THE ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Aahana Uppal
(She/Her)
Aahana, a fourth-year Cognitive Science student, is thrilled to be one of two incoming Co-Artistic Directors for Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s 81st season! Previously, she served as the Events Coordinator on the Board for two seasons and recently worked as the Technical Stage Manager for Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s production of Murder on the Orient Express. Aahana joined Sock ‘n’ Buskin in its 79th season as a hair and makeup volunteer for Anne of Green Gables and quickly found a second home with the company. Over the years, she has explored various roles, learned the ins and outs of this company, and is now excited to take on the next season alongside Naomi and the talented Board. Aahana holds theatre and this community very close to her heart and looks forward to seeing new and familiar faces this year! When not thinking about Sock ‘n’ Buskin (which she thinks about quite a bit), you can find her chatting about the human mind, going on a quest for sweet treats, and spending time with family and friends. Aahana is honoured to perform in this role and build on the legacy of Sock ’n’ Buskin alum. Here’s to SnB 81!
Naomi Badour
(She/Her)
Naomi is a fourth-year English major who’s heading into her fourth season with Sock ‘n’ Buskin. She couldn’t be more honoured to be leading the company alongside Aahana to produce an all-new slate of shows! A long-time lover of theatre, Naomi acted (and sang, with less success) in several productions in high school, including Legally Blonde (“Enid”), Frozen (“Kristoff”), and Aladdin (“Iago”). In her three years with SnB, she has worked on The Importance of Being Earnest (assistant stage manager), Dracula (director), Elephant’s Graveyard (“Clown”), Clue (“Cook”), and The Outsiders (technical stage manager). Naomi has also served on the Board for two years as the Volunteer and Production Coordinators. She thinks about Sock ‘n’ Buskin literally every second of every day, which is interrupted by brief interludes of reading, collecting kitschy earrings, and learning fun facts about death practices around the world. Naomi is honoured to be one of Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s Co-Artistic Directors, and she is eternally grateful to everyone both past and present who has kept this company running for 81 years.
THE BOARD
Max Schneider
Max is a third-year Film Studies and Communication & Media Studies student at Carleton, and this is his second year with Sock ‘n’ Buskin. A lover of all work behind-the-scenes, he immersed himself in the company throughout the 2023-24 season, getting involved with The Tragedie of Macbeth as an Assistant Stage Manager and Stagehand, as well as being the Props Master on The Outsiders. He is thrilled to now be on the board as Internal Coordinator for Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s 81st season! When he isn’t organizing contracts and making schedules, Max can always be found in a coffee shop (working on said contracts and schedules); he also acts as a representative for Film students on the CASG and FASS boards at Carleton, and is never not thinking or talking about niche pop culture events. Email him anything! Keep him busy!
Smridhi Malhotra
Smridhi is a third-year Global and International Studies student specializing in global communications. This is her second season with Sock ‘n’ Buskin and could not be more excited! She is thrilled to help bring these shows to life and grow the company this year- and working with loads of numbers. During her first season, she directed The Outsiders (2024). She is currently in Suva, Fiji as she types this working on yet another spreadsheet for work. She is a lover of storytelling in all mediums, and was heavily involved with film during high school. Growing up in Brampton, she trained in Taekwondo and is now a blackbelt. Smridhi is grateful to be part of a wonderful season on its way, and encourages everyone to participate in whatever shape or form they please.
Abby Butler
Abby is a third-year Communication and Media Studies student with a minor in Psychology. This is Abby’s second season with Sock ‘n’ Buskin and she is looking forward to another year of creating theatre magic and inside(r) jokes with this amazing community! Last season, Abby was the production stage manager for The Outsiders and a stagehand for Macbeth and Murder on the Orient Express. When she is not at a concert (or planning her next one), she’s probably playing Candy Crush, adding books to her tbr, or watching an Eras Tour Livestream. You’ll find her on campus at therapy dog pawffice hours or the caf pasta station. Abby is excited to meet everyone this season and welcome them to the Sock ‘n’ Buskin family!
Levi Nabe
Levi is a fourth-year Film Studies student at Carleton University, who is serving his third term as Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s Webmaster. He has been involved in theatre since high school, and is delighted that he can continue pursuing this passion with Sock ‘n’ Buskin. He has been a part of Anne of Green Gables, Clue and last year’s production of Macbeth, and enjoys the ability to participate in theatre both on and off the stage. Outside of theatre, Levi enjoys watching old school horror movies, reading comic books and preforming as his drag alter ego; Dandy Darko. And he’s thrilled to be spending another year with Sock ‘n’ Buskin and is excited to see what our community has to offer this season!
Rey Duff
Rey is a 5th year Human Rights and Social Justice Major with a minor in English Literature and Language. This is Rey’s fourth season being involved with Sock ‘n’ Buskin, and he is so excited to help bring it to life as part of the board this year! Rey painted sets for the Importance of Being Earnest (2022) and Anne of Green Gables (2022), was a stagehand for Dracula (2022), Clue (2023) and Macbeth (2023) and most recently was the production stage manager for Murder on the Orient Express (2024). Rey is excited to share sneak peaks of the season and keep you up to date on everything Sock ‘n’ Buskin as he runs the social media this year. You can almost always find him running around backstage or filming videos for the TikTok. Reach out on any of Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s socials and Rey will do his best to get back to you speedy quick!
Somin An
Somin is a third-year Media Production and Design student minoring in French. Her first experience with Sock ’n’ Buskin was when she volunteered as a sound assistant for Dracula in 2023. Although she is relatively new to the theatre field, she has gained creative experience by constantly volunteering and working at festivals and art galleries in Canada and Korea. In the summer, she will participate in an apprenticeship at Odyssey Theatre to learn acting, design the tech, and write the script. She is excited to join the board of directors as a graphic coordinator for the first season and see how far the company can develop with the team!
Madison Edwards
(She/Her)
• Events Coordinator •
Serving her second year on the board but third year with Sock ‘n’ Buskin, Madison is so excited to be taking on a new role this year of events coordinator! With years of theatre experience, she is so excited to be able to bring the community or Sock ‘n’ Buskin together for monthly events and bonding! Madison’s previous experience with SnB includes stage managing Dracula and her debut in Elephants Graveyard, as well as her time last year on the Board of Executives as the Graphics Coordinator! Outside of the theatre, Madison is heading into her 4th year studying Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology with a Minor in Disability Studies, with hopes to one day go into Nursing school! Madison is extremely grateful to be head of events this year and is ecstatic for this season’s line up of shows! She cannot wait to see what this season has in store!
Melissa Elmas
Melissa is a second-year Psychology major with a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice. This is her first year being involved with Sock ‘n’ Buskin and she is excited to be the Equity and Accessibility coordinator for the 81st season! Melissa has been involved with theatre throughout her whole life, working both backstage and centre stage (her favourite role being a tiger). Aside from theatre, she enjoys her free time reading books, watching Glee, and listening to musical soundtracks. She’s excited to see what this season of SnB will hold and she hopes to make lasting memories along the way!
Gabriella Umutesi
Gabriella is a 4th-year BGINs student specializing in Global Inequalities and Social Change, who’s graduating this year. This is Gabriella’s second year of involvement with Sock ‘n’ Buskin, and she is excited to welcome volunteers to a wonderful community like this one. In addition to stage-handing and painting in all three shows of the 80th season, Gabriella also served as the co-programming coordinator for the 80th Willies. For the 81st season, Gabriella is grateful to be back as Sock ‘n’ Buskin ́s new volunteer coordinator. Gabriella has always loved the arts, and she hopes her passion for performance and theater contributes to the warm and welcoming culture of SnB program.
Michael Biason
Michael is a third-year sociology student at Carleton University and has stuck with Sock ‘n’ Buskin since his first show with the company as Renfield in Dracula. Since then, appearing in 3 more productions as an actor for Elephant’s Graveyard (Ringmaster), Macbeth (Donalbain/Siward), and most recently The Outsiders as Ponyboy Curtis. Off stage, Michael has also supported Murder on the Orient Express as a stagehand. Off off stage, Michael enjoys playing video games, thinking about playing D&D, and mushroom hunting! Going into the 81st season, Michael has been banished (happily) to the board as co-production coordinator where he hopes to build another silly and inspiring season alongside his friends and community.
Zane Labonté-Hagar
Zane is a third year Software Engineering student at Carleton. He’s very excited to continue with Sock ‘n’ Buskin for his second season, especially with such a welcoming and dedicated community. Last year he kicked off his role in Sock ‘n’ Buskin as a stagehand for Macbeth, and then worked as a set designer for both The Outsiders and Murder on the Orient Express. During high school he led AV for theatre and events, and is happy to be behind the scenes again. Zane is really looking forward to helping bring visions to life, and is grateful to be a Co-production Coordinator alongside Michael. Besides theatre and coding, he loves cycling, photography, baking, and making stained glass.