Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. has always had a special place in the heart of the Shumka community. Founder Art Mihalcheon always found ways of continued support for Shumka over the years, and his daughter and current owner Kim Mihalcheon continues that support today. From generous financial donations and ticket purchases for Shumka’s many productions, to storing merch, shipping props and…

When Barry Bilinsky got a call inviting him to research and co-direct Shumka’s Ancestors and Elders, he didn’t know what he was in for. With a theatre background, Barry’s expertise is in acting, not Ukrainian or Powwow dance. “When we first started, I felt like everyone was an expert, where I didn’t really know what I was doing. But later…

The first time Natalka Beaudoin (Stus) saw Shumka’s Hopak, she was brought to tears by the dancing and knew she had to be part of that magic. “It’s the perfect combination of visual spectacle, emotive music, and the dancers’ exuberance. Any one of those things can get you, but when you put all three together, it’s killer. And that’s the…

From working behind the scenes as a lighting technician at the Jube, Jeff Osterlin has experienced a side of Shumka not many people get to see. He worked his first Red Boots & Bubbly fundraiser in 2004, and got to know many of the dancers in Snow White and the Seven Gnomes of Christmas in 2006. He has been a…