"Once Upon a Time ..."
Meet the Storytellers
Have you ever wondered why you relate to a certain fairy tale or a myth from a long time ago? Is there a hero or villain you connect to that mirrors your life? Join us for an evening of laughter, tears and music as storytellers explore their fairy tale, and how one tale can colour how we view our reality.
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"Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." G.K. Chesterton.
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Friday October 24th 2025 @ 8:00 p.m. Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Get your Tickets here
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In Support of CAMH Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Content Warning: The content presented at the story slam addresses and explores real issues that have impacted perfromers lived experiences that you may be sensitive to, including; race, Indigeneity, mental health, substance abuse and addictions, sexual orientation, and gender.​​
The Magical Mushroom by UE Tran Performer & Vocalist
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UE Trần is a Vietnamese-Canadian performer and musician born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam. UE is currently at Sheridan College in the Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program. Her selected credits include Heart’s Desire (Odyssey Theatre), ANIVIA (Factory Theatre), The Addams Family (RHSA), and Dừa - Coconut (TIFF). As a musician, UE has performed with the Oakville Choral, the Toronto Chamber Choir, and the VIVA Singers. Besides singing, she served as a conductor at RHSA Chamber and SATB choirs, as well as a composer. UE is thrilled to be part of the Story Slam project. She was introduced to Story Slam with the theme being “Fairy Tale.” She is grateful to her storycoach and director, June Cupido, for providing her with such a meaningful experience. She wants to thank Senn Gelinas for introducing her to Story Slam, and Alex for joining her in this project.
The Golden Coin by Allyah Dickie Performer & Vocalist
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Allyah is a performer, composer, and creative from the GTA and currently is a 4th year at Sheridan College studying musical theatre performance, in the Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program With extensive background in dance, classical piano, and singing she looks forward to the beginning of her performance career. Allyah currently works as a composer for video games and film with her latest release to Spotify and all streaming platforms titled Blood Money, an indie film she composed music for last year. Additionally, she attended Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts in their musical theatre program. One of her mottos is “Teamwork makes the dreamwork!" Shoutout to my found family.
The Magic Potion by Karen Capindale-Smith
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As a life-time volunteer, Karen, has worked over the past 10 yrs in bereavement support positions with The Carpenter Hospice, Burlington and Acclaim Health, Oakville. Prior to this work, she was responsible for helping to coordinate the palliative care services in the Niagara region through her work with the Health Council. Karen's love of nature and the outdoors is palpable. As a Certified Hike Leader and a Level 2 Ski Instructor she continues to share this passion with many.
The Blind Prince by Alex Sheppard- Reid
Performer & Vocalist
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Alex is a second-year musical theatre student Born and raised in BC, he is studying in the Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program out to Ontario at Sheridan College. He wants to thank his parents for always being so supportive and loving of him and his dreams. He’d also like to thank Ue Tran and June Cupido for involving him in this Story Slam!
The Storyteller Eric Trask
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Eric is an actor, writer, back seat director, and a parent extraordinaire! Over the past forty years he has worked theatres big and small from Halifax to Victoria. Favourite credits include – Hana’s Suitcase at YPT, Major Barbara at Halifax’s Neptune Theatre, Candide and Season’s Greetings at ATP Calgary, Tartuffe at Theatre Calgary, An Italian American Reconciliation at Victoria’s Belfry Theatre, Hamlet at The Stratford Festival, a Carousel tour of The Hobbit, and Salt Water Moon at Magnus Theatre. Some film/tv credits include Pixels, Genius, The Kennedys, North of Sixty, Murdoch Mysteries, Covert Affairs, The Border, and coming soon: Welcome to Derry. Eric celebrates that we are all unique – “From the moment we are born our lives travel a trajectory that is intrinsically and wholly our own.” Enjoy the show!!
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The Little Fish that Could by Kanna Hollingsworth
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​Kanna is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, live performance, performance direction, and poetry — including the charged, visceral form of slam poetry. Her practice is rooted in an ongoing search for truth within the seemingly unexplainable — those moments of emotion, intuition, and connection that defy language but demand expression.
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Michael Mulrooney Music Director
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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.
June Cupido Creative Director of the Story Slams.
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We all have a story ...let's hear yours!
As a dramaturge I have been developing personal narratives through story coaching for over 15 years. I am passionate about creative approaches that will provide transformative insights into what affects good story writing, positive mental health and well-being. As Joseph Campbell wrote, “The most rewarding mythological experience you can have is to experience how it lives inside yourself.”
If you are interested in developing your personal narrative, or to develop a story please contact me here directly.
The Bakery Clerk by Stephanie Torres
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Stephanie is a wife, mom, and flight attendant with a passion for stories, acting, and a natural love for entertaining and connecting with people on and off stage.
The Three Knights by Alicja Pytlak,
Presented on February 2025 Slam Slam
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Alicja is an intentional living teacher & soulful healer. Her passion lies in guiding others toward intentional living and inner peace, encouraging them to declutter their lives—both physically and emotionally—to make space for what truly matters. With a deep understanding of the challenges that come from being stuck in unhealthy dynamics, she is dedicated to helping others break free and nurture conscious, healthy relationships. Through her personal growth, she to believes that cultivating a healthy relationship with oneself is the foundation for positive connections with others.