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Remixing the Stage: Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Community Take Centre Stage
On Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Prairie Theatre Exchange’s Cherry Karpyshin Theatre will come alive with an exhilarating new production that fuses hip-hop and commercial dance with the storytelling power of musical theatre. The Remix, presented by Rise Musical Theatre Company, features a cast of 10 singers and an astonishing 70 dancers working with 10 choreographers in what promises to be an unforgettable high-energy showcase.
Founded by Joseph Sevillo, Rise Musical Theatre Company has been PTE’s Exchange in Education Company since 2021, dedicated to empowering emerging IBPOC (Indigenous, Black and People of Colour) artists. At the heart of Rise’s mission is accessibility—and The Remix is a direct reflection of that vision.
Filling a Gap in the Industry
Joseph Sevillo says the idea for Rise came out of deep reflection during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.
“There really isn’t a theatre company that I’ve been a part of that’s led by IBPOC leaders or artists, nor have I been in a show that was fully by IBPOC,” he explained. “In reflection, I thought, well, there’s something missing in the industry… if this is something that’s missing, then it’s probably needed and will create more artists of colour like myself to pursue an industry like this.”
For Sevillo, personal experience underscored the barriers many racialized artists face. “I grew up in a really poor family. We were in Manitoba Housing, but we were able to live in the Tuxedo area… Grant Park High School had an incredible performing arts program at that time, and so I got free training there, which kind of started my dance career.”
Many in his Filipino community, he added, gravitated toward hip-hop simply because it was more accessible than jazz, tap or ballet—styles often taught only in private studios.
Building from Collaboration
Lee Banaga, one of The Remix’s choreographers, joined Rise after working with Sevillo on Rainbow Stage’s Ma-Buhay!
“I think from there we really built a chemistry and a connection,” said Banaga. “When Joseph wanted to do Rise right after Rainbow Stage, he reached out to me… to be one of the choreographers for the hip-hop part.”
Working with such a diverse group of performers has been both challenging and rewarding, Banaga says. “It’s a learning process for both of us… The dancers that we have to adapt to a hip-hop choreographer, so it’s really neat to see how we’re all learning at the same time.”
Intensive Training, Transformational Impact
Every year, Rise runs a two-week intensive training program in partnership with Prairie Theatre Exchange. The program, which is free and open to IBPOC youth aged 16 and up, covers all aspects of performance: dance, voice, acting and even “industry facts” to help young artists navigate the profession.
“We pay our leaders and teachers a good wage so that they are supported,” said Sevillo. “As we’ve developed, we’ve provided free transportation for students that might have barriers… even people that were hard of hearing—we provided them with the interpreters that they needed.”
While the company has only been able to sustain two weeks of free training each year due to funding limitations, The Remix marks its first major showcase fundraiser, with plans to host a workshop later this summer.
A Showcase of Diversity, Without a Script
Unlike a traditional musical, The Remix doesn’t follow a plot. Instead, each choreographer—invited by Sevillo and his co-creator Duchess Cayetano —was given full creative freedom to choose six dancers and a vocalist, with the only prompt being: tell your story.
“This is your introduction to the world of theatre,” said Sevillo. “Your song should reflect who you are as an artist, who you are as a human being or just who you are as an interpreter of music and dance.”
With styles ranging from musical theatre and R&B to rap and pop, The Remix offers a series of bold, personal statements from each creative team.
Looking Toward the Future
Asked where he hopes to see Rise in ten years, Sevillo’s ambitions are clear.
“I see it being as big as the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, as big as Rainbow Stage. I want a full season of musicals,” he said. “I see new artists being trained under the umbrella from underserved communities, but also open to all communities… That’s how the world becomes better—when we’re working together and not necessarily isolating certain groups.”
For Banaga, the hope is also practical: “As choreographers… we don’t really get paid for what we do. People see our five-minute set on stage, but they don’t really get to see how many hours and how many weeks we put behind the scene. Now that we’re being paid for our time… it’s just nice to know that this can go somewhere as a career… instead of being a hobby.”
As The Remix prepares to take the stage, Rise Musical Theatre Company continues to lead a powerful movement—amplifying voices, removing barriers, and building a more inclusive performing arts community, one electrifying number at a time.
Don’t miss your chance to witness something truly groundbreaking. The Remix isn’t just a showcase—it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and community, brought to life by some of the city’s most dynamic emerging talent. With explosive choreography, powerful vocals, and stories that speak from the heart, this one-of-a-kind production promises to move, inspire, and electrify audiences. Whether you’re a fan of dance, musical theatre, or just love a great night out, The Remix is the kind of show that reminds us why live performance matters—bold, beautiful, and unapologetically alive.