Tickets

About Us

Our Mission

The Alberta Circus Arts Festival is dedicated to the creation of a regional and national voice in contemporary Canadian circus. We are committed to sharing and experiencing world-class circus with our community in order to provide a launch pad for creativity, technical virtuosity, and collaborations. We seek to inspire, educate and entertain.

Our Background

The ACAF is hosted by Firefly Theatre and Circus, Alberta’s award-winning aerial performance company, creating original, high-flying work since 2001. Beginning with an online event in 2021, ACAF is now moving into our fifth year. The Festival is anchored in Edmonton’s French Quarter, with our main performance venue in La Cité Francophone. Local audiences will be treated to world-class contemporary circus on an intimate scale – it’s like seeing Cirque du Soleil in your living room!

Our Acknowledgment

We would like to respectfully acknowledge that the Alberta Circus Arts Festival and Firefly Theatre & Circus are on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting grounds, gathering place, and travelling route to the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries.

Our Team

Annie Dugan, Executive Producer

Annie (she/her) is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Alberta’s award-winning Firefly Theatre & Circus, a company dedicated to merging the spectacle of circus arts with an accessible theatrical narrative. Since 2000, Ms. Dugan has been involved with all of Firefly Theatre’s productions in various capacities, including directing, producing, creating and performing. Firefly’s shows have been performed in theatres, on walls and rooftops, in the middle of the street, and even in fountains. Annie has received the Mayor’s Award for Innovative Artistic Direction, a Canada 150 Award, and was featured as a Global TV’s Woman of Vision.

Stephanie Gruson, Producer

Stephanie (she/her) has been a company member and performer of Firefly Theatre & Circus since 2013 and a student since 2009. She was so excited to join the Firefly team as Director of Operations and Special Events in 2021. She has a true passion for Aerial and Circus Arts. She has performed in many productions put on by Firefly such as KOLABO and PANACHE. She has been involved in many corporate and charitable events including the Canada 150 celebration at Roger’s Place, performing along with Canadian artist Sarah McLachlan. Stephanie is a Franco-Albertan. She is fluent in English and French both spoken and written. She is excited to be the festival’s French representative and producer.

Rae McCallum, Production Manager

Rae (she/her) is an Edmonton-based freelance production manager, technical director, lighting designer, and technician in Edmonton. She has been part of the Edmonton backstage community for over a decade. She is also a proud board member of the Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology (CITT/ICTS)  Alberta Section, promoting professional development and advancement of the theatre community. 

Laura Koyata, Assistant Production Manager

For the past 20 years, Laura has worked, studied, and volunteered in many elements of the theatre world. Her broad knowledge of directing, acting, history, dramaturgy, and technical theatre gives her clarity and foresight on any project. She is a member of IATSE Local 210. She holds two bachelor degrees, one is a double major in Drama and Psychology, and the other is a BFA in Technical Theatre. 

Katrina Secord, Volunteer Coordinator

Katrina Secord (she/her) discovered her passion for circus arts in 2019 as an aerial silks student at Firefly Theatre & Circus. Since then, she has been training recreationally in aerial silks and, more recently, has begun exploring the dynamic world of partner silks. In addition to her love for circus, Katrina became a Certified Volunteer Administrator in 2021 and has focused her career in the nonprofit sector deepening her commitment to fostering strong, engaged communities. She is excited to bring together her passions for community, volunteerism, and circus arts at this year’s festival.

Russell Comrie, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator

Russell Comrie is an award-winning magician and former Head of Strategy at The 13th Floor in South Africa. He’s worked with global brands, judged the Effies, and supports local artists. Now studying Arts & Cultural Management at MacEwan University, he blends magic, mind-reading, and psychology into performances that “make you believe in the magic of magic.”

Samara Von Rad, Box Office Manager

Samara (she/her) discovered Firefly Theatre and Circus in 2009 and has been passionately involved ever since. Working as Program Coordinator and Coach for the Circus Academy, and continuing to be a performer in many Firefly shows as both an Actor and an Aerialist. Samara works professionally as an Actor/ Stunt Performer in Film and Television, and can often be seen pouring champagne from the sky as one of Firefly’s Aerial Bartenders. Samara is thrilled to be stepping into an official role with the Alberta Circus Arts Festival this year. 

Mitchell Labrosse, Festival Audio Technician

Mitchell Labrosse is a sound engineer and designer currently based in Alberta. His background in composition and music production finds his interests pushed primarily toward sound design. However, he is also curious to explore video design and its interaction with sound in storytelling. His work in theatre is rooted in collaboration as a means to inspiration and the use of technology in storytelling. With his roots in French Theatre, he is also interested in working within that community. In the future, he hopes that his work will allow him to travel and experience different cultures.

Graeme Janzen, Festival Rigger

Born in Calgary, Graeme Janzen has been doing theatrical lighting, rigging and performer flying for 10 years. Over the years, he has flown performers for Calgary Opera’s production of Everest, 9 years of the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show while working for Chicago based Vertigo and most recently Alberta Ballet’s production of PHI. In 2018, he started Gaslamp FX INC which specializes in aerial rigging hardware and fall protection sales after seeing a need within the Alberta community for quality rigging hardware suppliers.

Michael King, Festival Rigger

Mike King is a Calgary-based rigger and stage carpenter with a specialty in flying effects and acrobatic rigging. His work has been featured on stages from the smallest black box theatres to the world’s biggest stadiums, as well as high-end retail installations all over the world. When not rigging, Mike enjoys cowboy romance novels and swearing at children.

Jeff Olynek, Production Assistant

Jeff Olynek has been performing for decades as a special skills performer.  He has entertained across Alberta as a juggler and stilt walker with repeat performances in Sylvan Lake, Banff, Brooks, Edmonton, and Calgary.  Jeff has worked with the Green Fools and Firefly Circus and has taught classes at the Calgary Circus School.  In addition, he is a fire performer, unicycle rider, fight choreographer, and holds a BFA in performance from the University of Alberta.

Cari Agard, Production Assistant

Cari started doing aerial arts in 2018 and immediately fell in love with the physical and analytical aspects of it. Now, she enjoys exploring interesting and unexpected transitions, and assistant coaching with Sapphire Circus Arts. Most of her practice is focused on silks, loop and trapeze; however, she enjoys experimenting with other apparatuses. Cari is looking forward to returning to the Alberta Circus Arts Festival to learn more about festival logistics and spend time with the wonderful team and artists.

Vince Burwash, Festival Lighting Design

Vince is the owner and lead designer at Keylite Design Inc., an Alberta based lighting design firm specializing in live music, theatrical performance, and corporate galas. Vince is currently the designer and lighting director for Firefly Theatre and has spent years touring with Recording artist’s Gord Bamford, James Barker Band, The Tenors, Joe Nichols and Paul Brandt. Recent credits include The Art of Banksy Exhibit, the 2022 Papal visit, ESO Symphony in the City and FIS Snowboarding Big Air. Vince lives in St Albert, Alberta with his wife Terri and enjoys spending time with his 4 adult children and extended family.