Dance

I am a musician, songwriter, videographer, podcaster, and arts advocate based in Churchill, Manitoba. As the Northern Champions Coordinator with imagiNorthern, I work to support and expand the Northern Champions Network, helping artists, makers, and creative communities thrive. My role involves mentoring regional champions, supporting artist development, and helping grow the network's impact across the North.

I’m also an executive member of the Churchill Creative Collective, Churchill’s Winterruption Festival, Churchill Arts Council and Churchill Aurora Winterfest, where I help organize events, workshops, and performances. My passion lies in creating, performing, and lifting others up through the arts. I’ve been playing music for over 20 years, and my albums, Smiling Like a Sundog and an upcoming 2025 release, are inspired by the landscapes and stories of the North. I founded Churchill Entertainment, where I produce video content, live-stream events, and host the Churchill Chats Podcast to share local voices and perspectives.

Whether I’m performing live, documenting an event, or leading a workshop, I bring boundless energy and enthusiasm for creativity. My goal is to break down barriers to artistic expression and help others find new ways to share their stories.

Brittany Lagassé (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and has worked professionally in theatre, music, dance and comedy.

She began collaborating with others professionally in 2013, creating ‘Make/Shift Theatre’ with university pals Kristian Jordan and Elio Zarrillo. They wrote, produced and acted in original plays inspired by mediums outside the realm of theatre, from graphic novels to albums.

As Brittany continued to act and produce original work, her curiosity and love for music continued to grow.  BUNNY was born: a ukulele-comedy duo she performed with Heather Thomas (of Diaphanie). Their comedic shows blended theatre and music and they found themselves catapulting into the comedy scene, performing for The Winnipeg Comedy Festival and The SheDot Festival in Toronto.

Ten years after meeting backstage at a BUNNY show, Brittany and Mario Lagassé are partners in love and music, supporting each other in their respective artistic projects. Their first co-creation being the musical for kids, ‘Croakinole & Croakette.’ This pair of lively frogs sing, dance and hop their way through music of all genres, and have performed at Bike & Circuses (Green Kids 2024), The Winnipeg Fringe Festival (2025) and The Frog Follies Festival (2025).

Outside of music and creation, Brittany has performed and worked on several local theatre productions. Some of her favourite theatre credits include Love & Information (Company Link, 2021), Crazy Bone (Theatre Projects Manitoba, 2018) and Deserter (Moving Target Theatre, 2018).

Tanner Manson (he/him) is a queer theatre/dance artist and arts manager based in Winnipeg, MB. He is passionate about nurturing relationships & long term collaboration while creating new & exciting work. Famously, Tanner has commitment issues that transcend both his romantic AND career life. He works as a writer, facilitator, director, teacher, producer, performer, and choreographer. He grew up in rural Manitoba and has spent a good portion of his artistic career thus far dedicated to connecting with other rural Manitobans through workshops, performing for/alongside, and creating work with these communities.

Andria Stephens is a singer/songwriter and artist administrator from Calgary, Alberta. became a professional singer while studying business administration at Mount Royal University. She performed with Toshi Jackson and the Silhouettes, touring Western Canada and learning the importance of backup singers and live music. Andria has worked with many Motown-era musicians and opened for hip-hop artists like T-Pain and Naughty by Nature. She is also a lyricist and has experience with Digital Audio Workstations.
In 2014, Andria and her partner Don Glenn moved to Thompson and in 2017 they discovered an abandoned Sobeys building on the outskirts of the city and envisioned it as a performance arts center. They created the Mall of The Arts, which includes a family theatre, café, upcycling studio, artist market, and Indigenous learning center. The center aims to connect the community and tourists through the arts, offering workshops in various creative disciplines. The organization has held workshops in drama, dance, puppetry, African drums, fashion shows, and more. The center focuses on youth and underserved peoples programming and encourages a sense of pride and respect through artistic activities.