The Staff

Over the years, she has been acknowledged with the following awards:
Top 3 finalist for a Christopher Plummer Award of Excellence recognizing her work with Shakespeare
A 2019 Global Woman of Vision Award
Sterling Award for Outstanding Independent Production for The Blue Hour which she produced with SkirtsAfire and directed pre-pandemic 2020
A 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal to recognize her work serving the community

As an actor, some favorite roles include Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (Sterling Nomination), Elizabeth in Richard III, both for the Freewill Shakespeare Festival, Fly Me To The Moon, Shadow Theatre,
Rabbit Hole, ATP Calgary, her own play, The Passion of Mary, Strike The Musical, Workshop West
Playwrights’ Theatre, A Christmas Carol for The Citadel Theatre, and The Mothers for SkirtsAfire.

Brianne Jang
Managing Director

Brianne was born in Edmonton, Alberta and has been involved in the theatre world since she was young. After graduating from the Theatre Arts Program at Grant MacEwan University, Brianne was fortunate to have the opportunities to travel around the world. She is co-founder of Poiema Productions, a local non-profit theatre company that has kept her busy writing, producing, and acting. She is also the co-founder of the photography company, BB Collective. Brianne has a passion for bringing theatre and live performances to life. She continues to love learning more about each aspect of the creation process as she takes on different roles in the community, and is so excited to be on board with SkirtsAfire Festival since 2016!

Vanessa Wilson
Artist Liaison & Festival Coordinator

Vanessa is a musician, actor, and arts administrator, performing and serving many different roles in the Edmonton arts community. She sings in a variety of musical projects including her folk duo Wren, Keat Aaron and the Swells, and with Halley’s Club house bands, The Million Dollar Dreamers and The Architeks. Alongside Vanessa’s passion for performing is her work in arts administration – this is her second year as Partnerships Coordinator with SkirtsAfire, and she has also worked administratively with Theatre Network and Silver Skate Festival Society. Vanessa co-runs a monthly songwriter series, Sunhouse Sessions, and in 2019, co-founded Headspin Theatre alongside two collaborators. Through this operative, she’s been able to take the role of actor, vocalist, playwright, and producer. She’s excited to continue to find innovative and creative ways to make art and tell stories.

Betty Hushlak
Festival Technical Producer & The Shoe Project Associate Producer

Rae McCallum
Technical Producer

Alyson Dicey
Volunteer Coordinator and Administrative Assistant

Alyson Dicey is an Edmonton based producer/artist and graduate of the BFA Acting class of 2012 at the University of Alberta. She is a founding member of Girl Brain Sketch Comedy and is proud to write and perform with a troupe that celebrates and promotes the strength of women. Alyson is also an artistic associate of the Edmonton immersive theatre company, Thou Art Here Theatre and a producer with Punctuate! Theatre. During the summers, Alyson can be found at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival in her role as KidsFringe Coordinator. Alyson believes strongly in encouraging young women to take on leadership roles, set and achieve goals, and develop confidence in their voices and abilities.

Brooke Leifso
Festival Accessibility Coordinator

Katie Hudson
Festival Videographer

April MacDonald Killins
Festival Photographer