Discipline: Theatre
Specialties: Public Speaking, Improvisation, Playwriting
Region: Valley
Languages: English
shalan is a Mi’kmaw mother, and a narrative artist working in many mediums. She is a poet, playwright, podcast producer, oral storyteller and actor, as well as a cultural interpreter. Her first book of poetry, Generations Re-merging, was published by Gaspereau Press (2014) and her second book, Elapultiek, was published by Pottersfield Press (2019). Elapultiek is a theatrical play commissioned by Two Planks and a Passion Theatre in 2018 which was produced by the company in August 2018 and October 2019, with plans for an Atlantic tour in 2022. Her next collection of poetry, Waking Ground, was published by Gaspereau Press (October 2020). shalan has shared her poetry, oral storytelling and drum singing with numerous stages, events, schools and organizations for the past decade. Lately she is in full creation mode with podcast projects and other exciting new works. shalan also runs a seasonal cultural retreat centre with her partner, facilitating cultural and ecological professional development workshops. She lives in her home territory of Kespukwitk (southwest Nova Scotia) with her family in their community of L’sitkuk (Bear River First Nation). Her most recent play, KOQM, premiered in November 2021 in partnership with Two Planks and a Passion Theatre, Nestuita’si Storytelling, El’tuek Qokom and King’s Theatre.