February 2023 marks the beginning of SK Arts' 75th anniversary year. On February 3, 1948, the Saskatchewan Arts Board opened its doors, supporting artists across the province. As we celebrate this milestone, we look to honour the past, the present and the future of the province's vibrant arts community with the We Celebrate You campaign. SK Arts asked 75 established artists to nominate one strong, emerging artist, program or training opportunity that makes the future of Saskatchewan arts exciting.

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Skye Brandon - Black and white portrait

Photo credit: Ryan Fisher

Skye Brandon

Skye is a Treaty 6 actor/director/producer who calls Saskatoon home by way of Prince Albert and Melfort. He has worked with many of our province's theatre companies (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, Persephone Theatre, Dancing Sky Theatre, Globe Theatre, Station Arts Centre), multiple independent companies (Last Exit Theatre, Bridge Theatre Collective and Theatre Naught, to name a few), as well as various companies outside of Saskatchewan (Stratford Festival, Drayton Entertainment, Shakespeare in the Ruins, Northern Light Theatre, Prairie Theatre Exchange and others). Recently, Skye directed Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night for Theatre Naught and performed in both Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones for Persephone Theatre and the premiere of Daniel Macdonald's Iago Speaks for Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan.

Brooklynn Bitner - Actress on a table mid performance.

Flush, Produced by La Troupe du Jour & Fitoonia Films. Photo credit: Mathieu Taillardas Photography

Brooklynn Bitner

Near the end of her BA in Studio Art, Brooklynn stumbled across the University of Saskatchewan drama design program and instantly fell in love. She originally set out to develop her knack for graphic design and animation, which she continues to develop and integrate with theatre whenever possible. With a passion for bringing technology and spectacle to a live stage, Brooklynn wants to wow audiences with transformative, evolving, and dynamic designs that make the audience question their perception of reality. 

“…multi-faceted designer who makes every project she works on better.” - Skye Brandon

Brooklynn Bitner immediately came to mind when I was asked about making a nomination. Brooklynn is a multi-faceted designer who makes every project she works on better. I've had the pleasure of working with Brooklynn on multiple productions where she was sound designer, projection designer, and recently twice as set designer. Her attention to detail and her desire to serve the story make her an ideal collaborator. And if that wasn't enough, Brooklynn also designs costumes and is a talented graphic designer. In a field where versatility is an asset, Brooklynn has it in spades.