AJ Simmons

Known for her fierce determination and brazenly unapologetic heart, AJ Simmons is a Mestiza actor, writer, and filmmaker. The daughter of a transracial adoptee and a refugee, she is grateful to be living, breathing and working on the unceded, ancestral, and occupied, traditional lands of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Watuth, and Squamish Nations. With a diverse foundation in classical theatre and dance, AJ's passion for storytelling is infused with a layered complexity. For the stage, AJ has collaborated with Electric Company, Pacific, Factory, Pleiades, Young People's Theatre, Roseneath, Aluna, and Alameda Theatre. AJ also explores her intersectionality through Flamenco and is a member of Flamenco Rosario's Professional Training Program 2019/20. She trains concurrently with Oscar Nieto and Kasandra 'La China' of Mozaico Flamenco. As an emerging filmmaker AJ has written, produced and directed several short films which have screened at festivals across Canada and the United States. Most recently her short film Yasmina was awarded a Storyhive grant, and was released and broadcast in cooperation with Telus and NSICanada.