Wakefield Brewster is widely recognized as one of Canada’s most powerful professional performance poets. Since stepping onto his first stage in 1999, the Toronto-raised, Calgary-based spoken word artist has built a vibrant career rooted in his heritage as a Black man of Barbadian descent. A multi-time Calgary Poetry Slam Champion and the city's Poet Laureate from 2022 to 2024, Wakefield has spent over two decades bringing a dynamic, unforgettable voice to the national literary scene. Throughout his prolific career, Wakefield’s work has been featured in numerous anthologies, culminating in the 2024 publication of his debut poetry collection, WakeWord. Beyond the page and the stage, he is deeply committed to community building, representation, and arts education. Serving as the Resident Poet at The Grand Theatre and a TD Artist Incubator Fellow, he has mentored dozens of emerging artists and continues to push creative boundaries, even launching Calgary’s first spoken-word funk-fusion jazz quartet, PoëThree, in 2025. A self-described "Connector, Collector, Curator, and Creative Collaborator," Wakefield dedicates himself to creating opportunities for others behind the scenes. He is also a passionate advocate for literacy, mental wellness, and the healing arts—a holistic approach to well-being that he practices in his dual career as a Registered Massage Therapist. Ultimately, Wakefield's mission is simple: living, loving, and sharing a profoundly lyrical life.

Michelle Thrush is a celebrated Nêhiyaw (Cree) actor and storyteller with French and Scottish ancestry. Born and raised in Calgary, she began her film career at just 17 and has since built a remarkable legacy spanning both screen and stage. With over 50 professional film and television credits and numerous awards to her name, Michelle has become a highly recognizable and deeply respected presence in the Canadian entertainment industry.Audiences will know Michelle from her powerful performances in critically acclaimed projects such as Blackstone, Prey, Bones of Crows, and Little Bird. Yet, she considers her most rewarding work to be the time she spends away from the cameras. As a trained therapeutic healing clown, Michelle uses her platform to visit Indigenous communities across Canada, harnessing the traditional medicines of laughter and storytelling to connect with and empower children and youth.A proud mother of two daughters and a devoted Kookum (grandmother) to her grandson, Michelle carries her cultural teachings into every aspect of her life. Whether she is bringing complex characters to life on screen or inspiring positive change through her healing clown work, she remains profoundly grateful to share the transformative power of storytelling wherever she goes.

Alanna Bluebird is a Tsuut’ina and Siksika Nation multimedia specialist, artist, and cultural storyteller with over a decade of experience across film, photography, live performance, and the literary arts. Deeply rooted in community and lived experience, Alanna's work explores the intersections of Indigenous resilience, healing, and contemporary storytelling, consistently challenging dominant narratives to reclaim space for Indigenous voices. A passionate advocate for Indigenous language revitalization, Alanna co-directed and produced Cutknife Creek, an acclaimed Tsuut’ina-language animated short selected by over 26 film festivals worldwide. This dedication to cultural preservation extends into their work in the broader film and television industry. On large-scale productions like The Abandons, Alanna has brought cultural authenticity and traditional craftsmanship—such as detailed quillwork—to the screen, working across set decoration, props, and costumes. Beyond the screen, Alanna is a published children’s book author and a powerful spoken word performer, drawing from collective experiences of survival and generational strength. Whether directing, performing, or creating behind the scenes, Alanna pushes artistic boundaries with integrity, cultural responsibility, and bold authenticity to inspire future generations of Indigenous creators and leaders.