Meet the New Works Team
Staff
Jason Dubois
Executive Director
About
Jason Dubois (he/him) is an arts manager with more than two decades experience working in performing arts creation, dissemination and presentation. Career highlights include working as Festival Manager for the National Arts Centre’s Canada Scene, a 39-day festival in the summer of 2017 involving more than 1000 artists in performing, visual and media arts. Jason has previously served as Managing Director for the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, Producing Director for the Canada Dance Festival, Executive Director of Dance Victoria, and with Eponymous as Producer for Kidd Pivot and Company 605, Associate Producer for Wen Wei Dance, Production Manager for Vancouver New Music, and Director of Patron Relations for DanceHouse. He was Associate Producer for the Dance Centre’s Dance In Vancouver from 2015-2019 – a biennial showcase for Vancouver dance artists and a networking event for Canadian and international dance presenters. Jason has served as a director on the boards of The Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture, The Professional Arts Alliance of Greater Victoria, the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists BC Chapter (CADA/West), and as president of the Canadian Dance Assembly’s National Council. | Photo by Carla Alcántara.
Contact: jason@newworks.ca
Amber Barton
Program Director
About
Amber Barton (she/her) was born and raised in Vancouver and continues to live, work, and play on the unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She has spent the majority of her life working in the arts as a professional contemporary dance artist, performing, choreographing, producing, and teaching dance for 21 years and received her professional dance training with Goh Ballet Academy, Arts Umbrella, Ballet BC’s Mentor Programme, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. Amber is also one of the few Canadians to receive a full danceWEB scholarship to study at the ImPulsTanz festival in Vienna, Austria and the inaugural recipient of the Iris Garland Emerging Choreographer Award awarded via The Dance Centre in Vancouver, BC. Amber was also the artistic and managing director of her own contemporary dance company, the response. from 2008-2021. As a past client of New Works, she looks forward to applying her experience on behalf of supporting the livelihood and well being of dance artists. | Photo by Carla Alcántara.
Charlotte Newman
General Manager
About
Charlotte (she/her) is a dance artist, teacher, arts worker, and producer with over ten years of experience engaged in the arts in Vancouver. She is passionate about accessible community building, play and craft as practice, and supporting arts educators. Past roles include Communications Coordinator at DanceHouse, Front of House Coordinator at Vancouver New Music, and ArtsLIVE Producer at SFUW. She was born and raised in Seattle, is humbled to now call the unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations home. | | Photo by Carla Alcántara.
Contact: charlotte@newworks.ca
Marco Esccer
Community Engagement Manager
About
Marco Esccer (he/him) is a Mexican queer artist, performer, creator and educator, and has a diverse background from the technical to the therapeutic aspect of dance. He received his Bachelor in Ballet by the National Ballet and Contemporary School of Mexico City (2011-2016), followed by certifications in Research, experimentation and artistic production (2015-2016), Dance Movement Therapy (2016), Certified Yoga Instructor (2021), Progressive Ballet Technique Instructor (2022), and Mental Application: mind-body connection (2019-current). Marco’s recent work has been performed with the support of Co.Erasga, 12 Minutes Maxat The Dance Centre, and Coastal City Ballet’s Incubator and Emerge programs. He is currently working on a choreography about migration as a guest choreographer with Coastal City Ballet. He has also worked with New Works as a Share Dance Instructors since March 2021, and is excited to deepen this relationship and support connections between New Works and the wider dance community. | | Photo by Carla Alcántara.
Contact: marco@newworks.ca
Francesca Fung
Producer
About
Francesca has spent a few years here and there taking music and dance classes, and a far longer time being at the service of the art forms and their practitioners and dreaming of living inside a concert hall. Doomed with two left feet and a propensity to shun the limelight, Francesca found her happy place tucked behind the scenes where she attempts to tint administrative labour with imagination and solicitude and to ‘play gracefully with ideas’ (O. Wilde). Francesca joined New Works in 2022. She continues to vanquish everyone at the challenge for who’s got the best job in town. | Photo by Carla Alcántara.
Contact: francesca@newworks.ca
Hilary Maxwell
Production & Touring Coordinator
About
Hilary Maxwell (she/her) lives and works on the unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She holds a BA and MFA in Dance from the University of Calgary and has over 20 years’ experience working in the dance milieu. Her passion to support artists and their creative ambitions has led her to past roles including Artistic Associate at Calgary’s Dancers’ Studio West, Member Services Coordinator with The Dance Centre, and, more recently, Facility Manager at Left of Main. As a dance artist, Hilary has worked with notable artists and companies such as Danse Carpe Diem / Emmanuel Jouthe, Les Productions Figlio, Company 605, W&M Physical Theatre, and German Jauregui. In her position as Production and Touring Coordinator with New Works, Hilary supports the activities and initiatives of Belsher Arts Management and Action at a Distance. Since 2014, Hilary has sat on the board of mixed-ability dance company All Bodies Dance Project. | Photo by Carla Alcántara.
Contact: hilary@newworks.ca
Dawn Briscoe
Registrar & Program Coordinator, Out Innerspace
About
Dawn Briscoe (She/Her) is an emerging dance artist, who currently works, creates and plays on unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. In 2021 she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with honors in Dance from Simon Fraser University. During her time at SFU, she had the opportunity to interpret works from Rob Kitsos, Noam Gagnon and Mahaila Patterson O’Brien.
Originally from a small town located on the unceded Kwakwaka’wakw territories, she has developed a passion for creating dance opportunities for rural communities. She continues to explore this while currently being based in a city-center, working on other choreographic interests.
Dawn has held the position as Vice-President on the Vancouver Island Youth Dance Theatre Association board which supports Dancestreams Youth Dance Company since 2019.
Contact: dawn@newworks.ca
Michelle Kneale
Development & Artist Support
About
Michelle Kneale (she/her) is an arts administrator, and dramaturg with over 15 years experience in professional theatre; She has worked for companies such as Boca del Lupo, Pi Theatre, Alberta Playwrights Network, Pumphouse Theatre, Handsome Alice Theatre, African Friendship Society, and Ne. Sans Opera and Dance. Michelle has experience with producing, governance, operations, administration, communications & outreach, grant writing, planning, leadership transitions, and artist support programming.
Contact: michelle@newworks.ca
Stage & Production Managers
Siobhan Powell
Stage Manager/ Production Manager
About
Siobhan Powell (she/her) is a multidisciplinary theatre manager and visual artist of mixed European and Chinese heritage gratefully living and working on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the (Musqueam); Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples. She received her BFA in Drama with a specialization in Technical Theatre and Production from the U of A in 2012, and continues to enjoy working in theatre production, primarily based out of the great PNW. She currently works full-time at The Cultch, and is thrilled to be connecting with New Works as both a production and stage manager for an exciting anniversary season of fun!
Contact: siobhan@newworks.ca
Kayleigh Sandomirsky
Stage Manager/ Production Manager
About
Kayleigh Sandomirsky is a stage/production manager, producer, curator and performer. She works in both theatre and dance, and has toured productions across Canada. She is also starting to dabble in design and building, and loves to constantly shake things up artistically. Recent Production Management credits: Family Room (The Falling Company), Peace Country (rice and bean theatre), PLUNGE Mentorship Program (The Falling Company), and Dancing to Remember (Aeriosa Dance/Butterflies in Spirit). Stage Management credits: Disability Tour Bus: A Radio Play (Realwheels), Medicine (ASM - Pi Theatre), Sunrise Betties (ITSAZOO Productions), Zahak: The Serpent King (The Biting School), Lip Service 2: Breaking Down Barriers (Pulsive Party), PIÑA (FakeKnot), Matriarchs Uprising and Maamawi (O.Dela Arts), Double Happiness: Detour this Way (Nancy Tam and Robyn Jacobs), The Array (UpintheAir Theatre). Touring credits: Black and Rural (We Are StoryFolk/Pi Theatre), PIÑA (FakeKnot), Confluence (Raven Spirit Dance), 003_playback (Caroline MacCaull/ Chimerik)), BLUSCRN (FakeKnot), New Societies (Re:Current Theatre), and Ying Yun (Wen Wei Dance). Design Credits: Family Room (The Falling Company - Co-Set Design), Medicine (Pi Theatre - Props Design). Curation credits: two live (rEvolver Festivals) and two digital festivals (eVolver Festivals) with UpintheAir theatre.
Nico Dicecco
Stage Manager/ Production Manager
About
Nico Dicecco is a video artist, technical director, production manager, and photographer based in Vancouver, BC on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Some favourite past (and some ongoing) projects include Through My Lens (Theatre Replacement), The River (Myriad Dance Projects), Body Parts (Tara Cheyenne Performance), In Camera (Realwheels Theatre), #whatnow (Alley Theatre), Mambo and Other Works (Ballet Kelowna), and Benevolence (Ruby Slippers). Nico holds a PhD in English from Simon Fraser University for his research on adaptation, digital media, and performance.
Interns
Anna Verbytska
Summer Production Intern
About
Anna is a multidisciplinary artist with a big love for dance. Tribal Fusion is her main style, it’s a blend of belly dance and contemporary dance forms. Anna performs it, teaches it, and lives it! She is also an actor and stage manager, with experience in Winnipeg’s theatre scene. Behind the camera, Anna is a portrait photographer who loves capturing couple's love. Anna is super excited to join the All Over the Map crew with New Works this summer. She is grateful for this amazing internship opportunity!
2024-25 Board of Directors
"I support New Works because I believe in the way it uplifts and supports independent artists in our community with any range of experience. They are committed to providing residencies, educational programs, and performance opportunities. Their community engagement goes above and beyond and I am honoured to be a part of such an incredible organization."
By supporting New Works, we're supporting the artist as well as offering them potential performance platforms that might otherwise be out of their reach. [...] I firmly believe that the organization can expand and enhance this region's dance community.
The integrated support that New Works offers is invaluable and has an ongoing impact on artists and arts organizations. I don't know if I would be doing the work I do today if it wasn't for that initial support that we received from New Works almost 20 years ago.
New Works was definitely a springboard for my career. Beginning in 2008 as an intern, I was immersed into the all things arts administration and was proud to be an integral part of the Canadian dance ecosystem.
I support New Works as a board member because independent dance artists need and deserve help and support.[...] I observe New Works making an impact in my community by offering many different forms of support, from performance platforms, to education, to one-on-one advice, to creative residencies, and so much more.
Brad Trenaman
Board Member, President
About
Brad works primarily as a Lighting Designer for dance, theatre, music, opera, corporate events and television. Recent designs include Pawâkan MacBeth (Akpik Theatre), Woman in Black (Classical ACT Collective), Take Form (Ballet BC) and F*ck Cancer – a fundraising concert featuring an array of music talent from Colin James to Lee Aaron.
In addition to his design work, Brad promotes and supports the performing arts across Canada. He previously served as President for Northern Lights Dance (Toronto) and on the Board for Associated Designers of Canada (IATSE ADC659). He has also written over 30 features for Professional Lighting and Production Magazine.
Mr. Trenaman has been nominated twice for Vancouver’s Jessie Awards, winning for Salmon Girl (Raven Spirit Dance). His lighting design for Redpatch (Hardline Productions) was selected for the 2022 World Stage Design Exhibition in Calgary.
Brad lives in Vancouver with his wife, Stage Manager Giselle Clarke-Trenaman, and their daughter Brianna.
Why support New Works?
I was asked to join the board of New Works just a few years after moving to Vancouver and immediately said yes after researching the history and mandate of the organization. Working closely alongside a variety of dance artists across many genres has given me extraordinary insight into the myriad challenges they face while trying to ply their craft. This is especially true in a city like Vancouver where the cost of living forces artists to spend too much time scrambling for funds - time which would be better spent in creation in the studio or theatre. By supporting New Works, we're supporting the artist as well as offering them potential performance platforms that might otherwise be out of their reach. Under the leadership of Jason Dubois, whom I first met as a fellow lighting designer at the Canada Dance Festival over a decade ago, and the rest of the New Works team, I firmly believe that the organization can expand and enhance this region's dance community.
Gurpreet Sian
Board Member
About
Gurpreet Sian is a dancer, musician, television personality, cultural creator, producer, and the Executive Director of South Asian Arts Society, an organization he co-founded in 2005. As a faculty member at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, he teaches LANC 1870 – Intro to Bhangra Dance, the first course of its kind in North America. He has performed at dozens of international Bhangra competitions, at the JUNO Awards with Russell Peters, and during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Gurp remains committed to raising the profile of South Asian performing arts. He is also an avid sports fan, having worked on Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition since 2015. // Photo by Marigold Studios
Why support New Works?
My support for New Works has a very personal origin. New Works played a valuable role during the formative years of South Asian Arts Society. Almost 20 years ago, I crossed paths with Barb Clausen and New Works provided us with the guidance we needed to continue operating in the arts space. Looking at the work I do now with SAA Society and the Monsoon Festival, it occurred to me that our values align quite closely with the values of New Works, which is no accident. The integrated support that New Works offers is invaluable and has an ongoing impact on artists and arts organizations. I don't know if I would be doing the work I do today if it wasn't for that initial support that we received from New Works.
Kate Ladyshewsky
Board Member
About
With over 15 years of experience working with various organizations in Vancouver's creative sector, Kate is passionate about supporting, celebrating, and advocating for the arts and artists in our community. As Executive Director of The Cinematheque, Kate leads financial management, human resources, major grants and fundraising, and strategic planning. Kate joined the New Works Board of Directors as a volunteer in 2021 and has assisted with human resources and governance planning in addition to serving as Treasurer. Though never a dancer herself, Kate is a lifelong lover of dance and is delighted to be involved with New Works' important work supporting Vancouver's thriving dance community. Kate, her husband, and their two young children live on the unceded core traditional territory of the Kwikwetlem First Nation, which lies within the shared territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Katzie, Musqueam, Squamish, and Sto:lo Nations.
Why support New Works?
Coming soon.
Andrea Hébert
Board Member
About
Andrea Hébert was born and raised in Ottawa, where she trained in various dance styles from ages 8-22, such as ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Fine Arts Cultural Studies from York University.
Andrea's first introduction to arts administration was in the role of Marketing and Development Assistant at Canada’s National Ballet School from 2004-2006. After moving to Vancouver to further her studies at Capilano University in Arts & Entertainment Management, Andrea became a grantwriter and company manager for the various independent dance companies under the management of New Works from 2008-2014. She also volunteered for DanceHouse from 2008-2018.
Transitioning into professional fundraising, Andrea has held various management roles over the past decade, within Major Gifts, Corporate Sponsorship, in addition to Government and Foundation grantwriting. Worthy charities she has worked for include the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada British Columbia Institute of Technology(BCIT), the Arts Club Theatre Company and Arts Umbrella. Andrea is currently the Manager of Corporate Partnerships at BC Children's Hospital Foundation. She will forever seek out opportunities to advocate for the arts, children, and/or healthcare initiatives. // Photo by Scott McAlpine
Why support New Works?
New Works was definitely a springboard for my career. Beginning in 2008 as an intern, I was immersed into the all things arts administration and was proud to be an integral part of the Canadian dance ecosystem.
I was then hired full-time as a grantwriter and I began to notice how much joy it would bring me to secure funding for artists, and thus my love affair with fundraising began. I am proud to say I have been working as a professional fundraiser for a variety of non-profits ever since.
Kate Franklin
Board Member
About
Kate spent the first ten years of her career in Toronto/Tkaronto working as a dancer, choreographer and educator, and co-directing three female-led collectives, all with different missions/mandates. She also walked dogs, babysat children, taught Yoga, cleaned a woodwinds repair shop, and won a Dora Mavor Moore award for her work on Gotta Go Church, choreographed by Valerie Calam. Based in Vancouver on the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples since 2012, she works as a dancer/collaborator for Company 605, Justine A. Chambers and Tara Cheyenne Performance, amongst others. Since 2016 she has been Associate Artistic Director of Modus Operandi, where she teaches and mentors a group of exceptionally talented young dance artists. She really enjoys working for choreographers and filmmakers who are and were once her students at MO (Avery Smith, Jamie Robinson, Oh Augustine and Satya Mari). Kate's own choreographic work has been shown at Boombox, Dancing on the Edge and the EDAM Choreographic Series. // Photo by Luciana Freire D'Anunciação.
Why support New Works?
I support New Works as a board member because independent dance artists need and deserve help and support. Each artist is unique in what kind of support they need. I observe New Works making an impact in my community by offering many different forms of support, from performance platforms, to education, to one-on-one advice, to creative residencies, and so much more.
Livona Ellis
Board Member
About
Livona Ellis was born in Vancouver on the unceded territories of thexwməθkwəyə̓m (Musqueam), Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She has performed with Ballet BC (11 seasons), Buhnen Bern, Mascall Dance and Rachel Meyer. Livona has created works for Dances for a Small Stage, Dance Deck, Public Salon 2019, Contemporary Art Gallery Gala 2018, Arts Umbrella Season Finale, and Ballet BC Take Form. In 2017 she received the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award for Emerging Artist and in 2023 received the inaugural Louise Bentall Award for Emerging Choreographer for her work “Fortress” created with Rebecca Margolick. Livona joined Kidd Pivot in June 2023 and is currently on faculty at Arts Umbrella. // Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic
Why support New Works?
I support New Works because I believe in the way it uplifts and supports independent artists in our community with any range of experience. They are committed to providing residencies, educational programs, and performance opportunities. Their community engagement goes above and beyond and I am honoured to be a part of such an incredible organization.
2025/26 Advisory Committee
Rianne Svelnis
Ashvini Sundaram
romham gallacher
Justin Calvadores
Past Interns
Megan Gibbons (Spring 2025)
Krystal Tsai (Summer 2024)
Amy Su (Spring 2024)
Vivien Dang (Summer 2023)
Jessica Oryall (Summer 2023)
Daniela Vega (Fall 2023 - Winter 2024)
Natalia Martineau (Spring 2023)