Student Profiles

See what current students think about the department. Read our Student Profiles. Members of our diverse student body share their thoughts in our student profiles. Get a brief glimpse into the lives of our students and how the Drama Department is shaping, guiding and educating the next generation of performers, writers, scholars and artists.
    

Katie Blackburn-Dust

Major/Year: B.F.A. in Drama (Acting). Second Year.

Favourite thing about training at U of S: 

My favourite thing about training at the U of S is the atmosphere of encouragement and learning both in and out of the classroom, from both faculty and other students. Everyone around the department genuinely wants you to succeed, and provides opportunities and guidance beyond what is expected of them to help you find your path and work towards it. You’re pushed out of your comfort zone in ways that help you to grow both as a performer, and ultimately as a person. I’m so excited for the next few years in the department, and for the learning and personal growth to be experienced. 

Recent and selected credits:

  • Molly - Radiant Boy by Daniel Macdonald - Persephone Young Company

Upcoming projects:

  • Thomasina - Arcadia by Tom Stoppard - Greystone Theatre
  • Boy - Henry V by William Shakespeare - Greystone Theatre
    

Christopher Krug-Iron

Major/Year: B.F.A. in Drama (Acting). Third Year; ITEP Education. Fourth Year.

Favourite thing about training at U of S: 

Since I'd started in ITEP in 2016 the word I've most often heard in use was 'cohort' in view of students becoming teachers, building communities and relationships with each other.  ITEP's way of educating us has built bonds that I'm certain will last a lifetime among my fellow teacher candidates.  What I was thrilled to find, however, was the very same sense of community - cohort - in my fellow Drama students as well.  I feel that my time at the U of S has led me into multiple supportive and close friendships with not just students but also my instructors that make every day on campus one I greet and end with a smile. 

Recent and selected credits:

  • UAKN Project - Urban Aboriginal Movers (Father), Newman Players - Terror At Black Oaks (Ted)

Upcoming projects:

  • Jellaby - Arcadia by Tom Stoppard - Greystone Theatre
  • Constable of France, Williams - Henry V by William Shakespeare - Greystone Theatre
  • George H. Jones, Others - Machinal by Sophie Treadwell - Greystone Theatre
   

Wanita Bird

Major/Year: Certificate of Proficiency - wîchêhtowin Theatre Program - 2017. Sociology. Fourth Year.

Favourite thing about training at U of S: 

My favorite thing about training at the U of S included everything. I enjoyed the entire experience within the wîchêhtowin Theatre Program.  From learning to write plays, acting, incorporate Cree and most of all creating our capstone production which featured the plays we wrote.   The Drama department exceeded my expectations.  I learned a lot. I also tapped into all my creative energy throughout my studies I began beading, traditional sewing, painting, writing, and recording a new album. My fave thing was the Instructors, from Carol Greyeyes, to all the other wonderful faculty. They offered wisdom and guidance, and experience.

Recent and selected credits:

  • Popcord Elder by Curtis Peetutuce - Dancing Sky Theatre / Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre (2016)
  • Maskihkiyiway Nehiyawin Re-igniting the Fire (Actor in 3 plays, wrote one As the Teepee Turns and the Bannock Burns, and co-wrote A Visit to Kohkum and Mooshums House)- Greystone Theatre
  • Dominion by Andrea Ledding - Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre (2017)
  • Winteruption - Sum Theatre (2018)
  • Beneath the Ice by Eva Colmers - Persephone Theatre Youth Tour (2018)
  • Best Peyote Album - Indigenous Music Awards (2017)
  • UofS Indigenous Achievement Awards - Academic success in the area of Drama for acting, original song composition, playwriting (2018)

Upcoming projects:

  • I am presently working with incarcerated youth (Sociology Degree) and am working on a way to incorporate drama into the work I do with them. I do believe drama is not only art, but a beautiful healing element.  I was also invited to apply for my Masters of Drama Therapy at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, and I plan on enrolling for Fall 2019 and in the meantime other upcoming projects include : remounting  and my play As the Teepee Turns and the Bannock Burns for Vancouver BC, and sequels of webisodes on YouTube off my comedy sketch “ A Visit to Kohkum and Mooshums House” I was encouraged to not quit writing and get my work out there so I will be focusing on that this year.  I was also approached by LightStorm Productions in Los Angeles to help create some music for the upcoming Avatar Sequels. I credit the U of S Drama Program for all of these achievements and successes. Hai hai. Kananaskomtin