J. Kyra Philbert is an artist, registered nurse and scholar living, working and playing on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh nations. She is a biracial (black/white), queer, ciswoman, able bodied and settler, who is passionate about health and social justice. Her MSN research, « Nurse Angélique » interrogated the ethics of social justice within contemporary Canadian nursing practice. An element of this exploration involved the creation of a 12 minute long drag-burlesque performance reimagining the historical figure of Marie-Joseph Angélique as modern nurse.

A competitive Gemini, JJ loves ice cream and a balanced cheque book. Not a fan of spicy food, but is a fan of Spice Girls. She is an Ontario transplant, don’t hold it against her, who enjoys T Accounts and is really just happy to be here. JJ served on Zee Zee’s board for two terms including acting as Board President for three years, she took a year off and is back for an unprecedented third term! She is so excited to be back and really just wants another going away party with all the diet coke in three years. 

Sashka is a queer birder, a lawyer, and a settler to Canada. She has previously worked for a regional human rights organization in Belgrade, Serbia called Youth Initiative for Human Rights and interned at the UN International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia. She received her Master of Laws from UBC where she researched international human rights laws and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity expression (SOGIE) in the post-conflict societies of the Balkans. Sashka has previously served on the board of directors of the Rainbow Foundation of Hope. She is passionate about the arts and the power of arts to create social change and is excited to be joining the Zee Zee Theatre. Sashka spends most of her free time photographing birds in Stanley Park.

Amina Chergui is a queer settler of Kabyle Algerian and Portuguese descent, born and raised on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. She currently serves as the Education Coordinator at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, where her role encompasses the development and delivery of school programming, public programming, and the museum’s mobile app. Amina holds a Master’s degree in Museum Education from the University of British Columbia. Her graduating project explored the pedagogical potential of engaging youth in virtual reality-based storytelling with digital museum assets. Amina firmly believes in the transformative power of art and is passionate about connecting folks of all ages to arts and culture.

As a Realtor since 2009 and former owner of Keller Williams Realty VanCentral (2016–2025), I’ve built a career grounded in integrity, strategic insight, and nurturing long-lasting relationships. Whether supporting first-time buyers, growing families, or investors, I provide clear, creative, and trustworthy guidance across Greater Vancouver.

I bring this same dedication to community and leadership through my volunteer roles with the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver: currently serving my 4th term on the Professional Standards Committee, and serving on the DEI Committee in 2023–2024, where I completed a Toronto Metropolitan University program and co-developed DEI training for thousands of Realtors.

As the founding lead singer of Queer As Funk, I champion 2SLGBTQIA+ representation, using music and performance to uplift and connect queer communities across Canada.

I hold a BA in Political Science (University of Waterloo, 2003) and advanced licensure in real estate trading services and managing brokerage (UBC Sauder).

Derek Brown is a communications professional-slash-actor who freelanced for DailyXtra during the peak of Black Lives Matter activity in Canada, and was honoured to lead the publication’s editorial mission of learning from the marginalized people who ultimately shifted the dialogue that continues to evolve around inclusivity in 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride celebrations in Vancouver, across Canada, and the world. He now works for BC Housing where he is a member of the Pride Employee Resource Group, focuses on voice acting for creative fulfilment, and volunteers with the Health Initiative for Men. Derek was a “Mean Teen Queen” performer at Apocalypstick – as his drag persona, Betty Swallows – and has previously volunteered with Out on Screen, the Queer Arts Festival, Out for Laughs, A Loving Spoonful, and others.

Isaac identifies as a biracial (Ojibwe/White) Two-Spirit man. He has spent years of his life working as a Flight Attendant, exploring the world and other cultures. He has been lucky enough to experience moments of joy and hardships with people from all over the globe. Educating himself and growing from the wisdom learnt from various customs and traditions he’s had the pleasure of taking a part in. He has always been passionate about the arts and while resisting at first, he eventually found a path that led him to attending and graduating from Toronto Film School. Isaac is stoked to be part of Zee Zee Theatre as it offers him another opportunity to join the world of art, something that has been missing over the last few years.

Jackie is committed to being actively connected to community within a queer arts spectrum, never drifting far from her theatre and activism roots. She was active in the beginnings of the women’s movement in US. National rep for Media Watch, Canada, as women’s advocate, public speaker, activist and fundraiser. Writer, producer, performed across Canada as lesbian comedy character, Lovie Sizzle. Thirty-plus years employed in leadership roles in HIV/AIDS front-line activism and support. Retreat team creator and facilitator of peer support teams. Founding member, Positive Women’s Network. Published short-story writer, Sole Brothers, Queer View Mirror, Coin Operator, Getting Wet anthology. Oral History Project, In My Day, interviewer and interviewee. Contributing member of creative team supporting In My Day verbatim play, playwright Rick Waines, produced by Zee Zee Theatre. Co-curator Cultch Gallery Exhibition, month of December, 2022. Presently working with a small group of queer writers, artists and activists exploring a dialogue exchange platform to enhance older queer community connections through provocative arts and conversation.

A self professed Manager of humans, places and monies, Minna Schendlinger was the founding managing director of the PuSh Festival and the founding facility manager of the Post at 750. She currently works as a planner for the City of Vancouver.