Is the art world perhaps just a bit too serious for you? Do you ever feel unsure about contemporary art?

Join Allegra Charleston, the alter ego of Susie Burpee, as she guides us through the artwork of Elinor Carucci, Hannah Altman and Sage Szkabarnicki-Stuart, in her own unexpected and humourous ways, offering you a new perspective.

Traversing both dance and theatre, Susie Burpee is a multi-faceted artist and award-winning performer based in Toronto/Tkaronto. Known for her character-driven choreographic works, Susie has received Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Outstanding Choreography and Performance, and she is a recipient of the K.M. Hunter Artist Award for Dance.  

Susie studied Character and Bouffon with Philippe Gaulier, where her alter ego and lifelong companion Allegra Charleston was born. Susie and Allegra have been revelling in the Canadian art world for many years, delivering thought-provoking performances in service of levity, gravity and empathy.

Susie holds an MA in Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies from the The University of Toronto and teaches regularly in post-secondary dance programs. She is now Executive Director of Balancing Act, a national initiative to support parents and caregivers in the performing arts. Susie is a mother, and her work in the arts is wholly informed by maternity and care-centred practices.