Remembering Elif

On November 25, 2024, we lost our magnificent and magical co-founder, dear friend and colleague, Elif Işıközlü. 

Elif was a PhD candidate a beloved member of the CDTPS community, a doctoral student, a research assistant, and a teaching assistant. Elif was also a beloved sister, daughter, aunt, friend, collaborator, and colleague. An accomplished theatre and film director, she was also a classically trained pianist, alumni of the Theatre Research Laboratory, Istanbul, a member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, New York and co-founder of Directors Lab North, Toronto. She completed an MA Dance Studies (Laban Center London, UK) and an MFA Directing (University of Ottawa). She achieved candidacy in her doctoral studies in 2024.

Elif was an artistic force of nature with a brilliant mind and heart. She had a wit and humour unlike any other. She was also the truest artist we have ever met, creating boundary-pushing theatre and film. Her talent and passion were unmatched and we have lost a great mind and voice in our industry. Anyone who knew her was lucky to be in the vicinity of that unique genius of hers, not to mention her great beauty of soul. She was such a special and stunning human, full of incredible intellect and spirit, who impacted the world with her heart, mind and soul. She will forever be missed by us all. And we will honour her as long we are here. We are so proud to continue her legacy with the lab. We love you Elif. 

You can learn more about Elif’s artistic endeavors on her website.