Written By Jani Lauzon and Kaitlyn Riordan
1939
A Canadian Stage and Belfry Theatre joint production in association with The Stratford Festival
Canadian Stage has four homes spread across our great city. The Bluma Appel and the Berkeley Street Complex bookend the vibrant St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood and run along what was once the shore of Lake Ontario. Our beautiful High Park Amphitheatre is nestled within the grassy mounds and forests of our city’s most beloved park. Our most recent addition, the Winter Garden Theatre, is located right in the bustling downtown core. Canadian Stage is grateful to be able to tell our stories on this bountiful land that we all share.
This sacred land has held story for thousands of years: stories that live in the fabric of who we are as a nation. Canadian Stage would like to acknowledge and thank the original caretakers and knowledge keepers of this territory: the Anishinaabe Nations (including the Mississaugas of the Credit), the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Wendat and Métis Nations. We give thanks to the Nations recorded and unrecorded, acknowledged and unacknowledged, who also share the responsibility for this territory. We honour the Dish With One Spoon Treaty and our responsibility to peaceably share and care for the resources that surround us. We are honoured to be in this meeting place called Tkaronto that many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people from across Turtle Island call home.
1939
Thank you to performance underwriters Huw Evans & Kathryn Bird, M. Fainer, and the Remembering Otto and Marie Pick Charitable Foundation for their support of 1939
Cast
Brefny Caribou
Susan Blackbird
Merewyn Comeau
Evelyne Rice
Richard Comeau
Joseph Summers
Jani Lauzon Director & Co-Playwright
Kaitlyn Riordan Co-Playwright
Jessica Carmichael Dramaturge
Joanna Yu* Set Designer
Sim Suzer
Associate Set Designer
Asa Benally
Costume Designer
Barbara Morrone-Sanchez
Associate Costume Designer
Louise Guinand* Lighting Designer
Sruthi Suresan
Associate Lighting Designer
Josh Vlodarchyk Head Technician, Lighting
Karen Elizabeth House Technician, Audio
Camille MacDonald Pre-Production Operator, Lighting
Catherine Fitch
Sian Ap Dafydd
Nathan Howe
Father Callum Williams
Grace Lamarche
Beth Summers
Creative
Wayne Kelso
Sound Designer & Composer
Heyo: te’dok a.k.a
Kelly ‘Fran’ Davis Spiritual & Cultural Advisor
Sarah Miller Stage Manager
Maya Bowers Assistant Stage Manager
Richard Comeau Fight Director
Amanda Lisman Fight Captain
Jane Gooderham
RP/Cockney/French Dialect Coach
Crew
Mairead Canning Dresser
Adelaide Hobson Wigs & Hair
Sharon Ryman Hair and Wigs Coordinator
Amanda Lisman Madge Macbeth
John Wamsley Jean Delorme
Waawaate Fobister with Roger Fobister Sr. Anishinaabemowin Translations/Language Coaching
Wahsonti:io Kirby Kanien’kéha Translations/ Language Coaching
Emma Edwards Land Acknowledgment Recordings
Bell & Bernard Ltd. Reflection Space Facilitation
Trina Moyan Bell
Sarah Chegahno Shak Gobert Angel Brant Reflection Space Facilitators
Erin Halls
Karen Donaldson
Johanna Edward Stitchers
Geoff Hughes Cutter
Canadian Stage is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages professional Artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the terms of the jointly negotiated Canadian Theatre Agreement. Stage Employees of the Berkeley Theatre are represented by Local 58 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees *Indicated designers on this production are represented by the Associated Designers of Canada, IATSE Local SC659
This performance runs 2.5 hours with a 20 minute intermission
Great performances live here.
At BMO, we take pride in our local communities, and the artists that contribute to the cultural diversity and creative richness of our cities.
We are proud to be Canadian Stage’s 2024/2025 Season Sponsor and Access Partner.
Fall On Your Knees (2024). Photo by Dahlia Katz
Acknowledgements
1939 was originally commissioned by the Stratford Festival, Ontario, Canada.
Special thank you to Shakespeare in the Ruff who, through the Canada Council, helped support the initial script development.
The Premiere production opened on September 11, 2022 at the Studio Theatre.
Antoni Cimolino, Artistic Director & Anita Gaffney, Executive Director.
Jani Lauzon and Kaitlyn Riordan are members of the Playwrights Guild of Canada.
The playwrights wish to thank the following for their support of 1939:
Antoni Cimolino, Anita Gaffney, Keira Loughran, ted witzel and Rachel Wormsbecher from the Stratford Festival; Eva Barrie and AJ Richardson from Shakespeare in the Ruff; Rev. Dr. Stephen Drakeford and Nancy Hern from the Anglican Church of Canada and its archives, Krista McCracken from the Algoma University archives, Rebecca Burton from The Playwrights Guild of Canada, Keith Barker, Jessica Carmichael, Alessandro Costantini, Waawaate Fobister, Roger Fobister Sr., David Mildon, Sorouja Moll, Yvette Nolan and all the folks at YES! Theatre. And most importantly our Elder Script Consultants: Pauline Shirt, Shirley Horn, Edna Manitowabi, Elizabeth Stevens.
And:
The playwrights would also like to thank the actors and stage managers who participated in past workshops or productions; Marion Adler, Brendan Chandler, Kat Chin, Richard Comeau, Morgan Cook, Lisa Cromarty, Jake Deeth, Sarah Dodd, Deborah Drakeford, Sheldon Elter, Jacklyn Francis, Sarah Gartshore, Renate Hanson, Robert Harding, Braiden Houle, Nicole Joy-Fraser, Madison Kalbhenn, Wahsonti:io Kirby, Shira Leuchter, Cheri Maracle, Kathleen MacLean, Brendan McMurtry-Howlett, Jeff Meadows, Chris Mejaki, Lisa Nasson, Joelle Peters, Gregory Prest, Mike Shara, Tara Sky, James Dallas Smith, Kelsey Tyson, Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone, Gordon Patrick White, Katie Wise and Mackenzie Wojcik.
Canadian Stage would like to give special thanks to YES Theatre Sudbury.
We believe that when people participate in their community, good things can happen.
TD is proud to support Canadian Stage.
As part of our goal to help people feel a sense of belonging in their communities, TD supports arts and culture events, initiatives, and organizations across North America that amplify diverse voices.
Learn more at td.com/artsandculture
Director’s Note
Directing 1939 has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. In June of 2024, Survivors of the Shingwauk Residential School, along with their families, gathered outside on a beautiful sunny day in Sault St. Marie to listen to a staged reading I had the pleasure of directing. To have the Survivors there, smiling, laughing, crying… I have no words. The five Indigenous students in 1939 are based on Survivors journeys of strength, tenacity, resilience and the most incredible courage. The students are resourceful young people who are struggling to find their way through a system thrust upon them. A system that, at its core, had/has a malice intent. And while the figures of authority in 1939 are not representative of the monsters that permeated the schools, they are, as a result of their own dreams and desires, complicit.
In 1885 John A. Macdonald, in response to the Red River Resistance said:…”we have done all we could to make them work as agriculturists;… and forgetting all the kindness that had been bestowed upon them,..in trying to rescue them from barbarity; forgetting that we had given them reserves,--, they rose against us.”
He goes on to say: “we must vindicate the position of the white man, we must teach the Indians what law is…”
The Survivors I have had the pleasure to meet and get to know have worked hard all their lives to find peace, love and self acceptance after experiencing unspeakable things as a result of the assumption of superiority instilled by men like Macdonald. Their strength continues to humble me. They remind me of why doing this work is important. Thanks to Canadian Stage and The Belfry Theatre for recognizing the importance of this story, this glimpse inside a system intent on breaking the spirits of Indigenous children. This is not just a play. This is an offering to you all. And through the power of storytelling, using Shakespeare as a playground, (for all you Shakespeare neigh-sayers, I say blame the system not the artist), we are here to honour the Survivors and to build on this journey that we are calling reconciliation.
Jani Lauzon
After each performance of 1939, Canadian Stage will host a Reflection Space in the form of a post-show conversation. This is a dynamic discussion guided by an Indigenous facilitator that invites audience members to join a circle and reflect on their experience of the production. Our aim is to create a culturally aware and sensitive experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous audience members. The Reflection Space will happen in the theatre shortly after the play ends.
Brefny Caribou – Susan Blackbird
Brefny Caribou is a performer, writer, and educator of Cree/Irish-settler descent based in Tkaronto. Holding an MFA in Acting from York University she loves telling Indigenous stories and making people giggle. She has worked across Turtle Island on productions of The Tempest (Theatre Rusticle), Otîhêw (Shakespeare in Action), and completed 3 seasons at the Stratford Festival in Little Women (Beth March), and The Rez Sisters (Zhaboonigan Peterson). Brefny has worked as an Acting Tutorial teacher at Sheridan College since 2019 and is entering her 3rd year facilitating the Indigenous Arts Program at the Paprika Festival. Her writing has been featured in many festivals including Groundswell (Nightwood Theatre), Brave New Works (Theatre Aquarius) and the Weesageechak Begins to Dance festival (NEPA).
Merewyn Comeau – Evelyne Rice
Merewyn Comeau (she/they) is a multidisciplinary artist who lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations in “Vancouver, B.C.” She is a graduate from Capilano University’s Musical Theatre program. Identifying as Western European settler with mixed Indigenous ancestry, navigating, and reclaiming their paternal lineage is a transformative journey that continues to challenge, shape, and heal them. This healing is ongoing and one she deeply honours; continuing to listen, learn and seek answers. Select credits include the world premieres of: Les Filles du Roi (Urban Ink), Sedna (Caravan Farm), Echoes of the Homesick Heart (Western Canada), Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish (Axis), The Mixolydian (Green Thumb), and Elephant and Piggie’s “We are in a Play!” (Carousel/Canadian Premiere).
Richard Comeau – Joseph Summers
Richard is an Indigenous actor, fight director and is proud to be the first Indigenous person to become a Certified Fight Instructor with Fight Directors Canada. Richard had the privilege of playing Joseph in the world premier of 1939 at the Stratford Festival in 2022 and is beyond excited to reprise the role in his Canadian Stage debut. Theatre credits include King Lear, Much Ado, 1939, Hamlet-911 (Stratford); Liars At a Funeral (Magnus Theatre); 1939 (YES/ Sudbury Theatre Centre); Crazy Dave Goes To Town (Centre for Indigenous Theatre). Film/TV credits include Star Wars Battlefront II: Official Rivals (Disney/Lucas Films); Extraordinary Canadians: Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont (CBC/PMA Biographies). Fight Direction credits include Shaw Festival, Magnus Theatre, Yes Theatre, Soulpepper, and Native Earth. For Tashana and all my relations. Miigwetch!
Catherine Fitch – Sian Ap Dafydd
Catherine is very grateful for the opportunity to share this story with you. Canadian Stage credits include: Dancing At Lughnasa and The Wooden Hill. Other Theatre credits include: POTUS (Segal Centre); Gloria: A Life (Harold Green Theatre); Cakewalk, If Truth Be Told, The Berlin Blues, Falling: A Wake (Blyth Festival); Her Inside Life (Assembly Theatre - Dora Nomination); Prairie Nurse (Factory Theatre/ Thousand Islands Playhouse); Dead Metaphor (Theatre Aquarius). Catherine has appeared on screens both big and small and was nominated for 3 Canadian Screen Awards for her roles in This is Wonderland and Living in Your Car and won a Gemini Award for her role in Butterbox Babies. It is an honour to be a part of this production.
Nathan Howe – Father Callum Williams
Nathan (he/him) is an actor/playwright with an MFA in Scriptwriting from TMU, BFA in Acting from USask, and is a graduate of The Globe Theatre Conservatory. He lives in Vancouver with his fiancee, Pippa, and their cat, Goalie. Recently he did sound design for Hamlet (Shakespeare on The Sask) and participated in Green Thumb Theatre’s Playwrights’ Gym. Acting credits in this neck of the woods include: Women of The Fur Trade (Stratford), Red Velvet (Crow’s), Icemen (TBTB), Perfect Wedding (TIP), Matchstick (GCTC), Seminar (Mirvish/MTC), and three seasons at The Blyth Festival. Up next he’s directing Mr Burns (Live Five) and performing in Women of The Fur Trade (Globe). Nathan’s thrilled to be back in Tkaronto, working with pals.
Grace Lamarche – Beth Summers
Grace Lamarche is a Cree/Metis actor and theatre artist based in Toronto. She is so excited to be making her Canadian Stage debut. Other theatre credits include: Weltamultiek (director/Paprika Festival), Skyscraper (actor/ Paprika Festival), Birth (actor/Toronto Fringe), Blood Wedding, Cymbeline, Per Gynt and Engaged (George Brown Theatre School). Grace is a graduate of George Brown Theatre School and the Paprika Festival’s Director’s Lab.
Amanda Lisman – Madge Macbeth
Amanda is grateful to live on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən Peoples (Songhees and Esquimalt Nations) and WSÁNEC Peoples. A graduate of the University of Victoria (Anthropology), University of Alberta (Acting), The Citadel Banff Theatre Program, and Stratford Festival’s Birmingham Conservatory, Amanda’s theatre credits include three seasons at the Stratford Festival (Titus Andronicus, Cyrano de Bergerac and others), performances with Alberta Theatre Projects (Betty Mitchell Award, Venus in Fur), Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, The Segal Centre, The Arts Club, The Citadel, Blue Bridge (Critics’ Choice Spotlight and M Awards, My Fair Lady), and The Belfry. TV credits include Suits, iZombie, and Supernatural. Amanda is also a theatre educator and a community support worker.
John Wamsley – Jean Delorme
John Wamsley is of Anishinaabe-Ojibwe and British descent, and a member of the Alderville First Nation. He is an actor, dancer and theatre creator. Theatre credits include: Richard II, Grand Magic, Love’s Labour’s Lost, 1939 (Stratford Festival); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare BASH’d); Timothy Findley’s The Wars (Grand Theatre); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Hart House Theatre); The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Erindale). Film and TV credits include: Save the Date (Watersign Productions); Revenge of the Black Best Friend (CBC Gem). John is a graduate of the Theatre and Drama Studies Program at the University of Toronto Mississauga and Sheridan College. Big love to Mom, Dad, Meagan, and Andrew. Thank you for everything. For more: www.johnwamsley.ca
Creative
Jani Lauzon – Director & Co-Playwright
Jani Lauzon is a director/writer/multidisciplinary performer of Métis/ French/Finnish ancestry. Canadian Stage credits: Comedy of Errors, R&J, St. Carmen of the Main. She is multi-nominated actress/writer/ director/singer songwriter and puppeteer. Directing awards: John Hirsch Director’s Award (OAC) and Toronto Critics Best Directors Award. Her company Paper Canoe Projects produces her own work: A Side of Dreams, I Call myself Princess, and Prophecy Fog. Director credits include: Yaga (Belfry), Where the Blood Mixes and Almighty Voice and his Wife (Soulpepper), Rope (Shaw Festival) I Call myself Princess (The Globe Theatre). Memorable theatre; Cordelia/Fool (NAC), Shylock (SITR) and the Neighbour/Servant (Modern Times/Aluna Theatre). www.janilauzon.com; www.papercaneoprojects.com.
Kaitlyn Riordan – Co-Playwright
Kaitlyn Riordan is an actor and a playwright of Irish and French descent. She lives in Tkaronto, but originally hails from Tiohtià:ke. She was part of the leadership team at Shakespeare in the Ruff from 2012-2021. Theatre acting credits include: Orphan Song (Tarragon), Noises Off! (Segal Centre), Maggie & Pierre (Thousand Islands Playhouse, Timeshare, The Grand), The Merchant of Venice & Blythe Spirit (Stratford), The Winter’s Tale, Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Cymbeline, and Two Gents (Shakespeare in the Ruff). Playwriting credits include: Portia’s Julius Caesar (Shakespeare in the Ruff, Hart House, Little Lion Theatre - UK) and 1939 (Stratford, Sudbury Theatre Centre). Plays in development include Gertrude’s Hamlet, I Sit Content – a story of Emily Carr, and The Nude Nun. Kaitlynriordan.com
Joanna Yu – Set Designer
Joanna is an award-winning set and costume designer working mostly in theatre, dance, and opera. Canadian Stage credits include: Maanomaa, My Brother (costumes); How to Fail as a Popstar (set & costumes); Much ado about Nothing, Measure for Measure (set). Recent credits include: Salesman in China (set, Stratford Festival); Snow in Midsummer (costumes, Shaw Festival); Three Sisters (set, Soulpepper/Obsidian); Prison Dancer, the Musical (set, Citadel, NAC); The Queen in Me (set & costumes, COC, NAC); ‘da Kink in my Hair (set, Soulpepper/TO Live); Forgiveness (costumes, Arts Club/Theatre Calgary). Joanna is the recipient of the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award, the Pauline McGibbon Award, and a Dora. Joanna serves on the board of directors for the Associated Designers of Canada (ADC659).
Sim Suzer – Associate Set Designer
Costume Designer for A Year With Frog and Toad (The Capitol Theatre), Costume Designer for Dark of the Moon (George Brown College), Set Designer for Sweeter (Cahoots Theatre), Set Designer for Bad Roads (Crow’s Theatre), Costume Designer for Love’s Labour’s Lost (Stratford Festival), Set and Costume Design for The Game of Love and Chance and A Grand Night for Signing (Shaw Festival), Set Designer for Anahita’s Republic (Bustle and Beast), Costume Design for Low Pay? Don’t Pay! (George Brown College), Costume designer and Associate Set Designer for Everybody (Shaw Festival), Set and Costume Design for our place (Cahoots Theatre), Costume Design for Munsch (George Brown College), Costume Design for In This (Tiger Princess Dance Projects) Online: simsuzer.com
Asa Benally – Costume Designer
Citizen of the Navajo and Cherokee Nations. The Rez Sisters, 1939 (Stratford Festival); T’əl - The Wild Man of the Woods (The Royal Winnipeg Ballet): The Clearing (The Shaw Festival); Whale Song, Devilfish (Perseverance Theater); The Winter’s Tale (HERE Arts Center); Seven Minutes (Waterwell); Where We Belong (Woolly Mammoth Theater, Baltimore Center Stage, The Goodman Theater, The Public); Mrs. Warren’s Profession (The Gingold Group); Blues for an Alabama Sky (Keen Company, Drama Desk Nomination); Somewhere Over the Border (Syracuse Stage); Too Heavy For Your Pocket (George Street Playhouse); Skeleton Crew (Westport Country Playhouse); Father Comes Home… (Juilliard); Measure for Measure (The Public Theater Mobile Unit); Cymbeline (Yale Repertory Theater); The Taming of the Shrew, Measure for Measure (Frog and Peach Theater Co.); The Brobot Johnson Experience (The Bushwick Starr); Tricks the Devil Taught Me (Minetta Lane Theater); Coriolanus, The Seagull (Yale School of Drama); Roberto Zucco (Yale Cabaret). Training: M.F.A Yale School of Drama. B.F.A. Parsons School of Design. www.asabenally.com, Instagram: @Asa_Benally_Design.
Barbara Morrone-Sanchez – Associate Costume Designer
Barbara is an emerging costumer with a passion for design. Canadian Stage credits include; Dresser for Public Enemy. Other theatre credits include; Assistant Costume Designer Romeo & Juliet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Women of the Fur Trade, and Casey & Diana (Stratford Festival).
Louise Guinand – Lighting Designer
Louise Guinand has designed lights for over 600 productions at theatres across Canada and in the U.S. including over 15 productions for Canstage. Her work has been seen at Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Grand Theatre, National Arts Centre, Tarragon, Globe Theatre, New York Shakespeare Festival and Kennedy Centre amongst many other theatres. She has received multiple nominations from the west coast to the east coast of Canada. Louise is a graduate of Queens University and National Theatre School of Canada as well as a member of IATSCE Local ADC659
Sruthi Suresan – Associate Lighting Designer
Sruthi is a Toronto-based Lighting Designer. Past credits include Lighting Design: The Two Noble Kingsman (Shakespeare BASH’d) Legally Blonde, London Road (MacEwan University); La Boheme, Is He Dead?, Almost Maine, The Underpants, Stupid F***ing Bird, Threads: Impact (University of Wisconsin); The Drawer Boy (Port Stanley Festival Theatre); Three Sisters (University of Windsor). Associate Lighting Designer: FRONTIERS | FRONTIÈRES and WATER SPIRIT (Lua Shayenne Dance Company); Maggie: the Musical (The Savoy Theatre), The Rhubarb Festival (Buddies in Bad Times). Assistant Lighting Designer: Something Rotten, Romeo and Juliet, London Assurance, Rent, Much Ado About Nothing and Les Belles-Soeurs, Chicago, Hamlet, The Miser (Stratford Festival); White Girls In Moccasins (Buddies in Bad Times).
Wayne Kelso – Sound Designer & Composer
Wayne is a Métis composer/sound designer and musician from northwestern Ontario. He has toured throughout North America with a diverse group of performers including José Feliciano, Jimmy Rankin, Michael Burgess, Kim Stockwood, Dianne Heatherington, and Billy Newton-Davis. As a composer/sound designer, Wayne has created works for numerous plays for both CBC and live theatre. His score for Factory Theatre’s production of The Leisure Society was nominated for a Dora award in 2005. Wayne’s most recent scores include Stratford’s 2023 production of Grand Magic and The Belfry’s (Victoria) staging of Yaga. His most recent CD, North of Jazz, was released in Feb, 2022.
Heyo: te’dok a.k.a Kelly ‘Fran’ Davis – Spiritual & Cultural Advisor
Heyo: te’dok is her traditional name which loosely translates to End of the Field Before the Forest. She takes inspiration from her traditional name to help others at every opportunity to expand their knowledge. Fran feels privileged to share the wisdom passed down through generations of her ancestors. Embracing a holistic approach to the theatre experience has been rewarding in many ways, particularly in fostering historical dialogue with audiences. The 1939 production has sparked challenging yet essential conversations that contribute to reconciliation efforts. For over 20 years, Fran has facilitated reflection spaces for diverse audiences. Her approach has been effective in creating safe environments where varied perspectives can converge, leading to greater understanding.
Sarah Miller – Stage Manager
Sarah Miller is a freelance stage manager, mentor and instructor. Canadian Stage credits include: Fall on Your Knees. Other credits include: A Year with Frog & Toad, Little Shop of Horrors, (Capitol Theatre); Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Crow’s Theatre/Musical Stage); Bang Bang (Factory Theatre); The Runner (Human Cargo/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish); Lil’ Red Robin Hood (Ross Petty Productions); Sizwe Banzi is Dead, Innocence Lost, Of Human Bondage, Spoon River, A Christmas Carol, Hosanna, The Heidi Chronicles, Angels in America (Soulpepper Theatre); Orestes, Yaga (Tarragon Theatre); The De Chardin Project (Theatre Passe Muraille), Freedom Singer (Project Humanity).
Maya Bowers – Assistant Stage Manager
Maya is thrilled to be a part of this production. Canadian Stage credits include: Sweat. Other theatre credits include: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, (Crow’s/Musical Stage), The Master Plan, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Crow’s), King Gilgamesh and the Man of the Wild (Soulpepper/TRIA Theatre), Billy Elliot (Neptune), You and I, Antigone: 方 (Young Peoples Theatre), On Golden Pond (Drayton), The Curious Voyage (Talk is Free Theatre), Actually (Obsidian/Harold Green Jewish Theatre), The Christmas Express, The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby, Knickers!, Boeing Boeing (Upper Canada Playhouse), Trap Door (Theatre Sheridan).
Trina Moyan – Reflection Space Facilitation Team Leader
Trina is nehiyaw iskwew (Plains Cree) and a member of the Frog Lake First Nation in Northern Alberta. She began her career as a writer and producer for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and CBC television. Trina loves all things theatre and is a published playwright. When she isn’t acting she serves as a walking guide with First Story Toronto, sharing the Indigenous history of the city; is a muralist with Red Urban Nation Artists Collective; an educator at the U of T’s Daniel’s School of Architecture; and is co-founder of Bell & Bernard Ltd., a First Nations consulting firm.Trina is an award winning engagement and facilitation specialist whose work is inspired by her mother Jeanne – a residential school survivor.
Shadrak (Shak) Gobért – Reflection Space Facilitation Team
Shadrak Gobért is Plains Cree from Treaty 6 Territory and carries a love for sharing the Indigenous histories of Canada as a First Story Tour guide in Toronto. He found the stage during his time at university, and more recently developed a love for improv. As an engagement specialist he has worked with over 26 Urban First Nations Communities across Ontario, running programming, facilitating conversations, and fostering relationships. He has organized and facilitated community gatherings for large scale projects occurring on traditional territories and has served as the lead facilitator for public consultations for those communities. Shak is inspired by the power of story coming to life through performance and is motivated by the resilience of his family – residential school survivors.
Angel Levac (Brant) – Reflection Space Facilitation Team
Angel is a Cree woman from Opaskwayak Cree Nation who was adopted by the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. She resides in Tkaronto and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies at the University of Toronto. Angel leads the Youth Leadership Council at Indigenous Climate Action, hosting an annual 5-day Knowledge Gathering for Indigenous youth across so-calledCanada. She serves as a Kairos Blanket facilitator sharing the Indigenous history of Kanada and as an international panellist for climate and social justice issues. She currently organizes a Youth Leaders Zine and works with notable organizations and grassroots activists on consultation, facilitation and partnerships. Angel’s work is motivated by her joy in supporting the creation of healthy relationships between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Canadians.
Sarah Chegahno – Reflection Space Facilitation Team
Sarah is a dedicated Anishinaabek First Nation professional specializing in community consultation and engagement, with deep roots in Neyaashiinigmiing, Ontario. Born and raised in this vibrant community, she brings a profound understanding of Indigenous issues and a wealth of lived experiences to their work. As a skilled facilitator, Sarah excels in fostering meaningful dialogue and building strong connections between communities and organizations. Her expertise in navigating complex cultural landscapes ensures that the voices of Indigenous communities are heard and respected in all engagements.
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We are grateful to the following individuals who have very thoughtfully and generously remembered Canadian Stage in their estates. The Estate of Bluma Appel
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The Estate of John Gordon Hunter Larry Lubin
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We have made every effort to ensure proper recognition. If, however, your name has been accidentally omitted, listed incorrectly, or misspelled, we apologize. Please notify us at donate@ canadianstage.com with any corrections.
My Name is Barton Lucy
Maev Beaty. Photo: Lorne Bridgman
Thanks to our 24.25 Season Sponsors and Funders
Season Sponsor and Access Partner Bluma Appel Season Underwriter
John & Nancy Embry
Dream in High Park
Lead Corporate Sponsor Foundation Support
Production Underwriters & Sponsors
Alexandra Baillie
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Paul Maranger & Robert Brown
David W. Binet
Elaine Kierans & Shawn McReynolds
Trina McQueen, O.C.
Ian & Kiki Delaney
Education & Community Outreach
Lead Donor
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Lead Donor
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Emerging Artists Support
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Ed & Fran Clark
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TORONTO DOWNTOWN
Canadian Stage
Board of Directors
Hugh Clark Chair
Nimal Amitirigala
Sara Angel
Alexandra Baillie
Navin Bhat
David Bronskill Rupinder Dhillon
Management
Brendan Healy Artistic Director
Monica Esteves Executive Director
Daniel Bennett Director of Production and Facilities
Tanya Doroslovac Director of Marketing and Communications
Heather McMartin Director of Development and Campaigns
Beth Toombs Director of Finance and Administration
Artistic
Lynanne Sparrow Producer
Jordan Laffrenier Associate Artistic Director
Laurie Merredew Assistant Producer
Manuel Chaves Manager of Education and Community Engagement
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Sunitha Rai Manager, Payroll Administration and HR Support
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Colin Hennigar
Nina Josefowitz
Elaine Kierans
Frances Mahil
Fabio Mascarin
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Leslie Francombe
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Chris Faulkner
Senior Manager, Government Relations and Foundations
Luisa Kurtz
Senior Manager, Individual Giving
Gillian Hoff Manager of Special Events
Shaneill Floyd-Wlazlak Development Coordinator
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Shannon Tigert
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Madison Zinger
Senior Marketing Manager, New Audiences
Derek Ma
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Michael Crumpton Senior Sales Specialist
Audience Services
Conor Copeland Ticketing and Audience Services Manager
Faisal Butt
Assistant Ticketing Manager
Huw Evans Secretary
Trina McQueen
Qasim Mohammad
John Montesano
Drew Sinclair
Julie Sutherland
Vandana Taxali
Abbas Abbas
Peter Genoway
Elyssia Giancola
Mima Higashi
Alex Jackson
Colette Mbariko
Seamus Murphy
Sydnie Phillips
Henrique Santsper
Sienna Singh
Audience Services Staff
Production
Brayden Crawford Technical Director
Meg Woods
Production & Site Manager
Matthew Hadley
Building Operations Manager
Marshall Kidd Associate Technical Director
Kendalin Bishop Assistant Technical Director
Ian Kowalski Production Coordinator
Mary Spyrakis Head of Properties
Janet Pym Head of Wardrobe
Chynah Philadelphia Properties Assistant
Josh Vlodarchyk Head Technician
Ben Junor House Technician
Kate Counsel*
Apprentice Production Manager & Technical Director
The Belfry Theatre is thrilled to be collaborating with Canadian Stage on this production of Jani Lauzon and Kaitlyn Riordan’s hopeful and surprising play, with this fantastic cast of artists from BC and Ontario.
The Belfry is one of the country’s most respected professional theatre companies. Our primary focus is on Canadian playwrights and contemporary plays. We create and perform in our beautiful and extremely intimate 275-seat theatre, in the charming and funky neighbourhood of Fernwood, in the city of Victoria, on the traditional territories of the Songhees and the Esquimalt Nations. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live, create and perform on this territory.
“The only plays that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little further down our particular path than we have yet gone ourselves.”
This paraphrased quote from novelist E.M. Forster guides our programming—plays with rigorous ideas, addressing issues in the world around us. We have a stated commitment to the work of Indigenous artists, and actively pursue stories that embrace the diversity of this country’s population. The development of new work, through commissions, dramaturgy, workshops, readings and first productions, is central to our artistic mandate. It is our aim to produce plays that open doors to a new world or provide a new way of looking at the world we know, all the while weaving captivating stories.
Michael Shamata Artistic Director Isaac Thomas Executive Director
Thank you for attending!
By Jani Lauzon and Kaitlyn Riordan
My Name is Lucy Barton
By Elizabeth Strout
| Adapted by Rona
Munro
Playing Shylock
By Mark Leiren-Young
By Roland
Schimmelpfennig
| Translated by David Tushingham
By James ljames
by Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes