It's the season finale! For this special occasion I got to speak with Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks, an actor, writer, choreographer and educator who already has an incredible career under her belt.

Whether it is flying through the air at Stratford, creating disco dance moves for Shakespeare's Puck, or becoming a wizard on Broadway (yes she's performed on Broadway!), Cynthia's incredible work ethic and talent really shows and she is very honest when talking about the highs and lows of working as an actor, self-confidence, and how much perseverance is required to be an artist. I learned so much from speaking to her and I'm so grateful she took the time (and thanks to Cam her husband for introducing us!).

For more information on Cynthia and C4 Creatives please check out:

Cynthia's Website

C4 Creatives

Artstrek Tickets - Come From Away

Cynthia's Restaurant Recommendations:

Churro King

Roma Pizza and Donair

Other Openings/Events Mentioned in this Episode:

Calgary Fringe Festival - August 1-9

Edmonton Fringe Festival - August 14-24

Grindstone Comedy Festival - July 2-6

Riverona - Primestock Theatre - June 26-July 5

Legally Blonde - Citadel Theatre - July 5-August 3

As You Like It - Freewill Shakespeare Festival - June 27-July 20

The Odd Couple - Teatro Live! - July 11-27

Amelie - Elope Musical Theatre - June 26-July 5

Globe Theatre - Films all summer long!

Metro Cinema - Films all summer long!

Plaza Theatre - Films all summer long!

DGC / ACTRA - What's Shooting in Alberta

Sometimes fighting can be an awesome activity....when it's choreographed by Morgan Yamada! I got to speak to her about what drew her to swinging swords, whipping whips and finessing slaps. As well, she talks about the benefits of being an arts administrator, what directors and producers should know before hiring a fight/intimacy choreographer, and self-belief. I loved how she described fight choreography as more of a dance. Morgan is an extremely kind and vibrant person and I really enjoyed talking with her.

For more information on her work and her upcoming workshops you can visit:

Morgan Yamada Website

Azimuth Website

Azimuth Podcast

Fight Directors of Canada Website

Other Events/Shows Mentioned:

Betty Mitchell Awards

Sterling Awards

FLC Seniors Acting Club - A Friend of A Friend

Women's Script Writing Circle Showcase

Full Circle Theatre/Shakespeare Co. - Much Ado About Nothing

Nuova Vocal Arts - Once Upon A Matress

Citadel Theatre - Collider Festival

Rapid Fire Theatre - Improvaganza

Here For Fear Collective - Hyena's Trail

Top Bunk Tonight!- Sketch Show

Downstage Theatre - Stage It Program

AMPIA Podcast

This week I got to speak with Anthony Goertz about his film "Apocalypse Book Club" which I saw at the North West Film Fest. Anthony talks about his love for film, the process of shooting such an ambitious project, and how he was able to adapt a short story into a visual medium.

As well, Kaeley Jade stars in this wonderful short film about new love and the process of removing the masks we wear in relationships.

Also check out Anthony's website to see some of the other amazing art he has created.

Anthony Goertz

Apocalypse Book Club Trailer

FAVA Edmonton

CSIF Calgary

Anthony's Restaurant Recommendation:

Little Wolf Edmonton

Other Shows/Events on this Week:

The Heathers - Untold Stories Theatre

Sprouts 2025 - Concrete Theatre

On the Banks of the Nut - Teatro Live!

Legally Blonde - Theatre Calgary

Calgary Theatre Critics Awards

Toy Story 30th Anniversary - The Plaza Calgary

This week the Ignite! Festival starts in Calgary and NextFest starts in Edmonton (June 5-15), so I wanted to speak to an emerging artist. I found out my fellow Grindstone Improviser Aldrick Dugarte is currently doing the BFA program at the U of A, and he very generously agreed to talk to me about his hopes for his future career, his experience at University and path to becoming a performer. Aldrick is a very smart and funny person and I'm excited to see his Fringe show and where his career goes!

Aldrick's Instagram Page

No tickets yet for Fringe, but when they come out check out Aldrick's show !

Grindstone Theatre - King of the Hill Improv Competition

Aldrick's Restaurant Recommendations:

Panini's Italian Cucina

Malina Bakery

Amean Pizza and Donair

Other Shows/Events Mentioned:

Lunchbox Theatre: Stage One Festival of New Canadian Work

Sprouts 2025 by Concrete Theatre

Dream: A New Canadian Musical by Rosebud Theatre

Opening Night by Peak Theatre Players

How to Get Ahead in Advertising - Metro Cinema

I went to see Horse Play by Kole Durnford this past week and was struck by how the set was both playful, simple, functional, and beautiful, and so I was lucky enough to speak with Beyata Hackborn about her design and her process. She also gets into how modern times and technologies are changing how she designs and her literary inspirations. Beyata also has many great restaurant recommendations. Check out her website to see more of her incredible work, or you can also see it at Legally Blonde at Theatre Calgary!

Beyata's Website:

Beyata Hackborn

Restaurant Recommendations:

Menya Mori Ramen

Luna Mexican

Shanghai 456

La Petite Iza

Olia

Other Shows/Events Mentioned in this Episode:

Theatre Alberta And Morpheus Theatre Workshop with Jessica Eckstadt

Lunchbox Theatre: Stage One Festival of New Works

NextFest - Festival of Emerging Artists

Teatro Theatre - On the Banks of the Nut

GeriActors - Facing the Day

Mean Streets Improv - at Grindstone Theatre

AMPIA New Board Chair and Board of Directors

Two of the best people a gal could ask for spoke to me over the phone from Calgary this week; Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda! Keshia is an arts educator who works for Quest Theatre and Bianca is a producer at Downstage Theatre. They have also written, produced and acted in a show called "The F Word" that went up in 2023 and is getting new legs this year. They talk about their writing process, the challenges of working in Alberta and as always their restaurant recommendations. They are a total delight and always make me laugh. Congratulations to them for all of the amazing things they have been up to!

Keshia can be found at:

Quest Theatre

Bianca can be found at:

Downstage Theatre

The F Word Show Instagram for show updates!

The F Word

Article on The F Word quoted in this episode:

Avenue Calgary

Restaurant Recommendations:

Pathway Burgers & Momos

Mot To Vietnamese

Other Shows / Events Mentioned in this episode:

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - Grindstone Theatre

On the Banks of the Nut - Teatro Theatre

Ham presents Sketchup

Sass and Sweetgrass - IndigE-girl Comedy

Legally Blonde the Musical - Theatre Calgary

Calgary Black Film Festival

Once on this Island - Storybook Theatre

Sweeny Todd - Front Row Centre

Woohoo I got to meet up with Brianne Jang! After seeing 'BB Collective' on all sorts of promotional shots for shows, I wanted to speak with the person behind all the magic. Brianne is a photographer (and co-founder of BB Collective, her photography company), the managing director of SkirtsAfire and co-founder of Poiema Productions.

She talks about what it takes to photograph live theatre, as well as what audiences are looking for and advice she would (or wouldn't!) give her younger self. Brianne touches on the upcoming Riser Festival and the show Ms. Pat's Kitchen by Jameela McNeil which will also be at SkirtsAfire next year for their 14th season.

If you are in need of headshots, photos of your production, or even family or business photography, Brianne is the one to call! (Check out all the links above).

Brianne's Restaurant Recommendations:

Otto Food and Drink in Edmonton

Flavours of Montreal in Airdrie

Other shows/events mentioned in this episode:

Riser Festival by Common Ground Arts - May 15-18

Le Malade Imaginaire - May 15-17

North West Film Fest - Until May 15

Horse Play - Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre - May 14-June 1

Some Kind of Sign - Incendiary Festival - May 17-18

From Cradle to Stage - Walterdale Theatre - May 20-25

Improv Night In Canada -Rapid Fire Theatre

Freewill Shakespeare - Donations

I am very excited to say I got to speak with the Assistant Director of ATP's Liars at a Funeral, Filsan Dualeh! Aside from helping direct this show, she is also an actor and writer. Filsan speaks about what it was like directing a comedy, the place of new technology in theatre and what it's like to work in Alberta. She also touches on the tough but essential subject of diversity in theatre, and her words gave me alot to think about and are crucial for all people involved in this industry.

There may still be tickets left for Liars at a Funeral , and if so you can find them here: (it would make for a great Mother's Day outing!)

ATP Website - Liars at a Funeral

Also, here is Chromatic Theatre's website where you can catch Filsan next:

Chromatic Theatre

Filsan's Restaurant Recommendation:

Dairy Lane Calgary

Other Events/Openings Mentioned in this episode:

Hamlet (solo) - The Shakespeare Company

The Da Vinci Code - Vertigo Theatre

North West Film Fest - Metro Cinema Edmonton

Script Salon - Josh Languedoc Elon Muskrat

Riser Festival - Common Ground Arts

Shadow Theatre Season 2025-2026 Announcement

Spring is here and love is in the air! I got to talk to three amazing artists this week, who need no introduction but I will do so anyway.

Helen Knight and Owen Chan are a real life couple and also talented performers on stage! Owen is an improviser and co-founder of the Kinkonauts in Calgary and Helen is a two time Betty Mitchell award winning actor who is currently starring in Alberta Theatre Projects show Liars at a Funeral (click on the link for tickets, hopefully there are some left for you!)

Also in this episode is Five Questions with Scott Westby!

Scott Westby is a filmmaker and founder of Pluto Productions, a full service video production agency in Calgary which "tells stories with heart"! He has worked on videos for the likes of Travel Alberta, Siksika Nation, ATCO energy and more. He has several incredible projects in the works including a documentary, so check out his website for the latest. Here is a playlist of his Travel Alberta "One Perfect Meal" series.

Owen and Helen Interview is at 1:14

Five Questions with Scott Westby is at 21:10

Owen and Helen restaurant recommendations:

Maven in Calgary

Business and Pleasure in Calgary

Scott restaurant recommendation:

Ten Foot Henry in Calgary

When people think of improv, usually Colin Mochrie, Wayne Brady and Drew Carey come to mind, but did you know alot of short form improv was fostered right here in Alberta?

This week I got to speak with Mat Mailandt who is a comedian, improviser, and teacher who grew up in Alberta and has since made his success in Ontario. He talks about how improv can change a person's life for the better, improve language skills, as well as a bit about the history of improv and what shows he has coming up. Mat is also a chef, so his restaurant recommendations are ones to visit for sure!

Mat's Website

Kinkonauts Improvised Macbeth Tickets

Mat's restaurant recommendations:

Ten Foot Henry

Boogies Burgers

Lulu Bar

1st Street Market

Lonely Mouth

Other Shows/Events Mentioned in this Episode:

Where You Are - Shadow Theatre

Ham to Go - Ham Sketch

ATP Season Announcement

Radiant Vermin - Northern Light Theatre