The Breakouts are presented in partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Here at the Straight, we’re lucky to be regularly embedded in and engaged with Vancouver’s arts and culture scene. Every month, we meet and feature as many interesting, passionate, and boundary-pushing people as we can.

Everyone is amazing in their own way, but all of this coverage got us thinking: who’s standing out among the crowd? Who’s impressed us the most, or taken things to the next level? And so, we came up with a new annual feature: The Breakouts.

Across a variety of categories—from dance to activism to business—these people were carefully discussed and selected by our in-house editorial team. They are, in our eyes, ones to watch: people on the rise, people making a difference, people worthy of your attention.

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Breakouts. Congratulations to the class of 2024.

Click on each name below to learn more about them.

Breakout Activists: Climate Recentered

Breakout Actor: Jillian Dion

Breakout Author: Billy-Ray Belcourt

Breakout Band: Post Modern Connection

Breakout Chef: Jorge Tuane

Breakout Comedian: Ola Dada

Breakout Dancer: Livona Ellis

Breakout Entrepreneur: Kaylee Astle

Breakout Playwright: Christine Quintana

Breakout Visual Artist: Emiko Venlet