Ruth Howard is an interdisciplinary theatre and community-engaged artist based in Toronto. She is the founding Artistic Director of Jumblies Theatre, an organization internationally recognized for its innovative community-engaged arts practice.
 

From 2001 to 2022, Ruth led Jumblies through a series of multi-year residencies in Toronto neighbourhoods. These projects brought together artists, community members, and partner organizations to create large-scale performances as well as films, books, musical works, professional development programs, and other lasting artistic initiatives. Many of these projects continued to evolve through touring, new collaborations, and community-driven offshoots.
 

Alongside her work with Jumblies, Ruth has worked extensively as a theatre designer across Canada and has taught and mentored artists and students at universities, colleges, schools, and community organizations. Her work has been widely recognized for its creativity, depth of collaboration, and lasting impact on communities.
 

In 2023, Ruth stepped down as Artistic Director of Jumblies, passing the leadership to a new generation while continuing her own work as an independent artist, mentor, and consultant, sometimes under the banner of Rockwalker Arts.
 

Her current projects include CarePlay, Grounds for Goodness, and other interdisciplinary collaborations exploring art, storytelling, environment, and community connection.

 

Ruth remains deeply interested in collaborative and community-engaged work and welcomes opportunities to partner with artists, organizations, and communities interested in creating meaningful projects together.