Arctic Winter Games 2018

Arctic Winter Games 2018

So you think it’s cold in Winnipeg? in a few weeks I will be flying north to Fort Smith NWT to participate in the Arctic Games as Cultural Gala Director. Thanks to Team PRP (Patrick Roberge Productions), I will have the great honour of working with nine different cultural groups representing the circumpolar regions. Over a ten day period (March 16-26), the host communities of Hay River and Fort Smith will double in size as they welcome athletes and artists from the northern global regions. So pumped! And yes…I’m packing my fleece PJ’s!!

New Beginnings- Sarasvati Productions

New Beginnings- Sarasvati Productions

I’m very proud to be part of the artistic team in the creation of Sarasvati’s latest project: New Beginnings

World Premiere
May 22, 24, 27 at 7pm; May 23 at 1:30pm; May 25 at 9pm; May 26 at 4pm
Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (at the University of Winnipeg)

We are excited to bring to the stage our latest community collaboration. Witness the coming together of a diverse range of artists, community members, recent newcomers and established immigrants. Through the use of dance, music, visual art and storytelling we will come together to explore the themes of displacement and resettlement.

Our amazing group of core artists include:
Gerry Atwell
Brenda Gorlick
Lindsay Johnson
Cherissa Richards
Snow Angel Films (Nilufer and Saira Rahman)
Indra Skuja-Grislis
Emily Solstice

Trek to Thompson

Trek to Thompson

Spent the 1st week of December in Thompson, MB as part of my annual Artists in Schools excursion. This year I worked with the students at RD Parker Collegiate and introduced a few “flavours” of dance to the Grade 9-11’s including “Stomp”-in the snow!, musical theatre, salsa, skipping and East Coast Celtic – a tribute to the current hit show “Come From Away”. I also had the great opportunity to work with some very talented young dance students at Aurora Dance Studio. We had a blast exploring musical theatre technique and playing with “rock ‘n roll” choreo, specifically from my upcoming WST production of School of Rock. Looking forward to my next visit to the great white north!

Omigod! Legally Blonde was terrific!

Omigod! Legally Blonde was terrific!

I had the great fortune of choreographing the Virden and District Chorale’s production of Legally Blonde this past month. Under the guidance and artistic leadership of Michelle Chyzyk and her amazing group of young (and older performers), the Aud Theatre was revved up with a show filled with energy, excitement and LOVE! I have assisted in the staging of over a half dozen productions for the community and each time, the skill set, design and delivery of the productions surpasses the last (of course I’m biased). Bravo to the team and congrats on a job well performed!

Erin Poole stars as Elle Woods in Virden and District Chorale’s production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical”

Dance Manitoba Showcase success!!

Dance Manitoba Showcase success!!

Had a wonderful time at Dance Manitoba Showcase 2017. Two of my amazing dance groups performed along with some of the most passionate young dance artists in the city. SMD’s All Abilities dancers opened the show to great excitement with their rendition of Welcome to the Rock- a tribute to Come from Away the musicals and WST StudioWorks paid homage to rock through the ages and gave a sneak preview of the energy and talent behind their up-coming musical School of Rock! Kudos to Nicole Langevin-Owens for co-ordinating another spectacular and diverse event. So much fun onstage and off….Congrats to guest choreographers Laura Kolisnyk and Josh Assor who created special Showcase dance pieces with over 100 dancers!  Proud ‘dance mom” 🙂