Making Moves
Choreography isn’t just about movement, it involves planning, staging, and time management. Artists Sage Cloud and Brenda Gorlick recently participated in the Professional Mentorship Program and shared their experiences!
Sage Cloud
Sage Cloud (he/him) is a multidisciplinary artist, credited in a variety of works ranging from dance, acting, stunt work, modelling, and more! A proud member of Berens River First Nation, he uplifts Indigenous representation whenever he can.
Sage has appeared on the big screen, stages, and runways around the world. Passion and pride explodes within him with every project, no matter how big or small. Most recently he was a member of an all-Indigenous team to hit the runway in one of the biggest fashion events in the world: Milan Fashion Week 2025! His anticipation constantly grows for whatever project comes next.
Brenda Gorlick
Brenda Gorlick (she/her) is an award-winning director, choreographer, performer, educator, film actor with a five-decade career in the performing arts, Brenda has worked with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Stratford Festival, the Banff Centre for Fine Arts and the University of Winnipeg. Her accolades include: RWB Honour Roll inductee, WAC Career Achievement in the Arts Award, Honorary Evie Award for Theatre Educator, YMCA/YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Arts and Culture and Rainbow Stage Wall of Fame.
In 2025, Brenda co-founded AIM 4 ALL, an All Inclusive Musical Theatre company, leads Manitoba Possible’s All Abilities Dancers and the Dancing with Parkinson’s program – U-Turn Parkinson’s.
Mentee Sage Cloud (left) and mentor Brenda Gorlick (right) spent their mentorship time creating new choreography for various performance opportunities as well as learning about the business side of dance.
How long have you been a practicing artist?
I’ve been a practicing artist for 14 years, starting with dance, with which I still practice to this day. My horizons expanded when I was introduced to the art of filmmaking. I grew an obsession learning the behind the scenes works, including cinematography, writing, sound, etc. That path eventually led me to learning about stunt work, which I quickly fell in love with. Consequently, acting became a part of my professional development as well. Now I label myself as a “Performance Artist” after taking on so many new disciplines under my utility.
- Sage
I have been a professional performing artist for over five decades.
- Brenda
What have you been working on together?
Our main focus so far has been creating choreography in preparation for performance opportunities, such as for a Nafro Productions showcase, as well as taking residents from U-Turn Parkinson’s up onto the stage for Dance Manitoba. We’ve also split our focus evenly between several different categories, that being networking (ex. Dance Collection Danse Gala), professional development (ex. Young Lungs artist residency), assistant teaching (ex. AIM 4 ALL), and administrative training (ex. resume building). I’m grateful to be learning so much in such rapid succession from somebody like Brenda. I feel by the time the mentorship comes to a close, I’ll be much better prepared to take on the industry on my own.
- Sage
Choreography: Nafro Productions Moving Inspirations Dance Festival creation (Legacy project)
Networking: Dance Collection Danse Gala
Professional Development: Young Lungs choreographic residency, MAC Grants
Assistant Teaching: AIM 4 ALL – All Inclusive Musical Theatre company, U-Turn Parkinson’s dancers
Performance opportunities: Dance Manitoba Showcase
Auditions: Film audition prep & assistance
Administrative Training: Building resumes, arts council profiles
- Brenda
“Being able to create is one of the greatest things anybody could do. People can choose to create anything they want... Whether it's making choreography or helping put together a film as an actor or stunt person, being able to create something that brings out certain emotions or reactions from people is one of the most fulfilling experiences I've ever had. ”
- Sage, on the joy of creating
What aspect of your work brings you joy?
Being able to create is one of the greatest things anybody could do. People can choose to create anything they want. For me, it’s art. Whether it’s making choreography or helping put together a film as an actor or stunt person, being able to create something that brings out certain emotions or reactions from people is one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had. Building something from nothing, starting with only an idea, is a unique kind of challenge. The time and energy that gets put into it, the stress and creative block that inevitably seems to happen no matter what, the excitement of finally overcoming it; it all pays off when the work is finished. The satisfaction that comes when the project gets shown for the very first time makes every step worth it. What I experience in that whole process, from start to finish, is why I create. That’s what brings me joy in my work.
- Sage
All of it! I particularly enjoy sharing my passion for performing arts, especially dance, with emerging artists of all ages. I also LOVE tackling new projects and “filling the artistic gaps” where necessary i.e. creating new and innovative programming.
- Brenda
What have been your most positive takeaways from this mentorship session? Any favourite results or moments?
Brenda and I have been consistently tackling many different angles relating to our industry of work. Not only have I been shadowing her in her own projects, but she’s also given me opportunities to integrate my own work, shedding some light onto me as a choreographer. She’s been going above and beyond in helping spread my name to more established figures in our industry. She’s tagged me along to different events and has been constantly notifying me of different residencies and performance opportunities I can apply for. This early into our mentorship, she’s already working so hard to help me grow into my own as professional artist, with the hopes of cultivating a sustainable career. Overall, this has been an excellent bonding experience between us and I’m excited to see what comes next.
- Sage
I feel Sage is getting a true cross-section of experiences to increase his own potential as an emerging artist and choreographer. It has been an incredible bonding experience thus far and I look forward to continued growth and exploration.
