Mainstage Emerging Artist Mentorship Program

Citadel: As an Actor: Little Women, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The ‘70s Musical, A Christmas Carol, The Sound of Music (Sterling Nomination), Jersey Boys, Clue, Jane Eyre, Going Solo. 

Other Theatre: As an Actor: Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Winter’s Tale (Freewill Shakespeare); Civil Blood: A Treaty Story, But Hark! A Voice! (Thou Art Here Theatre); Alina, Michael Mysterious  (Pyretic Productions);  Here There Be Night  (WWPT).    

 Christina is a multiracial artist hailing from Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). She is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA in Acting. Christina is so grateful to be a participant in this year’s RBC Emerging Artist Mentorship Program and thrilled to be making her debut as an Assistant Musical Director. Thank you to Steven, Thom and the whole Wizard of Oz team for their support and mentorship, as well as Bridget, Mieko, Daryl, and Jessie for this immense opportunity for growth and learning. Much love to C & S, I couldn’t be here without you. 

Cynthia (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist from Amiskwaciwâskahikan.  

Citadel: The Candidate, The Party, A Christmas Carol, Little Women (Choreographer), Midsummer 70’s Musical (Associate Choreographer), Ballad of Johnny and June (Assistant Choreographer), String (Choreographer – Young Company).  

Other Theatre: Wendy in Wendy and Peter Pan, Cymbeline (Stratford Festival), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Broadway, San Francisco Company), Play That Goes Wrong (Neptune),Girls Like That (Tarragon), Boys Girls…Mythological Creatures (Carousel Players) This London Life (Grand).  

Film & TV: FROM (MGM), Rubble & Crew (Nickelodeon), Barbelle (Boss&Co), Law & Order (Citytv), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Hudson & Rex (CityTV).  

Cynthia has worked as an audition coach and drama instructor with companies such as Artstrek, Victoria School of the Arts, and the Citadel’s Young Performing Company. Book coachings with her @C4CREATIVESSTUDIO. Keep an eye out for Cynthia’s new musical in development: VIRGIN CAMP co-created with Cameron Kneteman. Gratitude to the Citadel Theatre community for investing in training opportunities for our artists! Love to Maria, Freddie & Cam.

 www.cynthiajimenezhicks.com 

Sarah is an Edmonton based director, choreographer, and performer and is a graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts.  She is honoured to be a member of this brilliant creative team bringing to life one of the most impactful stories of all time.  Thank you to Julio Fuentes for his continuous mentorship, passion, and leadership and to the Citadel’s RBC Mainstage Emerging Artist Mentorship Program for this immense opportunity.  My deepest love and appreciation to Evan, Winnifred, and the village whom without their support, none of this would be possible. @_sarahdowling

CREDITS: Direction:  Die Harsh: A Christmas Musical (Grindstone Theatre), Morningside Road (assistant director – Shadow Theatre), Assassins (Uniform Theatre), Charade (Twin Flames Theatrical Productions).  Choreography: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Grindstone Theatre), Private Lives, Everybody Goes To Mitzi’s (Teatro Live!), Romeo & Juliet’s Notebook, The Matrixx, Gatsby’s Cabaret, Dirtier Dancing, Titanical (Spotlight Cabaret). Other Theatre: Bring It On (Globe Theatre), The Full Monty, Grease, First Date (Mayfield Dinner Theatre), Jason Kenny’s Hot Boy Summer, The 11 O’Clock Number (Grindstone Theatre), Brave:ish (Twin Flames Theatrical Productions).

Payal Jotania is Indian origin theatre artist, based in Edmonton, Alberta and a recent graduate with MFA in Theatre Design, from University of Alberta. She embarked on her creative journey following her deep rooted love and fascination with behind-the-scenes and her formal training in Architecture from Mumbai. With a diverse portfolio spanning film, theatre and television, Payal has worked on notable projects such as Sooryavanshi, Mission Mangal as a set and props designer. Drawing upon her architectural training and her upbringing in India’s rich cultural landscape, Payal is interested in the integration of texture and color. She enjoys the abstract and experimental nature of theatre. Her recent credits include Orlando (Lighting Assistant), Wildfire (Set & Lighting Designer), Scamway (Lighting Design), Wildcat (Costume & Lighting Designer).

Insta: @ar.payal_jotania

Website: payaljotaniadesign.com 

Mara is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Saskatoon, having recently made Edmonton their new home. They are a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada’s acting program, and Sheridan College’s Performing Arts Prep Program. Since graduating, Mara has worked across Canada as an actor, playwright, dramaturge, and assistant director. Through the work they do, Mara seeks to prioritize and uplift marginalized voices, working hard to foster fun, safe and encouraging environments everywhere they go. It brings them great joy to continue to explore and confront challenging narratives that examine our current socio-political climate.This is their first time at the Citadel and they are so excited to be on the Cyrano team!  

Selected credits include: Richard II, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: 1985, Hamlet, Done/Undone, Cymbeline (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan); Mustard (25th St Theatre); Final Notice, The Maids (Whirligig Theatre); The Jungle Book (Alberta Theatre Projects); Crypthand (Gale Force Theatre); bonus points if you have air conditioning, Everybody, Indecent (National Theatre School); Young Ones (SUM Theatre). Mara has worked as an Assistant Director at Persephone Theatre (Native Gardens) and directed at Whirligig Theatre Co (Worms in the Garden) in Saskatoon. 

Citadel: Bear Grease (Citadel Theatre/LightningCloud).

Other Theatre: Choreography: Die Harsh, Accidental Beach (Grindstone Theatre); The Matrixx, Gatsby’s Cabaret, Alison Wunderland (Spotlight Cabaret); The Prom (Nuova Vocal Arts). Other Credits: Mr. Burns: A post-electric play (You Are Here Theatre/Blarney Productions); Bright Lights (Blarney Productions); Morningside Road (Morningside Road Productions)

Mhairi is grateful to be part of this year’s RBC Emerging Artist Production Mentorship Program.

Brett Dahl (they/them) is a multidisciplinary queer theatre maker and the Artistic Director of Theatre Outré. Primarily a director, Brett also works as a writer, actor, drag performer, producer, administrator, and educator in Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge. They are thrilled to return to the Citadel after previously directing Is My Microphone On? for the Citadel Theatre Young Company and Assisting Jackie Maxwell on The Importance of Being Earnest (Citadel Theatre). Selected Directing Credits Include: Troilus and Cressida (Studio Theatre); Strange/Familiar (Theatre Outré), Hecuba, This Property is Condemned (University of Alberta); Pretty Ugly (Alberta Queer Calendar Project/Cardiac Theatre); The Penelopiad (Co-director, Cochrane High School). Assistant Director Credits: The Prom (Nuova Vocal Arts); Rochdale, Cymbeline (UofA); Men Express Their Feelings (Downstage/Hit&Myth); King Lear (The Shakespeare Company); and rihannaboi95 (Downstage). Brett is a graduate of the UofA BFA-Acting and MFA-Directing programs and is the Artistic Director of Theatre Outré. Brett is the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award (2018) and the RBC Emerging Artist Cultural Leader in Calgary Award (2020).

Theatre: Bea (Shadow Theatre); A Recluse and His Guest, The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine (Shaw Festival); Jusqu’au prochain moi (École national de cirque); Vacillement des ombres, Ce qu’il nous reste, Loch Ness (École de danse contemporaine de Montréal); L’amour te reviendra (Maison internationale des arts de la marionnette).

Film & TV: Clara, Soleil de Nuit, Vertiente de agua tibia 

https://www.behance.net/ximenapng

Citadel: The Sound of Music.

Other Theatre: Crescendo! (Shadow Theatre); Until the Next Breath, The Invisibles (Catalyst Theatre); Cinderella (Alberta Musical Theatre Company).

Other: Stephanie is an Edmonton-based pianist and composer and is thrilled to be making her debut as assistant music director at the Citadel. Upcoming projects include String (Citadel Young Company); Hadestown (Scona Theatre Co.); and guest conductor/composer for MacEwan Conservatory Big Band.

Davis Shewchuk (he/they) is a Disabled, queer, emerging stage manager. They have spent the past couple of years working on a variety of performances and events across western Canada, but are happy to call Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton) home. They are passionate about facilitating and nurturing anti-oppressive workspaces where all artists can thrive. He strives to create works accessible to both audiences and artists alike. They have an appreciation for new works and bringing theatre to life that tells valuable stories, particularly stories of underrepresented groups. He loves stage management and theatre administration and is excited to use this mentorship opportunity to learn new perspectives and how to improve his own practice. He’ll be spending time at the Citadel this season apprentice stage managing Made in Italy and The Mountaintop. Select credits include: Grease (WCT); Almost a Full Moon (Citadel); Off the Beaten Path and Stories of Arlyrus (OBPMusical); and Tune to A (Expanse/Azimuth).

“During this mentorship, I am looking forward to doing a deep dive into stage management and theatre administration. This incredible opportunity will allow me to further my skills and get to know more Albertan stage managers. My goal is to build a practice that is accessible to all artists and this mentorship will allow me to build my tool kit to do just that.”

Mpoe Mogale (they/them) reigns from Lebowakgomo, South Africa and splits their time between amiskwaciywâskahikan and moh’kínst’sis, in the colonial state of Canada. They hold a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Science, and a wealth of expertise in community-based research, facilitation, and arts administration. Mpoe’s primary artmaking form is dance, with a curiosity in the place of Blackness in spaces that deny it, as explored through several projects including: What (Black) Life Requires (produced by Mile Zero Dance and Azimuth Theatre). Mpoe’s current artistic imaginations have centered the brilliant and joyous aspects that foreground the lives of Black folks.

“This program offers me a rare and valuable opportunity to be in dance and theatre spaces as a mentee. I hope next year finds me confident in my abilities to combine these two worlds I have straddled, enough to carve out what I uniquely have to offer as a choreographer in Canadian theatre. To be learning this under the guidance of a pinnacle institution of art-making in our community is unreal! I am very grateful to the Citadel and RBC for the opportunity to courageously expand what I imagine to be possible for myself.” 

Nichole was born in Hong Kong and raised in Macau and recently graduated from the BFA Technical Theatre and Production Program at UofA. Growing up in a different country, Nichole wants to share her culture and different perspectives toward theatre with you all. Nichole spent her childhood performing on stage as a ballerina and actress. She previously participated in the Thousand Faces Festival as an Assistant technician (2018), BLT, and Studio Theatre in UofA throughout 2019-2023 including sound designing for Brontë and The Circle. Technical Director for The 39 Steps. Assistant Technical Director for Rochdale. Head of lights for New Works Festival 2020, Bakkhai and She Kills Monsters. Head of Sound for Weasel. Fly crew for Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again and Love’s Labour’s Lost. Props Lead for Cymbeline. Recent credits include: audio operator for Everybody Goes To Mitzi’s and house technician for the Varscona Theatre, Fringe 2023. Nichole will be participating in the upcoming Crescendo! as an audio operator.

“I’m thrilled to be embarking on the RBC mentorship journey, with a focus on technical directing, production management, and sound design. I’m excited to learn, create, and bring the magic of the stage to life, and I can’t wait to share this incredible adventure with all of you! Thank you to the Citadel and RBC for this incredible opportunity!”

Rebecca (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in amiskwaciy-wâskahikan. Trained in production design and performance, they currently create at the the intersections of dance, theatre, and performance art. As a Mad, queer, non-binary, mixed-race Desi their work explores the liminal and non-monolithic body through movement and materiality. Methodologies, modalities, and disciplines that continue to shape their creative practice include: performance art, choreo poetry, inclusive and/or integrated dance, contemporary dance, devised theatre, collective creation, Mad practice, community-engaged processes, queer and feminist theory, intersectionality, anti-racist work, ancestry work. Artistic collaborations that remain close to their heart include CRIPSiE, mindhive collective, and Undercurrent Theatre as well as work with ARTICLE 11, Peggy Baker, Alice Sheppard, Good Women Dance Collective, The Maggie Tree, Apricot Stones, and Mile Zero Dance.

“As a multidisciplinary artist I’m grateful for this mentorship opportunity to upgrade my theatre design and tech skills while pushing towards Mad-accessible processes within (or without) theatre production frameworks. I want to open space, particularly as a Mad-identifying, mixed-race QPOC, to both embrace and grow beyond the identity piece, employing choreopoetry, dance, and devised theatre as entry points to my work.” 

Alison Neuman (she/her) is a disabled emerging author, playwright, choreographer, dance artist, and creator passionate about sharing underrepresented voices and building communities. She has an education and performance foundation in dance, theatre, and voice, rooted in the Edmonton community from The Collaborative Radically Integrated Performers Society in Edmonton (CRIPSiE), Good Women Dance Collective (GWDC), Orchesis Dance, Mile Zero Dance, Nextfest, The Citadel Foote Theatre School, and The MacEwan Conservatory of Music. Alison shares stories of characters experiencing disabilities and marginalization. Her first full-length choreography work, The Strike, premiered at the 2020 Expanse Festival at the Chinook Series thanks to the support of the GWDC 2019 New Work Award, the Azimuth Theatre, the Edmonton Arts Council and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Her play, The Sunset Syndrome, debuted at the 2016 Walterdale Theatre From Cradle to Stage program and was produced at the 2017 Edmonton International Fringe Festival by Lucky Wench Productions.

“I am excited to explore the art of musical theatre and build my skills to tell the stories of marginalized characters and connect them with the audience. I aim to learn how theatre can be more accessible and inclusive. Thank you to the Citadel and RBC for this fantastic opportunity.”

Jameela is a Jamaican-Canadian artist from Edmonton. She is a MacEwan University Theatre Arts alumnus, actor, musician, and emerging writer. Some acting credits include: The Wolves (Maggie Tree/Citadel co-production); As You Like It, The Color Purple (RMTC/Citadel co-production); Heaven (Lunchbox), Tell Us What Happened, John Ware​​ Reimagined (Workshop West); Sister Act, All Shook Up, and Soul Sistas (Mayfield). Jameela was a participant of Tarragon Theatre’s Young Playwrights Unit in 2021. Her passion for playwriting is rooted in her desire to put a spotlight on stories that have been forgotten or unexplored. She hopes to shine a light on Black-Canadian history and to create stories from diverse perspectives within the diaspora. Jameela is grateful to be a participant of the RBC Horizon Mentorship Program this year.

“Thank you to the Citadel, my loved ones, and educators. Your constant support means the world to me.”

“During this mentorship, I am looking forward to exploring Canadian stories through the lens of Black women and youth. I hope to focus on the strength of community and explore the complexities of identity.”

Kaeley Jade Wiebe (she/her) is a Métis multidisciplinary artist based out of Amiskwaciwâskahikan/Edmonton. As a folk-pop artist under the name “Kaeley Jade”, she has performed on stages across Canada and has opened for artists such as JUNO-winners Digging Roots and GRAMMY-winner Bill Birdsong Miller. A Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Award Nominee, Kaeley’s debut full-length album, Turpentine, was released September 2022. Alongside her career as a singer/songwriter, Kaeley doubles as an actor for theatre, film, and voiceover, and she recently made her professional directing debut with Alberta Musical Theatre Company. Select theatre credits include: The Wolves (The Maggie Tree/Citadel Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Carter-Ryan Productions); Chrysothemis, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. (Studio Theatre); All Because I’m a Woman (Citadel Theatre House Series); Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare by the Bow); and the world premiere of the critically-acclaimed musical Two-Headed/Half-Hearted (Northern Light Theatre) for which she also composed the music. Select film credits include: Notes on Being Unpopular (1844 Studios); Smile: It’s Only the End of the World (Guerrilla Motion Pictures); and No Apology (Link to the Past Productions). She is most interested in exploring narratives centred around women and gender-diverse folks, and she is continually inspired by the beauty of human connection.

“As I continue to grow my practice as a multidisciplinary artist, I’m excited to meld my careers in the music and theatre industries to dive deeper into sound design and musical composition. Thank you to the Citadel and RBC for this incredible opportunity!”

Elizabeth Page (she/her) graduated from the University of Alberta in 2022 with a BFA in Theatre Production – Stage Management. For 8 years now she’s been Acting in and Stage Managing shows of all styles and has been incredibly appreciative of all the opportunities to learn and grow in these fields. In her post-grad life, she’s found a lot of joy in helping others tell their stories and is hoping to be able to continue to do that by shifting gears into producing. She’s very excited to have such a wide pool of people to learn from and is focusing on telling Metis and Indigenous stories. Being Metis is something that she’s always been very proud of and spent most of her free time in University finding ways to reconnect to her heritage mostly through food and art.

“After being a stage manager for around 7 years, I wanted to branch out more into producing and I couldn’t imagine a better way to continue my education than through the Citadel and this program. Thank you to everyone who’ve encouraged me and supported me in all of my artistic endeavors over these past few years – I can’t wait to show you what I plan on doing next.”