Do You Speak the Language?｜Ralph Escamillan

Do You Speak the Language?｜Ralph Escamillan

Ralph Escamillan is a dancer and choreographer based in Vancouver, BC. In this episode we talk about how Ralph got into vogueing and the ballroom scene, how having his own house and being a mother has shaped and changed his experience in the ballroom scene. Ralph talks about how ballroom is nothing without its community and how it's all about imagination. We also talk about MY HOUSE, Ralph's latest work that will be premiering at The Dance Centre in Vancouver on June 19th. Ralph talks about contemporary dance, the now vs. it being its own defined style and what he deems to be contemporary. We also get into fashion, why it's important to dance and to Ralph and lastly he talks about balancing choreography for work he also performs in. Watch MY HOUSE June 19th & 20th [https://thedancecentre.ca/event/fakeknot-2026/] Intro: Hazy by OddFish

Ephemeral Experience｜Alexis Fletcher & Sylvain Senez

Alexis and Sylvain are co-artistic directors of Belle Spirale in Vancouver, BC. In this episode we delve into topics like having an analytical eye when watching other works, but also being open to being moved by a performance instead of thinking about how it was created, feeling compelled to explore a topic and create work around it. How Alexis and Sylvain turn abstract ideas into performance pieces and how personal stories create universal works. We also talk specifically about Exhale, Belle Spirale's newest work featuring two pieces. One choreographed by Wen Wei Wang and the other by Alexis and Ariana Barr. Alexis talks about collaborating with Ariana Barr for Denouement and Sylvain explains the choices behind his scenic decisions for this performance. Watch Exhale May 1st and 2nd at The Annex in Vancouver. Intro: Hazy by OddFish.

Question the 'Why?'｜Keilani Elizabeth Rose

Keilani Elizabeth Rose is a classically and culturally trained dancer, actor and award-winning filmmaker. In this episode we talk about how Keilani growing up in an artistic family has helped her find her path, dance being medicine as well as guiding a deeper connection of your body, mind and soul. Keilani talks about representation and inclusion of indigenous voices in the arts and what role her non-profit work plays in it. We talk about finding your voice, respecting your artistry and Ballet Vancouver’s inagaural performance After the Rain. Lastly we get into questioning the why and how Keilani uses it for all her projects. Watch After the Rain April 23-25 at the Vancouver Playhouse Intro: Hazy by OddFish

Who I'd Be｜Tanner Zerr

Tanner Zerr is a Vancouver based actor mostly working in theatre. In this episode we get into what he focuses on when he’s preparing for a show, finding humanity in every role, if actors should connect to their characters to be able to portray them well on stage, how vulnerable acting is and Tanner's feeling responsibility towards the audience. We also get into performing Shakespeare, being present on stage, the feeling of being perceived and how you should respect yourself enough to trust yourself that what you bring to the room is enough. Tanner also explores Shrek's philosophy of 'trust your gut' and how he uses it to portray Shrek on stage. Watch Shrek the Musical April 17th to May 3rd at the Massey Theatre in New Westminister. Intro: Hazy by OddFish

Obscure Operas｜Roan Shankaruk

Roan Shankaruk is a composer, performer and artist based in Vancouver, BC. Most recently she has composed an adaptation of the 1922 novella The Fox as an opera. We talk about what about opera speaks to her and how she has evolved into it through musical theatre. She also talks about horror operas and if creating horror has made it less scary for her. We get into The Fox, why she chose the novella and what makes a short story good for adaptations. Roan also talks about her experience with exposure of contemporary operas in education and professional settings as well as obscure operas that she loves. Lastly, we get into Roan's illustrative work, her graphic novels, how she uses albums to create plots and if drawing and composing interact. Watch The Fox April 17th to 19th at The Annex in Vancouver. Intro: Hazy by OddFish