Cecile Monteyne Charleston is a seasoned entertainment professional with a Master’s in Environmental Science from the University of Toronto. Hoping to combine her storytelling and production experience to further the environmental causes of our time, she relocated her family to Canada and now works directly with Canopy partners on Pack4Good policies and special engagement opportunities.
More about me
I graduated with an Honors degree in Theatre and Environmental Policy from Tulane University, in New Orleans, Louisiana. I spent 15 years as a performer and producer. After years in New York and London, I returned home to New Orleans and joined the artistic community there, where I created the popular improv/theatre hybrid shows such as You Don’t Know the Half of It, performed with the nationally recognized ensemble, The NOLA Project, and toured with the improv duo, machine A. Following the dramatic political shift in American politics, I decided to rejoin the environmental movement and find a way to use my creative storytelling skills to help bridge divisions. Thus I pursued my Master’s and have been a campaigner here at Canopy for many years now. I still find time to perform some improv with my Toronto-based troupe, Sunday Morning.
Why forests are important to me
Forests are not just places; they are communities. They are intricately formed relationships between living (and non-living) characters. Not only do I have a lot of respect and reverence for the natural world, but I have a deep belief in the essential power of community. Stepping into a forest instantly reconnects you to the planet. I particularly love listening to the soundscapes of forests.
Why Canopy
So often in the environmental movement we sell negative stories and issues without offering any actionable solutions. Thankfully, Canopy takes a pre-competitive, collaborative and solutions-based approach, which I find inspiring. Plus, I get to work with and learn from my colleagues who are not only leaders in their field, but all-around great people.
Ask me about
Improv Comedy and how laughter is essential to your health. About creating fun, weird spaces for collaborative storytelling. And my family. (I am especially keen to talk about how my three sons will really be the ones to change the world. I am teaching them the super power of “yes and.”)
What ruffles my feathers
I find self-selected ignorance to be incredibly troubling. Decisions we make do effect other people, places, and beings. We need to make better, more informed choices. Also, basic rudeness is unjustifiable. We could all use some more smiles in our lives.
A Lemur. They like to smile and sing, are highly social, exist in matriarchies, and the smarter they are-the more popular they become. They are the only other primate to have blue eyes. And if the movie Madagascar taught us anything, they are funny and throw really epic dance parties.
