Meet Liz Truchanowicz: One of Our 30 Faces of YES 

Liz first came to YES after completing her MFA, looking for guidance on how to turn her artistic training into a sustainable career. As an anglophone in Montreal, she found support, encouragement, and clarity as YES’ services helped her understand the business side of the arts. Through workshops, coaching, and our discontinued Artist Project Plan Contest, she gained confidence in her project and creative direction. 

At the time, Liz was navigating an uncertainty familiar to emerging artists—an abundance of ambition but a lack of tools and resources to translate it into concrete steps. YES provided both practical tools and meaningful mentorship, with an artist coach who helped her refine her goals and recognize her potential. This support empowered Liz to produce a successful, critically acclaimed staging of 4.48 Psychosis, opening doors to other creative opportunities. 

The foundation Liz built with YES ultimately helped her transition into a flourishing career in television. Now a producer, director, and writer in unscripted and documentary TV, she looks back on the Artist Project Plan Contest as a pivotal turning point that gave her momentum and confidence.  

Interview with Liz

What brought you to YES, and what were you hoping to achieve at that time?  

At the time, I was seeking support to help advance my career. As an anglophone in Montreal, I found YES to be a welcoming space that was genuinely invested in my success. Having recently completed my Master of Fine Arts in Directing for the Theatre at the University of Ottawa, I returned to Montreal eager to take the next step in my professional journey. The workshops and coaching offered by YES, particularly those designed to equip self-employed artists with the tools to navigate the business side of their craft, were invaluable.  

In the Arts, there inevitably comes a point when you must create your own opportunities. That was precisely my situation, and I turned to YES to gain the skills and confidence needed to build a sustainable and long-lasting career. When I applied to the Artist Project Plan Contest, my goal was to test the viability of my project and to see if I could present it in such a way that would inspire others to invest in my work as much as I was prepared to invest in myself. Winning the contest affirmed that I was on the right track. I had the tools to move forward, but the support and guidance of YES gave me the momentum to turn vision into action.  

Can you tell me about some of the challenges or goals you faced when you first connected with YES? Was there a particular moment or obstacle that felt especially significant?  

At that time, my challenge was in finding a way to move forward in my chosen career. Throughout my twenties, I worked as a freelance artist, often for little or no pay in order to gain experience, while taking on side jobs to cover rent and living expenses.  

Graduate school had been my way of investing in my art and pushing my creative abilities to the next level. Yet, when I returned to Montreal, I found myself without a clear path. I had ambition and drive, but I wasn’t sure how to channel them into tangible progress which is why connecting with YES was so valuable and necessary. Additionally, YES came along for me at a time when, professionally and personally, I was ready for what YES had to offer. 

How did YES support you in overcoming those challenges or moving forward in your career, business, or artistic journey? 

YES supported me by providing both the practical tools and the encouragement I needed to move forward with confidence. The workshops and coaching gave me a stronger understanding of the business side of the Arts and providing me with skills that were (are) essential for creating opportunities rather than waiting for them to happen. Just as importantly, I felt that YES believed in my potential, which made a lasting difference.  

I remember the wonderful working relationship I had with Monika Majewski, who was instrumental in guiding me throughout the process and letting me know about all that YES had to offer for someone like me. Her availability, openness, and thoughtful guidance made my experience at YES even more impactful and meaningful. Through the Artist Project Plan Contest, I was able to test and validate my ideas, gain financial and professional support, and ultimately produce a successful show that opened the door to future opportunities. That combination of guidance, resources, and validation gave me the foundation to build a more sustainable artistic practice and then, eventually, pivot into my career as a television producer. 

Liz on set

Were there any tools, workshops, or insights from YES that made a lasting difference? 

For me, the lasting difference came from realizing that there were people invested in my success. Winning the Artists Project Plan Contest was a pivotal moment. With the prize money and the skills I gained through YES, I was able to produce my show 4.48 Psychosis, cover all production costs, balance revenues and expenses, and ultimately sell out the run.  

The production went on to receive critical recognition. It was named one of the best of 2009 by Montreal Gazette’s Pat Donnelly and was nominated for multiple MECCA Awards (Montreal English Critics Circle Awards), including Best Director (myself), Best Actress (Stéphanie Breton), and Best Lighting Design (David Magladry). We also won for Best Sound Design (Benoît Brunet-Poirier). The show was even recognized internationally and photographs from its production appear on the cover of a French/Italian novel. This recognition from both critics and peers affirmed that I was on the right track and helped position me for future opportunities, awards, and nominations – ultimately leading me to where I am today as a television producer.  

The greatest lesson I carry forward is that, as an artist and creative professional, art and business must coexist, and success comes from embracing and understanding both. This insight has been instrumental in shaping my approach and achievements in my television career.  

Where are you now in your journey, and what achievements or milestones are you most proud of? 

Today, I work as a freelance television producer, director, and writer in unscripted and documentary television. I am extremely proud of not only winning the Artists Project Plan, but of producing that show that I applied with, 4.48 Psychosis. It was a big undertaking, it was a risk, and it paid off.  

Additionally, I’m proud of making the leap into television and of moving. I started my TV/film career in Montreal. I was working on American productions, which was a fantastic learning experience; however, I didn’t see a creative path forward. So when personal circumstances dictated a move back to Toronto, I took a leap head first into the unknown. I didn’t know what to expect, I was also in my 30s starting over in a new city, although I grew up in the suburbs on Toronto, my entire professional career, my entire adult life, was in Montreal.  

Looking back, I’m very proud of that and of the work I have done since establishing myself and my television career from that point forward. I have worked on some amazing shows over the last decade plus. I am proud of the work I put forward;, I am proud of creating content that entertains, educates, and brings Canadians together.

Television (all types – from traditional broadcast to streaming) holds a very special place in our culture, television grows with you. As a show matures over seasons, so do we as the audience. We both grow with our favourite shows and grow up with them. We revisit them when we need comfort and nostalgia. From CBC’s Family Feud Canada to YTV’s The Zone to Crave’s Drag Brunch Saved My Life, I have had the honour of being a part of Canadian content that engage and connects with viewers, all the while creating experiences that entertain, and inspire and offering moments of joy, comfort, and shared cultural connection.  

Looking back, is there a particular moment or success that stands out as a turning point? 

Project Plan WAS a turning point. It gave me, not just tools and skills, but the confidence to keep moving forward. I can very honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. In 2015 I moved back to Toronto after over 20 years in Montreal. I was moving back both for personal family reasons, but also to further my career in television.  

Another pivotal moment in my career would be being hired by the production company, Bristow Global Media (it has since changed ownership and is now a part of Sphere Media). The company took a chance on me when I had no prior Toronto production history and their support and that of its founder, Julie Bristow, has been instrumental in my growth as a producer.  

At what stage were you in your career, business, or artistic journey when you connected with YES? 

This is an interesting question – at the time I probably would have said mid-career, but looking back I was definitely early career. I had just received my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Directing for the Theatre and was looking still at the beginning stages of my creative career. 

Which YES services, workshops, or coaching did you participate in?  

I don’t remember all of them as it was well over 15 years ago, but in addition to the Artist’s Project Plan, I know that I took part in various programs that helped with resume building, access to printers, access to job boards and I remember taking part in a few workshops/events such as the Self-Employed Artist Conference and Business Skills for Creative Souls, but unfortunately don’t remember the rest. 

➔ Discover Liz Truchanowicz’s past work here.

Explore our upcoming workshops for artists

Back to 30 Faces of YES page: