Cover Photos by Marcia Provenzano, Ken Greenhorn & Anthony Santoro
WHO I AM & WHAT I DO
I am a multi-disciplinary artist based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. My primary focus is performance poetry, often blending my original writing with various theatrical elements, including costuming, lighting, music, character and accent changes, dance and puppetry. I endeavour to cultivate an appreciation for poetry in audiences that do not seek it out, writing and performing in a style that can be understood and enjoyed by everyone.
In 2010, I joined Saskatoon's Rosebud Burlesque Club as Conrad Fusion, a character who combines poetry with striptease. This unexpected turn of events would ultimately change my approach to both my art and my life. I became more confident in voice and body, not only in front of an audience, but also in front of a mirror. As Conrad, I have taken the stage at the Vancouver, Edmonton, and Saskatoon International Burlesque Festivals, and at shows in Regina, North Battleford, Cold Lake, Toronto and New Orleans.
My growth as a performance poet continued with my first independent stage production in April of 2012, titled Thirteen Roses. Since then, I have produced ten more poetic stage productions, the most recent in November of 2022, titled LOVEbirds in Mexico. Outside of burlesque and independent shows, I am happy to take on new and challenging opportunities.
Off the stage, I have self-published my rhymes in the form of romantic greeting cards and chapbooks via Corby.Cards, a company I established in 2006, and I have had a few poems accepted to print-format and online publications. And, in March and April of 2014, I displayed my first photo-poetry exhibit at Saskatoon's Meewasin Valley Centre, titled The Nature of Rhyme. Outside of poetry, I have written several articles for a national dance magazine called The Dance Current. Basically, I try to get my writing out into the world any way I can!
Writing aside, I am a birder, nature lover, hobby photographer, art enthusiast, museum-goer, cinephile, Star Wars fan, and adventurer. I grew up in Ontario and have lived in several locations around Canada. My instincts eventually led me to Saskatoon where I have found my home, great friends, and a thriving arts community.
Photo by Ken Greenhorn.
In 2010, I joined Saskatoon's Rosebud Burlesque Club as Conrad Fusion, a character who combines poetry with striptease. This unexpected turn of events would ultimately change my approach to both my art and my life. I became more confident in voice and body, not only in front of an audience, but also in front of a mirror. As Conrad, I have taken the stage at the Vancouver, Edmonton, and Saskatoon International Burlesque Festivals, and at shows in Regina, North Battleford, Cold Lake, Toronto and New Orleans.
My growth as a performance poet continued with my first independent stage production in April of 2012, titled Thirteen Roses. Since then, I have produced ten more poetic stage productions, the most recent in November of 2022, titled LOVEbirds in Mexico. Outside of burlesque and independent shows, I am happy to take on new and challenging opportunities.
Off the stage, I have self-published my rhymes in the form of romantic greeting cards and chapbooks via Corby.Cards, a company I established in 2006, and I have had a few poems accepted to print-format and online publications. And, in March and April of 2014, I displayed my first photo-poetry exhibit at Saskatoon's Meewasin Valley Centre, titled The Nature of Rhyme. Outside of poetry, I have written several articles for a national dance magazine called The Dance Current. Basically, I try to get my writing out into the world any way I can!
Writing aside, I am a birder, nature lover, hobby photographer, art enthusiast, museum-goer, cinephile, Star Wars fan, and adventurer. I grew up in Ontario and have lived in several locations around Canada. My instincts eventually led me to Saskatoon where I have found my home, great friends, and a thriving arts community.
Photo by Ken Greenhorn.
WHY I DO WHAT I DO
I write poetry with the intention of making people laugh, and feel, and think, sometimes to promote healthy self-image, other times to nurture appreciation for nature, and often for the sake of simple entertainment. I write poetry as a means to meet, support, and collaborate with other artists. I write poetry because I am filled with inspiration and ideas and opinions and emotions. I write poetry to explore, understand and express who I am. I write poetry because, for all these reasons and more, it is an essential part of my personal happiness and overall well-being.
