Women of the Fur Trade

Benjamin is an emerging Métis actor based in Mohkinstsis, or Calgary. A UofC graduate with a degree in Drama, Ben is excited to return to the SCPA for Women of the Fur Trade, a production that explores his own heritage. He is passionate about acting across form, from Musical Theatre to Shakespeare and all things in between. Benjamin is committed to his pursuit of theatre and film and looks forward to a long future with performance at its centre.

For SCPA: Much Ado About Nothing, Argonautika. 

Jordan (She/Her) is a fifth-year student at the University of Calgary pursuing a BFA in Drama. She has a love of acting, singing, writing, and many other arts. She has been a part of multiple SCPA shows, both on and offstage, including acting in Shakespeare in Love, as well as the 2025 Student Mask Showcase in collaboration with the Festival of Animated Objects. Previous Stage Management experience includes working as the ASM on last year’s production of The Wolves. She is so excited to be working on Women of the Fur Trade and cannot wait for you all to see it!  

Stephen (he/him) is a fifth-year student in the Arts program, hoping to graduate with a Major in Drama and a Minor in English before going on to complete a two year after degree in Education. An emerging performer and playwright he has appeared in the SPCA projects Shakespeare in Love, This is a Play, and The Seagull. His newly written show So, What’s the Vibe? is set to open later this November produced by the student run ND Theatre. Other performing projects include; R.E.N.T., Marry Poppins, Tarzan, and The Student Showcase in collaboration with the 2025 Festival of Animated Objects. 

For SCPA: Lights Out (UCalgary, 2024), Our Town (UCalgary, 2025), You Need FRIES With That (UCalgary, 2025).

Other Credits: Esperanza! (Festival of Animated Objects, 2025/26), The Da Vince Code (Vertigo Theatre, 2025).

Laura is an emerging artist currently studying Drama at the University of Calgary. She is really passionate about movement, acting, and stage management and has a background in dance, circus and theatre. She is extremely grateful to be a part of this project and to be working with this team!

Nakota Starr Tobias (they/them) is a Nakota Sioux/Anishinaabe Ojibwe/Cree Two-Spirit Queer Storyteller, and Artist, originating from Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation in Treaty Six Territory, although currently residing and creating in Mohkinstsis. They are an individual with a passion and determination for storytelling, and a motivation to inspire and uplift the current and future generations of Indigenous artists and youth. They aim to tell stories of the soul, of joy, connection, belonging, and love through the lens of their intersectional identities, whether this is through bringing it to life as an actor or writing the stories themself. 

Sarah Innes (she/her) is an emerging performer, stage manager, and writer. She is currently in her fourth year, pursuing a BFA in Drama and a BA in English. SCPA projects include But What Is Natural, The Student Mask Showcase (in Collaboration with the Festival of Animated Objects), and The Wolves. Other Projects include Every Waking Second (Upcoming, Common Ground Festival), The Interview Play (Levity Theatre, Calgary Fringe Festival), Esperanza (Festival of Animated Objects), Feed (Nickel and Dime Student Theatre), and Tea Parties with Friends (Ignite Festival). Sarah is also the current co-president of the Drama Undergraduate Society. 

Malak is a third year obtaining a double degree in Drama/Education. She is passionate about stage management, directing, and design. She loves blending the logical and creative aspects of a production to create the performance that the audience sees. She has worked as a stagehand in the Alchemy Festival 2024 and in ND student-led theatre. She recently worked as a Stage Manager for Urban Stories: Just Act Play Festival 2025 and Alchemy 2025's show This is a Play. She is grateful to be stage managing this show, and she is excited to put this show on stage!

Frances Koncan (Couchiching First Nation) is a Native American playwright from the country currently called Canada. She is a graduate of the University of Manitoba (BA Psychology) and the City University of New York Brooklyn College (MFA Playwriting). They are an Assistant Professor of Playwriting at the University of British Columbia. Her plays have been presented across Canada by companies including the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Firehall Arts Centre, Magnus Theatre, Globe Theatre, Native Earth Performing Arts, Great Canadian Theatre Company, National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre, Touchstone Theatre, the University of British Columbia, and the Stratford Festival. Select plays include Women of the Fur Trade, Space Girl, and zahgidiwin/love. Current commissions and works-in-progress include Don't Go Into the Woods (Tarragon Theatre), Medea's Masquerade (Persephone Theatre), Tiger Lily (Grand Theatre), and Murder on the Pacific Spirit Express (Arts Club).

Sophia Garcia (They/She): Cecila 

For SCPA: The Elevator Project (Upcoming), Girl on Parade, Our Town, (The Wolves, Magnetic Bodies (In collaboration with: Alchemy Festival & Downstage) Lights Out, Shakespeare in Love, and The Little Forest (Wagonstage). Other Projects: Where Have All the Witches Gone? (Scorched Women Collective-Calgary Fringe Festival), 2024 Student Showcase (Festival of Animated Objects), HOME, Absence, The Container, Green Key (Saeid Asgarian-Roommate Art Company and Ignite Festival),  

Sophia is an ambitious interdisciplinary artist. This production is their final acting performance at the University. They feel proud to share these important stories with the audience, and hope they leave with a hunger (and not just for tea). 

Taylor is so excited to be a part of Women of the Fur Trade! Previous credits include: School of Rock (Storybook Theatre), You Work Where? (Calgary Fringe Festival), Bears (U of C SCPA), Our Town (U of C SCPA). Taylor is extremely passionate about what the world of design has to offer. When not in the theatre, Taylor hikes, knits, and travels with her husband Erik!

Polina Kaulio is an aspiring scenographer and seasoned theatre maker. With a Master’s in Theatre Studies, she has worked on international festivals, Olympic ceremonies, contemporary performance, and documentary films. Polina is co-artistic director of MurMur Theatre in Calgary. For Women of the Fur Trade, Polina worked as a costume coordinator, thoughtfully adapting and completing costumes originally sourced from the Stratford Festival to suit the unique needs of the actors and show, while designing makeup and hairstyles to unify the production’s visual style.

Lane Shordee is an artist based in Mohkinstsis / Calgary, working at the crossroads of theatre, public art, and sustainability. His work challenges traditional ideas of set design and public art installations by prioritizing the incorporation of found objects and repurposed materials. Whether creating theatre sets or props, community-engaged art projects, or unconventional storytelling spaces, Shordee’s practice is rooted in the belief that art-making should prioritize sustainability as much as being in community with one another.

Geordie Cowan (he/him) is a multifaceted Nêhiyaw Scot-Métis artist from Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory. He is currently in his second year of the MFA in Drama Directing program at the University of Calgary with a focus on Métis identity within Canadian theatre. He holds a degree in Linguistics and certificate in Indigenous Storytelling from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as a diploma in Acting from Rosebud School of the Arts. In his spare time, he works as a graphic designer, fervently supports Newcastle United, and enjoys spending time with his beautiful and talented wife. Kishchi maarsii kâ wîtapmiyin!