MacEwan alum brings musical-theatre storytelling to life with Showtunes debut
MacEwan alum Jorja Polischuk merges her theatre roots and pop production in Showtunes, a new album celebrating storytelling, authenticity and community.
MacEwan alum and local artist Jorja Polischuk performs a song from her debut album Showtunes during her release show at The Aviary on Sept. 17. Photo credit: Lyra Brown
EDMONTON — MacEwan University alum Jorja Polischuk returned to Edmonton’s stage on Sept. 17 to celebrate the release of her new album Showtunes with a live performance at The Aviary that blended Broadway emotion with indie pop authenticity.
The performance marked a full-circle moment for Polischuk, who graduated from MacEwan’s Theatre Arts and Music programs. Backed by a five-piece band of local musicians, she filled the room with theatrical energy and candid humour, connecting with the audience through storytelling and song.
“It felt like the right moment to share music that connects us through storytelling,” Polischuk said. “In a world that feels divided, these songs remind us of our shared humanity.”
Showtunes reimagines the spirit of musical theatre through contemporary production, reflecting Polischuk’s diverse creative background. A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, she describes her artistic process as one rooted in authenticity.
“The beauty of having a broad skill set is the freedom that comes with it,” she said. “You have full control over the creative process, and in the end, you’re left with something that’s entirely you.”
Her time at MacEwan helped shape that sense of creative independence. “The Theatre Arts and Music programs really grounded me in storytelling,” Polischuk said. “They taught me discipline, collaboration and how to bring emotion to every note.”
Audience members echoed that sense of connection. Emma Ryan, a MacEwan alum and longtime friend, said the concert was “an awesome initiative” that brought together Polischuk’s two worlds: musical theatre and recording. “It’s so inspiring to see someone from our program continue to grow and take risks,” she said.
Beyond performance, Polischuk is now sharing her experience with a new generation of musicians as a vocal instructor. “Teaching keeps me grounded,” she said. “It reminds me why I fell in love with music in the first place. It’s about joy, vulnerability and expression.”
As the final notes of Showtunes echoed through The Aviary, the night felt less like a standard album release and more like a celebration of artistic evolution — and of a MacEwan alum whose story has come full circle.
