Kelly Thornton is an award-winning theatre director and dramaturg. Since 2001, she has been the Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre, Canada's national women's theatre. Prior to this she worked in play development at Canadian Stage Company, Factory Theatre and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. She has been directing for the stage for over fifteen years, and has toured nationally and internationally with her work. Kelly teaches at the National Theatre School of Canada and has been a guest instructor at Graduate Centre for Drama at University of Toronto as well as the Sheridan College Theatre Program. In 2003 she was honoured with the prestigious Pauline McGibbon Award for her outstanding work as a Director and most recently, Kelly was recognized for her commitment to training and mentorship of young women in the performing arts by being named a 2008 YWCA Woman of Distinction.