Singing, dancing, and acting out – that’s what Marcia and Sheila, the project leads for iCreate, do when they aren’t writing grants or teaching classes.
Dr. Marcia Ostashewski holds a Canada Research Chair in Communities and Cultures at Cape Breton University and she is an Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology in the department of History and Culture. Marcia has led many projects exploring the cultural expressions of different communities including Eastern and Central Europeans, Indigenous groups, at-risk youth, and newcomers to Canada. She studies and creates music, dance, and digital media projects that address community issues and social problems. One of Marcia’s goals is to bring people together – from different places and within Cape Breton – who might not otherwise have a chance to meet and learn from each other.
Dr. Sheila Christie is an Associate Professor with a passion for theatre in all its forms. As a scholar, she studies how medieval cities used theatre to shape civic identity and how modern cities and communities can do the same. She also directs, devises, and stage manages shows whenever she gets a chance. Her most recent project, Voices for Change (co-produced with Nicole MacDougall), tackled the issue of sexual violence in Cape Breton, and this fall she will work with Dr. Kate Krug on performances about transgender youth for Lumiére. Sheila’s ambition is to share skills and knowledge with others so they can change the world for the better.