WELCOME TO OUR EXHIBITION AND PERFORMANCE On Common Ground is a performance project borne out of a collaboration between the Citizens Theatre and Debajehmujig Storytellers from Wikwemikong First Nation in Canada. It is part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme. Debajehmujig Storytellers is a community-based professional touring company dedicated to educating and sharing knowledge about the Anishnaabek people. The Citizens Theatre has been operating as a venue and theatre company in the Gorbals since 1945. It has an international reputation for its work on stage and for running an extensive year-round creative learning programme that provides a range of opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life to get involved in the creative life of the theatre. Inclusive community productions are a particular specialism and On Common Ground is one of the biggest we have staged to date. When Debajehmujig and the Citizens Theatre first met in 2011 at the International Community Arts Festival (ICAF) in Rotterdam, there was an immediate recognition of shared values and creative processes. Both companies are recognised for the strength of their connections with local communities and for engaging community participants with professionals in a celebration of humanity, creativity and the social bonds we share. Despite the many cultural, historical and geographical differences, both companies have the same outlook. On Common Ground is more than a play. It is a multiartform celebration that comprises a community cast, choir and orchestra of over 100 participants, an installation and
exhibition in the Citizens Theatre foyer, a programme of workshops with young people and a volunteer photography project. Many local Gorbals organisations including Givin’ it Laldie, Bridging the Gap, Way To Go CafÊ, The Rose Garden Orchard Group, Gorbals Healthy Living Network, St Francis Primary, Blackfriars Primary, St Francis Pipe Band, Gorbals Library, Gorbals Parish Church and Hutchesontown Community Council have been valued partners in the development of the project, as has WAVEparticle, who are spearheading the delivery of the Laurieston Arts Strategy with New Gorbals Housing Association and Urban Union. The story of On Common Ground follows the journey of a group of travellers from Manitoulin Island, Ontario, as they search for an important Anishnaabe cultural icon, the Thunderbird. Their travels lead them to a gathering of nations which is happening in Glasgow. They encounter a group of children, an injured bird, and a host of local characters and embark on a shared journey of discovery. The performance interprets the culture, history and spiritual world of the Anishnaabek people alongside the culture and social history of the Gorbals and its people. The Citizens Theatre is very grateful to the huge range of people involved in On Common Ground who have been instrumental in bringing the project to fruition, especially the dedicated team of participants and volunteers who have given so generously of their time.
The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a key part of the Games experience for spectators and visitors. Running until the end of August 2014, it will showcase the best of Scottish culture, alongside creative work from across the commonwealth and be a nationwide celebration of the Games, reaching its peak as Glasgow bursts into life at Games time. On Common Ground is part of Festival 2014 which is a Games-time celebration in Glasgow running alongside the sporting action. The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life and Creative Scotland.
DEBAJEHMUJIG STORYTELLERS FROM WIKWEMIKONG MANITOULIN ISLAND PERFORMERS AND CO-CREATORS Curtis Kagige Curtis joined the Internship Programme at Debajehmujig in 2012. He is an established B-boy and hip hop dancer from Wikwemikong First Nation. Curtis graduated from college in 2011 and chose to become an Arts Animator at Debajehmujig to continue inspiring and teaching youth through hip hop, graffiti arts and sound arts. Curtis is joining The Global Savages for the first time on their trip to Glasgow. In The Global Savages, Curtis is Pukawiis.
Joe Osawabine | Debajehmujig Artistic Director/ Performer/On Common Ground Co-Director Joe has held the position of Artistic Director for Debajehmujig Storytellers since 2004 and has been active in the arts since he was nine years old, first as an actor, musician, storyteller, fire breather, stilt walker, clown and then off stage as a technician, designer, trainer and production manager. In The Global Savages, Joe is Debajehmud.
Josh Peltier | Visual Design Collaborator Josh is a visual and performing artist and animator at Debajehmujig Storytellers. He began his performing career with Debajehmujig in 1994 and was one of the original members of the improvisation group that formed there. He remained with the company during the summers, whilst studying at Ontario College of Art and Design and after a decade as a successful independent artist he returned to Debajehmujig to open a Visual Arts Studio and department at The Creation Centre. In The Global Savages, Josh is Mudjeekawis.
Jessica Wilde-Peltier Jessica is a proud Ojibway woman from Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation. She joined Debajhemjujig Storytellers in 2005 on an Arts Animator Internship where she developed and honed her creation and performance crafts. She has done a lot of community work with youth throughout the North and has emerged as a role model in her community. She is an accomplished actor, vocalist and playwright, who has toured nationally and internationally with Debajehmujig and the University of Toronto. In The Global Savages, Jessica is Sky Woman (Giizhgokwe).
Bruce Naokwegijig Bruce is an Anishnaabe from Wikwemikong. He is an Arts Animator and Lead Trainer for the Internship and Residency Programmes at Debajehmujig’s Creation Centre, where he also coaches groups in both story and music creation. His debut performance with Debajehmujig was in Lupi – The Great White Wolf, the first full length play in the Anishnaabe language which toured Canada and the U.S. throughout the 1990s. Bruce was one of the original Debajehmujig improvisation group members, he has facilitated community training residencies and workshops among the First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada and throughout the far North. In The Global Savages, Bruce is Chibiabos.
Jeannette Corbiere Lavell | Debajehmujig Elder/ Cultural Ambassador Ms. Corbiere Lavell is an Anishnaabe woman and a member of the Wikwemikong First Nation, Manitoulin Island. In the 1970’s Ms. Lavell made an indelible mark on Canadian history when she challenged sex discrimination in the status registration provisions of the Indian Act. Ms. Lavell is a founding member of several Aboriginal women’s organizations and has travelled throughout the world representing Indigenous women. In October 2009, she received the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, which honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of women’s equality. She was also past President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada and current honorary board member of the Ontario Native Women’s Association. In the Global Savages Jeannette is Nokomis.
Ron Berti | Artistic Producer Debajehmujig Storytellers Ron has been the Artistic Producer for Debajehmujig Storytellers for the past 22 years and although not physically present here in Glasgow on this journey, Ron has been crucial to the overall success and development of this project. Ron was present when Debajehmujig and the Citizens Theatre first met in Rotterdam at the International Community Arts Festival three years ago. Without his valuable contributions, this project would not have been possible.
Joahnna Berti | On Site Producer for Debajehmujig Joahnna joined Debajehmujig in 1993 working in arts administration, marketing and community outreach. She began an improvisational theatre group with young members of the company in the summer of 1994, The Best Medicine Troupe. The group became an improvisation training and art education team that worked within First Nation communities across Canada. The company began accepting internships in 1997 and offered a full three year programme of arts education, community based training and original creation for emerging Aboriginal artists.
CREATIVE TEAM
Elly Goodman | Co-Director Elly is Community Drama Artist at the Citizens Theatre. She has made theatre and led creative projects with community and educational groups for 25 years in Scotland and internationally, collaborating with groups in Sweden, USA, the Netherlands and Canada. She has led projects with asylum seekers and refugees, adults with addiction and in recovery, homeless organisations, university students, school pupils and prisoners. She has co-directed a number of large scale, main stage community theatre productions alongside her colleague Neil Packham and works with the Citizens Theatre Community Collective. She also codirected the award-winning production of Divided City, working with large scale secondary and primary school pupil casts and is currently working on a three-year residency in HMP Barlinnie exploring drama, creative writing and performance with prisoners. Neil Packham | Co-Director Neil is the Community Drama Director at the Citizens Theatre. During his 13 years at the theatre he has co-directed large scale community productions on the main stage including Ice Cream Dreams, They Shoot Horses Don’t They?, Grapes of Wrath, On the Rim of the World and Sports Day as well as many other studio shows by the Citizens Community Company over the last decade. He has been involved in international collaborations in Sweden and the Netherlands and is currently involved in a three-year residency in HMP Barlinnie. He works regularly with asylum seekers and refugee groups and recent projects have included Here We Stay and Belong. Neil leads the Citizens Young Co., a theatre company for 18-22 year olds and has directed 14 productions with them. Janis Hart | Designer Janis has designed for many and varied theatre, dance and opera productions and worked as an art director in film. Theatre credits include residencies/associations at Theatre Royal Plymouth; Theatr Powys; Swan Theatre Worcester; London Bubble Theatre Company; South Hill Park Art Centre; Derby Playhouse and working freelance with companies and in spaces all over Britain. Recent productions have included award-winning Seven Deadly Sins and Dance Derby (Scottish Opera/Company Chordelia). Karen MacIver | Musical Director & Composer Karen works in theatre, film and dance as a music director, composer and arranger. She specialises in working with dance companies including Birmingham Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet. As a composer Karen has had numerous commissions including The Promise which was nominated for Critics’ Award in New York in 2011. Her other commissions include A Head of Steam (Scottish Opera) which won the 2010 British Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors Award and Flame commissioned to accompany part of the Olympic Torch run in 2012. Karen arranges and performs in her jazz trio The Swingcats and featured on keyboards with the ‘Anton and Erin’ tour by Strictly Come Dancing dancers. She is currently working with Hilary Brooks as PianoPiano on their debut album Dedicated… with each track dedicated to iconic women who have changed the course of history. Shelly Coyne | Choir Manager Shelly is the project Leader of Givin’ it Laldie, the community music project based in the Gorbals. She has been leading choirs and community singing groups for over 15 years and has developed a particular interest in the transformational element of community singing to improve well-being. She began developing her practice in Lancaster in 1997 and cemented her knowledge with a Masters in Community Music at Edinburgh University in 2008.
During this course she spent time in Albania living in a rural mountain community researching the effect on children of learning a second language through song. Through Shelly’s current work she has set up music groups across the Gorbals and beyond, working extensively across the community. Her work with the Lodging House Mission Choir and Scottish Opera resulted in writing an opera entitled Who Killed John King, excerpts of which were performed at The Royal Opera House. Jane Simpson | Movement Director Jane trained at Laban and has considerable experience as a teacher, choreographer and performer working mainly in Scotland. She has worked for many companies including Scottish Ballet, Indepen-dance, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and University of the West of Scotland. She currently teaches HND courses in drama, dance and music at Glasgow Clyde College. Anna Cocciadiferro | Costume Designer/Wardobe Supervisor Anna Cocciadiferro specialises in site-specific performance costume. She has previously worked with the Citizens Theatre on TAG projects with Dalbeattie High School. Recent costume design include Build Your World’s performance at Turner Contemporary, Mondrian and Colour; Conference of The Birds and The Quicken Tree in Edinburgh Botanical Gardens with Edinburgh University’s Music in the Community. She has also costumed aerial performances with All or Nothing, Iron Oxide and site-specific performances for Hogmanay. Anna is currently artist in residence at Highview Primary School and works with community groups whilst exhibiting with Free Painters and Sculptors. Community art projects include textile art and costume installation with Stitches in Time, Kensington Palace, The Tower of London and The Natural History Museum. Neil Haynes | Installation Design Neil is currently Head Scenic Artist at the Citizens Theatre. His previous designs include: Sports Day, Miss Julie, Far Away and Seagulls, Hansel and Gretel, After the End, Topdog/Underdog, My Name is Rachel Corrie, Grapes of Wrath, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (Citizens Theatre); Wendy Hoose (Birds of Paradise/Random Accomplice); Cooking with Elvis, Bliss and Mud, Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco (Tron Theatre, Glasgow); Roman Bridge, Transform Glasgow: Smiler (National Theatre of Scotland) and The Chooky Brae (Borderline Theatre Company). Marion Christie | Assistant Musical Director Marion Christie is a freelance musician working in theatre and dance. Over the years she has worked on many projects including education projects with Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland. This is her first time working with the Citizens Theatre and she is delighted to be involved with such an exciting international event. Elaine McKergow | Assistant Movement Director/Performer Elaine graduated in Acting and Performance last year from Langside College. Her recent theatre credits include Serve Cold (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) Ban This Filth (Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Theatre credits whilst training include Habeas Corpus, More Light, Cementville and Corpus Christi. She recently performed a reading of Alan Bissett’s newest play as Lady Banshee at this year’s SNP conference. Elaine will also be seen as Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty this coming panto season.
PRODUCTION SUPPORT Louise Allan - Promenade Manager Alexandra Bowie - Arts Engagement Suzanne Brady - Arts Engagement Jessica Brettle - Wardrobe Mistress Louise Brown - Youth Director Anya Clifford - Costume Assistant Richard Conte - Puppet Consultant Darren Diggle - Set and Costume Design Assistant & OCG Intern Fergus Dunnet - Steward Supervisor/ Design Assistant
Kirstie Edgar - Choir Assistant Suzie Ferguson - Steward Supervisor Gavin Jenkinson - Sound Designer Catherine King - BSL Interpretation Pearl Kinnear - Design Assistant Sarah Kinsey - Costume Assistant/Dresser Ari Liakeas - Costume Assistant Rachael Lightbody - Choir Assistant Shirley Marzella - Design Assistant Dave Mason - Production Manager Carly McCaig - Production Assistant
Russell McEwan - Site Manager Lucy McGreal - Steward Supervisor Christopher McKiddie - Audio Description Nicola Milazzo - Design Assistant Rachel Mimiec - Design Assistant Ian Murray - Sound Technician Katy Nicolson - Deputy Stage Manager Aoife O’Callaghan - Design Assistant Tim Parfitt - Steward Supervisor Valerie Rickis - Stage Manager Andy Stuart - Technician
Caroline Scott - Design Development; Project Phase Claire Sharp - Costume Assistant Rosanna Stone - Assistant Stage Manager Yvonne Strain - BSL Interpretation Colin Sutherland - Assistant Stage Manager Craig Sutherland - Design Assistant Stitches in Time - Specialist Embroidery Amy Tyler - Stage Management Support Eva Wewiorski - Admin Assistant Colin White - Youth Director
ON COMMON GROUND COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS Tanish Afre, Performer Emmanuel Anuforo, Performer Michael Aries, Performer Charlotte Baker, Choir Anne Bankier, Performer Dave Black, Percussion Alistair Barclay, Choir Anna Barclay, Choir Joan Barclay, Choir Tonileigh Barrie, Choir Jill M Beattie, Choir Maureen Benjamin, Choir Jane Bentley, Choir Angela Black, Performer Dean Boyle, Choir Grace Boyle, Choir Jan Bradshaw, Performer Kate Brailsford, Guitar Jane Britten, Choir Ali Brown, Choir George Campbell, Guitar Sheena Campbell, Choir Emily Carr, Violin Jay Carrigan, Performer Peter Chua, Photographer Corey Clark, Performer Mari Clark, Performer Tommy Coll, Performer Elliot Cooper, Performer Joe Curran, Performer Kadey-Leigh Dailly, Choir Erin Daly, Performer Shirley Davie, Choir Gary Dempsey, Performer Binta Ditchburn, Performer Amanda Donald, Choir Joan Donnelly, Choir Jean Duffy, Choir Michael Dunn, Electric Guitar
Kirstie Edgar, Choir Marjorie A.M. Ferry, Performer Glynn Forrest, Kit Andy Gallacher, Photographer Michael John Gammie, Performer Stephen Gavely, Choir Susan Gibb, Choir Abigail Gillespie, Performer James Goldie, Choir Lewis Gribben, Performer Stephen Hamilton, Clarinet Jack Hardie, Choir Kathleen Harrison, Performer John Harvey, Choir Molly Harvey, Choir Simon Hollands, Performer Peter Hope, Choir Ailie Hunter, Performer Emmalin Hyde, Choir Ibrahim Jabbie, Performer Michael Jordan, Performer Francesrose Kelly, Performer Elma Kennedy, Choir Tricia Kennedy, Choir Tony Khan, Performer Orla King, Performer Pushpa Kodika, Choir James Lawson, Performer William Leadbetter, Performer Eileen Leishman, Choir Vickie Lindie, Tenor Sax/Oboe Senga Lloyd, Choir Kimberley Logan, Performer Joella Lutala, Performer John Lynch, Choir Laura MacGinn, Choir Tony Maitland, Choir Eirinn Mallon, Performer Gwen Marriott, Choir
Ashley Mayer, Performer Carly McCaig, Performer Holly McCartney, Performer Pat McClean, Choir Wilma McCoid, Performer Tricia McColgan, Performer Isobel McCormick, Choir Amy McDonald, Choir Caoimhe McElwee, Choir Ellie McElwee, Choir Malcolm McFarlane, Guitar Bethany McGrath, Horn Eilidh McIssac, Choir Charlene McKellar, Choir Ann McKenna, Choir Edison McKenna, Performer Maeve McKinnon, Gaelic Singer Alison McLaughlin, Performer Kathy McNeil, Performer Maryanne Melvin, Performer Ruth Menzies, Flute Mary Miller, Choir Scott Miller, Performer Susan Miller, Choir Rebecca Miller, Choir Ross Milligan, Bass Lauren Mitchell, Clarinet Craig Morrison, Performer Noreen Morton, Performer Derek Motley, Choir Kathryn Munro, Performer Nathan Murphy, Performer Darren Murray, Performer Angel Newlands, Performer Anne Nicolson, Performer Pamela Niven, Choir Alrene Nunnery, Choir Jennifer Okudo, Performer Wendy Okudo, Performer
Keiran O’Neil, Performer Elisabeth Pollock, Choir Jodie Pollock, Performer Jennifer Port, Harp Darren Porter, Bass Helena Prentice, Choir Patricia Preston, Performer Taylor Quate, Performer Nancy Reede, Choir Maureen Reilly, Choir Norman Renaas, Choir Charlotte Riley, Alto Sax Lucy Robertson, Performer Gary Rowland, Performer David Rudden, Performer Beth Russell, Flute Joanne Savage, Performer Katie Scott, Choir Elaine Sexton, Violin Dave Simpson, Bass Betty Skelton, Performer Stephen Smart, Performer Muna Sultan, Performer Katrin Swan, Performer Paddy Swan, Performer Chrissie Taylor, Performer Jack Taylor, Performer Rachael Taylor, Performer Matt Todd, Choir Linda Tulloch, Choir Lynn Turner, Choir Amy Tuwor, Choir Jo Whiteford, Choir Jean Young, Choir Naoise Warner, Performer Claire West, Performer Anna Zhaney, Choir
Photo by Andy Gallacher
THE CITIZENS COMPANY Amy Angus, Drama Class Tutor Jackie Arbuthnott, Drama Class Assistant Tom Arnott, Front of House Lorraine Barclay, Stage Door Administrator Isabella Basset, Front of House Omar Bhatia, Front of House Catherine Bird, Payroll Supervisor David Black, Front of House Harriet Bolwell, Front of House Alex Brady, Box Office Supervisor/IT Suzanne Brady, Box Office/Drama Class Assistant Neil Bratchpiece, Front of House Laura Briggs, Front of House Marion Brochard, Front of House Louise Brown, Creative Learning Officer Andrew Bunton, Front of House Tess Campbell, Development Consultant Lara Carter, Drama Class Assistant Sally Conroy, Finance Consultant Lisa Corr, Drama Class Tutor Natalia Cortes, Company Stage Manager Elaine G Coyle, Head of Wardrobe Carol Cull, Housekeeper Maureen Dalton, Front of House Duty Manager Lesley Davidson, General Manager
Denise Differ, Box Office Manager Miriam Sarah Doren, Drama Class Assistant Michael Dorrance, Deputy Head of Workshop Ann Dundas, Housekeeper Lisa Dundas, Box Office Paul Dundas, Box Office/FOH Duty Manager Julia Easton, Box Office Sophie Fernie, Front of House Gillian Firth, Director of Development Neil Francis, Drama Class Tutor Jacky Gardiner, Front of House Harvey Gardner, Front of House Anne Gillan, Finance Officer Elly Goodman, Community Drama Artist Jamie Hayes, Head of Stage Neil Haynes, Head Scenic Artist Jill Henderson, Drama Class Assistant Dominic Hill, Artistic Director Guy Hollands, Associate Director (Citizens Learning) Stuart Jenkins, Head of Lighting & Sound Debbie Jones, Front of House Judith Kilvington, Executive Director Carmen Lam, Development Assistant
Campbell Lawrie, Box Office/ Drama Class Supervisor Karen Lee, Wardrobe Assistant/ Dresser Claire Lowney, Marketing Assistant Alison MacKinnon, Head of Marketing Lauren Macluskie, Front of House Ruaridh Mathieson, Front of House Carly McCaig, Creative Learning Assistant Erin McCardie, Front of House Morna McGeoch, Drama Class Tutor Mark McGrory, FOH/ Stage Door Administrator Michael McGurk, Front of House Lawrie McInally, Stage Door Administrator Jason McQuaide, Welder/Stage Technician Debbie Montgomery, Drama Class Tutor Jim Morrison, Bar Jacqueline Muir, Production Administrator Jack Mullen, Box Office Denis Murphy, Head of Workshop Emily Murphy, Front of House Keren Nicol, Senior Marketing and Press Officer Petriece O’Donnell, Front of House Cathy O’Neill, Deputy Stage Manager
Neil Packham, Community Drama Director Sam Packham, Front of House Marion Quinn, Front of House Sami Sharif, Front of House Andy Smith, Housekeeper Angela Smith, Education Officer Ann Smith, Housekeeper Laura Smith, Deputy Head of Lighting & Sound Lorna Stallard, Front of House Graham Sutherland, Head of Production Anna Thompson, Front of House Marc Thompson, Digital Marketing Officer Erin Tighe, Drama Class Assistant Chris Traquair, Head Flyman/ Technician Martin Travers, Producer (Citizens Learning) Andrew Turner, Stage Door Administrator/FOH Duty Manager Colin White, Drama Class Tutor/ Supervisor Ross Williamson, Building Supervisor Richard Young, Lighting and Sound Technician
SPECIAL THANKS Roz Adams Christina Mary Hendrie Trust Emma Corcoran (Green Olive) Gorbals Library Gorbals New Housing Association Gorbals MOT Centre Gorbals Tyre Centre
GP Green Recycling Sue Fleming Karen Hutchinson Tricia Ingram Libby Jackson Carol Laula Gary Lynass
Peter McCaughey (WAVEparticle) Gerry Mellon, Evening Times Anthony O’Doibhailein John Pope Mary Rocks Eugene Van Ervan (International Community Arts Festival)
Shirt printing Greig at www.logotechprint.co.uk Sunny Govan Radio Scottish Opera Stitches in Time Fabricworks Team www.stitchesintime.org.uk
Citizens Theatre & Debajehmujig Storytellers warmly acknowledge support from:
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $157 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.
an Ontario government agency un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario