SRE Announces New Leadership
Swamp Rat Experience Announces New Leadership: Jenny Price Named Artistic Director, Hanna Fridhed Steps into New Role as Production Manager
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, Alberta - August 20, 2025 - After four groundbreaking years at the creative helm of Swamp Rat Experience, co-founder Hanna Fridhed is shifting into a new role as Production Manager, passing the torch of Artistic Director to long-time collaborator Jenny Price.
This marks a new chapter for Swamp Rat Experience (SRE), the independent theatre company known for its bold productions, inclusive programming, and strong community partnerships across the Wood Buffalo region. Rather than a departure, the transition signals a deepening of SRE’s commitment to collaborative, sustainable, and community-based performing arts creation.
Since its founding in 2021, Swamp Rat Experience has cultivated a vibrant arts community rooted in creativity, accessibility, and local storytelling. Under Hanna Fridhed’s direction, the company has accomplished:
Launched its inaugural production, Suite Surrender (March 2022) in partnership with Keyano Theatre, marking SRE’s official debut on the Fort McMurray stage.
Brought large-scale, impactful theatre to local audiences, including Rent The Musical (2023) and annual Alberta Culture Days programming.
Made progress in the revitalization of King Street Theatre after partnering with Fort McMurray Composite High School, culminating in Doubt: A Parable (June 2025): SRE’s first full-scale production in the space, delivering deeply resonant storytelling that moved audiences.
Expanded youth engagement through Theatre Club programming, offering ongoing summer camps, kids and teen theatre classes, and creative showcases.
Empowered local performing artists through artistic development offerings, including intensives, master classes, and workshops.
Staged imaginative, themed fundraisers and special events including Great Gatsby! It’s Murder! (2022), Summer of ‘69 (2023), A Magical Fundraiser (2023), Broadway Disco Fundraiser (2024), Alice in Theatreland (2024), The Mad Hatter’s Ball (2024), and The Queen’s Ball (2025).
Launched innovative community programs, such as Birdhouse Comedy Troupe improv meet-ups and personalized performances for events.
Built lasting community partnerships, from sponsoring youth to attend Theatre Alberta’s Artstrek, to organizing annual Pride Cabaret events, to advocating for regional arts infrastructure.
“If you had told me four years ago that a side project born during maternity leave from a penchant for Hawaiian shirts and oddball theatre projects would become what Swamp Rat Experience is today, I wouldn’t have believed you,” says Hanna Fridhed. “I never imagined how quickly and wildly it would grow to be larger than the sum of its parts. What started as a passion project to create quirky shows with my partner rapidly became a movement powered by exploration, by joy, and the curious wonder of ‘what if?’ - and it just kept growing.
As I step down, what I feel the most is an overwhelming sense of pride. Pride in what we built, in the risks we took, in watching Swamp Rat become a safe artistic home for so many. We’re more than a theatre company. SRE is a movement. An experience. A place where art can be messy and bold and exactly what it needs to be. Where artists can be exactly who they are. I’m confident that the company will continue to flourish under Jenny’s leadership.”
Jenny Price has played a key role in SRE’s evolution, serving as Treasurer on the Board of Directors and leading Theatre Club programming that has helped mentor and empower the next generation of young performers in Fort McMurray, as well as contributing to countless efforts, events, and fundraisers. As Artistic Director, she brings a collaborative spirit, a deep love of theatre, and a vision grounded in accessibility, youth engagement, and meaningful storytelling.
“I am stepping into this new role with excitement and a strong desire to continue to build on the amazing success that Swamp Rat Experience has achieved in such a short time,” says Jenny. “I know that I have big shoes to fill as Hanna has poured her heart and soul into this organization since its inception. I greatly admire her ability to take the smallest kernel of an idea and quickly turn it into something extraordinary. I feel that this transition is an important one for the long term sustainability of Swamp Rat Experience. Allowing the company to continue to grow and begin to settle into the niche it has created within the local performing arts community. I am extremely grateful that Hanna will continue to lend her expertise, energy, and passion through her new role as Production Manager.”
The current Swamp Rat Experience management team and Board of Directors also extends their sincerest gratitude to departing Board Members Becky Fadden, Christopher Bowers, and SRE’s co-founder Zenon Campbell, who were with Hanna from the very beginning of this journey and provided insurmountable amounts of humour and support, as well as to our former Company Manager Kayla Erlandson, who will be missed as she takes on new adventures.
SRE is excited to welcome three new members to the Board of Directors following the AGM: JONQPiD (Vice Chair), Sherry Duncan (Secretary), and Kaylee Pearce (Director). Their passion and leadership will help guide Swamp Rat Experience in the years ahead with the dedication they bring to a shared vision of vibrant, community-driven theatre.
The 2025-2026 Board of Directors:
Ashley Makey – Chair
Jon Qpid – Vice Chair (new)
Sherry Duncan – Secretary (new)
Rhonda Robinson – Treasurer
Kaylee Pearce – Director (new)
Biship Nel – Director
Stacey Grant – Director
The new season of Board Directors and the leadership transition reflects SRE’s unique ethos: rooted in shared leadership, responsive to community, and always evolving. With Jenny at the artistic helm and Hanna alongside in production, the Swamp Rat team is poised to deepen its impact and creative reach.
About Swamp Rat Experience
Swamp Rat Experience is a volunteer-run theatre company in nistawâyâw (Fort McMurray, Wood Buffalo), founded in 2021. SRE creates inclusive, accessible, and wildly creative performance opportunities, from youth education to full-scale plays, comedy, cabaret, and custom events. Swamp Rat Experience proudly operates on Treaty 8 Territory and honors its responsibility to community and story.
Media Contact:
Jenny Price | jenny@swampratexperience.com
Hanna Fridhed | hanna@swampratexperience.com
Swamp Rat Experience | swampratexperience.com | @swampratexperience
