Friday marks a double celebration for the Bring It On Cabaret.
Stephanie Greaves headlines the night they’ll hand out $2,000 worth of bursaries.
Helena Descoteau, a recent graduate from the two-year enriched performing arts program at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, earned the top $1,000 bursary. Her most recent credits include Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Broadway Lights with the Victoria Symphony, and Cities and Girls. Also in her most recent year at the college, Descoteau wrote and had a staged reading of her first play. She has found her forte in the acting department, and is hoping to start a career in film and television. She starts her third and final year at CCPA with Company C.
Ian Crowe and Kaliegh Greenwood will each get $500 bursaries.
Crowe performed this year in the Company C performance as Melchior Gabor in The Belfry Theatre’s production of Spring Awakening. He also founded his first company, Vortex Productions, throwing a brunch cabaret fundraiser to great success with The St. Matthias Church. Crowe hopes to continue creating a career singing, acting and dancing in Toronto.
Greenwood is a Vancouver Island native who has spent her life jumping on any stage she can find, spending her high school days in a variety of musicals. Recently she and her partner made the long trip to relocate to Edmonton in pursuit of their careers.
Greaves will lead the celebration, as headliner for the May 15 Bring it on Cabaret.
Greaves is no stranger to a stage – whether performing in an oceanfront piano bar, an arena for sporting events or at a large-scale theatre – her versatility includes jazz to classics, country to R&B and her favourite, musical comedy.
One of her favourite engagements to date was headlining a cross-Canada tour marking the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Naval Service in a tribute called Sailors and Songs. Reviews of her performances were glowing.
“She also has had the thrill of performing for a large array of dignitaries, including Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth,” said Jim Ricks, producer of the Bring It On Cabaret.
Greaves will be onstage with regular members of her trio: Darcy Phillips, a versatile and accomplished pianist, and Ike Broadley, trumpeter extraordinaire.
The Bring It On Cabaret is May 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Bay United Church, 1355 Mitchell St.
cvanreeuwyk@oak baynews.com