As the Operations Manager of (QDF), Rahul Gandhi brings both artistic vision and organizational leadership to Quebec’s English-language theatre community. An award-winning actor, director, and producer, Gandhi has been deeply involved with QDF since 2016, officially joining the team in 2021. Through his work, he helps sustain a vital network of over 800 members — artists, companies, and advocates — all dedicated to ensuring that English-language theatre continues to thrive as a cornerstone of the province’s cultural landscape.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
My name is Rahul Gandhi, and I am an award-winning actor, director, producer, and Operations Manager at The Quebec Drama Federation (QDF). QDF is a non-profit, membership-based arts service organization that supports and connects English-language theatre artists and companies across Quebec. We have over 800 members. Our work aims to ensure the vitality of the theatre artists of the English Language Minority Community in Quebec. We provide advocacy, development, and visibility opportunities to strengthen the province’s vibrant performing arts community and ensure theatre continues to thrive as a vital cultural force.
What problem does it aim to solve?
QDF exists to address the challenges faced by English-speaking theatre artists in Quebec — from limited visibility and funding opportunities to fragmented professional networks. We aim to foster a sustainable, connected, and inclusive theatre ecosystem where artists can create, collaborate, and grow.
When did you start/join it?
Personally, I was a member of the QDF going back as far as 2016, and I became an employee in 2021.
What made you want to get involved?
I’ve always been passionate about the performing arts, and I understand the amount of work it takes to make it all viable for artists. My values align with QDF’s mission! It is a place where I can affect change for the better for my fellow artists.
What was the situation like when you started?
QDF’s biggest challenge when I started was the lockdown-era of the pandemic. Gathering together is an inherent quality to theatre, and without the ability to do that, QDF had to be reactive and proactive to ensure delivery of programming and services to support the community in a time of crisis. This looked like many things, such as a virtual micro-conference to give people a space to be, while also disseminating funds to the pockets of artists, or attending, translating, and disseminating statements from the province on health guidelines as soon as they were published.
How has it changed since?
Since then, we’ve stabilized our services, taken check of the community in this post-lockdown era, and refined our programming to be helpful to the community in this time of rebuilding and revamping. The QDF has grown a new sense of advocacy, as well as equity and harm-reduction so that the community can be a safer and more sustainable place for all.
What more needs to be done?
There is an infinite list of things that the QDF will continue to strive towards such as: continuing to secure stable funding, expanding our membership, creating consistent donors, catering more development and visibility services, catering to an increasingly intergenerational membership, building bridges and connections to Anglophone Quebecers in the regions, and more.
How can our readers help?
Readers can help by supporting local theatre productions, by following QDF on social media, by becoming members, or by donating. The best way to help is simply to engage — show up for theatre, talk about it, and celebrate the artists who make it happen.
Do you have any events coming up?
We’re currently preparing for our Quebec English Theatre Showcase, where we assemble artistic directors and decision makers and provide professional and emerging actors and designers opportunities to audition, present, and be interviewed. Additionally, we offer subsidized workshops. To finish up this current season, we’ll have: “Creative Process and Care” with Imago Theatre in February 2026, as well as “Tech and Production Intensive 202” in Spring 2026 with Playshed
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
I’d love to highlight The Montreal Native Women’s Shelter, The English Language Arts Network, and the Conseil Québécois de Théâtre.
