BENITA BAILEY

Benita (she/her) is an Ethiopian-German artist reciting in Toronto who had the privilege of viewing the world & diverse societies from multiple perspectives, having gained work experience in Europe, Africa, North America and Asia. Within her art she aims to combine past experiences from both a minority and majority perspective mostly concerning social justice, racial reconciliation and empowerment of disadvantaged communities. She is interested in creating a safe space & empower females and minority narratives. Benita works as actor, filmmaker, theatre creator, host & university lecturer. She has a background in International Relations and African Studies from University of Leipzig and Hong Kong Baptist University, worked in NYC and Beijing as well as research assistant on Human Rights at the German parliament in Berlin. Since graduating from acting conservatory in 2015, Benita has appeared on German Cinema and national television, worked and collaborated with theatres in Berlin such as Ballhaus Naunynstraße, Haus der Berliner Festspiele and Gorki theatre; in Montreal  with Imago & Black Theatre Workshop among others. In 2020 she created the webshow #yellit From The Mountain where she has conversations with Black Artists from Canada & Germany.

JILLIAN HARRIS

Jillian (she/her) works as a performer, mediator and creative producer. From 2016-2021 she was co-artistic director of CABAL Theatre in Tiotià:ke, garnering accolades for striking design and their dynamic, often immersive (and ever queer) original pieces. As an actress she’s played in film, television, radio and video games. She’s a yoga teacher as well as a certified conflict resolution mediator studying on scholarship at University of Waterloo. Jillian’s passionate about personal and communal healing and wellness practices, transformational art and co-creating spaces where people feel free to share, play, disagree, grow, witness and experience authentic connections flourishing. She loves to move her body, try new things, travel and read.

NATALIE TIN YIN GAN (顏婷妍) 

Natalie Tin Yin Gan (顏婷妍) is an independent dance artist, writer, and teacher based in so-called Vancouver, on the unsurrendered ancestral lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She has performed and presented all over Asia and across Canada. Her practice squats (125 lb) at the intersection of ancestral spirit, somatics, and technology-induced melancholy. Natalie is Co-Artistic Director of company Hong Kong Exile that explores the historical and contemporary politic of the Chinese diaspora. She is also the smaller half of vulva clown duo, Pulsive Party. She is a graduate of The Writer’s Studio and a certified teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®. Currently, she is a Narrative Designer at indie video game company Sunset Visitor Studios. She publishes under a pseudonym. Natalie is a late sleeper, a late riser, a late bloomer, a latecomer, and a late-night snacker.  

SARAH ROSSY

Sarah (she/they) is a performer, composer, producer, and educator born and based in Tio’tia:ke/Montréal. Sarah combines influences of jazz, experimental electronic music, and visual projections into autobiographical and socially-outspoken soundscapes for a truly unique result. Sarah has performed over 500 times in the past decade, and is the first Canadian finalist of the Ella Fitzgerald International Voice Competition. Sarah and GRAMMY-nominated sound engineer Jennifer Nulsen were the 2018 winners of the Eleanor Stubley Recording Prize, to support the recording of The Conclusion EP (2019, Florafone Records). Sarah holds both a B.Mus and M.Mus from McGill University, is the artistic director of feminist choir Chœur Maha and teaches at Dawson College. Sarah’s artistic practice now includes education as a tool for social justice. A much-anticipated debut audiovisual album, an evolving orchestral jazz narrative soundscape reimagined through an ethereal electronic lens entitled 'OF WHO WE HAVE BECOME', is set for release in October 2023.

DIANE ROBERTS

BIO

JULIE TAMIKO MANNING

BIO