Based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), on the powerful, unceded and unsurrendered land of the Mi’kmaq people, Liliona is a dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, community organizer, and activist. Originally from Ghana and the Philippines, she has an eclectic background that has taken her through many performance styles on four different continents. Liliona performs across the country and internationally, creates original works as an independent artist, facilitates community programming, and is the Artistic Director of Kinetic Studio. The scope of Liliona’s artistic work is broad, but is particularly focused on the relationship between art and social justice, on the body’s ability to carry ancestral memory, and on the role the performing arts can play in creating change. Liliona loves to work in collaboration and community, and is mom to two wonderful kids.
(Photo by James MacLean)
Masuma Khan is a local community organizer and artist, born and raised in Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia). She is known for her overwhelming passion and commitment to dismantling systems of oppression. At most actions, you’ll find her on the megaphone chanting. Those closest to her know her for her big smile and an even bigger heart. For Masuma poetry is an expression that is tied to her cultural practice as a Pashtun. Her first album Wrath of Khan, released on April 30th 2021. Her art style is influenced by her lived experiences with white supremacy, colonialism, displacement, racism, islamophobia disability justice, and more.
Alexa is a theatre artist and technical theatre worker based in Kj’ipuktuk. She is very keen on honing her skills on the productions she’s a part of, and is always in pursuit of learning new and challenging things. He would like to practice being brave, and taking on more opportunities where they must be fearless in knowing or not knowing, and moving with kindness and passion for a community and art they love dearly. Selected credits include The Spring Tide Circle (Ship’s Company Theatre, 2021), Dayboil (Ship’s Company Theatre, 2022), The Outside Inn (FAST, 2022), In Lieu of Flowers (Highland Arts Theatre and Neptune Theatre, 2023) and The Crevice (Bus Stop Writer’s Circle, 2023).
(Photo by James MacLean)
Jason is a Halifax/K’jipuktuk lawyer practicing in the areas of labour, employment, human rights, and administrative law. He primarily represents employees and unions, though he also represents some employers, mostly not-for-profits and small businesses. In his not-for-profit practice, Jason provides advice and representation to societies on matters such as organizational governance, policy development, and employment. Jason is a founding member of the Halifax Workers’ Action Centre and coordinates its legal information and support clinics. He enjoys live theatre, comedy, and all the performing arts.
Koumbie is an award winning actor, director, writer and producer based in Kjipuktuk/ Halifax, Nova Scotia. In front of the camera they have appeared in a number of local productions with reoccurring roles on shows including YTV’s Aquateam, CBC’s Mr. D, Studio Black, Diggstown, Moonshine, and the final season of Outtv’s Sex & Violence. Since going behind the camera, Koumbie has directed a number of award winning short films, including the Short Film Face-Off winner Hustle & Heart, a 1k wave film, Ariyah & Tristan’s Inevitable Break-Up, and an episode of Studio Black S2. In 2016 she was named a “One to Watch” by Sea in Be Scene, in 2018 she was selected as a Five in Focus – Atlantic director and in the same year won a Telefilm Talent to Watch grant. In 2022 Koumbie received a Wave Award for their dedication to the industry and was named by Atlantic Business as one of their top 30 under 30. As an advocate and community member she serves as Vice President on ACTRA Maritimes Council, chair of WIFT-Atlantic and on numerous other boards and committees. Their passion for equity, safety and inclusion has also led them to become one of the first Intimacy Coordinators in Atlantic Canada. Her feature film bystanders recently premiered at Atlantic International Film Festival where is took home The Best Atlantic Script Award. Koumbie is drawn to stories that feature new voices and perspectives.
Dr. Cat MacKeigan is Faculty for the graduate Non-Profit Leadership program in the School of Business and Creative Industries at NSCC and an experienced arts management and cultural policy expert with leadership experience in performing arts and public sector organizations in Atlantic Canada and Ontario. They hold a BA(H) from Bishop’s University, an MPA and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from Dalhousie University, and have taught on themes such as leadership, management, cultural policy, and creative industry at several universities. They also serve as a consultant, board director, and advisor to various non-profit organizations and governing bodies. Cat’s areas of expertise include organizational management, public policy, arts and events management, institutional relations, and equity and inclusion practices. They have presented their research at national and international conferences, highlighting the interplay between the creative sector, government policy, and civil society. In their free time, Cat enjoys hiking and participating in canine agility sports.
Keith Morrison is a Co-instigator and the Show Pope of Lions Den Theatre. He is a graduate of Cape Breton University (BA, Certificates in Theatre Arts & Heritage Studies) and Memorial University of Newfoundland (B.Ed). Keith has worn many artistic hats with several companies and organizations since 1991 when he skipped a tennis lesson in favour of a drama class. Over the past few years, he’s focused on creating digital audio content with Lions Den Audio Theatre and collaborators throughout the world. Keith is a firm supporter of making “the arts” extremely accessible to all who want to experience it. “Anyone can do it, anywhere can be a space, anything can be art.”
Mikmaw/L’nu e’pite’s of the We’kwistoqnik (Eskasoni) First Nation, tu’s, nuji’j, kwe’jij, nsim, sukwis, aq nitaptut. “Amalkewinu”, began dancing at young age, now a Therapeutic Recreation specialist and MA Leisure student, artistic director of Samqwan and facilitator/curator of workshop “Moving in Mi’kma’ki”. Sarah collaborates, creates, and moves with ms+t no’kmaq, all her relations, in a fluid identity uplifting pursuit, as an Indigenous movement artist. A necessary decolonized approach, in research and in life, Sarah is learning and sharing the sacred knowledge of Indigenous/Mi’kmaq peoples in respect and reciprocity to dance, movement, social sciences & mental health in Mi’kma’ki.
(Photo by Sherri Poirier Photography)
Celia is an actor and educator based in Kjipuktuk/ Halifax, Nova Scotia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dalhousie University, where she received an Honours in Acting at the Fountain School of Performing Arts and a minor in Psychology. She has since focused a lot on early childhood development and teaching; traveling to Italy to teach English using theatre, dance and singing practices; and teaching confidence through musical theatre with Stagecoach Halifax. Celia received her Bachelor of Education and has been teaching in the community incorporating her acting training into her teaching career. Celia hopes to continue to help provide opportunities for children to explore the arts and help our growing community around the Bus Stop Theatre connect more with programs and events we host.
Jacob is a Graduate of the Acadia University Theatre Studies program and is a descendant of the Historic Black Nova Scotian community of Beechville. Jacob is the playwright of Chasing Champions, which premiered at Ship’s Company Theatre in 2016, a production that won the Merritt Awards for Outstanding New Play by a Nova Scotian, Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role (Jacob Sampson as Sam Langford), and Best Production. Jacob was the winner of the 2020 Merritt Award for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role for 2b theatre’s production of Shauntay Grant’s The Bridge. Most recently he wrote the play Umoja Corp for Obsidian Theatre’s 21 Black Futures, which premiered on CBC Gem in spring of 2021. Jacob was named associate artistic director of 2b theatre this past June.
