President's Welcome
Welcome to Contact East 2022! What an honour to serve as President of the Atlantic Presenters Association and a thrill to see you all here. (It still feels kind of pinch-me-amazing to be all in one place and in three-dimensions.)
One of the most profound realizations of the past two years is how much we need the performing arts — to shake up our comfort zones, connect us with our shared humanity, and feed our souls. Remember when we loved the idea of “breathing together”? Let’s get back there. That’s where the life-affirming connections happen. That’s where the arts are alive.
We’re in luck because that is what’s going on right here at Contact East with an electrifying line-up of Showcases and Pitches, curated by the Selection Committee from 240 applications. You’ll be lunging for your booking calendars.
Contact East is also where you’ll find mind-expanding ideas from thinkers like Vu Le, the nonprofit guru and champion of unicorns, Star Trek, and the Oxford comma. And of course we’ll have a proper East Coast shindig. Meet you on the dance floor at the Closing Party!
Thanks to all the hands who make Contact East happen: the artists who survived the plague years and still inspire; the agents and promoters who play an essential role in keeping the shows on the road; the government funders who make the impossible possible; and presenters who bring artists and audiences together so the magic can happen. Thank you to the amazing staff of APA, who put together one of the very best presenter conferences in the country. (Note — did you know that Contact East is only the tip of the iceberg of the ground-breaking work the APA staff do year round? Woot!)
Thanks to each one of you for being here. Wishing you an awesome Contact East 2022.
Janet Larkman
APA Board President
SHOWCASE HOST Sarah Hagen
Award winning classical pianist & humorist Sarah Hagen is delighted to be participating again in this year’s Contact East as emcee. Described by the Charlottetown Guardian as “one of the most expressive piano players that I have ever seen perform,” she writes a completely uneducamated wine blog, “ARTIST WINES! – Uncorking musician-priced cellar secrets.”
ATLANTIC PRESENTERS ASSOCIATION Equity Action Advisory Committee
In 2020, as a response to the lack of diversity in the artists selected for past Contact East showcases, APA reached out to our networks to assemble a committee of individuals with ties to Black, Indigenous, racialized, disability and Mad arts, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Atlantic Canada.
The paid work of the Equity Action Advisory Committee (EAAC) has included giving APA resources and guidance on how to welcome more artists and arts leaders from these identified communities. They have taught APA much in this process and their continued input, guidance and advice is helping APA create accessible and equitable pathways to connect artists with presenters and their communities. The work that APA and the EAAC have done is reshaping the presentation of performing arts across Canada. We give deep thanks and respect to the EAAC for their ongoing commitment, generosity and knowledge.
Meet the EAAC!
April Hubbard
April Hubbard began her career as an actor before developing her skills as a director, producer, board member, administrator, and accessibility advisor after entering the world of disability and finding there was no longer a space for her on stage. As the Chair of the Halifax Fringe Festival, she provides a platform for others excluded from mainstream performance.
In 2019, April became a professional trapeze artist and acrobat when she began performing with LEGacy Circus. She cofounded disabilityX Halifax, an accessible storytelling event created and led by people with disabilities, and she is currently working with Drifting Amber Collective to remove barriers to access in the arts and to support people with unseen bodies & unheard voices to claim creative control. April recently began drafting an accessibility report
for Eastern Front Theatre exploring the barriers to inclusion in the performing arts in Nova Scotia and offering recommendations on how to meet the needs of all community members.
Her experience as a disabled woman allows her to guide those working to create inclusive performances and spaces. She is an outspoken advocate whose focus is to empower people with disabilities to discover their voice and to be leaders in designing the society in which they wish to live. April proudly shows her body without hiding its differences, which serves to both challenge assumptions and to normalize the presence of people with disabilities in our everyday world.
(Photo credit: Emily Invidia)
Jenelle Duval
Jenelle Duval (she/her) is a Mi'kmaw woman from Seal Rocks, NL who currently lives and is working in St. John's as an Advisor in media and content growth. She has been creating artistic spaces and opportunities for community and arts professionals since beginning her career in community in 2012. She was the Artistic Director of Spirit Song Festival, an annual celebration of Indigenous Arts and Culture in St. John's for almost 10 years. Jenelle is the recipient of YWCA's Women of Distinction Award (2019) for her work in Arts and Heritage, a founding member of EMCA-winning group Eastern Owl, and a tireless advocate for the preservation and revitalization of cultural arts and music. In 2019 Jenelle was acknowledged with her nomination for Indigenous Song-Writer of the year through the Canadian Folk Music Awards and was awarded the annual Achievement Award from the Atlantic Presenters Association for her contribution to Inidgenous arts presentation in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2020. She is a gifted song-writer and is currently composing a series of works that embody a lands-based narrative through her interactions with territorial attachments and interpersonal relations. Jenelle is rooted in her home territory of Ktaqmkuk, where she shares her life with her amazing daughter Kassidy.
Richie Wilcox
Richie Wilcox is an educator, a fiercely queer artist, and a creative collaborator. He is the founding artistic director of the live art company Heist based in K’jipuktuk/Halifax. In four short years with Heist, Wilcox has helped create The Princess Show, Princess Rules, Nature Vs. Nation, New Waterford Boy, FACE and Frequencies. With Heist, Wilcox has produced and curated the Creative Nova Scotia Awards for the past two years. Wilcox has worked with numerous companies across the Maritimes including Neptune, Festival Antigonish, 2B Theatre, Kazan Co-Op, Opera Nova Scotia, the Highland Arts Theatre and more. Wilcox served as Artistic Associate of Theatre Outre in Lethbridge, Alberta for three years where he helped create numerous original works including Unsex’d, Castrati: An Electro Drag Opera and How To Leave. Wilcox is currently the artistic director of the 36 year old Ship’s Company Theatre in Awokun/Parrsboro. Wilcox was a recipient of the Mayor’s Award for Emerging Theatre Artist in 2007 and received a Merritt for outstanding performance in a supporting role in 2017. He has published essays for Canadian Theatre Review and is the editor of New Essays on Canadian Theatre: Daniel MacIvor.
Raeesa Lalani
Raeesa Lalani (she/her) is an arts professional flourishing as the new Artistic Director of the Prismatic Arts Festival. After an extensive volleyball career, the arts industry called her back as a professional, as Raeesa has long been active as an actress, singer and has been known to tickle the ivories too. Some of her accolades include: playing Gillian on BBC Worldwides' Dinosapien, portraying Maria Von Trapp in Rundle College's The Sound of Music and winning first place singing "100 Easy Ways to Lose a Man" from Wonderful Town in the Musical Theatre category at the Calgary Kiwanis Festival. Her hard work and determination has allowed her to shine in these areas but also earned her a scholarship at Dalhousie University as a varsity volleyball athlete making her a unique talent in both arts and athletics. As a student athlete at Dal, she obtained a B.A. in English and after her 5-year playing career was accepted at the University of King’s College where she acquired a graduate degree in Journalism. Raeesa feels immensely fulfilled being part of an organization that has enabled her to grow personally in the arts but also be a part of a greater cause that continually strives to help the growth of Indigenous and culturally diverse artists. She is active as a board of director for multiple non profit organizations, as she believes it is important to give back her time and support to members within her community.
Raeesa would like to acknowledge that she was born and raised on the traditional land of Stoney Nakoda in Wichispa Oyade and has now found her home on Mi’kma’ki land in K’jipuktuk.
(Photo credit: Kelly Li)
Saa Andrew
Saa Andrew (he/him) is the CEO and Chief Creative Officer at Battle of the Arts NB (BOTA – NB), an organisation that uses arts and culture to amplify, create, uplift, empower, and provide opportunity and safe space for diverse youth-voices to excel through the arts. Originally from Sierra Leone, Saa Andrew studied Human Rights Law at Saint Thomas University, Fredericton NB. Saa is a songwriter, and records and produces his own Afro-beats music. He has released two CD's. He has traveled around Canada, working with diverse artists and community leaders on numerous projects and festivals. Saa is also the producer for AfroFest NB – the New Brunswick African Festival and resides in Fredericton, NB, where he calls home.
Tanya Davis
Tanya Davis is a writer and interdisciplinary artist based in Epekwitk / Prince Edward Island. Since releasing her first album in 2006, she's been working primarily in music and literary performance and occasionally in theatre, audio art, and film. She has released 4 records and two books, including a hardcover published by HarperCollins of the widely popular videopoem How to be Alone, a collaboration with filmmaker Andrea Dorfman. In 2020, also with Dorfman, she released a follow up called How to be at Home, produced by the National Film Board as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tanya was the 2011/12 Halifax Poet Laureate and the Artist-in-Residence at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine in 2016. She collaborates frequently across artistic genres, penning poems and verse for animation and film as well as live and recorded music. She creates and delivers content specific to organizations, conferences, and events, and has taken commissions for CBC Radio, The National Film Board, and The Canada Games, among others. Tanya also works as a freelance editor, arts administrator, and project manager.
Dena Williams
Dena Williams is aspiring Artist & Events Manager, born & raised in Halifax. Outside of her work in the music industry, Dena is currently pursuing a career in Social Work at Dalhousie University. With her developing work in social justice, Dena has made it her mission to create opportunities for the development and advancement for creatives in the BIPOC community. As an advocate for arts & culture, Dena’s been working with Youth Art Connection and has hit the ground running by lending a hand in promoting & organizing many events, including Salt Yard Sessions, Taco & Tunes @ The Local, In the Dead of Winter Festival and Emerge Festival. Currently managing two Artists, Lyris Daye & Eriana Willis, focusing on creative development and the completion of their debut releases. Dena is currently developing her community passion project which is intended to bring historically neglected communities together through art and creating a safe space for art to be celebrated. Through this project, Dena aims to bring light and love to historically neglected communities. With her company, Vitamin Dee Entertainment, Dena hopes to promote positivity, inclusivity, and diversity through various forms of art while also creating opportunities for local artists of the BIPOC community.
Take a Bow!
Contact East would not happen without the incredible hard work, dedication, knowledge, humour and love of the Atlantic Presenters Association staff, volunteers, partners and collaborators. Hats off to each of these fine folks who worked tirelessly to produce an exciting, insightful and fun and entirely IN-PERSON conference and showcasing event in a world that still feels mighty uncertain! Here’s to all of us and to you, the delegates, for showing your support by showing up!
Huge thanks as well to our venues – Neptune Scotiabank Studio Stage, the Lighthouse Arts Centre, St. Matthew’s Church, the Waegwoltic Club, the Africville Museum and the Hotel Halifax and all their staff and volunteers! Very special thanks to the tech crews at Neptune, Lighthouse and St. Matthews for your hours of work and for making everyone look and sound fantastic! Cheers!
CONTACT EAST/ATLANTIC PRESENTERS ASSOCIATION Staff
Laurie Gillis – Executive Director
Lisa Gleave – Operations and Programs Manager
Valerie Hillier – Member Services Manager
Judy Joe Scheffler – Logistics Coordinator
Dani MacDonald -Communications Coordinator
Lisa Stitt – Finance Manager
Jessica Brown – Indigenous Presenter Program Coordinator
Jessica Lewis – Showcase Producer
Danielle Cooper – Box office and ticketing
Dean Gallant – Graphic Designer
Sarah Hagen – Conference Host
Anna Chow – Volunteer Coordinator
Ryan Hutchinson – Visual Communicator
Laurie Gillis
Executive Director
Lisa Gleave
Manager of Operations & Programs
Valerie Hillier
Member Services Manager
Judy Joe Scheffler
Logistics Coordinator
Jessica Brown
Indigenous Presenter Program Coordinator
Jessica Brown
Indigenous Presenter Program Coordinator
Jessica Brown (she/her) is a professional arts worker and emerging Inuk filmmaker. Hailing from Nunatsiavut, she’s always felt a deep connection to the land and her culture. She currently lives in St. John’s with her children. Jessica is a part of a team at First Light that is creating an Artist Collective for Artists in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2002, Jessica began working with the Atlantic Presenters Association; first as a Contact East Selection Committee member, and most recently as the Indigenous Presenter Program Coordinator. She sits on the Board of Directors for Riddle Fence: A Journal of Arts & Culture. Jessica has been exploring documentary filmmaking focused on stories that explore identity, language, belonging and roots. She has been selected for the Doc Atlantic Breakthrough Program, led by Lunenberg Doc Fest, to pitch a new documentary she’s writing and directing at the Montreal International Documentary Festival. Jessica is the Assistant Director of Framed Spirit Song, a short documentary premiering this year at the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival.
Jessica Lewis
Showcase Producer
Jessica Lewis
Showcase Producer
Jessica (she/her) has been working in K'jipuktuk (Halifax) as a Lighting Designer, Production Manager and Stage Manager for over 15 years. She has taken Productions across Canada, throughout the Southern States and Asia.
Selected works include: Eastern Front Theatre (Fat Juliet, Stages Theatre Festival), Neptune Theatre (Alice in Pantoland, Fully Committed, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol), Zuppa Theatre (Tiny, Slowly I Turn, How Small, How Far Away), Mermaid Theatre (I Love My Little Storybook & Guess How Much I Love You, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourite’s).
ATLANTIC PRESENTERS ASSOCIATION Board of Directors
Janet Larkman
President
Janet Larkman
President
Janet Larkman (she/her) is honoured to serve as President of APA — an organization that challenges, inspires, and enriches what we do as presenters. She is grateful to live in the Kespukwitk region of Mi’kmaki/Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, where she has worked in community and the arts for the past 30 years. Janet is Executive Director of King’s Theatre, a 220-seat historic venue that uses contemporary technologies to present a packed schedule of year-round programming. Her work with both King’s Theatre and APA is focused on diversity, community engagement, and a passion for the performing arts. She loves being a part of the APA ecosystem, where all things are possible.
Raeesa Lalani
Vice President
Raeesa Lalani
Vice President
Raeesa Lalani (she/her) is an arts professional flourishing as the Artistic Director of the Prismatic Arts Festival.
Raeesa has long been active as an actress, singer, and has been known to tickle the ivories too. Her hard work and determination earned her a scholarship at Dalhousie University as a varsity volleyball athlete making her a unique talent in both arts and athletics. Raeesa has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English, and double minor in Journalism and Spanish. She also has a graduate degree in Journalism from the University of King's College.
Raeesa feels immensely fulfilled being part of an organization that has enabled her to grow personally in the arts but also be a part of a greater cause that continually strives to help the growth of Indigenous artist and artist of color in the industry.
Passionate about all things fine art she is happy that her talent and work have come full circle. She is active as a board member for multiple non profit organizations, as she believes it is very important to spend time supporting the arts sector outside of her daily work, cares about making a difference and enriching the lives or her colleagues, and ensuring that ALL voices are heard!
She is determined, focused and passionate in all facets of her life, which has propelled here to become the successful young professional she is.
Raeesa would like to acknowledge that she was born and raised on the traditional land of Stoney Nakoda in Wichispa Oyade and has now found her home on Mi’kma’ki land in K’jipuktuk.
(Photo credit: James McLean)
Cathy Green
Treasurer
Cathy Green
Treasurer
Cathy (she/her) has over 13 years experience in the Sport and Entertainment sector. In her current role as Assistant Manager of Jack Byrne Regional Sport & Entertainment Centre, she is involved in the financial management, marketing & communications, human resources and special events programming for the facility. Cathy has served on multiple committees within her community and is currently Treasurer of the Atlantic Presenters Association. With her two boys pursuing their post secondary education, Cathy was inspired to return to Memorial University full time to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
Kim Rayworth
Treasurer
Kim Rayworth
Treasurer
Kim Rayworth (she/her) became Managing Director of the Capitol Theatre, southeastern New Brunswick’s
premiere state-of-the-art bilingual performing arts
centre, in 2015. Prior to leading the organization,
Kim worked as Director of Development for six
years, securing public funding and developing
corporate and community relationships. Each year, thanks to her team of 13 full and 30 part time employees, she helps to ensure the smooth delivery of more than 150 exciting performances from all performing arts disciplines in one of the country’s most beloved historically restored venues. Kim has also served as a Board member of the Canadian Live Music Association and as President of the City of Moncton’s Cultural Board. She currently sits on the Board of the Atlantic Presenters Association. In addition to working to advance the arts sector, Kim has volunteered for her community with organizations including the Moncton Rotary Club, the City of Moncton’s Enhancing Democracy Committee, the Local Organizing Committee of the 2011 ECMAs and the Parent School Support Committee for her daughters’ school. Kim is an avid cyclist and ran the Boston Marathon....that one time.
Kieran Keller
Past President
Kieran Keller
Past President
(President) Kieran has been the Executive Director at Harbourfront Theatre since 2011. Shortly after taking the position, he joined the board of the Atlantic Presenters Association and is the current president. Originally from Montreal, theatre came naturally as a performer and then a stage manager, but his first real gig started after someone fell off the stage and the show needed someone to fill in. He never looked back, continuing for the next dozen years in a variety of production and management roles, from small town venues to large summer festivals, industrials and touring, including theatre, musicals, opera, and contemporary dance. Brief interludes into ‘real jobs’ included hotel management and advertising, but ironically, kept falling back on the arts for stability. At Harbourfront, he has produced several productions, favourites include The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom, 39 Steps, and Nunsense, not only the bringing the most giggles but also the theatre’s most profitable production to date. Kieran lives in rural PEI, just recently got fibre-op internet, so can now live happily with his wife, two daughters and three (too many) dogs.
Lindsay Cory
Board Member
Lindsay Cory
Board Member
Lindsay Cory (she/her) is a cultural worker and community organizer of white UK settler ancestry based Kjiputuk (Halifax) the unceded land and waters of the Mi'kmaq people with significant and foundational infrastructure built and supported by Black and African Nova Scotian communities. She is grateful to live and work in this place and is deeply indebted to and supportive of Mi’kmaq grandmothers, land and water protectors, and all social justice seekers. She holds an MA and BFA in Art History from Concordia University with a focus in public art and social agency. Since moving to Mi'kma'ki (Nova Scotia), Lindsay has worked at Ross Creek Centre for the Arts as Community and Artist Programs Coordinator, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects as Communications Director, and The Coast Newspaper as Events and Ticketing Manager. Lindsay is the current Executive Director of the Nocturne: Art at Night festival in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) and an active board member of Atlantic Presenters Association and the Centre for Art Tapes.
Bethany Stout
Board Member
Bethany Stout
Board Member
Bethany (she/her) is the Assistant Executive Director at Imperial Theatre and she handles Programming and Communications. She has been with the Theatre for over 7 years. She works with a wonderful team at the theatre and loves that they get to do this for a living.
Haley Zavo
Board Member
Haley Zavo
Board Member
Haley (she/her) has been Executive Director at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown, PEI since 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree (Honours) from Queens University with specializations in music education and ethnomu- sicology. She has designed and facilitated community- based arts projects in Ontario, Cape Breton, India and PEI. Most recently, her artistic work has supported numerous projects at Kings Playhouse that connect a diverse range of artists with the community. Haley has a passion for equal access, collaboration and com- munity building through the arts.
Matthew Barret
Board Member
Matthew Barret
Board Member
Matthew has been involved in the arts community in Labrador for most of his life. He’s a musician, music teacher, event organizer, and most recently a presenter. Matthew graduated with a music degree from St. F.X. in 2009 and has been managing the Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre in his home town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay for the past six years.
Kathleen Flanagan
Board Member
Kathleen Flanagan
Board Member
Kathleen is Chair of the Board of Directors of Cloggeroo - the Island Folk Festival, a non-profit organization operating in eastern PEI. Since 2014, the all volunteer festival has hosted an annual summer music festival in Three Rivers, PEI. Kathleen is also owner and president of Kathleen Flanagan and Associates, an international consulting company specializing in early childhood education research focused on policy development, curriculum design, and strategic planning. Kathleen lives in De Gros Marsh PEI with her husband where they raised 4 children, and spend as much time as they can with 4 grandchildren!
Jenelle Duval
Board Member
Jenelle Duval
Board Member
Jenelle Duval (she/her) is an L'nu woman, mother and aritst from Seal Rocks, NL who currently lives and is working in St. John's as an Advisor in media and content growth. She has been creating artistic spaces and opportunities for community and arts professionals since beginning her career in community in 2012. She was the Artistic Director of Spirit Song Festival, an annual celebration of Indigenous Arts and Culture in St. John's for nearly a decade. Jenelle is the recipient of YWCA's Women of Distinction Award (2019) for her work in Arts and Heritage, a founding member of EMCA-winning group Eastern Owl, and a tireless advocate for the preservation and revitalization of cultural arts and music. In 2019 Jenelle was acknowledged with her nomination for Indigenous Song-Writer of the year through the Canadian Folk Music Awards and was awarded the annual Achievement Award from the Atlantic Presenters Association for her contribution to Inidgenous arts presentation in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2020. She is a gifted song-writer and is currently composing a series of works that embody a lands-based narrative through her interactions with territorial attachments and interpersonal relations. Jenelle is rooted in her home territory of Ktaqmkuk, where she shares her life with her amazing daughter Kassidy.
Courtney Steeves
Board Member
Courtney Steeves
Board Member
Courtney Steeves (she/her) has been part of the arts community her whole life, starting as a dancer and moving into other forms of performance throughout her 37 years on earth. Currently, she is the Executive Director at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, located on the unceded/unsurrendered territory of the Wolastoqiwik (people of the beautiful river) in Fredericton, and a member of the APA since 2014. For the past 14 years she has been part of Feels Good Folly Fest (3-day music festival), and looks forward to spending time on the APA to learn, share, and grow through amazing conversations with the incredible members of this organization.
Joe Costello
Board Member
Joe Costello
Board Member
Joe Costello is an arts professional and presenter in Cape Breton Island. Joe is the Program Coordinator for Arts, Culture, and Creative Events for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) and heads the ConnectArts program and ECMA nominated Makin’ Waves. With roots in the DIY punk scene, Joe is a lifelong advocate for equitable access to the arts and holds a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.