Vanessa Porteous has been Artistic Director of Alberta Theatre Projects since 2009. From 1998-2006, Vanessa was a dramaturg at ATP where she oversaw the development and production of over 30 new Canadian plays. She has also worked extensively as a director and dramaturg in Calgary and across the country, directing at the Stratford Festival, the Arts Club, Thousand Islands Playhouse, The Shakespeare Company, Vertigo Theatre, Urban Curvez, Calgary Opera, and of course, Alberta Theatre Projects. Vanessa is the recipient of two Betty Mitchell Awards for Outstanding Direction. She originally trained as an actor, receiving a BA in Drama from the University of Toronto and a BFA in Acting from the University of Alberta.