vol 24 • no 1 oct/nov 2016
JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE
a play by SIMON STEPHENS based on the novel by MARK HADDON
by AARON POSNER adapted from the novel by CHAIM POTOK TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE SEASON SPONSOR
SPONSORED BY
TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE
SOPH I E GRADE 12
CREATIVE SPARK?
E M B R A C E I T. AT T H E C O L L E G I AT E
HIGH SCHO OL
AT UNI VER SITY
COLLEGIATE.UWINNIPEG.CA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR When do we become adults? It’s certainly not at 18. The age of majority may allow us to drink, vote and sign a contract, but it doesn’t automatically grant us the independence and personal responsibility that characterize the truly mature. No, there’s another dividing line between child and grown-up. Looking back, we sometimes see this turning point as a dark river across the map of our lives, even when its fording moved us closer to the light of truth. It is the moment when we must defy our parents, and step into the future without them. In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Steven Schipper
15-year-old Christopher Boone is snapped out of his childhood by the killing of a neighbour’s dog. “Leave it
alone,” his widowed father says about Christopher’s need to find the murderer. But the boy can’t let it go. Despite his fears and his deep connection to the routines of their home, he sets out alone to find the truth, not only about the dog’s death, but about his own life. It is another kind of death that separates a young painter from his parents in My Name is Asher Lev. Though raised as an Hasidic Jew, Asher becomes intrigued by crucifixion scenes in the local art museum. To Asher’s parents, such scenes represent the essence of Christianity but, to Asher, they are an alluring mystery that must find expression through his art. If Asher and Christopher are to pursue their destinies with honesty and courage, they must be willing to break their parents’ hearts. Their odysseys out of childhood are uniquely their own, yet they share a profound archetypal truth. These stories are initiation rites as old as time and as fresh as tomorrow: death and rebirth trigger transcendence and the call to vocation. So let’s take these young men by the hand and follow them into their futures. Yours always,
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THEATRE ABBREVIATION LEGEND Arts Club Arts Club Theatre Company • Vancouver, BC ATF Atlantic Theatre Festival • Wolfville, NS ATP Alberta Theatre Projects • Calgary, AB BAM Brooklyn Academy of Music • NYC Bard on the Beach Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival • Vancouver, BC Belfry The Belfry Theatre • Victoria, BC Blyth Blyth Theatre Festival • Blyth, ON Broadway Theatre district • New York, NY CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Centaur Centaur Theatre Company • Montreal, QC Citadel The Citadel Theatre • Edmonton, AB COC Canadian Opera Company • Toronto, ON CS Canadian Stage • Toronto, ON Dora Dora Mavor Moore Award • Toronto, ON Drayton Drayton Entertainment • Ontario Dry Cold Dry Cold Productions • Winnipeg, MB Factory Factory Theatre • Toronto, ON GCTC The Great Canadian Theatre Company • Ottawa, ON Grand The Grand Theatre • London, ON Mirvish Mirvish Productions • Toronto, ON Moving Target Moving Target Theatre Company • Winnipeg, MB MTYP Manitoba Theatre for Young People • Winnipeg, MB NAC National Arts Centre • Ottawa, ON Necessary Angel Necessary Angel Theatre Company • Toronto, ON Neptune Neptune Theatre • Halifax, NS NFB National Film Board of Canada NTS National Theatre School of Canada • Montreal, QC Persephone Persephone Theatre • Saskatoon, SK PTAM Popular Theatre Alliance of Manitoba • Winnipeg, MB PTE Prairie Theatre Exchange • Winnipeg, MB
Rainbow Rainbow Stage • Winnipeg, MB RNT Royal National Theatre • London, England Royal Alex The Royal Alexandra Theatre • Toronto, ON RSC Royal Shakespeare Company • Stratford-upon-Avon, England RWB Royal Winnipeg Ballet • Winnipeg, MB Sarasvàti Sarasvàti Productions • Winnipeg, MB Segal The Segal Centre for Performing Arts • Montreal, QC Shaw Shaw Festival • Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON SIR Shakespeare in the Ruins • Winnipeg, MB Soulpepper Soulpepper Theatre Company • Toronto, ON Stratford Stratford Festival • Stratford, ON SummerWorks SummerWorks Theatre Festival • Toronto, ON TA Theatre Aquarius • Hamilton, ON Tarragon Tarragon Theatre • Toronto, ON TBTR Theatre by the River • Winnipeg, MB TC Theatre Calgary • Calgary, AB TiFT Talk is Free Theatre • Barrie, ON TNB Theatre New Brunswick • Fredericton, NB Toronto Free Toronto Free Theatre • Toronto, ON TPM Theatre Projects Manitoba • Winnipeg, MB TSO Toronto Symphony Orchestra U of M University of Manitoba U of T University of Toronto U of W University of Winnipeg VP Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company • Vancouver, BC West End Theatre district • London, England WJT Winnipeg Jewish Theatre WSO Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra WST Winnipeg Studio Theatre YPT Young People’s Theatre • Toronto, ON zone41 zone41 theatre • Winnipeg, MB
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VOLUME 24, NUMBER 1 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016
Ovation is published six times per theatre season and has an approximate yearly circulation of 100,000. printing: Premier Printing Ltd. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Thomas Urish telephone: 204 954 6413 email: turish@royalmtc.ca
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre 174 Market Avenue Winnipeg, MB r3b 0p8 Canada RoyalMTC.ca box office: 204 942 6537 administration: 204 956 1340 fax: 204 947 3741
Ushers • Royal MTC’s loyal volunteer ushers are avail-
able at every performance to assist patrons.
Latecomers • Latecomers will be seated at the discre-
tion of the House Manager.
Courtesy to others • Talking, candy wrappers and
coughing are distracting to fellow patrons and actors. We ask each patron to please keep noise to a minimum during a performance. Thank you for your cooperation. Scents and Allergies • A number of Royal MTC
patrons have expressed concerns regarding medical reactions caused by scented products, so much so that they can’t enjoy the show. Please consider others before using items such as colognes, perfumes and hairspray. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.
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Royal MTC is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional artists who are members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Scenery, Carpentry and Show Running Crew at the John Hirsch Mainstage and the Tom Hendry Warehouse are members of IATSE Local 63.
Hearing enhancement • Sennheiser Infrared Listening
Devices are available free of charge in the lobby at the John Hirsch Mainstage and Tom Hendry Warehouse, supplied by the Royal MTC Volunteer Corps of Ushers Capital Campaign donation. Please see the House Manager for details.
Prohibited • The use of cameras and recording devices
is strictly prohibited. Mobile devices must be turned off. To be contacted in an emergency, leave your name and seat number with the House Manager.
Warnings • On occasion, Royal MTC’s productions may
contain script-specific smoking of non-tobacco products, special effects and language/content warnings. For more information on specific productions, please visit royalmtc.ca.
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Edmund Stapleton and the cast of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. PHOTO BY DAVID COOPER
Who is Christopher John Francis Boone? Christopher Boone is a self-described “mathematician with behavioural difficulties,” but what does that mean? Since the original publication of the novel, Christopher has often been labelled as having Asperger’s syndrome or autism. While writing the novel, author Mark Haddon did some research on the topic, but he created the character of Christopher largely based on his imagination and by giving him “rules to live by” as well as traits of people he knew, “none of whom would be labelled as having a disability.” To Haddon, this is a story about being an outsider and seeing the world from a unique perspective: “Labels say nothing about a person. They say only how the rest of us categorize that person. Good literature is always about peeling labels off, and 6
treating real people with dignity is always about peeling the labels off. A diagnosis may lead to practical help, but genuinely understanding another human being involves talking and listening to them and finding out what makes them an individual, not what makes them part of a group.” Every person on the autism spectrum is a unique individual who may possess a number of traits. One person with autism may have difficulty in a loud and crowded space, but making conversation is easy for him or her, whereas for another person, the opposite could be true. It is problematic to think of one person’s experience as representative of an entire group. Christopher Boone is one young man who perceives the world differently than most, and who uses his intelligence and perseverance to grapple with big questions in what is at its heart a coming-of-age story.
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
What is Autism? A statement provided by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, Winnipeg Chapter Autism is a pervasive developmental disability. This means that it begins before birth and it affects every part of an autistic person’s life: how we think, how we move, how we communicate, and so much more. Autism is inseparable from who we are. It is estimated that about 1-2% of people are autistic. As people become more aware of what autism is and what it looks like, more people have been diagnosed with autism, but autistic people have always been here. We have been inventors and scientists, politicians and law-makers, actors and writers, and just about anything else that people have been. Autism is a natural difference that is part of being human, just like race or gender is. Autistic people experience the world differently than non-autistic or neurotypical people. We process information differently and sometimes have a hard time understanding things that aren’t explained to us. Our senses are often stronger or weaker than neurotypical people’s, meaning we may be overwhelmed by loud noises or bright lights, or we may have a hard time seeing in dim light or hearing soft noises. Some autistic people regulate our senses by doing something called stimming: using repetitive behaviours that stimulate our senses in safe and predictable ways to calm us down or help us express what we’re feeling. Common stimming behaviour includes rocking back and forth, flapping our hands, and chewing on clothing or objects, but there are many more ways to stim.
are comfortable. These autistic people can often communicate in other ways, such as by typing, pointing to letters on a letter board or through sign language. Just because we don’t use spoken language doesn’t mean we aren’t engaged or that we don’t have anything to say. Because autism is such a huge part of the lives of autistic people, it’s not something that can be fixed or cured. We are born autistic, and we will be autistic our whole lives. It is just how our brains and bodies exist in the world. We are different from the neurotypical majority, but that doesn’t make us wrong or bad. Everybody’s brain is different, and that’s a good thing. If we were all the same, the world would be a boring place. In the autistic community, this concept is called “neurodiversity.” This doesn’t mean there aren’t hard parts about being autistic. People often look at the ways that autistic people are different from neurotypical people and assume we are unintelligent or weird. Many autistic people experience bullying and discrimination in our lives. Some of us have a hard time finding a job or making our way through Edmund Stapleton and David W. Keeley. PHOTO BY DAVID COOPER
Many autistic people have trouble with language and may not speak until we are a teenager or adult. Some may never speak at all, or speak only in situations where we october/november 2016
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME school because people assume we can’t do things that we can, or because the supports aren’t there to help us succeed. The vast majority of the problems autistic people face – the things that make autism disabling – are caused by society’s attitudes about autism, not by the differences in our brains. These problems need to be addressed through acceptance and accommodation, not by treating or curing autism itself. Autism is part of human diversity. It is a beautiful part of human diversity. It is a part of human diversity that needs to be accepted. Everybody, autistic or not, has strengths and weaknesses. Everybody, autistic or not, has something to contribute to society. Everybody, autistic or not, deserves to have their needs met and to have the same opportunity to live the life they want to lead. And the first step toward that goal is accepting us as we are and listening to what we have to say about our own lives. The only true experts on autism are autistic people ourselves: the people who live autistic lives every day. Nothing about us without us. Please visit royalmtc.ca for links and suggested resources.
Synopsis
Fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone has a mystery to solve. Someone has murdered Wellington the dog and Christopher is being blamed for it. He decides to solve the puzzle despite his father’s warnings to keep his “nose out of other people’s business.” Although Christopher is highly intelligent, he struggles to interpret everyday life so it’s challenging for him to venture into new situations. But as he goes about his detective work, Christopher’s struggles become some of his triumphs.
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Relaxed Performance
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016, 8PM Royal MTC is proud to present a new accessibility initiative. Relaxed Performances are designed to provide a welcoming environment for those with sensory concerns, autism spectrum disorders, learning disorders, or anyone for whom the regular theatre experience can be uncomfortable. For some patrons, attending a live performance can be overwhelming. Technical effects can cause discomfort or even medical distress, while the traditional etiquette of sitting still and silent for several hours is too restrictive. During a Relaxed Performance, small modifications are made to the production and the patron experience to help reduce anxiety. Loud noises and strobe effects are reduced, and the house lights are kept slightly brighter in case someone needs to leave the theatre. There is a relaxed attitude towards noise and movement, and quiet spaces are made available in the lobby for patrons who need a break. These changes may go unnoticed by a regular theatre-goer, but they can enable someone living with sensory concerns to feel welcome in our audience for the first time. We would like to thank you, our audience, for helping make theatre accessible to everyone. Your support and acceptance are crucial to making our very first Relaxed Performance a success. Please visit royalmtc.ca/relaxed for more information. Special thanks to the Theatre Development Fund’s Autism Theatre Initiative for serving as an advisor. Edmund Stapleton as Christopher.
tdf.org/autism
PHOTO BY DAVID COOPER
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Steven Schipper, Artistic Director • Camilla Holland, Executive Director PRESENTS A CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE CITADEL
THEATRE
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time A play by Simon Stephens Based on the novel by Mark Haddon October 20 – November 12, 2016 preview October 19
Director..................................................................................Heidi Malazdrewich Production Design....................................................... ShowStages collective Set, Costume & Lighting Designer.................................... T. Erin Gruber Projection Designer.........................................................................Joel Adria Sound Designer..............................................................Elijah Lindenberger Movement Designer....................................................................Linda Garneau Fight Director.............................................................................. Janine Waddell Dialect Coach.........................................................................................David Ley Composer....................................................................................Matthew Skopyk Assistant Designer...................................................................Cheyenne Sykes Stage Manager............................................................................. Michelle Chan Assistant Stage Manager...................................................... Michael Duggan Apprentice Stage Manager.....................................................Holly LaJambe THE CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Mrs. Alexander............................................................................ Terri Cherniack Ed Boone......................................................................................David W. Keeley Punk Girl...................................................................................... Beverly Ndukwu Reverend Peters...........................................................................Robb Paterson Siobhan..................................................................................... Cherissa Richards Man with Socks...........................................................................Jamie Robinson Christopher Boone..............................................................Edmund Stapleton Roger Shears....................................................................................... John Ullyatt Mrs. Gascoyne/Mrs. Shears.................................................Stephanie Wolfe Judy Boone.................................................................................... Patricia Zentilli The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was first presented by the National Theatre, London at the Cottesloe Theatre on August 2, 2012 and transferred to the Gielgud Theatre, West End, London on March 12, 2013. The play opened in the USA at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on October 5, 2014. This play is presented by kind permission of Warner Bros. Entertainment. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. Production photography by David Cooper. Production design development assistance from the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME Terri Cherniack Mrs. Alexander
ROYAL MTC Chimerica (with CS), Alice
Through the Looking-Glass, Late Company, The Seagull, Other People’s Money, Gone With the Wind, Romeo and Juliet, Calendar Girls (with Mirvish), Strong Poison, The Price, Pride and Prejudice, The Importance of Being Earnest, Our Town, The Dresser, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Philadelphia Story (with TC), King Lear, The Crucible, Season’s Greetings, Homeward Bound (with VP), Dancing at Lughnasa (with NAC), The Miracle Worker, The Heidi Chronicles (with Mirvish), The Attic, The Pearls & Three Fine Girls, None is Too Many (with WJT), Waiting for the Parade. OTHER THEATRE In Winnipeg: Blithe Spirit (Echo Theatre); The Swearing Jar, The Savannah Disputation, Glorious, Having Hope at Home, Copenhagen, Love and Anger, All Fall Down, The Fighting Days (PTE); StrippedDown Hamlet, The Comedy of Errors (SIR); Social Security, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Crossing Delancey (WJT); The Colour of Vowels, Cruel and Unusual Punishment (TPM). Terri has worked at theatres across the country from Vancouver to Halifax. FILM/TV Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story, Category 7: The End of the World, Haunting Sarah, Everybody’s Doing It, Hell on Heels. TRAINING Graduate of U of W, U of M and the National Theatre School of Canada.
The Light in the Piazza (TC, Critter nomination); Les Misérables (Western Canada Theatre). For Mirvish in Toronto, David has performed in Rock of Ages, Billy Elliot The Musical and Mamma Mia!, which led to him being cast in the original Broadway production. David has also served eight seasons at the Stratford Festival, appearing in Richard III, Oklahoma! and Coriolanus, among others. He won a Dora Award for his portrayal of Officer Lockstock in Canadian Stage’s production of Urinetown. FILM/TV Includes: American Gothic, Murdoch Mysteries, Copper, Saving Hope, The Listener, Rookie Blue, The Manchurian Candidate and the upcoming The JonBenét Story.
Beverly Ndukwu Punk Girl
ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Danny, King of the
Basement (MTYP). FILM/TV Mr. Young, The Choking Game, Devil’s Gate, Room for Rent. ET CETERA Thank you to friends and family for the never-ending love and support. The arts have impacted my life in so many positive ways. It’s been a crazy rollercoaster ride I never want to get off of. This is for you, Kev!
Robb Paterson Reverend Peters
David W. Keeley Ed Boone ROYAL MTC Director: Next to Normal, Our
ROYAL MTC The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. OTHER THEATRE Credits include: Hamlet, As
You Like It, Oliver!, True Love Lies (Citadel);
Town, Guys and Dolls (with Citadel/TC), Trying, My Fair Lady, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, White Christmas, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Woman in Black, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Retreat from Moscow, Steel Magnolias, Fully Committed and others.
For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME FILM/TV Credits include: Saving Hope
Roles at Royal MTC: Billy Bishop, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol – The Musical and many others. OTHER THEATRE Director: Crazy for You, 42nd Street, Big The Musical, The King and I, Beauty and the Beast (twice) (Rainbow); Rick: The Rick Hansen Story, Seussical the Musical, Square Eyes, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Land of Trash, Showdown (MTYP); Oliver! (Centaur); The Affections of May (Sudbury Theatre Centre).
(CTV); Rogue (DirecTV); Murdoch Mysteries (Shaftesbury); Celeste in the City (ABC); ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Disney); The Fraternity (Universal Studios). ET CETERA Hailing from Toronto, Jamie is Artistic Director of the Guild Festival Theatre, runs the Mentor & Apprentice Program for Obsidian Theatre and teaches Acting at York University, where he holds a Master’s Degree in Theatre Directing and Education.
Edmund Stapleton
Cherissa Richards
Christopher Boone
Siobhan
ROYAL MTC First appearance.
ROYAL MTC Mrs. Warren’s Profession. OTHER THEATRE Queen Elizabeth in Richard
III (SIR); The Power of Harriet T (Carousel Players, Black Theatre Workshop); Tough Case (MTYP); Eternal Hydra (Touchstone Theatre); two seasons with the Shaw Festival. FILM You can see Cherissa onscreen every Christmas as Dr. Shirazi in the Hallmark movie The Christmas Heart. TRAINING Studied at NTS and is a theatre grad from the U of W and an MFA graduate of York University. ET CETERA This winter, Cherissa will be assistant directing MTYP’s The Jungle Book.
OTHER THEATRE Spelling 2-5-5 (Carousel
Players); You Never Can Tell, The Charity That Began at Home, Arms and the Man (Shaw); Romeo and Juliet (Theatre Calgary’s Shakespeare by the Bow); The Tempest, Julius Caesar (Freewill Shakespeare Festival); Henry IV, Part 1, The Merchant of Venice (Perchance Theatre). TRAINING University of Alberta, Memorial University. ET CETERA 2012 Hnatyshyn Foundation Developing Artist Grant – Acting (English Theatre).
John Ullyatt
Jamie Robinson
Roger Shears
Man with Socks
ROYAL MTC First appearance. ROYAL MTC Medea (with Mirvish).
OTHER THEATRE Alice Through the Looking-
OTHER THEATRE Selected: four seasons with
the Stratford Festival; title role in Richard III (Metachroma Theatre, META Award nomination); Gas Girls (New Harlem Productions, Dora nomination); Angels in America, Parts 1 & 2 (WJT); West Indian Diary (Ground Zero Productions); Romeo and Juliet (CS).
Glass, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Private Lives, Death of a Salesman, The Rocky Horror Show, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Cabaret, I Am My Own Wife, The Mystery of Irma Vep (Citadel). He was most recently at the Edmonton Fringe directing and acting in We Were Dancing and Puttin’ on the Ritz at the Belfry Theatre.
For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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. .
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME ET CETERA John is a founding member of
Firefly Theatre – Edmonton’s circus theatre, with whom he created and performed in Craniatrium, Duck Duck Bang and Primordial Blues. He is also a notable street theatre artist whose works include, most recently, The Giant Magic 8 Ball and The Human Fountain, which has been all across Canada, Ireland and Japan.
Stephanie Wolfe Mrs. Gascoyne/ Mrs. Shears
ROYAL MTC First appearance.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (WCT); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors (Mayfield); Mack and Mabel (Plain Jane); Rabbit Hole, Hamlet, Of Mice and Men, Member of the Wedding (Neptune); Urinetown, Little Shop of Horrors (CS); A New Brain (Acting Up Stage). FILM/TV Credits include the upcoming feature #Roxy, Delmer and Marta (AMPIA nomination), Tiny Plastic Men, Call Me Fitz, Dan for Mayor, Rick Mercer Report, The Jane Show, Blue Murder, Lexx and Wonderfalls. ET CETERA Patricia has worked across Canada in theatre, film, television and cabaret. She is thrilled to be a part of the Canadian premiere of this beautiful show.
OTHER THEATRE A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, Othello, How I Learned to Drive, Angels in America: Perestroika, The Cherry Orchard (Citadel); The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (Teatro La Quindicina); Burning Bluebeard (Edmonton Actors Theatre). FILM/TV Tiny Plastic Men, 40 Below and Falling, A Louder Silence, Caution: May Contain Nuts, Delmer and Marta. TRAINING BFA, University of Alberta; BA, University of Saskatchewan. ET CETERA Stephanie is the proud mom of two awesome boys. She is also a voiceover artist for many popular video games and has trained as an aerialist with Firefly Theatre and Circus. Awards: Sterling Award, AMPIA Award, Canadian Comedy Award.
Patricia Zentilli Judy Boone
ROYAL MTC The Last Five Years. OTHER THEATRE Credits include: Alice
Through the Looking-Glass (Citadel); The Last Five Years, The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble (Theatre Network); Closer Than Ever,
Simon Stephens Playwright
Simon Stephens is an award-winning playwright whose work includes Bluebird (Royal Court, 1998); Herons (Royal Court, 2001); Port (Manchester Royal Exchange, 2002 – Pearson Award for Best New Play); Christmas (Bush Theatre, 2004); Country Music (Royal Court, 2004); On the Shore of the Wide World (Manchester Royal Exchange/National Theatre, 2005 – Olivier Award for Best New Play); Motortown (Royal Court, 2006); Harper Regan (National Theatre, 2008); Sea Wall (Bush Theatre/Traverse Theatre, 2008–2009); Pornography (Deutsches Schauspielhaus, Hanover, 2007, Edinburgh Festival/ Birmingham Rep, 2008 and Tricycle Theatre, 2009); Punk Rock (Lyric Hammersmith/ Manchester Royal Exchange, 2009); The Trial of Ubu (Schauspielhaus, Essen/Toneelgroep Amsterdam, 2010); A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky, written in collaboration with David Eldridge and Robert Holman (Lyric Hammersmith, 2010); Marine Parade, a play with songs composed by Mark Eitzel (Brighton Festival, 2010); T5 (Traverse Theatre, 2010); Wastwater (Royal Court Theatre, 2011); and an adaptation of Jon Fosse’s I am the Wind
For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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“…they thought they were making music. They ended up making history.” -sam phillips, owner of sun records in million dollar quartet
of RBC Dominion Securities RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
www.dzwmg.com
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2016 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (Young Vic Theatre, 2011). Simon is currently under commission to the National Theatre, Manchester Royal Exchange, and the Young Vic. Television credits include an adaptation of Pornography for Coming Up (Channel 4, 2009) and Dive (Granada/BBC, 2009).
Heidi Malazdrewich Director
ROYAL MTC Director: Myth of the Ostrich, The
Secret Annex. Assistant Director: The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith. Apprentice Director: Gone With the Wind, Mrs. Warren’s Profession. Actor/Apprentice Director: Romeo and Juliet. OTHER THEATRE Director: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Royal MTC/ MBA); New Canadian Kid (MTYP); Perfect Pie, Essay (University of Calgary); The Princess and the Pea (Little Opera Company); The Apiarist (Whole Hearted Productions); The Darling Family (Winnipeg Fringe). TRAINING/TEACHING Heidi has taught theatre at both the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg. She holds an MFA in directing from the University of Calgary. ET CETERA Heidi was the Director-inResidence at Rainbow Stage for the 2015 season.
T. Erin Gruber Set, Costume & Lighting Designer
ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Recent credits include Café
Daughter (Production Design, Sterling Award nomination for Set Design, Workshop West); Category E (Production Design, Sterling Award for Lighting Design, Maggie Tree Collective); Bears (Production Design, Pyretic
Productions); Mary Poppins (Video and Lighting Design, Globe) and Ring of Fire (Set and Video Design, Chemainus). TRAINING Graduate with distinction of the University of Alberta. ET CETERA T. Erin Gruber is an independent theatre designer with experience in set, lighting, costume and projected media design. She works across the country in theatres of all shapes and sizes. She is a founding member of the ShowStages collective, a group that strives to question and expand the boundaries of projected media’s role in theatre (showstages.com). For more information, visit her website at eringruber.com.
Joel Adria Projection Designer
ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Recent projects include
Cockroach (ATP); The Little Mermaid (SCA Fine Arts); A Little Too Cozy (Banff Centre/ Against the Grain); Mary Poppins (Globe); Category E (The Maggie Tree); Helen Lawrence (CS); Bears (Pyretic Productions); Tulugak (NAC). TRAINING/TEACHING Joel is an alumnus of the University of Alberta’s Technical Theatre program and is the faculty Projection Technologist at Banff Centre. ET CETERA Joel is a freelance multimedia designer and technician based in Alberta. Projects include stage design for Ignite (Edmonton Economic Development); Flora: Digital Greenhouse (Nuit Blanche Edmonton); and video work for corporate clients including TED Conferences and Fountain Tire. Joel is a co-founder of ShowStages collective. His work on DELETE (CCTC) was recently included in the Canadian exhibit at the Prague Quadrennial 2015.
For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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save! to book group tickets contact: Thomas Urish, Sales Manager P 204 954 6413 e turish@royalmtc.ca
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME Elijah Lindenberger Sound Designer
TRAINING/TEACHING Linda is a choreog-
rapher, educator and student with an MA in Dance Studies from York University. She continues to enjoy freelance choreography, teaching both at home and abroad, and is a faculty member at Sheridan College.
ROYAL MTC First engagement.
Janine Waddell
OTHER THEATRE Recent production credits
Fight Director
include Video Programmer for Evangeline, BOOM, Avenue Q and Playing with Fire: The Theo Fleury Story. He was also Technical Director and Co-Production Designer for Edmonton’s Ignite Festival (2015) and Scenic Carpenter for Category E (Maggie Tree). ET CETERA Elijah is an accomplished scenic carpenter, technical director, and sound and video designer. His work is motivated by his fascination with the relationship between performance, live sound and video creation. He is currently the head of the video department at the Citadel Theatre. As a founding member of the ShowStages collective, Elijah strives to further the integration of interactive performance technology in Canadian theatre. He hopes you enjoy the show, and the opportunity to experience life through a new perspective.
Linda Garneau Movement Designer
ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Pains of Youth (Studio
Theatre); Swordplay: the Musical (ACME Theatre Company); Days of Wine and Roses (Trunk Theatre); Kill Shakespeare (Thou Art Here); McCrackin 2 (Accidental Humour); Albertine in Five Times (Walterdale Playhouse); Miss Julie (50% Fruit Productions). FILM/TV Plight: The Superhero Rock Opera (Group of Rogues). TRAINING Graduate of the Grant MacEwan Theatre Arts program. ET CETERA Janine is an internationally-certified Advanced Actor Combatant and sits on the Board of Directors for Fight Directors Canada. When not choreographing violence or teaching it at the Citadel’s Foote Theatre School, Janine can be found with her four wonderful children. She would like to give special thanks to her partner in life both on and off the stage.
ROYAL MTC Assassins.
David Ley
OTHER THEATRE Linda is the Artistic Director
of the Helix Dance Project, whose works include The Waiting Room, Rain, Unearth and Integration. Theatre credits include three seasons with the Shaw Festival, as well as productions for the National Arts Centre, Rainbow Stage, Tarragon Theatre, Talk is Free Theatre, Sheridan Theatre and Drayton Entertainment. Other credits include the opening ceremony for the Pan Am Games (Guadalajara), Juno and Gemini Awards, and repeat guest choreographer for Stars on Ice.
Dialect Coach
ROYAL MTC To Kill a Mockingbird
(with Citadel).
OTHER THEATRE David spent 10 seasons as
a Voice Coach at Canada’s Stratford Festival and continues to be a regular instructor in Stratford’s Birmingham Conservatory.
For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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Sophia Lee PHOTO Réjean Brandt Photography
TICKETS FROM $29!
plus applicable taxes & fees
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME TRAINING/TEACHING David holds an MFA
in performance from York University. He is a Professor in the Drama Department at the University of Alberta where he teaches Voice and Speech, Dialects and Acting. ET CETERA He has done numerous feature newspaper interviews commenting on dialects and vocal performance and has been featured in two CBC documentaries on Canadian speech. His “Three Minutes to a Proper British Dialect” video has been seen over a million times on YouTube.
Matthew Skopyk Composer
ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Recent Design/Composition
credits include Romeo and Juliet, Titus Andronicus, As You Like It, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III, Twelfth Night, Othello (Freewill Shakespeare Festival); Or the Whale (Wishbone Theatre); Vigilante (Catalyst Theatre/Citadel); Playing with Fire: The Theo Fleury Story (Citadel/Persephone/ ATP); ENRON (NAC); Whisper (Studio Theatre/Catalyst Theatre); Michel et Ti Jean, Palace of the End (Theatre Network). ET CETERA Matthew is an Edmonton-based Sound Designer and Composer. He currently resides as the Sound Supervisor for the Department of Drama at the University of Alberta.
Cheyenne Sykes Assistant Designer
ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Select design credits
include Lighting/Co-Scenic Design for The Runcible Riddle (Catch the Keys Productions); Lighting Design for Pins & Needles (The Provincetown Playhouse, NYU); Set Design for Rock and Roll Refugee (Royal Family Productions); Lighting/Set Design for The Seagull (Columbia University). Select assistant credits include Assistant Lighting Design for Ironbound (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater); Assistant Lighting Design for Exile is my Home (Theater for the New City); Assistant Lighting Design for the NYU Faculty Spring Dance Concert (Frederick Loewe Theatre, NYU); and Assistant Lighting Design for Stealing Time (Gelsey Kirkland Academy). ET CETERA Cheyenne is a New York-based multi-disciplinary designer, practicing in both the USA and Canada. Most recently she was the Nikos Stage Master Electrician at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. This past fall she served as an intern for designer Justin Townsend.
Michelle Chan Stage Manager
ROYAL MTC A Few Good Men (with Citadel). OTHER THEATRE Who’s Afraid of Virginia
Woolf?, West Side Story, A Christmas Carol, Avenue Q, One Man, Two Guvnors, Clybourne Park, Venus in Fur, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Sound of Music, The Rocky Horror Show, August: Osage County, Sweeney Todd (selected Citadel credits); The Forbidden Phoenix (Citadel/YPT). ET CETERA Big thanks to Michael Duggan. For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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Creating value where we live and work. Together. Applauding Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME Michael Duggan
Holly LaJambe
Assistant Stage Manager
Apprentice Stage Manager
ROYAL MTC Chimerica (with CS), Clever Little
Lies, The Glass Menagerie, Other People’s Money, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, in the next room or the vibrator play, The Shunning, Brief Encounter, The Seafarer, Steel Magnolias. Props: Gone With the Wind. OTHER THEATRE Recent credits include: All Your Wants and Needs Fulfilled Forever (Playground Collective, NZ); Iceland, John & Beatrice (TPM); Les Misérables, Annie, Cats (Rainbow); Angels in America: Millennium Approaches (WJT). TRAINING Michael is a graduate of the U of W, with a BA (Hons.) in stage management and production. ET CETERA Enjoy the show!
ROYAL MTC Myth of the Ostrich, Billy Elliot
The Musical, Late Company, Cabaret, Venus in Fur. OTHER THEATRE Holly has stage managed for the Fire & Water Music Festival, Sarasvàti Productions, Girls Only Productions, Winnipeg Pride and the Gilbert & Sullivan Society. She has also apprentice stage managed for Theatre Projects Manitoba, Winnipeg Jewish Theatre and Manitoba Opera. TRAINING Holly is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a triple honours in History, Production and Stage Management. She has also completed the requirements for a BA in Acting and a specialization in Costuming. ET CETERA Holly is very happy to be apprenticing with Royal MTC again.
FOR THE CITADEL THEATRE
Founded in 1965, the Citadel Theatre is recognized and respected as a national centre of excellence in production, creative development, and audience engagement – the artistic and cultural heart of our community. Located in downtown Edmonton, the Citadel Theatre is one of North America’s largest not-for-profit theatres. Core programming in the 2016/17 season features a Main Stage season of nine plays plus a cabaret series, Beyond the Stage. The Citadel also offers creative development programs through our Academy. This plethora of activity takes place in our architectural award-winning facility which has five performance spaces, production shops and classrooms and which also is home to Catalyst Theatre and Rapid Fire Theatre. Daryl Cloran, Artistic Director Bob Baker, Artistic Director Emeritus Penny Ritco, Executive Director Marianne Bouthillier, Associate Executive Director Peni Christopher, Assistant to the Artistic Director/ Company Manager
Kimberlee Stadelmann, Director of Sales & Guest Services Ken Davis, Director of Marketing & Communications Doug Mertz, Director of Education & Outreach Neil Luipasco, Director of Fund Development Pat Bradley, Director of Finance Louis Barron, Facility Director
For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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You can play a leading role! DONATE TODAY
donate online at royalmtc.ca or call 204 954 6412 today
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EXPLORE MORE THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME Explore More Neurodiversity
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s, John Elder Robison. By the time Robison was a teenager, his odd habits had earned him the label “social deviant.” It wasn’t until he was forty that he was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, which transformed the way he saw himself – and the world. b robison 2007 The Speed of Dark, Elizabeth Moon. In the near future, genetic diseases are a thing of the past, removed at birth or during infancy. Lou, born just before the breakthrough, is one of the last people in the world with autism. When he’s offered a brand-new experimental “cure”, Lou must decide whether he wants it. Will he still be himself if he thinks like everyone else? fiction moon Thinking in Pictures: And Other Reports From My Life With Autism, Temple Grandin. From the dual perspectives of a scientist and an autistic person, Grandin tells us how she thinks, feels, and experiences the world. She gracefully and lucidly bridges the gulf between us, demonstrating our common identity. 616.85882 grandin 2006 Explore More UniQue Narrators
The Pleasure of My Company, Steve Martin. With his trademark humour and tenderness, Martin tells the story of Daniel, who passes the time filling out contest applications, counting ceiling tiles, and estimating the wattage of light bulbs. When
he finally gains the courage to engage the world outside, he discovers love and life in the most surprising places. fiction mar Pobby and Dingan, Ben Rice. Pobby and Dingan are Kellyanne’s best friends – maybe her only friends – and only she can see them. Her brother, Ashmol, doesn’t believe they exist anywhere but in his sister’s immature imagination. When they disappear and she becomes heartsick over their loss, Ashmol realizes that not only must he believe in them, he must convince others, too. fiction ric The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Alan Bradley. The summer of 1950 is nothing out of the ordinary for precocious 11-year-old Flavia: bicycling around her English village and concocting poisons in her chemistry lab. But when a series of mysterious events culminates in a murder, Flavia commits herself to solving the crime in order to protect her family and free her father of suspicion. fiction myst bradley What Maisie Knew, Henry James. This classic depiction of innocence follows Maisie as her bitterly separated parents shift her like a pawn. Solitary, observant, and wise beyond her years, Maisie is drawn into an increasingly entangled adult world, until she is finally compelled to choose her own future. fiction james
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David Reale as Asher Lev. PHOTO BY LESLIE SCHACHTER • BACKGROUND PHOTO BY ANDRÉE LANTHIER
Synopsis
At a young age, Asher Lev discovers he has a mystifying talent. He has a will to draw and soon every surface becomes a canvas for his art. But as an observant Jew, Asher’s life is steeped in tradition and his passion for artistic creation conflicts with his belief system. Encouraged by a renowned Jewish artist, Asher dares to explore his gifts, a journey that puts him in conflict with his parents and his community. Will Asher ultimately pay the price to fulfill his destiny? 26
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MY NAME IS ASHER LEV Ellen David, Alex Poch-Goldin and David Reale. PHOTO BY ANDRÉE LANTHIER
glossary Many of the words and phrases spoken in My Name is Asher Lev are Hebrew or Yiddish. Below are some of the frequently-mentioned terms, their English translations, and a detailed explanation for some. Gey gezunt un kum gezunt Goy
Go in health and return in health.
Nation; Hebrew/Yiddish term for a non-Jew (plural: Goyim).
Kabbalah Literally, ‘That which is received’. Generally refers to Judaism’s mystical and esoteric tradition. Kabbalat Shabbat/Kabbalas Shabbes is also the term used for the ushering in of the Sabbath on Friday night. Kibud ov
The commandment to honour one’s parents.
Narishkeit
Foolishness.
Ribbono Shel Oylom
Master of the Universe.
Payos Earlocks. Hasidic men do not shave the sideburn area of their faces, and there are various customs as to how long the hair there is allowed to grow. Rebbe
The title of the spiritual leader of the Hasidim.
Sitra achra The Other Side. In Kabbalistic traditions, this term is used to refer to the forces of evil which underlie all of reality. The power of the Sitra Achra derives largely from the sins of humans. Talmud From the Hebrew word lamed – to study. The Talmud is the central text of Judaism’s oral tradition. It is an encyclopedic collection of interpretations and commentary on the Bible, spanning more than 500 years. Yeshivah Study House. The oldest institution of Jewish learning, devoted primarily to Talmud and rabbinic literature. Originally, this term signified a meeting of scholars, a council, a session, over which presided an elected Rosh Yeshivah. The Yeshivot that were established in medieval Europe were a direct continuation of the academies that flourished during the Talmudic and geonic periods in Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel) and Babylonia. Zmires
Songs sung at the Sabbath table.
Steven Schipper, Artistic Director • Camilla Holland, Executive Director PRESENTS A CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE SEGAL
CENTRE
My name is Asher Lev by Aaron Posner Adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok October 13–29, 2016 preview October 12
Director........................................................................................ Steven Schipper Set Designer...................................................................................Martin Ferland Costume Designer.......................................................................Louise Bourret Lighting Designer...................................................................... Hugh Conacher Original Sound Designer............................................................ Emily Auciello Assistant Director.............................................................. Rafaella Rosenberg Stage Manager.............................................................................. Leslie Watson Stage Manager (Montreal)...................................................Luciana Burcheri THE CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
The Women...........................................................................................Ellen David The Men..................................................................................... Alex Poch-Goldin Asher Lev...............................................................................................David Reale Movement One: An Early Lev Movement Two: As a Young Man Movement Three: Alone Movement Four: The Artist My Name is Asher Lev is performed without an intermission. Originally commissioned and produced by the Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dramaturgy by Michele Volansky. This play was developed with the support of PlayPenn, Paul Meshejian, Artistic Director. My Name is Asher Lev is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. Production photography by Leslie Schachter and Andrée Lanthier. Special thanks: Rabbi Yisroel Bernath, Joe Brancato, Dr. Michael Eleff. SPONSORED BY
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MY NAME IS ASHER LEV Ellen David The Women
ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Includes God of Carnage,
The St. Leonard Chronicles (Centaur); Equus, Travesties (Segal); The Daily Miracle (Infinithéatre); Mom’s the Word (Just for Laughs); over 200 performances as Anna in Mambo Italiano. Directing credits include The Book of Bob (Centaur); The Leisure Society (Infinithéatre); Love, Loss and What I Wore, which she also produced and performed in (Centaur); Moonlight and Magnolias (Theatre Lac Brome). Next spring Ellen will be directing Pulitzer Prize-winning Clybourne Park for Centaur Theatre. FILM/TV Ellen has been a regular on more than nine television series, including CBC’s 18 to Life and Ciao Bella. Film credits include Brooklyn, The Stork Derby and reprising her role as Mrs. Glatt in the upcoming Goon: Last of the Enforcers. ET CETERA An accomplished and versatile stage and screen actor, Ellen has received many accolades for her work, including the 2015 ACTRA Award of Excellence and the ACTRA Award for Outstanding Female Performance for Surviving My Mother.
Class (CS); Scorched, Remnants, Democracy (Tarragon); The Ugly One (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Belle (NAC). Operas: The Shadow (Tapestry); From the House of Mirth, Against Nature, created with James Kudelka. Playwriting: Cringeworthy, This Hotel (Passe Muraille); Yahrzeit (Jewish Playwriting Award/ German tour); The Bad Luck Bank Robbers, The Right Road to Pontypool (4th Line). FILM/TV Cardinal, The Calling, Defiance, Good God, The Kennedys, Flashpoint. TRAINING Graduate of the Dome Theatre. ET CETERA Alex has been nominated for five Dora Awards and one Jessie.
David Reale Asher Lev
ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Includes: Hamlet, A
Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet (Classical Theatre Project); The Great Gatsby (Lower Ossington Theatre); Pvt. Wars, The Fatal Gazogene (Red One Theatre Collective); Claire, From the Bus (Storefront Theatre); Ghost Stories (Mirvish); Stag and Doe (Theatre Orangeville). FILM/TV Suits, Private Eyes, Merry Matrimony and Bang Bang Baby, which was awarded the Best Canadian First Feature at TIFF in 2014.
Alex Poch-Goldin
Aaron Posner
The Men
Playwright
ROYAL MTC Scorched, King Lear, Quills,
Broadway Bound, Six Degrees of Separation. OTHER THEATRE Originally from Montreal, Alex has worked on stages across the country. Credits include: Incident at Vichy, The Dybbuk (Soulpepper); Harper Regan, Angels in America (year-long run), Wit, Intimate Apparel, The Comedy of Errors, Our
Aaron Posner is a Helen Hayes and Barrymore Award-winning director and playwright. He is a founder and former Artistic Director of Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre, is an Associate Artist at both the Folger Theatre and Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and has directed at major regional
For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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MY NAME IS ASHER LEV theatres from coast to coast including the Folger, Seattle Rep, Portland Center Stage, The Alliance, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Arizona Theatre Company, Milwaukee Rep, California Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Roundhouse Theatre, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre, Theatre J, American Player’s Theatre and many more. His adaptations include Chaim Potok’s The Chosen and My Name Is Asher Lev (both of which have enjoyed successful runs at more than 50 other theatres across the country), Ken Kesey’s Sometimes a Great Notion, Mark Twain’s A Murder, a Mystery and a Marriage, an adaptation of three Kurt Vonnegut short stories, entitled Who Am I This Time? (And Other Conundrums of Love) and Stupid Fucking Bird, a variation on Chekhov’s Seagull. Aaron was raised in Eugene, Oregon, graduated from Northwestern University, is an Eisenhower Fellow, and lives near Washington, DC.
Steven Schipper Director
ROYAL MTC Selected: Unnecessary Farce, Billy
Elliot The Musical, Late Company, The Glass Menagerie, Gone With the Wind, The Drowsy Chaperone (with TC), Fiddler on the Roof, the world premieres of Maureen Hunter’s Atlantis (with TC), Mark Stein’s Mating Dance of the Werewolf (with Rubicon), Olaf Pyttlik’s The Wave and Bruce McManus’ A Christmas Carol, and the Canadian premieres of Quills, Proposals (with Mirvish) and Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile (with NAC). OTHER THEATRE Stratford, Shaw, Centaur, Segal, Mirvish, Theatre Plus (Toronto), Toronto Free, YPT, Persephone, TC, VP, Rubicon Theatre (Ventura, CA). TRAINING McGill, Bishop’s, National Theatre School of Canada. ET CETERA In 2007, Steven received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Winnipeg. In 2012, he was
appointed to the Order of Canada and was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2015, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Manitoba.
Martin Ferland Set Designer
ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Martin has created over
100 sets for the theatre, variety shows and museums. Of late, his set designs include: L’importance d’être Constant and L’École des femmes (TNM); La Cerisaie (Compagnie Jean Duceppe); Les fourberies de Scapin (Théâtre du Rideau Vert/Juste Pour Rire); the Québec creations Le vrai Monde?, Les nouilles, Je ne t’aime pas, Les filles du 5-10-15, Le faucon; and the musicals Hairspray, Chantons sous la pluie, Shérazade, les mille et une nuits and Les filles de Caleb. He also designed the sets for the exhibit Mr. Rabbit’s Circus (Musée McCord). TRAINING/TEACHING A graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, Martin teaches at Theatre Option at Collège Lionel-Groulx. ET CETERA Martin received the Gascon-Roux Award for Best Set Design in 2003 (TNM) for Les Joyeuses Commères de Windsor.
Louise Bourret Costume Designer
ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Louise Bourret is an
Artistic Coordinator and Designer with over 20 years of experience in the performing arts. She has worked with hair, makeup, set design, costumes and stage management, and has worked with such companies as Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Éloize, Festival des
For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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MY NAME IS ASHER LEV FrancoFolies de Montréal, the Montreal Jazz Festival, Légendes Fantastiques, Cavalia, Era: Intersection of Time (Shanghai) and many more. Her Segal Centre credits include Guys and Dolls, Sherlock Holmes, The Seagull, Glengarry Glen Ross, Top Girls, Funny Girl (Head of Wardrobe), The Secret Annex, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz: The Musical (Assistant Costume Designer), Soul Doctor: Journey of a Rock Star Rabbi, The Dybbuk, Tribes, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The Producers (Costume Designer) and Travesties, for which she won the 2015 Montreal English Theatre Award (META) for Outstanding Costume Design.
Hugh Conacher Lighting Designer
ROYAL MTC Things We Do For Love, Seminar
(with Mirvish), The Woman in Black, Cabaret
(2015), The Glass Menagerie (2014, 1989/90), Venus in Fur, The Penelopiad, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, After Miss Julie, Macbeth (with English Suitcase Theatre Company), Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Beautiful Lake Winnipeg, A Walk in the Woods, Frankenstein: Playing with Fire. OTHER THEATRE Hugh has collaborated with choreographers, visual artists and dance and theatre companies worldwide for over 30 years. In Winnipeg, his work has been seen with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, QDance, Gearshifting Performance Works, Theatre Projects Manitoba and Manitoba Theatre for Young People, to name a few. ET CETERA Hugh enjoys working beyond the constraints of traditional lighting design using various forms of interactive media, video and photography. His photographic work resides in private collections and has been published worldwide. Hugh is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada. www.pellucid.me
The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba is proud to support the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and its production of My Name is Asher Lev.
As my fathers planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me.
www.jewishfoundation.org
-Talmud
MY NAME IS ASHER LEV OTHER THEATRE Over 50 productions
Emily Auciello Original Sound Designer Emily Auciello is a New York-based freelance sound designer. In New York City, she has worked at the Signature Theatre, Women’s Project, HERE Arts Center, Ensemble Studio Theatre, New Ohio, JACK, IRT, Under St. Marks, NY Fringe. Regionally, she has worked for the Two River Theater Company, Delaware Theater Center and Penguin Rep.
Rafaella Rosenberg Assistant Director
ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Director/Choreographer –
Spring Awakening, Choreographer – Into the Woods, Co-Director/Choreographer – RENT (Theatre Western). TRAINING University of Miami Department of Theatre Arts, Ivey Business School. ET CETERA I would like to thank Steven and the Royal MTC staff for this incredible opportunity. As always, this one’s for you, mom.
Leslie Watson Stage Manager
ROYAL MTC Stage Manager: Myth of the
Ostrich, Late Company, Cabaret, Venus in Fur, The Melville Boys (tour), Wingfield On Ice (tour), Looking Back – West, Bad Dates (tour). Assistant Stage Manager: Billy Elliot The Musical, Jane Eyre, Gone With the Wind, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, White Christmas, Pride and Prejudice, Fiddler on the Roof, Educating Rita (tour), Guys and Dolls (with TC/Citadel).
at theatres around Winnipeg, including: Rainbow Stage, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Shakespeare in the Ruins and Manitoba Theatre for Young People. TRAINING Graduate of Sheridan College and member of CAEA. ET CETERA Love to Mr. Watson, from the new Mrs. Watson.
Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Production Sponsor Founded in 1964, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba provides opportunities for people to realize their philanthropic dreams in strengthening and supporting the Jewish and general communities of Manitoba. As the Foundation continues to grow, so does its capacity to help organizations and individ uals accomplish great things that enhance community life through various grants and scholarships. For more, please visit jewishfoundation.org.
FOR THE SEGAL CENTRE
The Segal Centre is a meeting place for all of the performing arts, showcasing the best professional artists from Montreal and abroad and playing a leading role in the artistic development of Montreal’s youth and the creation of its cultural legacy. Through theatre, music, dance, cinema and the Academy, the Segal Centre is setting a broad vision by recognizing the importance of building bridges through the arts and supporting multicultural projects in Montreal. The Centre’s commitment is to ensure that creativity resonates within our community and that it remains accessible and inspiring each and every day, leading the performing arts world of tomorrow. Lisa Rubin, Artistic & Executive Director Jon Rondeau, General Manager Barry Taggart, Director, Finance & Operations Kayla Elman, Director, Sales, Marketing & Communications Liana Wiener, Director of the Academy Jessica Yaffe, Director of Development Marc Laliberté, Director of Production
For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4
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Great entertainment lives here.
BMO Financial Group BMO is proud to support is proud to support the the Royal Manitoba Royal Manitoba Theatre Theatre Centre, Centre, and to beand theto be the 2016/2017 Tom Tom Hendry Warehouse Hendry Warehouse Season Sponsor. Season Sponsor.
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LEGACY GIVING
Introducing the Royal MTC Legacy Giving Campaign You can help us reach 60 committed donors by our 60th anniversary
When John Hirsch and Tom Hendry founded the Manitoba Theatre Centre in 1958, their shared dream was to create great professional theatre with mass appeal. Their vision has led to more than 600 stories being shared through 18,000 performances. What was once just a possibility is now an incredible arts and culture legacy in Winnipeg.
Whether you’ve been attending Royal MTC for one year or 59 years, you can be part of this campaign by leaving a gift to Royal MTC in your will. You’ll be joining others who have already made such a commitment and help us reach a total of 60 Founders’ Circle members by the end of the 60th season, May 31, 2018.
Next year, the 2017/18 season marks the 60th anniversary of Royal MTC, offering us a chance to celebrate our history while planning for a bright and exciting future. In anticipation of this occasion, we’re launching a special legacy giving* campaign focused on engaging those who want to enrich our city with the wonder of live theatre for decades to come.
Imagine, MTC by Ruth Abernethy. PHOTO BY CARA HILL
34 october/november 2016
LEGACY GIVING The Founders’ Circle honours the dedication of Hirsch and Hendry and is our way of recognizing those who choose to leave a gift in their will. Long-time subscribers Gary Hannaford and Cathy Rushton are Founders’ Circle members who felt leaving a legacy gift was important to them. “We want Royal MTC to continue to exist long after we are gone so future generations can enjoy live theatre just like we have. Being a member of the Founders’ Circle is how we could help make that happen.” You don’t need to be a millionaire to leave a gift in your will. People of all income levels make the choice to support their favourite charities with an estate gift. You just need to have the desire to make an impact on the future of Royal MTC. There is no minimum
commitment to become a Founders’ Circle member. Your gift can be of any size – just one per cent of your estate can make a lasting difference. By making a legacy gift, you will help future generations enjoy experiences at Royal MTC similar to your own. Your contribution will create a future at Royal MTC that is filled with joy, laughter and dreams being turned into reality. For more information on the Legacy Giving Campaign and how it might benefit you, your loved ones and Royal MTC, please contact Heidi Struck, Individual Giving Manager, at hstruck@royalmtc.ca or 204 954 6412. You can also learn more at royalmtc.ca.
*Legacy giving refers to future charitable giving that is planned during a donor’s lifetime. Legacy gifts are most often written in wills and based on the donor’s financial plans, as well as their charitable wishes and values.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 THE FORT GARRY HOTEL • GRAND BALLROOM For more information: 204 954 6410 • blackandwhite@royalmtc.ca • royalmtc.ca/bw premier sponsor
in support of
NEXT AT THE JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE
THE AUDIENCE “Never underestimate the value of a symbol.” – Elizabeth What happens behind closed doors stays behind closed doors, right? Fortunately for us, this isn’t always the case. Celebrated playwright Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon) invites us to eavesdrop on the Queen’s weekly meetings with the Prime Minister. Over a 60-year reign, Her Majesty advises the likes of Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and David Cameron on matters of national importance and personal significance. Morgan blends historical fact and artistic license to bring his royal subject to life, no easy feat considering how rarely we’re offered glimpses into her private world. The role of Queen Elizabeth II has been played previously by Helen Mirren (of course) and Kristin Scott Thomas. We’re thrilled to have a member of Canadian theatre royalty, Fiona Reid, don the crown for our audiences.
NEXT AT THE TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE
CALL 204 942 6537 | VISIT ROYALMTC.CA
23.5 HOURS “You know the story. I know the story. That’s all that matters, right?” – Tom If we’re lucky, we had a favourite teacher who made an impact on our lives. Tom Hodges is one of those teachers, adored by students and admired by parents. But it all comes crashing down when he’s accused of a crime. Rather than focus on ‘did he or didn’t he’, playwright Carey Crim leaves us to sort through the messy aftermath. A lack of trust has eroded Tom’s relationships and even his staunchest allies waver under community pressure. Topical, engaging and provocative, 23.5 Hours is one of those plays that will stay with you on the drive home.
SUPPORTERS Many thanks to our donors who made a gift between August 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016. DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE HERO • $6,000+ Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson The Albert D. Cohen Family Robert B. & the late S. June Jackson Hartley & Heather Richardson The Winnipeg Foundation - Leslie John Taylor Fund
BENEFACTOR • $2,000–5,999 Leah Bjarnarson & Robert Malech J.W. Burns O.C. David* & Lianne Carefoot David Christianson & Vera Steinberger Heather Clarke* Kerry Dangerfield*‡ John F. (Jack) Fraser* James R. Gibbs Susan Glass & Arni Thorsteinson Sylvia Guertin-Riley Rita Gunn* & Greg Mason Camilla Holland† & Colin Viebrock Ms Maureen E. Jay Andrew & Wendy Jensen Derek & Mary Johannson Dr. Leonard Kahane John Kearsey*‡ Terry Klassen and Grace Dueck Dr. P. Kmet & Mr. B. Roslycky Sam & Mary Kohn Drs. Ken and Sharon Mould Leigh Murphy-In Memory of Liam Murphy‡ The Michael Nozick Family Foundation Cam & Carole Osler Mrs. Shirley Richardson Derek Riley Steven Schipper, C. M.† & Terri Cherniack‡ Marcel Van Woensel Joan Wright Sonya & Scott Wright Anonymous The Winnipeg Foundation - Triple A Fund
LEADER • $1,500–1,999 Marjorie Blankstein CM, OM, LLD & the Late Morley Blankstein Dr. Bonnie Cham & Dr. Lorne Bellan Dave* & Barb Christie Neil & Carol Duboff Tony* and Jennifer Fletcher‡ Gary Hannaford* & Cathy Rushton Investors Group Matching Gift Program David & Diane Johnston Kevin & Els Kavanagh Laurie Lam† & Larry Desrochers Bill & Shirley Loewen Elizabeth Marr & Nick Slonosky Virginia & the late Robert Martin Jim* & Penny McLandress‡ Mr. & Mrs. Lawrie & Fran Pollard Dr. Bill Pope & Dr. Elizabeth Tippett-Pope Sanford & Deborah Riley Kevin Hines & Shelly Smith-Hines†‡ Maitland & Pat Sundmark Jim & Jan Tennant Helga Van Iderstine* Richard L. Yaffe* & John A. Statham Darcy & Brenda Zaporzan
MEMBER • $1,000–1,499 Margaret & Jim Astwood Dr. Jerry Baluta & Olga Kandia Doneta* & Harry Brotchie‡ Brenlee Carrington Trepel & Brent Trepel Haderra & Mark Chisick Jan* & Kevin Coates Gerry* & Chris Couture Robert & Florence Eastwood Lawrence & Brenda Ellerby Paulo Fernandes*‡ Katherine Fox‡ Sandy Gousseau*‡ Shayla Harapiak-Green & Patrick Green* John* & Nicola Guttormson‡ Linda Hamilton and Grange Morrow‡ Dawn and Brian Hanson, in memory of Kristin Hanson Dr. Ted & Gail Hechter Shawn Hughes* and Bruno Koehn Katie Inverarity†‡ Jason Kasper* Laurence Katz & Zoe Kogan Gordon Keatch*‡ Edward Nigma James & Teresa Kraemer Brenda* & Trevor Kriss Jeff & Jillian Lamothe Rick Lee & Laurie Shapiro Peter & Karen Leipsic
*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members
october/november 2016
Ovation
Reginald & Judy Low Pat & Jim Ludwig Dr. Douglas MacEwan Mark & Gloria Mancini‡ Carol & Barry McArton Grant Mitchell & Cat Lambeth Jeffrey* & Mary Morton James Nielsen‡ Dr. & Mrs. Kieran O'Keeffe Linda & Wayne Paquin M. Plett-Lyle K. Heather Power & Harold Klause‡ Lawrence Prout* & Lisa Gardewine‡ Margaret Redmond* & Greg Gillis‡ Andrea* & Michael Robertson‡ Barbara and Derek Rolstone‡ Morley and Debbie Silverman Ken & Susan Skinner* Bill & Laurie Speers* Shelley† & Mark Stroski‡ Melinda Tallin† & Glen Mitchell‡ Tim Valgardson* Dorothy Y. Young Anonymous
FRIENDS OF ROYAL MTC ENTHUSIAST • $500–999 Nancy & Bob Adkins Archie & Jo-Anne Arnott Michael Bartmanovich Zita & Mark Bernstein Family Foundation Bruce & Shelley Bertrand-Meadows Ron Blicq Helga and Gerhard Bock Cathie and Brian Bowerman James A. Bracken Saul Cherniack & Myra Wolch J. Davidson‡ Al Dyregrov Selma Enns Sylvia and Doug Hannah Gordon Hannon Gregg & Mary Hanson Hon. Justice William Johnston Brenda Keyser & Peter Murdock Ian Kirk†‡ Katarina Kupca Frank Lavitt & Ahava Halpern Karen Lee Peter & Maureen Macdonald Mr. G. Markham Mr. Gerry Matte and Mrs. Lydia Surasky-Matte Irene & the late Claire Miller Margaret & Fred Mooibroek Vivienne Nickerson Richard and Bonnie Olfert
†Current Royal MTC staff
‡Monthly donors
37
SUPPORTERS Kerrie Orlick Peter & Anita Pelech Donna Plant Maureen Prendiville and Paul Jensen Louise J. Redekop Iris Reimer Ricou-Manfreda Charles & Naida Rubin Barbara Scheuneman Melanie Sexton† & Ian Walsh‡ Diane Shapiro Margaret & Paul Shuckett Jennifer Skelly† & Family‡ Debbie Spracklin Dr. Stephen Tritt & Dr. Sharon Goszer-Tritt Carol and Hugo Unruh Dr. Kristel van Ineveld Florence & Donald Whitmore Winfield Developments Canada Valerie Wowryk In Memory of Evelyn Hutsal - Janice and Brent Young 2 Anonymous
SUPPORTER • $150–499 Robert & Ina Abra Family Fund - The Winnipeg Foundation Pat & Bob Adamson Dr. Liz Adkins Dawn Andersen Judy & Jay Anderson Bernice Antoniuk Ignatius Anyadike Richard & Nancy Ball June and Ted Bartman Dianne J. Beaven Larry Beeston & Anna Sikora Trish Bergal‡ Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Bergbusch Terri & Morley Bernstein Bruce & Joyce Berry Brenda Binda Tyler & Sable Birch‡ Joan Blight Denise Bonner Dr. Elizabeth Boustcha Ron & Joan Boyd Brandt Consultants Janice Braun Susan Brownstone Brock & Thomas Brock Billy Brodovsky & Libby Yager Sheila & David Brodovsky Gerald R. Brown Lynne and Stuart Brown Carol Budnick Giles Bugailiskis & Margo Foxford Donna Byrne Kelly & Judy Caughlin
Ron & Carol Chapman Rosemary Chapman Dave and Audrey Cheyne Mr. Jaydeep Chipalkatti Shelley Chochinov Glen & Lorna Clark Bev & Ron Clegg Katherine Cobor & Gordon Steindel Agnes & John Collins Diane M. Connelly Joan E. Coombe Mr. & Mrs. Marek & Karen Corbett Philip Coulter James and Gwen Court Daniel Cowan Ray & Brenda Crabbe R. Lynn Craton Margaret Cuddy Ellen Curtis J. Dale Dr. & Mrs. James Dalton G. L. Damphousse Lorraine Daniel Ms Linda Daniels Mrs. Maureen Danzinger Mr. & Mrs. Hy Dashevsky* J. Dawson Faye Dixon Dr. Sheila Domke & Stephen Ross Mr & Mrs Drewett John & Ada Ducas Sharron & Joel Dudeck Helene Dyck Mr. & Mrs. Glen* & Joan Dyrda Mr. & Mrs. William Easton Greg Edmond & Irene Groot-Koerkamp John Edwards Enda Egan John Ekins Michael Eleff & Chana Thau Mr. & Mrs. John & Martha Enns Ernest & Ruth Epp Dan Erickson Michael & Lynn Evans Nelma Fetterman Gayle Fischer Marcia Fleisher Lawrence Foster Chris Freeman Susan & Ab Freig Arnold Frieman Menno H. & Jolanda Friesen Felicia & Trevor Frost James Fulkerson Monica Furer Colleen and Dan Furlan‡ Ron Gaffray Mr. & Mrs. R. Gallant Lynne & Lindsay Gauld‡ Ronald & Denise George
*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members
38
Ovation
Rick & Patti Gilhuly Sharon & Arnold Glass Dr. & Mrs. Andrew Gomori Alicyn Goodman Paul Goodman Jeremy and Maureen Gordon‡ Barbara Goszer Shawn & Bill Gould Acuity HR Solutions Noreen Greenberg Leona & Siegfried Hackbart Kari Hagness†‡ Bonnie Hallman Bruce & Judy Harris Sandra and Hans Hasenack Teresa A. Hay Mary Heindle John & Lenore Hodge Mr. Dennis Hodgkinson Jennie Hogan Gary Hook & Charmine Lyons Vicki Hooke Mary Horodyski and Alexander Shewchuk C. Houde Mr. & Mrs. Richard & Karen Howell Dan Ilchyna Marlis and David Jacobson Elizabeth Janzen Ian R. Thomson & Leah R. Janzen Cliff Jeffers Margaret Jeffries Lynne Jentsch Claire & Gerald Jewers In Memory of Sybil Shack for the benefit of MTC - Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Bruce and Grace Johnson Lisa Johnston‡ Brian & Renee Kaplan Dr. & Mrs. Philip Katz Donald & Sheila Keatch Rick Kendall Robert Kennedy and Claudette LeClerc Nancy Kerr G. C. Irwin-Kilfoyle M. J. King Peter Kingsley Soody & Orah Kleiman Kevin & Deneen Klippenstein Myron & Marion Klysh Julie Ann Kniskern John & Kathryn Knowles Paul Kochan Ms Julie Koehn E. Koop Donna Korban David & Denise Koss Lorraine Kraichy Carol Campbell & Andy Krentz
†Current Royal MTC staff
‡Monthly donors
october/november 2016
SUPPORTERS Paula Kristjanson Hasiuk The Estate of Pat Carrigan Gene and Janet Lacroix Teena Laird Dr. Patricia Landolfo Brenda and Glenn Lange Barbara Latocki Dr. G. H. Lawler Anna Lebrun & Bill Reynolds Iris Lechner Bob Leggett Ellen & Stewart Leibl Kathy & Saul Leibl Gloria Lemke Richard Lemmon Tim & Kate Letkemann‡ Carol & Clifford Levi Wendell and Eleanor Lind Judy & Eric Lister Charles & Diane Littman Wayne Loeppky David & Marie Loewen Dr. Sora Ludwig & Dr. Brent Schacter Sofia Lukie Tom Lussier Enid Lyons Burton & Mary Lysecki Mr. & Mrs. E. R. MacDonald John MacDonald‡ Sharon M. Macdonald Dennis MacKay & Annette Stapenhorst Mr. Jim MacNair Mrs. Vera Marchuk Elaine & Neil Margolis Ms Grace Martel Agatha Massey Manuel Matas Linda McFadyen Betty & Kevin McGarry Mr. & Mrs. Campbell McIntyre Terri & Jim McKerchar Greg & Gloria McLaren The Winnipeg Foundation – John and Carolynne McLure Fund Barb Melnychuk Dr. Jonathan Gabor & Tia Metaxas Albert & Judith Metcalfe Susie Miclash Jim & Karren Middagh Dr. Michael & Sharon Moffatt Marc Monnin and Donna Miller Cathie Morgan Matula Sagan Morrow*‡ Cathy Moser & Jeff Itzkow Bill Muir John Myers Beverly Nagamori Dr. Leanne Nause Medical Corporation
Edwin and Pat Nicholls Robert Nickel Chris Nielsen Helen Norrie Deborah & George Nytepchuk Gary Oko Joanne Olchowecki Cam Mackie and Doris Mae Oulton Conrad Padilla Murray Palay and Ivy Kopstein Heather & Harry Panaschuk Myron Pawlowsky & Susan Boulter Christopher Pearce Ron & Anita Perron Gina & John C. Petersmeyer* Rick Pinchin Donna & John Platt Carla Plummer Len Podheiser Calvin Polet Brett Porth Ms Karen Dawn Power Keith Powls Ms Judith Putter Tamara Rabkin Rudy & Audrey Ramchandar Angeline Ramkissoon Linda Ratynski Vance Rehill Erma Rempel Shelley Rennie Brian and Laurel Repski Mr. & Mrs. William Reynolds Joyce Rich Dr. & Mrs. J. Richtik Tony Robbins Daniel Robert & Chantale Gobeil Jane Robinson Mr. Robert Rogers Kevin Rollason and Gail MacAulay Renee Roseman Sheryl Rosenberg Pat & Michelle Rowan Elizabeth & Laurence Russin Michael T. Ruta Fernand Saurette Shona Scappaticci‡ Mary Agnes Welch Hans & Gabriele Schneider Werner & Mary Schulz Ms Faye Scott Dr. Meir Serfaty & Bonnie Talbot Bill Shepherd & Beverley Vane Ms. Pat Shklanka Debra Shnider Dr. & Mrs. A.M. Shojania Shayna & Merrill Shulman Henry & Connie Shyka Pamela Simmons Meera Sinha Jeff Sisler & Cathy Rippin-Sisler
*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members
october/november 2016
Ovation
Carol & Ron Slater Fund - Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Chad Smith‡ Mrs. Lorraine Smith Robert Spielman Evelyn Stephen Frits & Joan Stevens Heidi Struck† Tom and Shirley Strutt Lorron Agency Inc. Richard Swain Donald & Lorraine Swanson Mr. & Mrs. Paul Swart Shayne and Kathryn Taback Ross & BJ Taylor Karen Tereck - Welcome to Winnipeg Inc. Elizabeth B. Armytage Fund-The Winnipeg Foundation Linda Thomas June Thompson Marilyn Thompson Phyllis A. C. Thomson Mary E. Tibbs‡ Malcolm & Shirley Tinsley Helen Tomlinson Gord and Lorena Trann W. Tretiak & B. Baydock Wendy Tschetter Terry Tully Robert Tyler & Laurel Hammond-Tyler A. Van de Vijsel Mr. Charles R. Vandekerkhove Patricia Van Doninck Fran and Bob Vannevel‡ In memory of Ruth Paul, longtime MTC subscriber - Bev Venn Irv & Toby Vinsky Dr. & Mrs. M. B. Vodrey C and J Vukelic Helmut & Gwen Waedt V. Stirling Walkes Donald Wardrop Phyllis Watson Al & Pat Wherrett‡ Murray and Nancy Wiegand John T. & Justina Wiens Trevor Wiens Peter and Elizabeth Wijtkamp Catherine Wilkie Leslie Wilson Dennis & Gustine Wilton R & A Winstone Rick Wishart Grant & Sheila Woods Harry & Evelyn Wray Margaret & Paul Wright 28 Anonymous
†Current Royal MTC staff
‡Monthly donors
39
SUPPORTERS BENEFACTOR • $3,000–4,999
SPONSOR The Asper Foundation BMO Financial Group Martha Burns CIBC CN Continental Travel Group De Luca Fine Wines Dycom Direct Mail Services Esdale Printing Co. Ltd. The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre Freeman Audio Visual Canada Friesens Corporation Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson Deborah Gray The Great-West Life Assurance Company Greystone Managed Investments Inc. Investors Group Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Lawton Partners MacDon Industries Ltd. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries MTS National Leasing Planned Perfectly PwC The Property Registry RBC Royal Bank Relish Sky Zone Sleeman Breweries Ltd. Stantec Consulting Ltd. Subway Franchise World Headquarters TD Bank Financial Group Wawanesa Insurance The Winnipeg Free Press
CORPORATE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE HERO • $10,000+ Johnston Group Inc. Qualico
GUARANTOR • $5,000–9,999 Fidelity Investments Canada ULC
Cambrian Credit Union Maple Leaf Construction Ltd., Blake Fitzpatrick Number TEN Architectural Group, Robert Eastwood Terracon Development Ltd. Winmar Property Restoration
PATRON • $1,200–2,999 Assiniboine Credit Union Benevity Community Impact Fund Bison Transport, Don Strueber Royal Canadian Properties Limited Fillmore Riley LLP George Wakefield Foods Inc., Judy Wakefield* Manitoba’s Credit Unions The Manitoba Teachers’ Society Maxim Truck & Trailer Melet Plastics Inc., Edward Shinewald Pollard Banknote Limited Ruth & Ted Northam PRA Inc. Ranger Insurance Brokers Ltd. Regal Tours Safeway and Sobeys
CORPORATE FRIENDS OF ROYAL MTC CONTRIBUTOR • $900–1,199 Astroid Management Ltd. Mitchell Fabrics Ltd.
SUPPORTER • $600-899 NAV CANADA Party Stuff/U-Rent-It
ASSOCIATE • $300–599 Mid West Packaging Limited Premier Printing Ltd.
DONOR • $150–299 DGH Engineering Ltd. Intergroup Consultants Ltd. Leon A. Brown Ltd. MCW/AGE Consulting Professional Engineers Noble Locksmith Ltd. Patill/St. James Insurance Reitmans (Canada) Limited
*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members
TRIBUTE GIFTS Gifts received between April 2 and October 1, 2016 In honour of Dr. Meyer & Shelley Nimchonok on their 50th Anniversary - Maxine Cristall; Ruthie, Phil, Lainey, Marni, Hilary, Iris & Amelia In honor of Harry Nelken, receipient of the Vic Cowie Award. keep up the good work - Bruce & Celia Sarbit In Honor of Vivan’s Rachlis’ birthday - Lisa and Daniel Stiver
FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE John Hirsch and Tom Hendry shared a dream of creating great professional theatre with mass appeal. With the visionary support of Founders’ Circle members – those who have made a planned gift to Royal MTC – their dream will live on for generations to come. Thank you to our Founders’ Circle members.§ Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* Marjorie & Morley Blankstein* Duane and Pauline Braun Kerry Dangerfield* James Gibbs Gary Hannaford & Cathy Rushton Maureen E. Jay Andrew & Wendy Jensen Dr. Leonard & Hope Kahane Gordon C. Keatch* Laurie Lam† & Larry Desrochers Leona J. MacDonald Barb Melnychuk Jeffrey Morton* Dr. Bill Pope & Dr. Elizabeth Tippett-Pope Heather Power & Harold Klause Edward Fisher & Lyse Rémillard Terri Cherniack & Steven Schipper, C. M.† Brenda Zaporzan Anonymous
†Current Royal MTC staff §If you have remembered Royal MTC in your will, please let us know
40
Ovation
‡Monthly donors
october/november 2016
SUPPORTERS ENDOWMENT FUND In Honour of Artistic Director Steven Schipper
Many thanks to the generosity of our Endowment Fund donors who gave a gift or fulfilled a pledge payment between August 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016. Amounts are cumulative. $5,000,000+ Government of Canada/ Gouvernement du Canada Canadian Heritage/ Patrimoine canadien
$250,000–499,999 Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson
$50,000–99,999 Manitoba Theatre Centre Volunteer Corps of Ushers
$10,000–24,999 Mr. & Mrs. Kristjan and Shirley Benidickson Bryan Klein & Susan Halprin The Estate of Gordon P. Linney Cam & Carole Osler Norma Anne Padilla Steven Schipper, C. M.† & Terri Cherniack George Sigurdson Terracon Development Ltd.
$5,000–9,999
$2,500–4,999 Ron & Carol Chapman Helene Dyck Dr. Ted & Gail Hechter Margaret & Fred Mooibroek Fran & Estela Violago Anonymous
$1,000–2,499 Jack Armstrong & Doris Quinn Doris & Burton Bass The Bohm Family David & Pamela Bolton Don & Cheryl Breakey Bob & Alison Darling Brent & Debbie Gilbert David & Ewhenia Gnutel John & Margaret Graham Carol Campbell & Andy Krentz Barbara Main Dr. & Mrs. Donald McInnes Terri & Jim McKerchar Vera Moroz Jean & Lisa Neron Anita & Ron Perron Marc & Sherri Rittinger Ruth Simkin Jim & Jan Tennant Suzanne Ullyot
*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members
october/november 2016
$500–999
Doneta* & Harry Brotchie Margaret Caie Susan and Keith Knox Garry Markham Jim* & Penny McLandress Heather Pullan & Tom Frohlinger Faye Warren Wearing Williams Limited - Don & Sheila Katz
Ovation
Joan & Ed Alexander Peggy Bainard Acheson Ron & Joan Boyd Arthur & Donna Chow John K. & Agnes Collins Dorothy Davidson Nelma Fetterman Christine Fleetwood Chris Freeman Betty Ann & Richard Graydon Teresa A. Hay Dr. Stan & Susan Lipnowski Patrick* & Clarice Matthews Estelle Meyers E.M.L. Poulter Bill & Norma Rennie Ivor & Lorna Schledewitz Jim & Susan Shaw Howie & Sue Simpson Marilyn Thompson Elaine Toms Gabor Vamos & Brenda Silver Anonymous
UP TO $499 Jacqueline Anderson Margaret & Charles Avent Ms Jean Bissett Bev & Ron Clegg Ms Simone I. Cohen Christine H. Coltart Barbara Latocki Frances Lemieux Nick Martin & Dr. Evelyn Ferguson Anthony & Joyce McWha Marcel & Louise Mollot Marlene A. Mortimer Pat & Sherry O’Connor Myrna Protosavage 4 Anonymous
†Current Royal MTC staff
‡Monthly donors
41
SUPPORTING PARTNERS CORE FUNDERS
SEASON PARTNERS
TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE SEASON SPONSOR
EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTION SUPPORTER
JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION SPONSOR
TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE PRODUCTION SPONSORS Deborah Gray
JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCE SPONSORS
BACKSTAGE PASS
WORDPLAY
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
TD THEATRE UNDER 30
BENEFACTORS
Deborah Gray Martha Burns
S T R O N G E R C O M M U N I T I E S T O G E T H E R TM
REGIONAL TOUR
CalmAir 42
Ovation
october/november 2016
SUPPORTING PARTNERS BLACK & WHITE BALL PREMIER SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR
BRONZE SPONSOR
Gerry & Barb Price
LAWYERS PLAY
Insurance Brokers and Consultants
DESIGN SPONSOR
CAPITAL ASSISTANCE
2016 WINNIPEG FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL
S T R O N G E R C O M M U N I T I E S T O G E T H E R TM
AYCKBOURNFEST
MEDIA SPONSORS
october/november 2016
Ovation
43
BEHIND THE SCENES Development
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Michael Joyal, Development Data Manager Melissa Novecosky, Special & Donor Events Coordinator Shelly Smith-Hines, Director of Development Heidi Struck, Individual Giving Manager
Honorary Members
Her Honour, Lt. Governor Janice C. Filmon The Honourable Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba His Worship, Mayor Brian Bowman
Front of House
Executive Officers
Adam Kozachuk, Patron Experience Manager Kim Cossette, House Manager, Tom Hendry Warehouse Front-of-House Staff: Nick Fletcher, Deanna Goring, Jonny Hall, Elfie Harvey, Marissa Kellet, Peter Kellett, Talia Kowalchuk, Tia Levine, Declan Moulden, Rachel Neal, Graeme Olson, Amariah Peterson, Angela Rajfur, Jennifer Schmidt, Rita Vande Vyvere, Kira Watson
Anthony C. Fletcher, Chair Jim McLandress, Past Chair David Carefoot, Treasurer Heather Clarke, Secretary David Christie, Chair, Resource Development Sandy Gousseau, Chair, Audience Development Patrick Green, Chair, Organizational Performance John Guttormson, Chair, Governance & Strategic Planning Trustees
Jan Coates Paulo Fernandes Katherine Fox Rita Gunn Shawn Hughes Derek Johannson Advisory Council
Kerry Dangerfield, Chair Gail Asper Doneta Brotchie Angus Campbell Gerry Couture Hy Dashevsky Glen Dyrda, FCA John F. Fraser Jean Giguere Charron Hamilton
Maintenance
Jason Kasper John Kearsey Brenda Kriss Sagan Morrow Andrea Robertson Derek Rolstone
Laurie A. Speers Tim J. Valgardson Helga D. Van Iderstine Judy Wakefield Richard L. Yaffe
Gary Hannaford, FCA Yude Henteleff Ken Houssin Gordon Keatch Colin R. MacArthur, QC Patrick J. Matthews Jeffrey Morton, FCA Hon. Jack Murta Lillian Neaman Shelley Nimchonok
James Pappas John Petersmeyer Lawrence Prout Jeff Quinton Patricia Rabson Margaret Redmond Susan Skinner Al Snyder Maureen Watchorn
Yvonne O’Connor, Accounts Payable Administrator Melanie Sexton, Payroll Administrator Shelley Stroski, Controller
Paint
Susan Groff, Head Scenic Artist Megumi Hari, Scenic Artist Production
Christine Corthey, Production Associate Ian Kirk, Assistant Technical Director Rick MacPherson, Technical Director, Tom Hendry Warehouse Russell Martin, Director of Production Ben Ross, Technical Director, John Hirsch Mainstage Steven Smits, Assistant Production Manager
Stage Crew
Administration
Brian Adolph, IT Manager Angela Broadbent, Education & Community Engagement Manager Devan Graham, Director of Human Resources Camilla Holland, Executive Director Mary Horodyski, Archivist Daphne MacMillan, Administrative Assistant Jennifer Skelly, IT Administrator Artistic
Joan Lees-Miller, Head of Wardrobe Claude Robert, Head Electrician Chris Thomson, Head Carpenter John Tomiuk, House Stage Hand Michael Wright, Head of Sound Tom Hendry Warehouse
Chris Brett, Head of Sound Randy Zyla Harder, Head Electrician Rick MacPherson, Technical Director Alison Nutt, Head Carpenter Wardrobe
Krista Jackson, Associate Artistic Director Jeff Kennedy, Literary Coordinator Laurie Lam, Producer Tiffiny Nelson, Artistic Intern* Steven Schipper, CM, Artistic Director Casey Shapira, Assistant to the Producer Melinda Tallin, Artistic Coordinator
Thora Lamont, Cutter Lorraine O’Leary, Head of Wardrobe Lois Powne, First Hand Jackie Van Winkle, Head Buyer & Accessories Coordinator Wigs
Beverly Covert, Wigs & Makeup Supervisor
Sheena Baird, Ticketing Services Manager Laurie Fletcher, Box Office Manager Desirée Harder, Director of Patron Services Box Office Representatives: Katie Adamson, Julie Gregorchuk, Hayden Maines, Robyn Pooley, Jessy Ross, Katie Schmidt, Kira Watson Louis Gagné, Layout Carpenter Brent Letain, Master Carpenter Chris Seida, Scenic Carpenter
Sue Caughlin, Marketing & Communications Manager Kathleen Cerrer, Publicist & Online Media Coordinator Katie Inverarity, Director of Marketing & Communications Mark Saunders, Marketing & Communications Coordinator Thomas Urish, Sales Manager
Larry Demedash, Senior Properties Builder Kari Hagness, Head of Properties Lawrence Van Went, Properties Builder
Accounting/Finance
Carpentry (John Hirsch Mainstage)
Marketing & Communications
Properties
STAFF
Box Office
Andrew Drinnan, Building Superintendent Chris Fletcher, Assistant Building Superintendent
Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival & Master Playwright Festival
Jennifer Cheslock, Festival Manager Chuck McEwen, Executive Producer Honorary Staff
Zaz Bajon, General Manager Emeritus
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF my name is asher lev
Karyn Kumhyr, Running Crew Zoë Leclerc-Kennedy, Running Crew Additional crew provided by IATSE Local 63
*Courtesy of Grant MacEwan University’s Arts and Cultural Management Program.
44
Ovation
october/november 2016
BEHIND THE SCENES THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME Citadel Theatre Production staff
Cheryl L. Hoover, Director of Production Bill Heron, Technical Director Owen Hutchinson, Head of Audio Nick Rose, Assistant Head of Audio Peter Locock, Head of Scenic Carpentry Chris Hayes, Assistant Head of Scenic Carpentry Greg Cardinal, Scenic Carpenter Dan Menard, Scenic Carpenter Serge Menard, Scenic Carpenter Sheila Cleasby, Head of Electrics Meaghan Skerik, Assistant Head of Electrics Nicole Deibert, Head of Scenic Paint Kimberly North, Scenic Paint Richard Stevens, Scenic Paint Jim Meers, Head of Props Charlotte Hunt, Assistant Head of Props Angie Sotiropoulos, Props Marc Anderson, Head of Stage Carpentry Gryphen Colling, Assistant Head of Stage Carpentry Elijah Lindenberger, Head of Video Patsy Thomas, Head of Wardrobe Judith Darough, Cutter Helen Flower, Milliner Genevieve Savard, Stitcher Barb Becker, Fabricator Lorraine Price, Head of Wardrobe Running Danine Regenwetter, Wardrobe Maintenance Samantha J. Rumball, Head of Wigs Katie Patton, Assistant Head of Wigs
MY NAME IS ASHER LEV Segal Centre production staff
François Lemieux, Technical Director Tristynn Duheme, Associate Technical Director, Production Jon Cleveland, Head Technician & Lighting Steve Marsh, Head of Sound Karine Brisson-Bouchard, Head Dresser Elisabeth de Medeiros, Costume Technician Louise Bourret, Head of Wardrobe Steve Schön, Head Carpenter Karine Cusson, Head of Props William Patrick, Head Scenic Painter Props Associates: Véronique Marcoux, Madeleine Saint-Jacques Scenic Painters: Jeremy Gordaneer, Mary Hayes Emlyn Vanbruinswaardt, Carpenter Assistant Head of Lighting: Scott Drysdale, Rodéric Dyon Rabbi Yisroel Bernath, Hasidic Consultant Suzanne Toren Vocal Coach Géraldine Courchesne, Wigmaker & Hair Stylist Suzanne Trépanier, Makeup Artist Costume Workshop & Alterations: Jean-François Rochefort, Amélie Grenier, Roman Istrate Set-Up & Strike Crew: Vladimir Cara, Louis-Philippe Gervais, Hannah Kirby, Melissa Kay Langille, Nicolas Lemieux, Liam Lett Rachelle Glait, Casting
The 2016/17 Royal MTC Board of Trustees. PHOTO BY LEIF NORMAN
P R O U D LY S P O N S O R E D BY
THEATRE FOR FANS UNDER 30 TD Theatre Under 30 is a group of 18- to 30-year-olds who dig world-class theatre at just $20 a seat. Members also get access to a number of exclusive pre-show happy hours and special events.
SIGN UP TODAY AT ROYALMTC.CA/UNDER30 PAUL ESSIEMBRE IN THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE. PHOTO BY DYLAN HEWLETT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ANGELA BROADBENT AT UNDER30�ROYALMTC.CA
Edmund Stapleton and Patricia Zentilli in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. PHOTO BY DAVID COOPER
YOUR GIFT CHANGES LIVES In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time we’re introduced to 15-year-old Christopher, who knows all the countries in the world and every prime number up to 7,057. Although he’s extremely intelligent, Christopher is easily confused by human emotions and counts on routine and predictability to make his life manageable. Storytelling is powerful, providing us with the ability to engage and educate. And Christopher’s story is just one of many we’re looking forward to producing on our stages this season. While you may be moved by the comedy, mystery and heartbreaking storyline of this play, we hope you leave the theatre with a better understanding of those around you, including people with autism. Royal MTC aspires to both reflect and engage the community it serves and each season is carefully planned to offer diverse programming. Your donations support this process by opening the doors to a wide range of artistic options and plays, allowing for greater creative freedom. Donors make it possible for Royal MTC to present entertaining and educational theatre for a wide variety of audiences. For example, Royal MTC is offering a relaxed performance for The Curious Incident of 46
the Dog in the Night-Time on November 10 as a pilot project. This accessibility initiative provides a welcoming environment for those with sensory concerns, autism spectrum disorders, learning disorders or anyone for whom the regular theatre experience can be challenging. The story doesn’t change but small modifications are made to the production such as reducing the volume of loud noises/effects and slightly brightening the house lights in case a patron needs to leave the theatre. Theatre as both entertainment and education makes a difference in our world. During the 1973/74 season, MTC staged A Day in the Death of Joe Egg about a family coping with disability. Artistic Director Eddie Gilbert was quoted as saying, “I have it on reliable authority that the government of the day, headed by Ed Schreyer, was encouraged by this production to pass legislation affording better legal protection for the rights of people with disabilities.” Live theatre can be a powerful influence. Stories entertain, educate and change lives. Your donations help make it all possible. To make your life-changing gift today, please contact Heidi Struck at 204 954 6412 or hstruck@royalmtc.ca. We also invite you to donate online at royalmtc.ca.
Ovation
october/november 2016
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www.jwm.mb.ca