Meet The Team: Vanessa Lazare

I’m Vanessa Lazare, and I bring Vancouver’s rich history to life as a storyteller on the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour and the Sinners and Sweets Tour. Though I grew up in Port Coquitlam, I currently reside in New Westminster.

My artistic journey includes a BFA in Performance Creation from Concordia University in Montreal, where my program focused on devised theatre and theatre as a means of activism. Since graduating, I’ve worked as a performer and educator across the Lower Mainland, gracing various stages and teaching theatre to aspiring artists.

What drew me to Forbidden Vancouver was the perfect blend of performance and genuine connection. After years in the restaurant industry, I missed the unique bond with guests. This role allows me to combine my love for dynamic storytelling with the joy of meeting and connecting with people discovering Vancouver’s fascinating past.

One of my favourite parts of this job is getting to uncover and share Vancouver’s crucial historical stories, making history engaging for everyone who joins our tours in Gastown. There’s nothing quite like the immediate energy of an engaged audience and the powerful connection when a group leans in, hangs on every word, and reacts to the performance.

For post-tour bites, I often recommend Meet (a vegetarian-friendly favourite!) or, for those with a sweet tooth, Lee’s Donuts in Gastown. When I’m not guiding, you’ll find me cooking, baking, or diving into my most niche hobby: puppetry and puppet making!