Story Slam Both Sides...
of the same story
Meet the Storytellers
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“Have you ever wanted to know the other side of the story?”
Both Sides, is a Story Slam where you experience two sides of the same story.
Join us for an evening of inspirational personal stories and music presented by writers and performers from our community.
We invite you to share their journey and the tension experienced between two different perspectives that helps uncover important life lessons.
“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
Anais Nin​
Barefoot Sue lives a barefoot lifestyle.
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She is a Wim Hof Method Instructor, designer of Barebottoms Shoes, and the author of 3 books. She is the founder of Barefoot Movement, a socially responsible business focussed on creating a barefoot ecosystem to encourage natural wellness and a positive impact on the environment.
Carole Bertuzzi Luciani is a storyteller by nature.
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As a self-described humourist she shares her gift as a professional speaker, known as The Moodivator. Through Carole’s unique view of the world, she uses each life issue she faces as an opportunity to share insight with others so they might better cope with their own. Her wit and wisdom contribute to making her messages palatable.
To book her as speaker for your future events see her website:
Allison Napier is a multifaceted individual
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whose compassionate spirit and creative drive define her journey. She has worked as a professional organizer, owning her own business with over 15 years of experience. Alongside her organizational prowess, she also works as a death doula, deeply valuing the impact she makes on her clients' lives as well as her own. In her cottage, she finds solace alongside her beloved cat, Bubby, while her passion for exploration keeps her spirit alive and her horizons ever-expanding.
Lacey Hill is Oneida/Mohawk of Six Nations, Wolf Clan.
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She is a singer/songwriter and inspirational speaker. Lacey released debut album titled 528 in 2013 and 528 Volume II M independently. Taking Lacey across Canada and onto international stages 2018-2019 While Stage Managing for Tara Beagans “DeerWoman” in Edinburgh Fringe and New Zealand KiaMua, Lacey opened Sydney Australia’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 40th Anniversary concert and Cher closed. Lacey’s single “The Shiner” (2020) premiered on APTN's Amplify series, and was one of RogersTV Highlight artists. Lacey never stopped during covid times. 2020-21, She performed several online events, and linked up with NBC’s T.V Show “Resident Alien” Showcasing “All I see is you”, “Better Days” and “The Shiner”. 2022, Lacey landed lead role character Patti Jones on NDNs on the Air Waves Comedy Web Series written and directed by January Rogers, while releasing 528 Volume 3 “The Moon” Album. Kicking off 2023 with "The Conduit" Charting #4 and “The Moon” #1 on Indigenous Music Countdown and hitting the road with The National Arts Center as Apprentice Stage Manager for Kevin Lorings “Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer”. Lacey recently completed her first solo tour in Australia that included Sydney World Pride, Lightening Ridge, Brewarinna Baiame festival, with an Arts/Theatre residency with Moogahlin Performing Arts. Lacey was also Nominated for Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Award for Music in the Arts and Performing Artist of the year.
Matt deKort
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Matt deKort is an actor, singer, dancer, and writer based in London Ontario. Previous theatre credits include: Prom Queen the Musical, Titanic the Musical (Grand Theatre High School Project), Sweeney Todd (MTP/Allswell Productions), Cymbeline, and Comedy of Errors (Western Summer Shakespeare), Candlewood Lake, Where You Can Find Me (Theatre Sheridan), and Both Sides (Creative Energy Productions). Current student of the Honour’s Bachelor’s of Musical Theatre Program at Sheridan College. He is thrilled to be a part of Truth & Illusion! Many thanks to family, friends, and supporters.
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Aivry Napier
Aviry is a Production Designer, Videographer, and Editor based in Toronto.
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Leading the Art Department and Post Production at InColour Media, she helps craft compelling narratives in short films, commercials, and feature films. With a background in freelance work in Niagara and Toronto and a formal education at Brock University and Seneca College, she has also contributed to acclaimed TV series like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Expanse. Aivry's debut short documentary premiered to a large audience at the University of Toronto, marking a significant milestone in her career. Her passion for storytelling and artistic vision define her work across various projects.
Lorretta Bailey
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Lorretta Bailey played Eponine in Les Misérables (Royal Alex) Cinderella in Into the Woods (CanStage) and Maria in The Sound of Music (Citadel). Lorretta loves to collaborate on new Canadian work. She toured On My Own’ with Michael Mulrooney and ‘Romancing the Song’ with James Gordon and David Warrick. June Cupido's: Truth and Illusion, Marathon of Hope (CMTP-Sheridan), Joni Mitchell: River (Vancouver Playhouse), The Wakowski Brothers (Aim for the Tangent, Best of Toronto Fringe), Tweed the Musical (IANA Theatre). For Smile Theatre toured Jim Bett’s ‘Extraordinary’ and premiered ‘Lucy Maud and Anne’. She played Marmee in Canadian premier of Little Women at Theatre Orangeville. Ms. Bailey has an Honors B.F.A. in Acting from University of Alberta, and is a founding director of Lowville Festival. Lorretta mentors music theatre artists at St. Clair College and Sheridan. ,
Senn Gelinas
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Senn Gelinas is a triple-threat performer studying in the Musical Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College. She considers herself a young artist seeking out her niche through a constant daily outpour of honesty, curiosity, and passion. When unoccupied by that, she enjoys song-writing, baking, and attempting to sew. Senn is grateful for the opportunity to share some truth in the hopes that it benefits those who listen. herself a young artist seeking out her niche through a constant daily outpour of honesty, curiosity, and passion. When unoccupied by that, she enjoys song-writing, baking, and attempting to sew. Senn is grateful for the opportunity to share some truth in the hopes that it benefits those who listen.
Eric
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Eric is an actor, writer, back seat director, and a parent extrordinaire! Over the past forty years he has worked theatres big and small from Halifax to Victoria. From the moment we are born our lives travel a trajectory that is intrinsically and wholly our own. Eric hopes that you can enjoy this snippet of his. Holowaty is a born and bred Canadian, who has lived his whole life in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area.
Andy Holowatyams.
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Andy Holowaty is a born and bred Canadian, who has lived his whole life in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area. Andy is a digital media technologist – his pursuits are varied but it is his longtime passion for broadcasting that led him to be the Story Slam announcer for the past couple of years.
Mark Cassius
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Mark Cassius made his Broadway debut in the revival of Shenandoah in 1989. He was an original cast member in the world premiere of Ragtime (1996) in Toronto. Ragtime took him to Broadway for a second time in 1998, and then again in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2012. That production came out of his second season at The Stratford Festival of Canada in 2011 after appearing in 2007 as Mr. Magix in My One and Only. Mark was a cast member of many of Canada’s mega-musicals in the 1990s, such as CATS, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (with Donny Osmond), Miss Saigon, and Showboat. From 1997 to 2005, he was a member of world-renowned a capella group, The Nylons. Regionally, he always feels at home in front of Drayton Entertainment audiences; he's appeared in Damn Yankees, The Little Mermaid, Sweet Charity, and Dance Legends.
Michael Mulrooney
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Michael Mulrooney studied piano, conducting, and voice at University of Toronto and has pursued an eclectic musical career centred on theatre. He has served as musical director, conductor, pianist, arranger, and/or composer on over 200 theatrical productions of every conceivable shape and size. He works as music director for Grace United Church in Burlington and as an adjunct professor at Sheridan College.