Toronto – Petra O’Toole

Hi there! My name is Petra O’Toole and at the ripe age of 27, I am your 2016 Toronto Centre Rose. I am so honoured to be representing my city in Tralee and to have the opportunity to explore Ireland in this wonderfully unique way. Raised for the most part in Toronto, I called Halifax, Nova Scotia home for a few years while I completed two degrees: my BA (Hons) in Theatre and German and a MA in German Literature at Dalhousie University. There I worked as a residence assistant, an aquatic supervisor, and taught first year German at the university. Throughout my degrees I volunteered teaching First Aid, Theatre, and the Swim to Survive program. After a successful academic career, I packed my bags and moved to France for a year to study theatre, and, of all things, clown. It was the perfect way to work on my craft as a performer, to travel, as well as have the opportunity to practice French and German at the same time. Now back in the Great White North, I work as a performer, producer, and production coordinator in film and theatre. This winter I played a grandfather in a fantastic touring physical theatre production. I love keeping busy with many creative projects, spending time with family, and I always look forward to a good theatre/music jam session with friends. Most of all, I am looking forward to getting to know my Irish roots by meeting my dad’s family in Wicklow, for the first time, right before Tralee.