Firecracker Department started as a podcast interviewing female and non-binary artists to give their voices another platform. It has since grown into an international community of artistic women and non-binary folk empowering each other to take creative action through education, positive support by providing more platforms for our voices and stories.
We're changing the world and we are better, stronger because you are here!
The Firecracker Team
Naomi Snieckus
An alumni of the Second City Theatre in Toronto, some of Naomi’s TV/Film credits include: CBC’s comedy, Mr. D, Designated Survivor, Pretty Hard Cases, Carter, Disney Zombies, Work It on Netflix, and BBC/YTV’s Popularity Papers. Cartoons: Franklin the Turtle, Thomas the Tank Engine, Building Brothers, Open Season and Zombies. She co-created: Doing it With Brian and Darla and The Casting Room on CBC (LA WebFest and CCA winner). Winner of the CCA Award for Best Female Improviser and founding member of the five-time CCA winning The National Theatre of the World. Naomi is a producer, founder and host of our podcast and community!
Pau Carranza
Paulina Carranza-Renteria is an emerging Mexican filmmaker with experience as a producer, director, screenwriter, and production designer. With a background in journalism, education, marketing, theatrical productions and filmmaking, Paulina has dedicated her resources to telling honest stories about the immigrant experience and the intricacies of human connection, about creative folks who “broke the mold” but remain invisible in mainstream media. Her first Canadian projects, currently in different stages of post-production, explore these issues in detail.
Veronica Anne Martin
Veronica is an Actioneer, leads the #FirecrackerMentorshipDept, and facilitates the yearly #FirecrackerArtistsWay programme. She has been a core member since October, 2018. Veronica has a business/personal/creativity coaching and human resources consulting company in the Greater Toronto area, with clients in Canada and the US.
Veronica mentors HR practitioners through programmes at the Human Resources Professionals Association and provides career guidance and coaching through the McMaster Alumni Association.
Veronica was a volunteer literacy tutor for over 10 years and volunteers at the Festival of Threads Exhibition.
For the Firecracker Dept: Our Actioneers
Veronica Martin - Head of Mentorship Dept
Pau Carranza - Head of Podcast Productions
Firecracker Logos
Becca Buttigieg
Podcast Production Team
Pau Carranza - Head Producer
Jennifer Moroz - Consulting Producer and Cheerleader Extraordinaire.
Anna Mirodin - Youtube Artistic Management
Rebecca Gismondi - Show Notes and Additional Writing
Jennifer Rowley - Sound Design and Editing
Jana O’Connor - Sound Editing Assistant
Sedina Fiati - Sponsorship Outreach and Consultation
Mentorship Dept Team
Veronica Martin, Kathleen Harquail, Sarah Potter
Art Auction Team
Carole Lowe, Jocelyn Zucco
TIFF Team Support
Lisa Sherman, Syd Neilson, Adrienne Wilson and MORE!
Comedy Brunch
Stephanie McLarty and MORE!
Red Point Team
Virginia Abramovich, Karen Shopsowitz, Eileen Melnick, Steph McLarty, Doris Chung, Racheal McCaig
Firecracker Photographer
Racheal McCaig with Edie Inksetter
Our Alumni
It takes a village to create something as meaningful and purposeful as Firecracker Department. Below are the folks that came together to help build this community from the beginning. Whether they came along for a long time or a short time - it’s all been an important time. Thank you, we couldn’t be where we are without you!
