Welcome to It Takes Two! On this podcast, we pair five emerging artists with five professional mentors to work together on an informal mentorship process. Over four weeks, pairs will develop and create a performance piece as well as record an interview together to talk about their process.

In this episode, Sam Hutchings and Jillian Willems have teamed up to explore dance, choreography, and movement in performance.

Sam is a Winnipeg-based emerging choreographer and performer. She is a proud alumna of the ViC and a graduate of the University of Winnipeg’s Theatre program. A dancer since she could walk, Sam has always been drawn to physical storytelling, and her artistic interest also includes stunts and intimacy direction. Sam is driven to help her fellow artists tell stories safely and prioritize their mental and physical well-being while working in theatre and film.

Jillian Willems is a Winnipeg-based director, choreographer, and performer. Select performance credits include: South Pacific (Winnipeg Symphony); A Charlie Brown Double Bill (MTYP); South Pacific (Regina Symphony); Heathers (WST); Follies (Dry Cold); Annie (Rainbow Stage); . Select creative credits include: Guys & Dolls (Director, WSO/Rainbow); Pippin (Choreographer, WST/ViC); Chicago (Director/Choreographer, Pizza Party); Breaking Up is Hard to Do (Choreographer, Rainbow Stage); American Idiot (Choreographer, WST).

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Arts Council, as well as our producing partner the Crescent Arts Centre, in making this podcast possible.