Wisunn na Sarah Prosper (she/they/nekm), from Eskasoni Mi’kmaq First Nation. Amalkewinu (dancer) holds a BSc Therapeutic Recreation, is a MA in Leisure Studies student.

Sarah began dancing at age 2, at Cape Breton School of the Arts (Gallop’s) and NADACA dance programs. Continuing her love for dance through her undergraduate studies, Sarah began to train professionally with Mocean Dance, attended the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in the Intercultural Indigenous Artists Choreographer Program, and works independently in multi-disciplinary roles as an artist.

Her first works created as an artistic director and choreographer is the Merritt Award winning show SAMQWAN 2021-2023 at the Highland Arts, Neptune Theatre, Stratford Festival Film and 2023 Canada Games. Prosper’s collaborations and creations have taken her on an international tour and her passions remain in creating community work and extending the opportunities of wellness. An award winner of the 2022 Nova Scotia Indigenous Artist Recognition Award, and Recognized by the Province House in 2023.

Performing and creating on National stages in collaboration with world artists, as well as featured artist, and artist in residence for: Alan Sylliboy & Thunder Makers, Mocean Dance (Where Dance & Music Meet, Touring Utawtiwow Nkijinaq), Nestuita’si (Koqm & Winter Moons) Storytelling, Biennale, Spirit Song Festival, Prismatic Arts Festival, IOTA Bodies in Movement, FSPA, performed Yo-yo ma/Jeremy Dutcher & Toronto Symphony, Symphony NS, and many more community based projects.

Prosper's practice encompasses a lens that deepens the threads of respect and reciprocity to dance, movement, social sciences, social justice, mental health & the land.

Shawnee Paul began her journey with music at the age of 6 as a new pianist. From early childhood, Shawnee became interested in playing the fiddle as she watched her grandfather practice and perform the fiddle often.

By the time she turned 7, she began taking fiddle lessons and fell in love with the instrument. Over the years she learned more about music and how to play other instruments. This eventually led her to study music at Acadia University. Shawnee graduated with a Music Education Degree in 2019 and a Bachelor of Education with a focus in music in 2021.

Ally Martin is a grade 12 student at Sydney Academy. Ally has been dancing for 14 years and has a deep passion for performing. Ally currently dances with Painted Dance Collective under the direction of Hazel Sparling.

Past performances for Ally include the Nutcracker Ballet at the savoy theatre, a Christmas Carol with the HAT, Samqwan 2021 with the HAT, Samqwan 2022 with Neptune theater, Samqwan 2023 Canada games in PEI, How Do You Love? Live dance performance at lumiere art at night festival with Painted Dance Collective, and Wearing Our Identity: Celebration of Our Indigenous Women & Resilience Multidisciplinary fashion show in 2022 and 2023, and in January 2024 had apprentice dance role with Mocean Dance Company in Halifax.

Ally has been invited to compete at the 2024 World Cup in Prague Czech Republic with team Canada.

Ally has recently been invited to audition for a professional dance school in Montreal called Ecole de Danse Contemporaine de Montreal to pursue professional dance studies.

Ally is excited and honoured to be apart of another production by Sarah Prosper.

Keely is in grade 11 at Riverview high school and has been dancing with Northside dance and Cape Breton school of the arts for 14 years. She has performed in and choreographed her schools production of Mamma Mia and has performed in shows; Samqwan directed by Sarah prosper at the Highland Arts Theatre, Neptune theatre and performed a land acknowledgement piece for Chester theatres grand opening. She’s performed in events: 2023 Canada games, wearing our identity: celebration of indigenous woman and resilience fashion show and has been invited to compete at the 2024 World Cup in Prague, Czech representing Canada. Keely was also in the music video “darling where are you” with Miles Goodwyn.

George Paul comes from a musical family so he heard a lot of his family and they inspired him to play music. Growing up George played around with instruments a lot and later learning to play the trumpet in middle school and eventually the guitar and Piano. Jam sessions with friends helped develop his love for playing music and singing. This is his first show with the HAT and he is looking forward to performing in this production.

Hubert Francis is from the Elsipogtog Indian Reserve in NB, International recording artist with his aboriginal rock band EagleFeather, last CD recording “Message From A Drum” receiving 2 Juno nominations , East Coast Music nominations and a Native American Music Award nomination! Hubert is a cast member of DRUM! , a Brookes Diamond Production based out of Halifax NS. and is also a member of Alan Syliboy’s group “Thundermakers “. He was born and raised in Elsipogtog. Hubert is sometimes described as a Goodwill Ambassador and has been educating and informing the general public about his Indian Culture through his aboriginal rock style music, fusing native chants n contemporary rock sounds! Hubert just recently awarded the 2019 Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award by the ECMA’s !!

Bradley Murphy is a Gaelic singer, fiddler, and multi-instrumental musician from East Bay, Unama’ki – Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He belongs to a heritage of gaels who have been living in Mi’kmaw territory since early 1800's. through his work in the community and with his music, he is breathing new life into traditional Gaelic songs and tunes: showcasing relevance and beauty. Bradley is also a graduate of the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism as well as the National Theatre School of Canada where he focused on set design.

Kwe’. Ni’n teluisi Desna Michael Thomas. I am from Eskasoni First Nation. My pronouns are he/they, I am a transgender male and I am a proud member and advocate for the Two Spirit community. On certain stages, I am the feathery, lovable and hilarious Drag King Cicero Crow. Drag to me is an artform and a way I express myself artistically, and my Cicero adventures took me all over Cape Breton and Mainland Nova Scotia. I am an actor, businessman and co-founder of the first and only Mi’kmaq based talent agency Two-Talented Entertainment, from which I am very proud of.

Desna also played a special feature in the award-winning film Wildhood (2021).

Kwe’ ni’n teluisi Scarlett Marshall, from Eskasoni First Nation. I’m a dancer at Impact Dance and attend ESK immersion. Proud daughter of Jan & Cagney Marshall.

Passions Include singing,dancing, crafting.

Future goals to travel the world and be famous!

Mi'kmaq fiddler and singer Morgan Toney brings together the fiery fiddling of Cape Breton Island with the old songs and teachings of the Mi’kmaw People with brilliance and heart. First Flight, Toney’s award nominated debut album, celebrates language and heritage in Toney’s transformation of traditional songs like the Ko’jua and the Mi’kmaq Honour Song alongside highly original songcraft. Ishkōdé Records introduced First Flight to the world on March 25, 2022. Morgan’s newest EP “Resilience” is nominated for a JUNO award for “Traditional Roots Album of the Year”.

Favourite HAT Credits:
Mimikej, Punch Up!, Overdue, The Beloved, Pride and Prejudice, As You Like It, Into the Woods, Samqwan, A Christmas Carol, Sweet Enough, Billy Bishop Goes to War, The Best Brothers (Stage Manager); The Drowsy Chaperone, Good Animals, Matilda (Assistant Stage Manager).

Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Elf the Musical (Stage Manager, Savoy Theatre); The Bells of Baddeck (Stage Manager, Parks Canada); Half-Cracked: The Legend of Sissy Mary (Production Assistant, Theatre Baddeck), The Hydrofoil Mystery (Production Assistant, Theatre Baddeck).

Favourite HAT Credits:
My recent lighting designs include almost everything produced at the HAT since 2014.

Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Both Grease and Matilda (Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay)

Other:
It is great to be back at the HAT!

Alan Syliboy, artist, author, musician, filmmaker, book illustrator. Recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, Syliboy is a respected artist, with artwork displayed in national and international venues. His visual art, music and written works express his search for family and identity within the celebration of Mi'kmaw traditions and spiritualism.

Lukas Pearse is a Bassist/ Media Artist/ Composer / Sound Editor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

An award-winning film composer and member of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada, Lukas is an acoustic, electric and digital musician and sound artist with professional experience in a wide array of genres and creative forms.

Rooted in visual art as firmly as in music, Lukas Pearse also provides both improvised and composed live visuals for music, modern dance, fine art and theatrical events.

Since 2015, Lukas Pearse has served as the Artistic Director of the Upstream Music Association, founded in 1990, committed to the presentation of new compositions for improvising musicians, with a focus on large ensembles, as well as presenting the annual Open Waters Festival of New and Improvised Music.

With extensive teaching experience, Lukas Pearse is also a passionate educator both privately and through the artist-run Centre For Art Tapes and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

Favourite HAT Credits:
Cheers to 10 Years, Funny Girl, Jack & The Beanstalk: A Musical Comedy Pantomime, The Sea Shanty Show, and many more..

Favourite HAT Credits:
The Wakowski Brothers, A Christmas Carol, Heart of Steel, Dream, Disco Nights, She Loves Me, The Drowsy Chaperone, Jack & The Beanstalk: A Musical Comedy Pantomime (Director)

Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Anie, Matilda the Musical (The Savoy Theatre)

Training:
Sheridan College Musical Theatre Performance, George Brown Theatre School