Workshop Stream
In October 2026, Izzy Bull Bear and Shawn Cuthand, Creators from Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39, will develop their works with mentor Mel Hague as part of the third iteration of the Weesageechak Begins to Dance Workshop Stream, presented by Native Earth Performing Arts in association with Factory Theatre.
Workshop
OLD MAN AND LITTLE MAN
by Izzy Bull Bear
Two unlikely characters, Old Man and Little Man, are brought together through mysterious happenings. This ultimately leaves them stranded in a place unknown, the Spirit World. Unable to leave, they will need to confront their wounds, fears and unresolved pasts in order to break through what has been holding them back.
Creator: Izzy Bull Bear (Siksika Nation)
Mentor: Mel Hague
Izzy Bull Bear, Creator
Izzy is very excited to be a part of W39! They are originally from Treaty 7 territory, Mohkinstsis (Calgary, Alberta) belonging to the Siksika Nation. They’re also a Studio 58 Graduate, their previous credits there include: TomorrowLove, Cerulean Blue, EVERYBODY, The Rocky Horror Show, and their play Old Man Little Man. Since graduating they have had the pleasure of working on a couple of projects which include, The Tour of The Mixolydian with Green Thumb Theatre, The Tour of Th’owxiya and Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? with Axis Theatre and a world premiere of Echoes of the Homesick Heart with Western Canada Theatre.
Workshop
A Nightmare at Uncle's Place
by Shawn Cuthand
Just when you thought it was safe to go to Uncle’s place, there’s a presence, that’s doing Uncle things! A Nightmare in Uncle’s Place follows Taylor as she inherits her Uncle's place after he passes away. Once she moves in she finds out her Uncle is still around and doing benevolent hauntings, can they coexist or does she throw her Uncle out?
Creator: Shawn Cuthand (Cree/Mohawk)
Mentor: Mel Hague
Shawn Cuthand, Creator
Shawn Cuthand is part Cree and part Mohawk from Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatoon, SK. He has roots in Little Pine First Nation and Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. He is a stand up comedian, writer, actor, producer with 3 projects in the works. He is also a part of The Feather News which had it's second season on APTN. He has been doing stand up comedy for 8 years and co produces a long standing open mic show in Saskatoon, SK called Full Metal Comedy. Recently he has been performing in productions with Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre where he just finished acting in the world premiere of Apples and Train Tracks by Arnolda Dufour Bowes.
Workshop Mentor
Mel Hague
Mel Hague, Mentor
Mel Hague is a Toronto based Curator and dramaturge. Mel is the Artistic Director of Factory Theatre in Toronto. Previously, Mel has worked with Canadian Stage Company, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Obsidian Theatre Company, IFT Theatre, Banff Centre Playwrights Colony, bcurrent performing arts, fu-Gen Asian Canadian Theatre, Eastern Front Theatre, Queer Acts Festival, The Paprika Festival, and Mulgrave Road Theatre. Mel was the Director of the Rhubarb Festival from 2014 – 2019, and was selected as a Leader in Residence at the National Theatre School of Canada.