Few performers embody the spirit of live entertainment quite like Katherine Bissonnette. Named Entertainer of the Year at the 2025 Canadian Event Awards, the Montreal-based founder of L’Espionne Russe Productions is a shapeshifter, a storyteller, and a creative force reshaping the boundaries of performance art in the event industry.
With nearly two decades of professional experience—and over 90 appearances at major events across Quebec, Ontario, and internationally in the past year alone—Katherine’s journey results from unrelenting curiosity, theatrical flair, and entrepreneurial grit. Her nickname, L’Espionne Russe (The Russian Spy), says it all: she’s a woman of many faces, roles, and talents.
From jazz vocalist to costumed roaming character, from body-painted android to retro cabaret icon, Katherine’s performances are always immersive, personalized, and unforgettable. This year, she lit up some of the industry’s highest-profile stages, including Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios red carpet premiere, the Montreal Grand Prix’s Legend Hall of Fame at the Ritz-Carlton, and the Diane Dufresne retrospective, where she even helped assemble the famed singer’s iconic symphonic gown.
But her success isn’t built on solo stardom. Katherine is a passionate collaborator and mentor who regularly works with over a dozen artists and performers. She’s also a costume designer, makeup artist, creative director, and business developer—a rare hybrid who thrives onstage and behind the scenes.
Her evolution into a sought-after host and emcee for galas and festivals in 2024 marked another milestone, adding polish and poise to an already dynamic skill set. And as corporate and public events shift toward immersive, emotionally engaging experiences, Katherine continues to deliver tailor-made performances that connect on a deeper level.
Some of her most notable creations this year include the “Or du temps” characters for Kurios, designed to evoke a steampunk Victorian train station through silent, poetic movement; the evolving Android for Printemps Numérique, embodying the transformation from machine to human over three days; and Adelia, the cherished character at Festival des Couleurs de Rigaud who remembers guests year after year—especially the children who’ve grown up alongside her.
Katherine’s ability to translate brand identity into live performance has made her a favourite among agencies like FK13 and clients including Casinos du Québec, AMG Mercedes, and Champagne Events. Whether she’s reimagining galas with mobile blackjack tables and futuristic couture or belting out rockabilly medleys on the Mercedes/Louboutin stage, her artistic instinct and business acumen go hand in hand.
In 2024, she rebranded her company as L’Espionne Russe Productions, expanding her portfolio with original concepts and turnkey performance packages. Her work remains deeply inspired by longtime collaborator Lorie Hamel, whose costume and character artistry are central to many of Katherine’s creations.
In an industry increasingly hungry for depth, versatility, and authenticity, Katherine Bissonnette stands apart—not by chasing trends, but by setting them.
For planners looking to leave a lasting impression, her name has become synonymous with immersive brilliance. And as Entertainer of the Year, it’s clear her best work is still ahead.
To learn more about Katherine Bissonnette & L’Espionne Russe Productions, visit their website and social media pages.
