominations from My Entertainment World in addition to sold out and extended performances.
Bowtie hopes to continue providing a platform for artistic expression and professional growth through the presentation of high calibre theatrical productions and unique programming that speaks to the Toronto arts community.
The managing Team
Meredith Shedden, Artistic Director
Meredith (she/her) is a Toronto-based director/choreographer with a background in musical theatre performance (HBMTP Sheridan College, 2022).
Selected direction and choreography credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch - director/choreographer, Falsettos - director/choreographer, Fun Home - choreographer/associate director (Bowtie Productions), Be More Chill - associate director (Bravo Academy), and The Drowsy Chaperone - director/choreographer (Victoria College Drama Society).
When Meredith is not in the rehearsal room, you can find her calling line dances at Toronto's premier queer line dance event, "Spurs Night;" emceeing at "Tavern of Song," a music series that she runs with her father; or playing at home with her cat, Fosse.
Ian Kowalski, Managing Director
Ian (he/him) is a graduate of the Performing Arts program at O'Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute and the Media Production Program at Toronto Met University (fka Ryerson). As a lifelong performer and lover of the arts, he is passionate about creating a platform for artists to express themselves in telling impactful stories that change our perception of what is possible with theatre.
Select acting credits include Peter in Peter Pan the Musical (The LOT), Tobias in Sweeney Todd (Ember Island Players), Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast (O'Neill CVI) and Will Bloom in Big Fish (TMTC). Behind the scenes, he has directed Cumulus (UBC Brave New Play Rites Festival), Fun Home (Bowtie), produced Falsettos, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Bowtie), directed and produced several short films and works full time on the production team at Canadian Stage.