NEPA Newsletter February 2006.pub
Transcription
NEPA Newsletter February 2006.pub
n e w s l e t t e r WISH LIST NATIVE EARTH PERFORMING ARTS O F Jesse Wente Jed DeCory Susan Crean Rex Buckle PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER James Cullingham and Naomi Powless E R S O N N E L Photography by Leon Aureus P n e w s l e t t e r [ Billets for visiting artists from out of town O R S A HEARTFELT THANKS! To the Creator, for the safe and healthy birth of beautiful Jackson to parents Craig Lauzon & Tracy O’Connor Congratulations! Lauzon Lauzon. A shout out to the wonderful people at Nightswimming, Mammalian Diving Reflex To Sandra and DvXT staff for lending us their nice, spacious room to use for our recent reading LeFrancois & David Yee for pitching extra in manpower Volume 17, No. 3 - Winter, 2006 NATIVE EARTH T AKES IT P ERSONAL during Dreary & Izzy h D IRECT 2 0 0 5 - 2 0 0 6 O A R D i Toronto Arts Council for offering a grantwriting workshop to our Young f f Voices playwrights donors to Turtle Gals The Scrubbing Project Jani Lauzon, Monique Mojica, Michelle St John, Michelle Latimer, Cheri MaracleCardinal, Craig Lauzon, Ryan Cunningham, Cliff Cardinal, Sara Sinclair, Falen Johnson, and Tara Beagan, directed by Kennedy MacKinnon and Yvette Nolan with choreography by Tamara Podemski. r All of the generous i B Native Earth t Native Earth a n Native Earth Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the financial support of: COMMUNITY LIAISON Baagwating Community Association The McLean Foundation Erika A. Iserhoff (second from left) WEBMASTER & DESIGNER o D y Nina Lee Aquino (far left) n Financial Supporters MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR b THEATRE ADMINISTRATOR Donna-Michelle St. Bernard (second from right) h p a BEST FRIENDS OF THE EARTH: Carol J. Andrews, Naomi Campbell, Gary Farmer, Thomas A. Fekete, Chris Johnson, Jonathan Kaplan, David Copelin & Diane Marshall, Dr. Mary Jane Miller, Roger D. Moore, Robert & Janet Nunn, James & Louisa O’Reilly, Frances Sanderson, Drew Hayden Taylor and Marjorie Trudeau. The Death of a Chief, Native Earth’s adaptation of Julius Caesar continues in development in February. FRIENDS OF THE EARTH: Ida Abrams, James Cullingham, Victoria Freeman, Fides Krucker, Sheila Linklater, Kenneth Lund, Grace B. Olds, Naomi Powless, Derek Quin, Carol Rowntree, Syana Performing Arts, Susan Sinclair, Sharon Shorty, Rose Stella, Kelly Thornton, Rosamond Vanderburgh, Marion de Vries, Marianne & Alan Weston, Roberta Wraith and Hersh Zeifman. 55 MILL STREET THE CASE GOODS BUILDING (#74), SUITE 300 TORONTO, ON M5A 3C4 TEL: 416.531.1402 FAX: 416.531.6377 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: WWW.NATIVEEARTH.CA CHARITABLE REGISTRATION # 119052116RR0001 Page 4 NATIVE EARTH PERFORMING ARTS IS TRULY THE GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF GEORGE CEDRIC METCALF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION. LIKE MANY ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE NEED TO IMPROVE OUR MARKETING AND TO DISCOVER NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE SO THAT WE MAY INCREASE OUR SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE FOUNDATION'S THREE-YEAR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES PROGRAM HAS ALLOWED US TO CREATE A FULL-TIME MARKETING COORDINATOR POSITION, NOW FILLED BY NINA AQUINO. AND Weesageechak audiences got a peek at the project in September, which incorporates movement, song, dance and personal stories into Shakespeare’s classic tale of ambition, community, power and betrayal. The February workshop will be the fourth week of work on the adaptation, and culminates with a showing at the Festival Of Original Theatre (FOOT) on February 18th at 7:30 pm at the Robert Gill Theatre at the University of Toronto, featuring DEVELOPMENT Volume 17, No. 3 - Winter, 2006 Volume 17, No. 2 - Winter, 2006 o SUPPORTERS OF THE EARTH: Rex Buckle, dd Kugler, Karen de Groot and Averie Wells. t Death Of A Chief Lorne Cardinal, Daniel David Moses, Harold Tarbell and Jesse Wente. o PATRONS OF THE EARTH: g r E M B E R S y National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Lance Sero Court M G To our favourite and most functional couchboy, Leon Aureus: a big, big thank you for making our staff pictures sexier and funkier every single time! h Yvette Nolan (far right) P MANAGING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Yvette Nolan’s play about the Mi’kmaq activist who worked with the American Indian Movement in the ‘70’s and who was murdered in 1975 is ten years old this year, so she and dramaturg Sarah Stanley have gone back into the script to see what difference a decade makes. Two men are charged with her death, and her profile is larger than ever… how will these facts change the story? Come and see in the workshop production at Factory Studio, March 3-5th, which features Michelle St John and Ryan Cunningham, with design by Christine Plunkett (set), Michelle Ramsay (lights) and Richard Lee (sound). Page 1 Native Earth WELCOME ERIKA! Well, since we were already chock full of artists in the office, we thought one more couldn’t hurt - and what an artist! You have already been introduced to our new Community Liaison, Erika A. Iserhoff through her stunning costume design in Turtle Gals The Scrubbing Project, as well as her work with Centre for Indigenous Theatre, designing on such shows as Stolen, Wiora, From Darkeness the Light is Heard, All My Relations and Dead White Writer on the Floor. Now that they’ve broken her in for us (thanks guys) we’re ready to work her to the bone. With two children at home (2 year old Isaac & 11 year old Austin) the hectic pace is nothing new, and Erika has dived right in, taking charge of the Tales Tour and the Young Voices Program. Originally from Cochrane, Ontario, she studied at George Brown College and OCAD, and has worked in film, television and theatre. It looks like the cosmos has paved the way for her to excel in a position which focuses on community, youth and education. Erika hopes to raise the public profile of First Nations theatre, bring enriching performances to remote communities and contribute to the telling of important stories. NEPA MEMBER PROFILE: DEREK QUIN Now retired, Derek Quin has always been key to the well-being of his community first as a teacher, and then as a Scarborough Public Library librarian for twenty-five years. A former member of the Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with the Native Peoples, he continues to make a vital contribution to the city through his volunteer work for the AIDS Committee of Toronto and the Parkinsons Society of Canada. Derek’s artistic muse is sated by performing with a community choir called the Annex Singers of Toronto. A Friend of the Earth, Derek Quin has had his eye on us for quite some time – going on ten years, in fact. After attending Thompson Highway’s Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing under Larry Lewis’ direction at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, that play remains his favourite Native Earth production. Derek is currently a fan of Darrell Dennis’ work as well. Derek continues to support Native Earth through a membership because he wants “to keep supporting Aboriginal culture and see good theatre about Aboriginal issues produced.” Page 2 Native Earth n e w s l e t t e r DREAMY & EASY n e w s l e t t e r LAST CALL! NATIVE EARTH PERFORMING ARTS AND THE OAC THEATRE CREATORS RESERVE PROGRAM The premiere of Tara Beagan’s Dreary and Izzy was a smash hit at the box office, with members of such diverse community groups as FAS World, Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto, Anishnabe Health, Brock University and Artists Mentoring Youth in attendance. Camellia Koo’s inviting, homey set combined with Lyon Smith’s music and Rebecca Picherak’s lighting to draw one and all effectively into the world of the Monaghan household. For three weeks, the talented cast (Sharon Bakker, Ryan Cunningham, Lesley Faulkner and Michaela Washburn) walked a tightrope between the story’s tragic and comic moments – and emerged triumphant, receiving a warm response from reviewers and audience alike, causing more than a few damp eyes in the house. NOW Magazine’s Jon Kaplan had kudos for the Dora Award winning playwright, recommending that audiences check out the show “if you want to see how a gifted playwright stages strong emotions.” A generous donation by NEPA member Lorne Cardinal enabled us to spread awareness about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders by awarding copies of Bonnie Buxton’s book, Damaged Angels to lucky draw winners. TALES TOUR 06: ALMOST READY FOR TAKE OFF We are very busy organizing and fine tuning the logistics around the Ontario tour of Tales of an Urban Indian, which will be on the road during April and May 2006 and making stops in Brantford, Peterborough, Kenora and Six Nations just for starters. We would like to send out a special thank you to the Ontario Arts Council for their funding that will help subsidize the tour. Darrell Dennis is currently performing Tales of An Urban Indian in Thunder Bay, which is being showcased at the Magnus Theatre. If you happen to be in the area it is a good opportunity to check out a great show. It opened on January 27 with the final performance February 11, 2006. Volume 17, No. 3 - Winter, 2006 NAME DROPPING This February Turtle Gals Performance Ensemble will be in Brantford with The Scrubbing Project presented by the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, then at the University of Guelph, the University of Waterloo and on the Six Nations Reserve. Visit www.turtlegals.com • OAC’ s Theatre Creators’ Reserve program is a recommender program that assists theatre creators in the development of new work. Recommenders receive applications directly from theatre artists and forward grant recommendations to officers for authorization and payment by the OAC. Native Earth is committed to the development of new work and fostering meaningful relationships with creators within the theatre community. RR . CA Choreographer’s Workshop were rehearsing down the hall from us at Dancemakers Studio and dropped by with dancer, Sarain Carson. The performance at Toronto Dance Theatre was a sold out show and word on the street is people were being turned away at the door. So a big congratulations goes out to Earth In Motion World Indigenous Dance Company and to all of the choreographers, dancers and composers. APPLICATION: FEBRUARY 15TH 2005 YOUNG VOICES UPDATE Volume 17, No. 3 - Winter, 2006 Santee Smith, who was also one of the choreographers for • the workshop stopped in to post audition notices for Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. She is seeking female and male dancers for the up-coming season of performances 2006/2007. Details at www.santeesmithdance.com • In partnership with PEN Canada and the Toronto Public Library, Diaspora Dialogues is excited to present the next installment of their monthly reading and performance events February 8th, 15th and 22nd, as part of the Keep Toronto Reading festival. Native Earth’s very own Yvette Nolan will be reading her newest piece with Royal Canadian Air Farce’s Craig More info at www.diasporadialogues.com. We would also like to welcome Candace Brunette to the Young Voices Program. Candace is Cree-French Canadian originally from Cochrane, Ontario. She currently works at First Nations House at University of Toronto, where she is also a student. We are always accepting applications for the Young Voices Program, so… if you know a young talented Native somebody who is, or could be a writer, send them our way. Penny Couchie, Julie Jamieson, Christine Friday and Tamara Podemski from the 3rd annual Aboriginal • HUDEADLINE FOR Amy White realizes that it is not the quantity but the quality that really matters when it comes to writing a good script. "Young Voices is a necessary program. It will help to unveil the next generation of writers for Indigenous Theatre. The support and professional resources available through YV’s has helped me to reach a level I didn't even know was within me. Thankyou to Native Earth for your support." has been in and about rehearsing down the hall from us. She will have a piece in the Rhubarb Festival called, Here, Boy! with direction by Patrick Beagan. The play is featuring Herbie Barnes, David Yee, and Chris Reynolds. It will be running between Feb15- Fe19 at 9:45pm, Tallulah’s Cabaret. Madame Beagan is also working on a new piece which will be presented in Nightwood Theatre’s Groundswell Festival of New Works by Women. So pull out those scripts from your bottom drawer, dust them off and turn them in! For more information on the Native Earth’s criteria and theatre creators’ reserve application procedures, go to: W W W! . N A T I V E E A R T H Y Tara Beagan • • Lauzon. Muriel Miguel was in town working with the Centre For Indigenous Theatre on a Story Weaving Workshop with CIT’s 2nd and 3rd year students, Melanie Blawin, Amy White, and Jeff Legacy. Their production Miikaanang – On the Road was showcased at St. Vladimir Institute January 27 & 28. It was an entertaining performance…good show guys! • Michaela Washburn is one busy talented actress. She has been chosen as one of the hosts on the new CBC television series, Hockeyville. For all of the hockey fanatic communities, if you think that your town could qualify to be in this series, then check out this website to enter: www.cbchockeyville.ca. If your town wins, expect to take home the title of KraftHockeyville! Page 3