Kohkom's Babushka

Joleen Ballendine is a mixed-blood Métis writer, actor, improviser, and educator based on Treaty 6 Territory. She has been a core member of Canada’s third-oldest improv company -- Rapid Fire Theatre -- since 2009 and currently serves as Director of Outreach and Welcome. In 2011 she launched the companies first Outreach program, working extensively with Indigenous youth and communities to share stories through improv and comedy.

Joleen’s work has taken her across North America and on seven European tours, performing and teaching. Her writing includes projects with CBC, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Mosaic Entertainment, and Historica Canada where she penned a Canadian Heritage Minute on Mary “Bonnie” Baker.

Following the birth of her child, she turned her focus to young audiences. She is thrilled that her latest project, Kohkom’s Babushka—adapted from a children’s book in collaboration with Lianna Makuch—is being premiered with the support of Punctuate! Theatre, Pyretic Productions, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Lianna Makuch is a third generation Ukrainian Canadian playwright, director, performer, co-Artistic Director of Pyretic Productions, and a producer with Punctuate! Theatre. Lianna has travelled several times to Ukraine to research and develop her plays Barvinok and Alina, which have garnered her recognition such as the Shevchenko Foundation’s REACH Award, an Edmonton Artist Trust Fund Award, Sterling Award nominations, shortlisted for the Alberta Playwriting Award, and as a finalist for the Gina Wilkinson Prize. Her work has been developed by Punctuate! Theatre, Pemmican Collective, Citadel Theatre’s Collider Festival, Banff Centre for the Arts, Concrete Theatre, and internationally by Wild Theatre and Izolyatsia Cultural Platform in Kyiv, Ukraine. Lianna’s directorial debut, First Métis Man of Odesa (Punctuate! Theatre), received a Dora Award for Outstanding Direction and has been seen on stages nationwide. Upcoming Directing: A Christmas Carol (Citadel Theatre). 

Lianna is an avid activist in support of Ukraine, and has been recognized as one of 50 Canadian Fellows of Ukraine by the UDonation International NGO, Edify Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40, and her theatre work has been referenced in the House of Commons. Lianna is thrilled to be developing Kohkom’s Babushka with her childhood best friend and artistic collaborator Joleen Ballendine, seeing it as a special opportunity to delve into their cultural roots and explore the enduring bond of friendship. 
 

Anna is a theatre practitioner and educator specializing in movement, choreography, intimacy and ensemble development. Her breadth of work ranges from live theatre to international mega-events.  In 2014, Anna Co-Created and Co-Directed Circle Game: Reimagining the Music of Joni Mitchell which toured to 13 cities in western Canada from 2017-2019, garnering 11 award nominations and winning 4 including an Ovation Award for Best Production and an SAT Award for Best Choreography.

Internationally, Anna has worked on the Mass Movement Team of mega-events. Most recently, she spent 2 years living and working in Dubai, UAE for Expo 2020 as a choreographer, movement director, and dance captain for on the nightly entertainment in Expo’s marquee venue – Al Wasl Plaza. These productions integrated actors, dance, and puppetry which interacted with sophisticated projection technology.

Anna holds an MFA in Movement Direction and Teaching from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and trained as an Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors International and Theatrical Intimacy Education. She  is currently a full-time Faculty Member at MacEwan University in Edmonton. 
 

Stephanie Bahniuk (she/her) is a Ukrainian-Canadian designer of theatre, tv, film, opera and dance. She is originally from Edmonton and now resides in Brooklyn, NY. Stephanie is a graduate of the Masters of Fine Arts in Design program at the Yale School of Drama and a recipient of the Jay Keene and Jean Griffin Keene Prize in Costume Design. Stephanie is also a Sterling Award winner and was nominated for a Connecticut Critics Choice Award. Recent credits include Dance Nation (Skirtsafire Festival), Ragtime (Goodspeed Musicals), Carmen (Rutgers Opera) and Harvest Truce (Studio Theatre). In addition to her theatre work, Stephanie has contributed to Broadway and Off-Broadway productions as a costume shopper, and has lent her expertise to major TV productions including The Gilded Age and And Just Like That. She is a proud member of USA Local 829 and serves on the Board of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. 

Jolane is a Calgary based artist and a graduate of the University of Lethbridge. She holds a BFA in Fine Arts as a theatre technician and a diploma in Fashion Design from Lethbridge College. She has worked in several capacities of costuming from Stitcher to Head of Wardrobe, including: New West Theatre (Lethbridge), Stage West Theatre (Calgary), and Alberta Theatre Projects (Calgary). With over a decade of working in theatre, Jolane is also an active member of IATSE 212 for film and television. Some union credits include Butcher (ATP), Alpha (Feature Film), Damnation (US Network), and most recently the TV series Lost in Space (Netflix). 

From Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement, AB, Darla Daniels is a celebrated Métis fiddler, singer-songwriter, recording artist, actor, and composer with a dynamic stage presence and a deep reverence for tradition. She has spent over two decades sharing her passion for traditional Métis fiddle music & dance while forging a bold, contemporary path through Roots, Folk, and Americana genres. 2012-2025: Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Mardi Gras, North Country Fair, Mariposa Music Festival, The Diviners (The Stratford Festival). Awards: Arts and Culture Award (Métis Settlements General Council); The Young Woman of Vision Award (Grant MacEwan University); The Aboriginal Youth Female Role Model Award (Canadian Native Friendship Centre); Top 5 finalist - Specialty Instrumentalist of the Year (Country Music Alberta Awards).

Amelia Scott is a video designer, projection technologist, and new media artist working in theatre, opera, dance, and beyond. Based out of Montreal and working across Canada, she uses scenic design and interactive performance tools to create interactive installations and public transformed spaces. She is also an instructor of Video Technology and Design at The National Theatre School of Canada. Recent credits include: A Love Letter to Emily C (Handsome Alice Theatre); Towards Youth (Crow’s Theatre/Project Humanity); The Assembly/L’Assemblée (Porte Parole); Speculation (Leslie Ting); The Magic Flute (Opera Nuova); Nomadic Tempest (Caravan Stage Company).

Ken James Stewart (he/him) is an experienced stage manager with a diverse background in various theatre forms, including ballet, movement, Shakespeare, musical theatre, and new works, across both small and large-scale theatres. He has collaborated with renowned companies across Canada, including the Shaw Festival, Stratford Festival, Citadel Theatre, Lunchbox Theatre, Vertigo Theatre, TIFT, and Hogtown Collective.

Ken is excited to contribute to the Banff Centre for the Arts as both a stage manager and mentor. He looks forward to reuniting with director Lianna Makuch in this vibrant and creative environment. Outside of the theatre, Ken is passionate about baking, particularly creating what others have called "the best butter tarts I've ever had.” @KennyJ
 

Jo-Ann Saddleback started out her career as a television film producer, script writer, and host for Alberta Native Communications Society, ITV, CTV, and Access Alberta. She was also an Associate Producer on two projects with National Film Board, community coordinator on Aboriginal films (small contract), and Production Manager for independent film.

When her Father, Stan Daniels, died she took up his political legacy and won the vice-presidency as the first women executive for the Metis Nation of Alberta. She forced the government to change the Native Child Welfare Act for the first time giving Aboriginal peoples a say in the future of their own children. She has since worked as a Policy Analyst/Researcher for women’s organizations and Executive Director for Metis Settlements General Council heading up Legal and Governmental Affairs. She also worked as a community developer for twenty-five years, travelling across North America developing and delivering workshops on Culture, Health, Aboriginal research processes Roles and Rights of Aboriginal Women, and cross-cultural workshops for RCMP, Corrections Canada, Alberta Health, Healthcare workers across Canada and Alberta Justice judges and crown prosecutors.

Jo-Ann went back to her artistic roots and is currently an Artist, poet, writer and designer. She is also curating Buffalo Grass Café, and General Store featuring artists and artifacts. She is involved in many Indigenous arts initiatives and has been advisor to many Indigenous artists and art groups like Dave Garneau, Bruce Sinclair, Lana Whiskeyjack, and Ociciwan; and many more.

Krista Leddy (she/her) is a proud Métis woman and artist whose family comes from the historical Métis communities of St. Albert and Lac St. Anne. She currently calls amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton) home. Krista is passionate about her culture and community and loves to share the depth and wealth of Métis identity through art and story.

Donna Lee Dumont is a proud descendent of the Red River Settlers. Donna Lee has been interested in art since her childhood in northern Ontario where she first sketched her environment. She feels fortunate to have painted in northern Saskatchewan with A.Y. Jackson, and to have studied Oriental brushwork with Szeto Kei in Vancouver. She has had several one-person art shows in Western Canada. She is the author and illustrator of Peter Fidler and the Métis, and illustrator of Manny’s Memories and Kohkum’s Babushka, publications of Gabriel Dumont Institute Press.

Andy has worked on stages and in stadiums nationally and internationally. As Creative Producer with Punctuate! Theatre, Andy premiered Takwahiminana (with Soulpepper), toured First Métis Man of Odesa (to NAC, Soulpepper, TIFT) and now Kohkom’s Babushka (with Banff Centre & Pyretic) and will premiere Strife (with Tarragon) later this season. He is also a Producer on Bright Star (GTP & Mirvish). As actor/creative: Disney’s FROZEN (Citadel; Sterling nom), Charlotte (Theaturtle/ National Theatre Prague), Hunchback (Catalyst/ Playhouse), Godspell (Arts Club), Fiddler on the Roof (Persephone; SATAward nom), Circle Game (Firehall/ Persephone; Ovation & SATAwards, Jessie nom), Elf (Chemainus), Hair (Mayfield). Andy has worked on ceremonies and major events including the JUNOs, CCMAs, Volleyball Nations League & Beach Pro Tour, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Olympic & Paralympic Games (Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro), AIMAGames (Ashgabat), Invictus Games (Sydney), Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast). He was responsible for the Sitewide Programming at Expo 2020 Dubai, and was lead Producer for the COP28 Opening Ceremony in UAE. 

Trent is an Edmonton based artist and arts enabler with a specialty in activating non-traditional performance spaces. A graduate of Grant MacEwan's Theatre Production program and The Banff Centre for the Arts, Trent has spent the last 15 years as a Lighting Designer, Production Manager, Technical Director, and Entertainment Programmer.

A proud citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Matt is currently the Artistic Director of Punctuate! Theatre, a member of the Pemmican Collective, and an Artistic Associate of Pyretic Productions. In 2018, Matt’s play BEARS won Dora Awards for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Production, was named a co-winner of the Toronto Theatre Critics Outstanding New Canadian Play Award and won the Playwright Guild of Canada’s Carol Bolt National Playwriting Award. In 2023, First Métis Man Of Odesa, which Matt co-wrote and performed in with his partner, Mariya Khomutova, toured to nine Canadian cities and won Doras for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Production. Working dramaturgically with both early career and established writers, Matt was very happy to work with Joleen and Lianna on Kohkom’s Babushka!

Cassandra (she/her) is a performer, producer, stage manager, and arts administrator of mixed Métis-Settler heritage, whose work has enabled her to engage with audiences across Turtle Island from coast to coast. Her current artistic practice is guided by her affinities for physical theatre, music, puppetry, and education. She has worked with Axis Theatre, Savage Society, Firehall Arts Centre, and Shameless Hussy Productions. She holds a BFA in Acting from UBC, minoring in Visual Arts. Originally from Treaty 6 and 7 territory, she is currently based on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples.

Jessica is a queer film and theatre actor based in Toronto and Montreal. Selected theatre credits include: The Secret Garden of An Sìthean (Festival Antigonish), Trojan Kids, Macbeth, Antigonick, As You Like It, 365 Days/365 Plays (NTS), Art Ambulance (Clay and Paper Theatre) and The Stranger 2.0 (DopoLavoro Teatrale). On screen she has appeared in the series Hotel Paranormal and Haunted Hospitals. She is a recent graduate of the National Theatre School in acting and is grateful to be able to discover and play in beautiful Banff with this incredible group of artists. When she’s not acting, you can find her stilt walking in a park or bothering her cat, Gus. Thank you to her family and friends who always cheer her on, even from a distance.

Jeff Dingle is a New Brunswick born actor who currently lives in Toronto, Ontario. He is very excited to be in Banff for the first time and to be working with Punctuate! Theatre. Recent theatre credits include Those Movies (Orillia Opera House/Upper Canada Playhouse), Give ‘em Hell (Prairie Fire, Please/Theatre Direct), Wrong for Each Other, Giving Up the Ghost (Port Stanley Festival Theatre), The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley, 1979 (Theatre New Brunswick), The Real Sherlock Holmes (Lighthouse Festival), and No Man is an Island (Atlantic Repertory Company). TV appearances include Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent (CityTV), and Murdoch Mysteries (Shaftesbury/CBC). Love as always to Torey and Whitney.

Rick is very grateful to be here, on stage, as Kohkom’s Babushka comes to life before an audience. He last appeared at the Banff Centre twenty eight years ago as Will Donnelly in James Reaney’s St. Nicholas Hotel. Selected credits include: Man of La Mancha (Magnus Theatre); Fiddler on the Roof (Persephone); Hamlet (Manitoba Theatre Centre); Christmas Carol, Real Estate, How It Works, Tuesdays With Morrie, When the Reaper Calls (Sudbury Theatre Centre); Full Monty, Buddy Holly Story, Sound of Music, Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival); Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Fire, Black Bonspiel (Globe Theatre); the Foursome (Foster Festival); Film/Television: Law and Order Toronto (Lark Productions and Cameron Pictures); Murdoch Mysteries, Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures (Shaftesbury); Hemlock Grove (Netflix). Rick lives in Toronto with his delightful wife, Donna Garner (Actor/Singer/Multi-Instrumentalist/Artistic Director, Garner Theatre Productions) and Gustav Mahler (Gus), a stoic Mini-Schnauzer.

A proud Métis artist of Cree, French, Irish, and English ancestry, Michaela is delighted to based in her home province of Alberta once again after living in Ontario for the past 25 years. An award winning actor and writer, Michaela also has multiple nominations; most notably, for the Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize, Ontario Arts Council’s Indigenous Arts Award and the K. M. Hunter Artist Award for Theatre. A published author, Michaela’s performance and written work has been shared internationally at festivals and theatres in Wales, Aruba and across Canada and the United States.