Ovation Volume 29, Number 4 (May 2022) by Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre

vol 29 • no 4 may 2022

THE REZ SISTERS By Tomson Highway

JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE

R OYA L M A N I TO B A T H E AT R E C E N T R E A N D T H E M A N I TO B A B A R A S S O C I AT I O N P R E S E N T T H E 2 9 T H L AW Y E R S P L AY

d Goes ‘R l r o ou W e JOHN KANDER FRED EBB nd h T MUSIC BY

LYRICS BY

CONCEIVED BY SCOTT ELLIS, SUSAN STROMAN, DAVID THOMPSON A musical revue featuring songs from Chicago, Cabaret and more.

DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY JILLIAN WILLEMS MUSIC DIRECTION BY DANNY CARROLL

MAY 10–14 | TICKETS $50–$75

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

ROYALMTC.CA/LAWYERSPLAY | 204 942 6537 Event in support of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre PRESENTING SPONSOR

SPONSORS

THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. mtishows.com

MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR We are so pleased to welcome you to Tomson Highway’s The Rez Sisters. This seminal work was first produced at Native Earth Performing Arts in Toronto in 1986 and played at MTC’s Warehouse Theatre the following year. Thirty-five years later, we are thrilled to bring it home to our John Hirsch Mainstage theatre. To know Tomson is to understand the true meaning of joie de vivre. He has embraced life with such passion and appetite and speaks often about the source of this well of joy. His brother René Highway, Kelly Thornton

a renowned dancer who originated the character of Nanabush, the trickster figure in the play, was sadly

taken from this life far too young in 1990. But we can be grateful for his final words to Tomson, “Don’t mourn me, be joyful.” This legacy has reverberated through Tomson’s work and life and has made him one of the most celebrated dramatists of his time. Set on a fictional reserve on Manitoulin Island, The Rez Sisters explores the lives of seven women as a quest story. As they journey to the Biggest Bingo in the World, accompanied by the mystical and transformative figure of Nanabush, the adventure, and indeed the game itself, awakens the dreams of these women and the possibilities beyond their day-to-day struggles. But just as you are laughing at Tomson’s signature wit, he pulls no punches to expose the raw wounds that hardship has inflicted on their lives. The Rez Sisters has been translated into a multitude of languages and continues to be performed on stages across the world. This is a powerful testament to the beauty of Tomson’s play, and to the enduring power of story itself. Thank you for joining us,

The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is proud to call Manitoba home. Royal MTC is located in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 land, the traditional territory of the Ininew, Anishinaabe and Dakota peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We are thankful for the benefits sharing this land has afforded us, and we are committed to the responsibilities of the Treaty. Hiy Hiy, Miigwetch, Wopida and Maarsii. may 2022

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THEATRE ABBREVIATION LEGEND A.C.T. American Conservatory Theater • San Francisco, CA 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 HGJT Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company • Toronto, 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 ViC The Village Conservatory for Music Theatre • Winnipeg, MB VP Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company • Vancouver, BC West End Theatre district • London, England WCT Western Canada Theatre • Kamloops, BC WJT Winnipeg Jewish Theatre WSO Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra WST Winnipeg Studio Theatre YPT Young People’s Theatre • Toronto, ON zone41 zone41 theatre • Winnipeg, MB

OVATION VOLUME 29, NUMBER 4 MAY 2022

Ovation is published four times per theatre season and has an approximate yearly circulation of 51,000. printing: Premier Printing Ltd. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Savannah Lillies telephone: 204 934 0309 email: slillies@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

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able at every performance to assist patrons.

Latecomers • Latecomers will be seated at the discretion 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.

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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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PHOTO BY OOSTUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY

The original cast of the 1986 Native Earth Performing Arts production of The Rez Sisters. l-r: Anne Anglin, Sally Singal, Margaret Cozry, Gloria Miguel, Muriel Miguel, Gloria Eshkibok, Monique Mojica, René Highway.

Playwright’s Notes BY TOMSON HIGHWAY The number seven has always woven a world of wonders for me, my other magic numbers being three and 11. I don’t know anything about numerology but that’s the way it has always worked for me. My mother, for instance, was born on the 11th of January, 1911, making for a perfect series of five ones – 11.1.11. And I am her 11th born of 12, which makes for an even more perfect series of seven ones – 11.1.11.11. And that’s just for starters, making for a life – my life – that has been filled with magic from one end to the other. So in a sense, the number chose itself; I didn’t – this play is about seven women and their madcap adventure with a game of chance called bingo. Next, I wanted to write about my mother and her sisters, of whom she had three who survived to adulthood, and halfsisters, of whom she had another three who survived to adulthood (she had brothers as well, of course, but we’re talking women here). Her mother having died when she, my mother, was a new bride and mother of 18 years, her father, my maternal grandfather, Louison Cook, re-married, which is where the three 6

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half-sisters come from, the total number of sisters adding up to the magic number – bingo – seven. I wanted to write about my mother – her full name was Pelagie Philomene Highway – because, a) I loved her dearly, may she rest in peace and, b) she was funny; she had a great sense of humour, a colourful, vibrant character from age one day. She was also the very best mother a man could have, wise and kind and with a taste for the ridiculous which I like to think I have inherited – people find it hard to get anything serious out of me, may I never change. So then I wanted to write about a completely fictional event called “the biggest bingo in the world” and it had to be placed – or at least I thought so – in the biggest, and wealthiest, city in Canada. Which was Toronto. I lived in Toronto for 20 years with about 10 months on an island called Manitoulin which is located a six-hour drive north of Toronto on one of the Great Lakes, the one called Lake Huron. Brochet, Manitoba in the farthest corner of northwestern Manitoba, the First Nation I come from, is way too far away may 2022

THE REZ SISTERS from Toronto to make a trip to that city realizable – between dogsleds, bush planes, trains, and automobiles, it would take a month to make the trajectory so that didn’t work for my storyteller’s needs. So I wove a web of fiction where I placed my mother and her sisters on this one First Nation on Manitoulin Island which dazzled me with its great sense of humour, its spiritual energy, and its beauty. Which is where seven completely fictional sisters that you see in this play come from. And, once started, the fictionalizing process just continued. I love all seven women’s stories but the one that most gripped me was the one about Emily and her adventures with a Native women’s motorcycle gang based in San Francisco, California who call themselves, “Rose and the Rez Sisters.” That’s a completely made-up story but it worked for the

subject that I wanted to write about which was life on this Earth and a certain magic number that, I believe, we are all born with. And someday, when you least expect it, it will be called…by the Master of the Game. So play it well, my dear friends and colleagues, play it well. I thank all the kind and fabulously talented people who, all these years since I wrote it (fall 1985) – and there have been many in several countries in several languages – have helped make this play a reality, right down to its original director, the late Larry Lewis, its original Nanabush and choreographer, my late younger brother, René Highway, the cast and crew in this production and, of course, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre for having selected it for its current run. Thank you, Kelly!

Tomson Highway Productions on Royal MTC Stages the rez sisters - 1987

the (post) mistress - 2021

Gloria Miguel and Muriel Miguel

Krystle Pederson

PHOTO BY HUGH CONACHER

PHOTO BY OOSTUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY

songs in the key of cree - 2019

dry lips oughta move to kapuskasing - 1990

Krystle Pederson

Tom Jackson PHOTO BY B. MONK

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THE REZ SISTERS

Nanabush and Indigenous Spirituality Nanabush, Nanabozo, Nanabozho, Weesageechak, Trickster. Different names for the same genderless spiritual being, shared by various Indigenous oral traditions. The Trickster is a central figure in many traditions and is the central figure in yet others. In the foreword of the play Tomson offers that Nanabush is “as pivotal and important a figure in the Native world as Christ is in the realm of Christian mythology.” Nanabush creates life, protects life and ushers life into the spirit world. Nanabush’s role is to transmit cultural teachings and traditional knowledge to help human beings live their lives in a good way. In order to do that, and as part of the Trickster personality, they can take any form and shapeshift (like from Seagull, to Nighthawk, to Bingo Master), and make mischief and destroy things in order to rebuild them (or get human beings to). Trickster lives and behaves outside of convention and the generally accepted. Trickster can appear as a friend, or be terrifying, and in perfect harmony with all these traits and responsibilities, has a fundamental core of humour, care and joy. source: study guide by seraph-eden boroditsky

DID YOU KNOW? Tomson Highway collaborated frequently with his brother René Highway (1954–1990). Inspired by his talents as a choreographer, dancer and actor, René helped create the Nanabush character in The Rez Sisters and played the role in the 1987 Native Earth Performing Arts production at the Warehouse. In honour of René’s original vision, the role of Nanabush will be performed by a dancer in our Mainstage production. 8

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Taylor McCaffrey proudly supports the Royal MTC and gratefully acknowledges the rich contribution made by Manitoba’s Arts Community to our province. Good luck to all those involv ved in the production of The Rez Sisters and thank you for taking us on your roadtrip.

2200-201 Portage Ave Winnipeg, Manitoba | R3B 3L3 204.949.1312 | www.tmlawyers.com

Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director • Camilla Holland, Executive Director PRESENTS

The Rez Sisters By Tomson Highway May 5 – 28, 2022 preview May 4

Director...................................................................................Tracey Nepinak Set, Prop & Lighting Designer................................................ Andy Moro Costume Designer......................................................................... Jeff Chief Sound Designer / Composer.................................................... Daniel Roy Vocal Coach................................................................................Tom Soares† Nanabush Choreography.......................................................... Jera Wolfe Fight Director...................................................................... Jacquie Loewen Assistant Fight Director...................................................Darren Martens Assistant Set Designer...........................................................Kara Pankiw‡ Stage Manager.......................................................................Karyn Kumhyr Assistant Stage Manager............................................... Angela Marshall Apprentice Stage Manager....................................... Samantha Desiree THE CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Zhaboonigan Peterson........................................................... Ashley Cook Philomena Moosetail............................................................Stacy Da Silva Veronique St. Pierre...................................................Waawaate Fobister Annie Cook...............................................................................Katie German Marie-Adele Starblanket............................................... Renata Meconse Pelajia Patchnose......................................................................... Patsy Tuba Emily Dictionary...................................................Kelsey Kanatan Wavey† Nanabush........................................................................................ Jera Wolfe SETTING: Fictional Wasaychigan Hill Indian Reserve,

Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Late summer, 1986 (Wasaychigan means “window” in Ojibway)

The Rez Sisters is performed with one intermission. Mr. Highway is represented by Catherine Mensour/The Mensour Agency Ltd. Cover illustration by Sarah Brazauskas. Production photography by Dylan Hewlett.

*Position funded through the Jean Murray - Moray Sinclair Theatre Apprenticeship Program †Past Jean Murray - Moray Sinclair Scholarship award recipient ‡Position funded through the Kingfisher Foundation

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THE REZ SISTERS Ashley Cook

Stacy Da Silva

Zhaboonigan Peterson

Philomena Moosetail

ROYAL MTC First appearance.

OTHER THEATRE Ensemble, God’s Lake

OTHER THEATRE Recent: ROOM

(Castlereigh Theatre); Anon, Anon(ymous) (Studio 58); Barb, Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth (Firehall Arts Centre); Young Jasmine, Jail Baby (Sarasvàti). TRAINING/TEACHING Studied acting, voice, movement and physical theatre at Langara College in the Studio 58 Acting program. Graduated with honours in 2019 and currently teaches acting classes at Native Youth Theatre in Winnipeg. ET CETERA Ashley is Metis/Saulteaux, a proud member of Pine Creek First Nation. She is a recipient of the David Pritchard Award for Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management (Mortified, Studio 58).

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(ARTICLE 11); Kiitistsinnoniks (Our Mothers) (Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society). Stacy also performs her one-woman show – Dream Stealer. FILM/TV Stacy has been in film and TV for over 20 years. Film: Dream Keeper, Picking up the Eagle Feather (educational video), Hank Williams First Nation – Best Actress and the American Indian Movie Award at the American Indian Film Festival. Short films: Broken Records, Lost, Parent Council, The Root of the Problem, The Healing. TV: Tribal (APTN); North of 60 (CBC). TRAINING American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, California; Full Circle Native Theatre Ensemble program; Banff Centre – Indigenous Dance training; Pilot film program and Voice workshops program; Company of Rogues in theatre training. ET CETERA Stacy Da Silva – Sunrise Eagle Woman – is a mixed-blood Cree (from Saddle Lake First Nation, Alberta) and Portuguese woman. She resides in Calgary. Stacy uses her passion for storytelling, theatre and arts to share her culture and promote healing and self-empowerment.

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THE REZ SISTERS Waawaate Fobister Veronique St. Pierre

ROYAL MTC Playwright / Performer: Ode to RED Auntie (Tiny Plays, Big Ideas). OTHER THEATRE Performed with many major theatre companies across Canada. Waawaate’s work and research has taken them to many places as an artist, including Japan, UK, US and many coasts across Turtle Island. Currently, they are teaching at MTYP and curating Indigenous Programming for the Kick & Push Festival. Waawaate has a couple new works that are brewing and is very excited to share with you! TRAINING Theatre Arts – Performance at Humber College; Indigenous Dance at Banff Centre for the Arts; Summer School Intensives at Toronto Dance Theatre; Intensives at Centre for Indigenous Theatre and Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. ET CETERA Waawaate is an actor, dancer, playwright, choreographer, instructor and a producer. A proud Anishinaabe from Grassy Narrows First Nation. Recipient

of two Dora awards for outstanding actor and play (Agokwe), Humber College outstanding actor, Mark S. Bonham Centre award from University of Toronto for their advocacy and public knowledge in sexual diversity. Waawaate has many nominations, including Ontario Premier’s Award, K.M. Hunter Award and Sterling Award.

Katie German Annie Cook

ROYAL MTC Assistant Director: The (Post) Mistress. Mentee in the 2020/21 National Mentorship Program. Assistant Program Director of the Pimootayowin Creators Circle. OTHER THEATRE Midwinter Mosey, A Year with Frog and Toad, Seussical The Musical (MTYP); Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, South Pacific (Rainbow); Evil Dead The Musical, The Last Five Years, The Rocky Horror Show (Wasteland Productions); Sweeney Todd (Dry Cold). Directing: Embodying Power and Place (Nightwood Theatre/ New Harlem Productions); Katharsis (PTE).

SYNOPSIS – Life is in a holding pattern on the Wasaychigan Hill Indian Reserve. The roads still aren’t paved, work is scarce and the only action is at Big Joey’s house. Pelajia isn’t one of his conquests though; she’s dreaming of a life beyond the reserve. As she hammers away on her roof, Pelajia talks about moving to Toronto but her sister Philomena isn’t buying it. They’ve had this conversation before. Then word spreads that The Biggest Bingo in the World is coming to Toronto, which could be a game changer for Pelajia and her rez sisters. Following a near-riot in the general store (long story, but Big Joey is involved), they call a truce and start fundraising – bottle drive, bake sale, babysitting, you name it. Then they pile into a van and head to Toronto, with Nanabush tagging along. On the road, the women share intimate conversations about life and love but once they arrive, they’re all business. Who will get lucky? Whose luck will run out? All will be revealed at The Biggest Bingo in the World. For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

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THE REZ SISTERS TV Wolf Joe (Media RendezVous/Big

Jump Media Inc.).

Patsy Tuba

TRAINING Graduate of Grant MacEwan

Pelajia Patchnose

University, Theatre Performance. ET CETERA Katie is a mother to two beautiful kids who challenge and encourage her to be a better human and is also the owner and director of Junior Musical Theatre Company (JMTC). Miigwetch.

Renata Meconse Marie-Adele Starblanket

ROYAL MTC First appearance. ET CETERA Renata Meconse is an

Anishinaabe artist living in Treaty Territory No. 1 - Winnipeg. She is a proud mother of three children and her community is Pinaymootang First Nation in Treaty No. 2. Throughout her life, Renata has loved the arts in its many forms including visual, theatre and music. As part of her education in Creative Communications, she studied theatre at the University of Winnipeg where she had her first experience in acting. Renata has had the honour to perform in: The Vagina Monologues, Kinikinik: A Treaty Play by Ian Ross, Crossroads of the Continent: A History of the Forks and Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing by Tomson Highway. It is very exciting for Renata to return to theatre and to perform in The Rez Sisters having also been in Dry Lips. It is full circle for her and she is grateful to be part of this production!

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE The Rez Sisters, The

Vagina Monologues, Shakespeare’s Macbeth, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Spark Theatre); Noises Off, Dracula, Four Weddings and an Elvis, A Streetcar Named Desire (Odyssey Theatre); The 15 Minute Hamlet (Yorkton Festival). FILM/TV Kiri and the Girl, A.R.C.H.I.E., Misplaced Trust, Where’s My Sister, Super Speed Dates, The Mercury, The Beast of the Lowlands, The World’s Worst Dominatrix, Gone Squatchin’, First Native. TRAINING VANDARTS, Actorium, Neil Schell Core group, SK Filmpool, UG Studios.

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THE REZ SISTERS Kelsey Kanatan Wavey Emily Dictionary

ROYAL MTC Women of the Fur Trade. OTHER THEATRE Assistant Director:

The Boy in the Moon (Neworld Theatre). Co-director: Gather: Stories in Nature (Neworld Theatre); Cerulean Blue (Studio 58). Actor: In Time (TPM); The Hours That Remain (TBTR); The Unnatural and Accidental Women (NAC/NAC Indigenous Theatre); Cabaret, Hot House, Mortified, Incognito Mode (Studio 58); Skyborn: a Land Reclamation Odyssey, The Council of Spider, Ant & Fly, Battle of the Birds (Savage Society); Jumping Mouse, Fabric of the Sky (Urban Indigenous Theatre Company); Antony & Cleopatra (SIR). TRAINING Graduate of Studio 58 Actor Training Program. ET CETERA Kelsey is a two-time recipient of Royal MTC’s Jean Murray – Moray Sinclair Scholarship, a recipient of the Manitoba Arts Council Scholarship and Studio 58 writing award. She would like to thank her incredibly supportive family and friends.

Jera Wolfe Nanabush

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Choreographer: Miigis,

Backbone, Trace and FLOW (Red Sky Performance); Bare (Royal Winnipeg Ballet); Arise and Petrichor (Canada’s National Ballet School); Begin Again (Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers); Soul (The National Ballet of Canada); The War Being Waged (Prairie Theatre Exchange).

Dancer: Disney’s Musical Tarzan (Stage Entertainment); Who We Are in The Dark (Peggy Baker Dance Projects). FILM/TV Choreographer and Dancer: Tshishikushkueu / Woman of Space (Natasha Kanapé Fontaine with Festival Des Arts de Saint-Sauveur). ET CETERA Born in Tkaronto (Toronto), Jera Wolfe is a choreographer and performer of Métis heritage. His captivating choreography has awarded him the 2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Original Choreography for Red Sky Performance’s Trace.

Tomson Highway Playwright

ROYAL MTC The (Post) Mistress, Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing, The Rez Sisters (1987). ET CETERA Tomson Highway is the proud son of legendary caribou hunter and world championship dogsled racer, Joe Highway, and artist-in-her-own-right (as bead-worker and quilt-maker extraordinaire), Pelagie Highway. A full-blood Cree, he is a registered member of the Barren Lands First Nation, the village for which is called Brochet (pronounced “Bro-shay”) and which village is located in northern Manitoba where it meets Saskatchewan and what is now called Nunavut. Today, he writes novels, plays, and music for a living. Having studied music and English literature at the Universities of Manitoba and Western Ontario, as well as in England, he earned both his Bachelor of Music Honours (Piano Performance major, 1975) and the equivalent of a Bachelor of Arts (English major, 1976), both from “Western.”

For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

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Join us before the show for great food in a great atmosphere – within walking distance!

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WE TRIED We really did. We tried to photograph a pint of our refreshing, award-winning beer but everytime we turned our heads, it was gone. It’s just that good. You might have better luck. Pick some up in the lobby, your favourite beer store, Liquor Marts and in our very own taproom. 330-830 King Edward Street torquebrewing.beer

THE REZ SISTERS Tracey Nepinak Director

ROYAL MTC Acting: Sarah Ballenden, Good People, The History of Manitoba from the Beginning of Time to the Present in 45 Minutes. Playwriting: Redemption Tax (2020/21 Pimootayowin Creators Circle). OTHER THEATRE Tracey has worked professionally, in theatres across Canada, since 1993. Recent acting: Philomena in The Rez Sisters (Stratford); Rae Anna in Honour Beat (world premiere, Theatre Calgary); Crazy Bone in A Short History of Crazy Bone (world premiere, TPM); Cleopatra in Antony & Cleopatra (SIR). TV Recent acting: Rose in Burden of Truth (Eaglevision). TRAINING Tracey graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a B.A. Honours in Theatre. ET CETERA The Rez Sisters is Tracey Nepinak’s directing debut with Royal MTC. She is a proud member of Peguis First Nation, here on Treaty One Territory. Tracey is “over-the-moon” excited to be adding “kookum” to her resume this summer!

Andy Moro Set, Prop & Lighting Designer

ROYAL MTC Set Designer: The (Post)

Mistress.

OTHER THEATRE Pandemic designs: The

Herd by Ken Williams (NAC/Citadel/ Tarragon); Tightrope Time by Walter Borden (NAC/Neptune); Time Stands Still (Making Treaty 7); Raven Mother (Dancers of Damelahamid); The War Being Waged

(PTE); SkyDancers (A’nó:wara Dance); and Frozen River (MTYP). Upcoming is Blackhorse (Caravan Theatre). ET CETERA Andy Moro is co-founder of ARTICLE 11 with Tara Beagan. The National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre released a digital theatre iteration of Deer Woman created by ARTICLE 11 in association with Downstage, Calgary. A11’s performance installations DECLARATION and ROOM have been adapted across Turtle Island. ARTICLE 11 is in post production for Hasalala Danxalax, an Indigenous Opera Concert documentary and is currently shooting a feature-length work called RECKONING. Deep gratitude and humility to the production team at Royal MTC who contributed and created in a way that was far beyond a typical “page to stage” scenario.

Jeff Chief Costume Designer

ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE A Plains Cree costume

designer from Saskatchewan, Jeff’s designs have been seen across Canada. Credits include: Being Here – The Refugee Project, Ministry of Grace (Belfry); Leave it to Weavers (Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre); Life After Hockey (La Troupe du Jour); Ahtoyakwin 4 (The Crossing Theatre); Kronborg – The Hamlet Rock Musical (Confederation Centre of the Arts); Honour Beat (TC); Hedda Noir, Dreary and Izzy (Theatre NorthWest); Le Wild West Show de Gabriel Dumont (NAC); Ipperwash (Blyth); In Care (GTNT); Popcorn Elder (SNTC/Dancing Sky Theatre); Othello (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan); Where the Blood Mixes (WCT); Migration (Red Sky/Black Grace); A Man A Fish, God of Carnage, The Berlin Blues (Persephone).

For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

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INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 oz silver tequila • 1/2 oz Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur • 2-3 oz pineapple juice

DIRECTIONS

Blue Bingo Dabber —

CO C K TA I L R E C I P E

Pour tequila into a glass and fill with ice. Add pineapple juice and stir well. Top with blue curaçao and stir lightly. Garnish with a cherry and/or pineapple slice.

THE REZ SISTERS Daniel Roy

Tom Soares

Sound Designer / Composer

Vocal Coach

ROYAL MTC Coaching: Jane Eyre. Acting: Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III. OTHER THEATRE Coaching: The Winter’s Tale, Hamlet, Richard III (SIR); Iceland, Mary’s Wedding (TPM); Little Thing, Big Thing (PTE); Shrek (Rainbow). Acting: Hamlet (Bunchback’d Toads); Passion (Red Hen Productions); Little Women, Urinetown (Dry Cold); Annie (Rainbow); The Odyssey (SIR); Troilus and Cressida, Measure for Measure (Tom-Tom Theatre). FILM/TV Coaching: The Porter, Esther, Incident in a Ghostland. Acting: Love in the Alps, Burden of Truth, Nobody, The Pinkertons. TRAINING/TEACHING MFA in Acting with a Voice Specialization from York University. Tom regularly teaches courses on voice and performance for the Department of Theatre and Film at the University of Winnipeg (where he received his undergraduate degree). ET CETERA What a treat to work on theatre for a live audience! Thank you Aedan and Erin for your love and support.

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Professional. Local. Travel Services Exceeding Expectations. Professional. Professional. Local. Local. Travel Travel Services Services Exceeding Exceeding Expectations. Expectations.

Photo/Unsplash Joshua Stannard

ROYAL MTC Performer: All is Bright. Sound Designer: Women of the Fur Trade. OTHER THEATRE Sound Designer: Théâtre sans animaux, Le boucher, Plus (+) que toi (TCM); The Flats, What To Do With Albert (PTE/TCM); Flesh + Machine (Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers). FILM/TV Voice Actor: Supa Strikas, Canot Cocasse, Wolf Joe, La Brigade. TRAINING Beauty school dropout; as a musician, mostly a mix of self-taught and private lessons. ET CETERA Multi-instrumentalist, composer and award-winning singer-songwriter, Daniel Roy has been contributing to Manitoba’s artistic community for over two decades. His skill and versatility allow him to work across all genres of music, and have made him the first choice for many artists and productions alike. He divides his time between performing and recording with different artists, album production, sound design for theatre (Cercle Molière, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Royal MTC) and television (APTN, UNIS, Manito Média).

THE REZ SISTERS Jacquie Loewen Fight Director

ROYAL MTC Fight Director (selected): Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical (with Arts Club/Citadel), Vietgone (with fu-GEN/ Hope and Hell), Hand to God, Unnecessary Farce, Private Lives, Gone With the Wind, August: Osage County, Romeo and Juliet, The Seafarer. Actor: Alice Through the Looking-Glass, Top Girls. OTHER THEATRE Fight Director (selected): Macbeth (Bard on the Beach); Indigenous Playwrights New Works Workshop (PTC – Vancouver); Beauty and the Beast (Rainbow); The Flood Thereafter (CS); Don Giovanni (Manitoba Opera); Macbeth, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Taming of the Shrew (SIR); Prairie Nurse (PTE). TEACHING U of Winnipeg, U of Manitoba, Trinity Western, Simon Fraser University, Kansas State University. ET CETERA Jacqueline was a founding member of the Canadian Comedy Awardnominated sketch group Hot Thespian Action. She directed the first show of Manitoba Opera’s 2021/22 season, and is currently developing a theatre-for-one show with Theatre Projects Manitoba.

Darren Martens Assistant Fight Director

Les Misérables, The Producers (Rainbow); Another Way Home (WJT); A Little Night Music, The Addams Family (Dry Cold); Reefer Madness, American Idiot, Heathers: The Musical, Avenue Q (WST); Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (The Keep Theatre). FILM Actor: Polarized (Enlightenment Productions); Christmas by Starlight, Merry and Bright (Hallmark). TRAINING Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from the U of M, Opera NUOVA, Rainbow Stage Training Intensive.

Kara Pankiw Assistant Set Designer

ROYAL MTC Apprentice Set & Lighting Designer: The New Canadian Curling Club. Apprentice Set & Costume Designer: Fun Home. OTHER THEATRE Bar Mitzvah Boy, After Jerusalem (WJT); Awaken (SIR/zone41); La Liste (TCM); Set & Costume Assistant 2020 and 2021 seasons at Shaw Theatre Festival; The Seagulls, The Madness of Lady Bright, The Killing (Shaw); The Velveteen Rabbit (Carousel Players); Smarty Pants (Magnus Theatre). TV Burden of Truth. TRAINING Graduate of the University of Winnipeg Theatre and Film (Scenic Design) and the University of Manitoba’s Environmental Design Program (Architecture). A member of Associated Designers of Canada.

ROYAL MTC Actor: Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, A Christmas Carol, Alice Through the Looking-Glass. OTHER THEATRE Actor: A Chorus Line, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Little Shop of Horrors, For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

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THE REZ SISTERS Karyn Kumhyr Stage Manager

ROYAL MTC The Cottage, Heisenberg, A Christmas Carol, Sarah Ballenden, Chimerica (with CS), The Woman in Black, A Christmas Story, Ed’s Garage, Next to Normal, The Shunning, Steel Magnolias, It’s a Wonderful Life, Bleeding Hearts, Pride and Prejudice, Fiddler on the Roof, Our Town, The Tempest, Driving Miss Daisy, The History of Manitoba from the Beginning of Time. Assistant Stage Manager: A Christmas Carol, The Foreigner, Doc. OTHER THEATRE The Devil's Disciple, Desire Under the Elms (Shaw); The War Being Waged, The Third Colour, Happy Place, The Secret Mask, Unity: 1918 (PTE); Pippin (ViC/ WST); Beauty and the Beast (Rainbow); The 39 Steps (Harbourfront, PEI); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Grand); The Jungle Book, James and the Giant Peach (MTYP); Rick: The Rick Hansen Story (MTYP, Arts Club, Citadel); Molière, The Beauty Queen of Leenane (ATP); Bump, Snow Dance (Ship’s Company Theatre); The Addams Family, Urinetown (Dry Cold). FILM/TV Bring It On: Halloween (Universal); Winnipeg Comedy Fest (Frantic Films); Burden of Truth (CBC TV series); Into Invisible Light (Frantic Films).

Angela Marshall Assistant Stage Manager

Theatre, the Globe Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick, Stirling Festival, Neptune Theatre, Factory Theatre and Theatre Orangeville. ET CETERA Angela would like to thank her family and friends for all of their love and support.

Samantha Desiree Apprentice Stage Manager

ROYAL MTC Orlando. OTHER THEATRE Production and Tour

Coordinator: Seven Visions Digital School Tour (Sarasvàti). Associate Producer / Sound Design: Othello (MPF/ Echo Theatre). Stage Manager / PA: FemFest 2019 and 2020. Stage Manager: People, Places, and Things (U of W). Other credits: Middletown, Arcadia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (U of W). Designer: Seascape with Sharks and Dancer (Beau Theatre). Director/Designer: Animosity (DownsideUp); The Student Body Project, Tuesdays & Sundays, Women of Manhattan (Beau Theatre). Associate Company Member of Winnipeg Independent Theatre (WIT). TRAINING University of Winnipeg Bachelor of Arts Honours, Stage Management, Production, and Design. Creative Manitoba Mentorship with Melissa Novecosky. ET CETERA As always, couldn’t do it without my partner, Matt, and cat, Zella.

ROYAL MTC Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Orpheus Descending (with Mirvish), A Christmas Carol, Trying. OTHER THEATRE Stratford Festival (18 seasons), Mirvish Productions, the Grand For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

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“Because the arts forge human connection and ignite unforeseen possibilities within all of us.” Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre

FindyourBeCause.org ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE

CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

ENVIRONMENT AND ANIMAL WELFARE

HEALTH, WELLNESS AND RECREATION

LITERACY, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

COMMUNITY

Give to your favourite Cause at The Foundation and make Winnipeg better by helping local charities.

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

EXPLORE MORE The Rez Sisters Explore More Nanabush

Nēnapohš āhtahsōkēwinan (Nēnapohš legends), narrated by Saulteaux elders, ed. Margaret Cote. This collection of tales are told first in Saulteaux, the westernmost dialect of the Ojibwe language, and then English. Stories of Nēnapohš recreating the world after being flooded, becoming a wolf, and creating the red willow show both the Trickster and the spirit. 398.208997 NEN 2011 Nanabush series, retold and illustrated by Daphne Odjig. A favourite childhood character of the author, Nanabush uses his powers for both good and evil in these 10 short teaching tales. J 398.2 ODJ 2009 Explore More Tomson Highway

Permanent Astonishment. Highway’s award-winning memoir begins with his birth in a snowbank as the 11th of 12 children in a nomadic, caribou-hunting family. Both hilarious and profound, it offers insights into the Cree experience of culture, conquest, and survival. B HIGHWAY 2021 Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing. The women of a Northern Ontario reserve create an all-female hockey team, much to the annoyance of the men who find it an infringement of their identity. As in The Rez Sisters, Nanabush observes and interacts with the characters and the action. 819.254 HIG

Un renard sur glace = Maageesees maskwameek kaapit. Les deux frères cris Joe et Cody racontent des histoires à propos du territoire, les peuples et les coutumes du nord du Manitoba. Pendant que les deux frères pèchent avec maman et papa quand ces chiens aperçoivent un beau renard. ELB M HIGHWAY CRI Explore More Stories Featuring Indigenous Women

Empire of Wild, by Cherie Dimaline. Joan has been searching for her missing husband Victor for over a year when she finally finds him preaching in a revival tent – only he insists he’s not Victor, but the Reverend Eugene Wolff. His life, and the life of everyone Joan loves, depends upon her success in reminding the Reverend Wolff who he truly is. FICTION DIMALINE Monkey Beach, by Eden Robinson. After Lisamarie’s brother Jimmy mysteriously vanishes at sea, she sets off alone down the Douglas Channel to Monkey Beach, a place known for its Sasquatch sightings, hoping to find any sign of her brother. A moving story about family infused with humour and darkness. FICTION ROBINSON

There are 1.4 million books, movies, audiobooks, eBooks, and more at the Winnipeg Public Library, and all you need to borrow them is your library card. There are 20 locations throughout the city, and there’s an online catalogue for requesting items for pick-up at your library of convenience. An online e-Library has thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks and more! All free to use with your library card. Visit us online at winnipeg.ca/library. 22

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Great theatre lives here.

At BMO, we take pride in our local communities and the artists that contribute to the cultural diversity and artistic richness of our cities. We’re proud to support the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Enriching Students’ Lives Through the Power of Theatre Thanks to the generosity of Canada Life, Royal MTC welcomed youth from across Manitoba to experience our 21/22 season. This season we are thrilled to have classes back in our theatre to see The Rez Sisters. We reached our current capacity of 50% of the auditorium for our dedicated student matinee within only days of tickets going on sale! We also have classes joining us for public matinee and evening performances. All told, over 450 students will be seeing this production, and so far this season, 157 students and teachers attended matinee and evening performances for other productions. 559 people attended evening and weekend performances thanks to discounted tickets for youth. This includes members of our Theatre Under 30 program, which allows post-secondary students and others aged 18-29 to access discounted tickets. WANT TO BRING YOUR CLASS TO THE THEATRE?

We can’t wait to welcome your classes to our 2022/23 season! Advance booking will be available on June 6. If you’re a teacher who would like to receive more information about student matinees for next year, please get in touch with Ksenia Broda-Milian at kbrodamilian@royalmtc.ca to get on our newsletter list! youth engagement sponsor

THEATRE FOR FANS UNDER 30 Looking for a great night out that’s easy on your wallet? Theatre Under 30 members, aged 18 – 29, have exclusive access to world-class theatre for just $20 a seat!

SIGN UP TODAY AT ROYALMTC.CA/UNDER30 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT KSENIA BRODA-MILIAN AT UNDER30�ROYALMTC.CA EMERJADE SIMMS AND ROCHELLE KIVES IN CALPURNIA. PHOTO BY DYLAN HEWLETT.

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EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Sound Designer Dasha Plett and Education and Enrichment Manager Ksenia Broda-Milian chat with students during a virtual Theatre People session.

Theatre People

WHAT TEACHERS HAVE SAID:

“Thank you so much for the presentation today! After the call ended, the students all huddled in their groups and started rethinking and planning [their drama projects.] It was really great to see.”

Theatre People aims to educate students as well as the public about all the roles that are needed to create a theatre production, and to help high school students realize they are already developing the skills they can use in a career in this industry. Via an online document library and virtual classroom chats with professionals, students are learning about careers, understanding theatre’s collaborative nature, and dreaming about their futures. Virtual visits have allowed us to reach out to schools while still being mindful of the pandemic, and to connect with those outside of Winnipeg who might find it more difficult to come to Royal MTC. Sessions with directors are coming up, and so far this year, these chats have included artists and craftspeople working in stage management, props, acting, set, costume, lighting, and sound design, as well as playwriting. They have reached 460 students in 31 classes.

may 2022

“Thank you so much for chatting with my Grade 12s today! I think it was an eye opener for them to see truly how much thought & effort goes into each decision. It was a great hour! They learned a lot!” “Thanks again for the workshop. Our students really enjoyed it and both presenters did a great job engaging the students. I even had a few students expressing interest in backstage and props now as a career.” We are excitedly planning a return to our free, in-person programming for high school students to explore theatre next season, as well as maintaining our Theatre People library. If you want to learn more about jobs in theatre, visit royalmtc.ca/Education-Outreach/ Resources/Theatre-People.aspx

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LEGACY GIVING PHOTO BY JERRY GRAJEWSKI

What legacy will you leave behind? Have you ever thought about your legacy and what impact you want to leave on your community? Well, if Royal MTC has made an impact on your life, planning for a legacy gift to the theatre is a thoughtful way to ensure future generations can enjoy live theatre as much as you have. You become a member of our Founders’ Circle simply by letting us know that you’re planning for a gift to Royal MTC in your will. Members of our Founders’ Circle are also invited to many donor events to show our appreciation for their thoughtful gifts and to deepen their connection with the art form which means so much to them. There is no minimum commitment to become a member, even 1% of your estate can make a big impact! For information on becoming a member of the Founders’ Circle, please contact Development Manager Chris Turyk at 204 954 6412 or cturyk@royalmtc.ca. You can also make a gift today by scanning here!

Scan here 26

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SUPPORTERS Many thanks to our donors who made a gift between Jan 1, 2021 and Mar 1, 2022. DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $10,000+ Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson Susan Glass & Arni Thorsteinson Deborah Gray June & Bob Jackson Memorial Fund for the Performing Arts – The Winnipeg Foundation Bernie & Rhonda Plett Jim & Leney Richardson

$6,500-9,999 David Christianson & Vera Steinberger Elizabeth Marr & Nick Slonosky Leslie John Taylor Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation

$4,000-6,499 Pauline Braun – in memory of Duane Braun‡ David & Lianne Carefoot Sylvia Flam‡ Ms. Sophie Gaska Sara Gray Rita Gunn & Gregory Mason Camilla Holland† & Colin Viebrock‡ Leigh Murphy – in memory of Liam Murphy‡ The Jim & Janice Tennant Foundation Dr. Marcel Van Woensel

$2,000-3,999 Craig McIntosh & Lorraine Beck Fund Todd & Judy Bourcier Sheldon & Penny Bowles Dr. Lorne Bellan & Dr. Bonnie Cham David* & Barb Christie Kerry Dangerfield*‡ Dr. Lawrence & Ms Brenda Ellerby Tony* & Jennifer Fletcher‡ John* & Nicola Guttormson‡ Linda Hamilton & Grange Morrow‡ Houston Family of Bradwardine Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Derek & Mary Johannson David & Diane Johnston Dr. P. Kmet & Mr. B. Roslycky Donna & Dave* Lalama Katrina Lee-Kwen & Jeff Neufeld Bill & Shirley Loewen Jim* & Penny McLandress‡

Vivienne Nickerson Mr. & Mrs. Lawrie & Fran Pollard Drs. Bill Pope & Elizabeth Tippett Pope Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Sanford & Deborah Riley Maitland & Pat Sundmark Kelly Thornton† & Josep Seras-Gubert‡ Jeremy Trickett* & Brandon Barnes Trickett Scott & Sonya Wright Fund Anonymous – in memory of Shannon Hirsch

$1,200-1,999 Edward* & Jaime Acuna‡ D. T. Anderson John Borger Cathie & Brian Bowerman Doneta Brotchie, CM* & Harry Brotchie‡ Brenlee Carrington Trepel & Brent Trepel Chambers Family*‡ Haderra & Mark Chisick Heather Clarke* Jan* & Kevin Coates Hugh Conacher Ben & Shari Diamond Andrew Drinnan†‡ Helene Dyck Katherine Fox*‡ Susan* & Ab Freig‡ Blair & Amanda Graham Mintie Grienke Sharon Hamilton‡ Vivian Hilder-Skwark & David Skwark – in memory of Mike Skwark‡ Jeff Hirsch & Liz Murray Shawn Hughes* & Bruno Koehn‡ Katie Inverarity†‡ Hon. William Johnston Karen Klym & Roger Suss Serena Helen Kraayeveld Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation David* & Ellen Kroft‡ Katarina Kupca‡ J. Lamothe Rick Lee & Laurie Shapiro Andrea Lochhead* Reginald & Judy Low Dr. Douglas MacEwan Mark & Gloria Mancini‡ Kathy Menzies Carolyn Garlich & Peter Miller Gift Fund Grant Mitchell & Cat Lambeth Jeffrey* & Mary Morton Melissa Novecosky†‡ Dr. H. Nyhof & Jo-Anne Lutz

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

may 2022

†Current Royal MTC staff

Ovation

Wayne & Linda Paquin K. Heather Power & Harold Klause‡ Lawrence Prout* & Lisa Gardewine‡ Nancy & Loren Remillard Mrs. Shirley Richardson Sudhir Sandhu* Jeff Sisler & Cathy Rippin-Sisler Logan Family Fund Ken & Susan* Skinner Kevin Hines & Shelly Smith-Hines‡ Bill & Laurie* Speers Joan Stephens – in memory of Annice Stephens‡ Shelley† & Mark Stroski‡ Sasha & Josh Thiem*‡ Geeta* & Michael Tucker‡ Sindee & Albert Wilhelmer Rick & Claire* Workman Dr. Dorothy Y. Young Nicole Zajac 2 Anonymous

COMPANY CIRCLE $600-1,199 Robert & Ina Abra Family Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Dr. Liz Adkins Margaret & Jim Astwood Norma & Glenn Baldwin Wayne Billing Paulo Fernandes‡ Barbara Hamilton Gregg & Mary Hanson N. & L. Holliday Gerald Jewers Jurgen & Glenda Kannwischer Gerard Kennedy & Jane Hilderman Peter Klippenstein Belinda Knopf Donna L. Korban & Family The Honourable Guy J. Kroft & Hester Kroft* Josee Lavoie Dr. G. H. Lawler Ian & Nicki LeGrand Kerrie Halprin & Richard Leipsic John & Roberta Lewis Pat & Jim Ludwig Brian & Christie Lysack Mr. G. Markham Gerard Matte & Lydia Surasky Matte Barry§ & Carol McArton Michael McGovern Campbell & Lorraine McIntyre Terri & Jim McKerchar‡ Ron McKinnon & Peggy Barker Marilyn & Robert Menzies Tracey Novak D. & G. Nytepchuk ‡Monthly donors

§ Fondly Remembered

SUPPORTERS Kris Olafson‡ Richard & Bonnie Olfert Ivan & Cathy Oresnik Cameron & Carole Osler Cam Mackie & Doris Mae Oulton Donna Plant Ann Pound-Holl Iris Reimer David & Joan Rew Barbara Scheuneman Albert Skiba Carol & Ron Slater Fund – Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Deborah Spracklin Georgia Taillieu Dr. Peter Triggs‡ Vicki Verville‡ Murray & Nancy Wiegand Reed & Arla Winstone Margaret Wollner 3 Anonymous

$250-599 Pat & Darrell Adams Pat & Bob Adamson Brian Adolph Dawn Andersen Bob & Joy Antenbring Elizabeth B. Armytage Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Dennis & Elaine Schultz Sheena Baird†‡ Dr. J Baluta & Ms. O. Kandia Earl & Cheryl Barish Larry Beeston & Anna Sikora Byrnes Benoit Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Bergbusch Ryan Bernier Irene Bilan Laurie Bleeks Dick Bloemheuvel Linda Boaz Lilian Bonin & Daniel P Levin R. & D. Boroditsky John & Marilyn Bourbonnais Dr. Elizabeth Boustcha Derek Boutang The Hon. Patricia Bovey Ron & Joan Boyd Margaret Braid Kris & Ruth Breckman Billy Brodovsky & Libby Yager‡ Sheila & David Brodovsky Ellen & George Bruce Cheryl Chaban Rosemary Chapman Lawrie & Bea Cherniack Nancy Chuback Glen & Lorna Clark Kenneth Clark & Pamela Lockman The Convery Family Pam & Andrew Cooke

Jim & Gwen Court Robert Coutts Daniel Cowan Drs. Kristen Creek & Josh Manusow Werner & Judy Danchura Linda Daniels Chris Darazsi‡ Bob & Alison Darling J. Davidson‡ Doug De Graff Diane Degraves Andrea Hector & Kirk Dellebuur Alan Diduck Diana Dinon Heather Dixon & Tony Harwood Jones Carl & Wilma Doerksen Neil & Carol Duboff June Dutka H. Dyck Roberta Dyck Glen* & Joan Dyrda Greg Edmond & Irene Groot-Koerkamp Don & Elfie Elias Sheila Engel Dan & Lilianne Erickson Jemara Fay‡ Jack Fraser Susan Fraser Christine Freeman Anne Friesen Chad & Gina Friesen Curwin & Jill Weber Friesen Felicia & Trevor Frost Paul Daeninck & Monica Furer Colleen & Dan Furlan‡ Daniel Gagnon Basil & Judy Galarnyk Lynne & Lindsay Gauld‡ Heather Gillander Lorraine & Ian Glassford Serky & Ben Goldberg Elisabeth Gordon Jeremy & Maureen Gordon Karin Gordon Kayla Gordon & Art Maister Marjorie Grower Sylvia & Doug Hannah Barbara Harrison Frank & Sue Hechter Gail Hechter Dr. Kristin Maria Heinrichs Medical Corp. Rodney Hick & Tracey Jackson John & Lenore Hodge Michael & Crystal Hollas‡ Ken Houssin Estate of Elsie Hughes Robert Hykawy Jean Hyrich Dr. James C. & Muriel Jamieson Sylvia Jansen

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

†Current Royal MTC staff

Ovation

Neil & Herta Janzen Robert & Karen Johnston Lisa Johnston‡ Joyal Felines Koren Kaminski Lydia Kandia Budilian Kehler & Tina Fehr Kehler Roger & Brenda Kennedy Peter Kingsley Betty Klassen Eileen & George Klassen Shan Dickson & Andrea Kneale Julie Ann Kniskern Ms Julie Koehn Denise & David Koss Lorraine Kozub Howard & Jane Kroeger Randie & Jan Kushnier Desiree Lavallee†‡ John & Heather Lea Bob Leggett Tim Preston & Dave Ling Lois Litz Chris Loepp Gail Loewen Peter & Maureen Macdonald MacDonald/Cageorge Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Shawn Madak Judith Manning Ms Grace Martel Liz Martin Jim & Lynne McClelland Marlene & Ian McKay Greg & Gloria McLaren John & Carolynne McLure Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Donald G. McNabb Constantina Metaxas Albert & Judith Metcalfe‡ Susie Miclash Janine Milani Tom Mooney Vera Moroz Sagan Morrow‡ Suzanne & Kenneth Munroe R. Frank Obrigewitsch Joanne Olchowecki Terry Panych Jean-Pierre Parenty Judith Parker Dr. Philip Pass Peter & Anita Pelech Maryam & Izzy Peltz Fund – Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Jo-Anne & Harvey Peltz Bonnie Penno‡ Rick Pinchin Leonard & Ruth Podheiser & The Podheiser Family Foundation Calvin & Jen Polet Beth Pollard ‡Monthly donors

§ Fondly Remembered

may 2022

Proud supporter of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

SUPPORTERS Carolyn Porhownik Jocelyne Prefontaine Maureen Prendiville & Paul Jensen Tammy Rabkin Vivian E. Rachlis Linda & Michael Radcliffe Carole Rankin‡ Elizabeth Ready Dr. Martin Reed & Joy Cooper Brad Regehr & Nalini Reddy* Lorraine & Ernest Reinfort Joan Richardson Jean Riggall Tony Robbins Andrea & Michael Robertson‡ Jay & Andria Ross Tamara Rossie Deborah & Neil Rostkowski Pat & Michelle Rowan Olga A. Runnalls‡ Michael T. Ruta Emile Samuels Harald & Vicki Schulz Faye Scott Darcia & Gary Senft Jewish Foundation of Manitoba –in memory of Sybil Shack for the benefiit of MTC Louise Shaw Bill Shepherd & Beverley Vane Blake Shiaro Shinewald Family Mrs. Lorraine Smith Mark C. Smith & Sabrina Smith Irene & Jim Snell–in honour of Jim Pappas Peter & Geri Spencer Marlene Stern Eleanor Suderman Lorne Sunley Mary Ann Supleve Ray & Fenella Temmerman Karen Tereck – Welcome to Winnipeg Inc. Leah R. Janzen & Ian R. Thomson Malcolm & Shirley Tinsley Greg Tottle Gord & Lorena Trann B. Baydock & W. Tretiak Elizabeth Turnock Mrs. Heather Tymoschuk Tim Valgardson & Cecily O’Callaghan Irvin & Toby Vinsky Dr. & Mrs. M. B. Vodrey Sheera Waisman – in memory of Mrs. Frances Settler Stirling Walkes Colleen Webb Jesse Wente Norma & Ron Westcott

Debra Wiens Lionel & Lorraine Wiens Kathy Gough & Tim Wildman Catherine Wilkie Leslie Wilson Klaus & Elsa Wolf Deborah A. Wolfe Margaret & Paul Wright Ms. Landice Yestrau & Mr. Kyle Reeves A Young Olga & Roman Zubach 15 Anonymous

$150-249 Donna Allary R.E. Allison Tatiana Arcand Jennifer & Scott Ash Elizabeth Atkinson Peter Attwood Nadine Audet Marilyn Badke Zaz Bajon & Patricia Hunter Richard & Nancy Ball Dr. Corinne Barrett DeWiele Richard Bartlinski Karen & John Bate Sheila Beauchemin James & Dawn-Lynne Bedford Susan & George Benias Trish Bergal Eric & Maureen Bergen Trust Beta Edwin M. Bethune Kelly Black & Sheila Curry Marjorie Blankstein CM, OM, LLD Joan Blight Helga & Gerhard Bock Marnie Bolland France Adams & Stephen Brodovsky Debby & Bob Brown Brian Brown Terry Bruneau Carol Budnick Sean & Melanie Bueckert John Burrows Enid Butler L. K. Butler Diane & Gus* Campbell Robin Campbell Sandra Campbell Arlene Carr Jeff Carter Sylvia Cassie Jody Chalmers & Monique Perro‡ Hilda Cherry Hy & Pat Cohen Fund Agnes & John K. Collins Diane Connelly Sarah Corley Larry & Christine Cowan

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

Ovation

Bob & Lena Cox Roy & Marie Craig Janet Cutler Matthew Cutler & Dr. Avery Miller Susan Cuvelier J. Dale Georges Damphousse Ms D. Davidson Kenneth DeLisle Stan Diachun Margaret & Sylvia Docker Sheila Down Rob Dryden John & Ada Ducas Marilyn Dudek Heather Goulden & Jay Duncan Michael Duncan Craig & Claudette Dunn Pamela Dykstra David & Barbara Ediger‡ John Edwards & Wendy Stelko John & Marylin Ekins Charlotte Enns Anthony Esposito Marion Fellinger Nelma Fetterman Doug & Pat Finkbeiner Elvira & Harry Finnigan Gayle Fischer Beverley & Ronald John Fitzpatrick Lawrence Foster‡ Gloria & Rick Gallant Frank Filbert & Linda Garwood-Filbert Jane Park & Blair Geisel Trish Gibson Bill & Sharon Glanville Darlene Golinoski Marcia & John Gordon John & Margaret Graham Moira Graham M. Gray Dr. Darrell Grymonpre Jackie Halliburton Bonnie Hallman Ahava Halpern & Frank Lavitt F. Hanlon Linda Harlos & Adrian Wildsmith Bruce & Judy Harris Carol Harvey Teresa A. Hay Ken & Ruth Hayes Evelyn & Larry Hecht Gail Henderson-Brown David & Mary Hickling Ted & Cathy Hlynsky Rob & Jen Hochkievich‡ Mary Hodge Ann Hodges Kathryn Hofley Carol & Ian Hughes

†Current Royal MTC staff

‡Monthly donors

may 2022

SUPPORTERS Catherine Hunter Mrs. Kadri Irwin G. C. Irwin-Kilfoyle Wendy & Jim Jackson Marlis & David Jacobson Elizabeth Janzen Margaret Jeffries Dave & Lesia Johns Tiffany Johnson-Sheldon Tannis & Owen Johnston Sheryl Kapitz & Aaron London S. Kasian April & Diamond Kassum Dr. Arvind & Nancy Kati John King & Rochelle Yanofsky Melvin & Margaret Klassen Sarah Klassen Marvin Koop William Kops Jennifer & Andrew Kosie Jacki & Sheldon Koven Lorraine Kraichy‡ Sarah Kredentser & David Lowen Paula Kristjanson Hasiuk Jonathan & Cara Kroft Leonard & Helen La Rue Teena Laird Lisa & Ted Landrum Barbara Latocki Bryen Lebar & Patricia Sauder‡ Helen Leeds Tim & Kate Letkemann‡ Jay Lev Sherrill & David Levene Tara Lindgren Stan & Susan Lipnowski Judy & Eric Lister Teresa Lopata & Bruce Wagg Sarah Luby Maylene & Israel Ludwig Janis Lumsden Carole Lupkowski Mary Jane MacLennan John Marakovits John & Helen Marakovits Elaine & Neil Margolis Ilse Marotta Agatha Massey

Cheryl & Eric Matheson Linda Matheson Roxana Mazur Bob & Betty McCamis Barbara McCandless Melanie McCannell Mr. & Mrs T. Simoes Colleen McKenty Doug McNeil & Julie Frederickson Linda Meckling Catarina Mello Schultz Barb Melnychuk Heather Mian Jim & Karren Middagh Dr. & Mrs. M. Mollot Allison Moore Rodney Moorhead Katherine Morgan – in memory of Olwen Morgan Kelly Murray B. Nagamori Tom Nowicki Irene Onuch Mark O'Rourke Kristen H. Pachet Pak-Wai Chan Marlene & Richard Paterson Donald & Elaine Peters Linda & Rob Pettit Jocelyn Pitsch Virginia Platt Denise Plett Carla Plummer Dave Plummer & Debra Schweyer David Poggemiller Heather Pullan & Tom Frohlinger Dr. R. & Audrey Ramchandar Jim & Kathy Ranick Mohamed Rashwan Linda Ratynski Cheryl Reid Arnold & Shirley Reimer Brian & Laurel Repski Mr. & Mrs. William Reynolds Ron Richert – in memory of Gail Rechert Estate of Margaret Ritchie Jan Roberts

Roslyn Roberts Nicole Robidoux Linda Robinson Gail MacAulay & Kevin Rollason V. Rosolowich Debbie Roy Sandra Sadler Denyse & Ken Saloranta Jonas & Susan Sammons Cheryl Samson-Siemens & Gordon Siemens Rodrigo Sanches Cunha Terry Sargeant & Margaret Haney Onnolee Scharf Colleen & Bertram Schneider Hans & Gabriele Schneider M. & S. Schumann Greg Sexsmith & Joni Lavender Sexsmith Jim & Susan Shaw Lynn Shead Pietra Shirley Margot Sim Linda Simpson Michelle Smith Karen Stach Steve Stephanson Kim Stephens Lisa & Daniel Stiver Heidi Struck‡ Tom & Shirley Strutt Paul Sulit‡ Pam Sveinson & Brad Oswald Heather & Donald Talocka Ross & Bette-Jayne Taylor Sharon Timson‡ Karen Tjaden Alex Todd Cindy Tolpa Elaine Tolpa Jen & Kevin Tomanek Marilyn Trepel Eric Turner Chris Turyk* & Bryce Weedmark‡ Arlene Van Ruiten Maria A. Versace Helmut & Gwen Waedt Gordon Walkty

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SUPPORTERS Jane & Don Walters‡ Paul & Laura Walton Robert & Sherilyn Ward Peter & Joan Washchyshyn Lois & Henry Wedel Mary Agnes Welch Michael & Lydia West Al & Pat Wherrett‡ Alfred Wiebe Theresa Wiktorski Deanna Wilks Dennis & Gustine Wilton Evelyn Witwicki Grant & Sheila Woods Jason Woywada Raymond & Louise Wyant 25 Anonymous

CORPORATE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $25,000+ Johnston Group Inc. Richardson Foundation

$5,000-9,999 Cambrian Credit Union The Albert D. Cohen Family Fund PwC

$3,000-4,999 Terracon Development Ltd.

$1,200-2,999

SPONSOR 300 Main Air Canada The Asper Foundation The Gail Asper Family Foundation Bell MTS Birchwood Lexus BMO Financial Group Bonaventure Travel Inc. C&T Rentals Canada Life Culligan Water Deloitte Dycom Direct Mail Services Esdale Printing Co. Ltd. Fairmont Winnipeg Fillmore Riley LLP Friesens Corporation The Gates on Roblin HUB International IG Wealth Management Jones & Co Wine Merchants Lawton Partners Manitoba Bar Association Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries McDiarmid Flowers McNally Robinson Booksellers RBC Foundation RE/MAX Red River Co-operative Ltd. Relish New Brand Experience Stantec Consulting Ltd. Taylor McCaffrey LLP TD Bank Group Torque Brewing University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law Wawanesa Insurance The Winnipeg Foundation The Winnipeg Free Press

Domo Gasoline Corporation Ltd., Kate M. Everett, President Maple Leaf Construction Ltd., Blake Fitzpatrick Maxim Truck & Trailer Pollard Banknote Limited PRA Inc. Qualico

CORPORATE COMPANY CIRCLE $600-1,199 Astroid Management Ltd. Mid West Packaging Limited Premier Printing Ltd. Winnipeg Building & Decorating Ltd.

$300-599 Acuity HR Solutions Diamond Gallery

$150-299 Diva Lingerie and Swim Wear Funseekers Ladies Travel FWS Group of Companies Gautron Management Services Inc Intergroup Consultants Ltd. Patill/St. James Insurance

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE Wayne & Lee Anderson Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* Zdzislaw (Zaz) Bajon & Patricia Hunter Marjorie & Morley§ Blankstein Duane§ & Pauline Braun Doneta Brotchie, CM* & Harry Brotchie Ken & Denise Brown David & Lianne Carefoot Len & Heather Cariou Terri Cherniack & Steven Schipper, CM, OM Jennifer Cheslock & George Buri David Christianson & Vera Steinberger David* & Barb Christie Gerry & Chris Couture Hugh B. Cowan Kerry Dangerfield* Laurie Lam & Larry Desrochers Glen* & Joan Dyrda Robert & Florence Eastwood Don & Elfie Elias Bill§ & Gayle Fischer Anthony* & Jennifer Fletcher Jack Fraser James Gibbs§ Sandy* & Rheal Gousseau Rita Gunn & Greg Mason John* & Nicola Guttormson Ahava Halpern & Frank Lavitt Linda Hamilton & Grange Morrow Gary Hannaford* & Cathy Rushton Ted§ & Gail Hechter Elaine Heinicke§ Shawn Hughes* & Bruno Koehn June§ & Bob Jackson Fund for the Performing Arts Maureen E. Jay Andrew & Wendy Jensen David & Diane Johnston Dr. Leonard & Hope§ Kahane Janis Kaminsky Jason Kasper John Kearsey Gordon & Anne Keatch§ Rob Kennedy & Claudette Leclerc Serena Helen Kraayeveld Leona J. MacDonald Cheryl Johannson§ & Michael Mainman Mark & Gloria Mancini Virginia Martin Peggy Barker & Ron McKinnon Jim* & Penny McLandress Barb Melnychuk Bob & Pat Migliore

†Current Royal MTC staff ‡Monthly donors If you have remembered Royal MTC in your will, please let us know.

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SUPPORTERS Jeffrey Morton* Ken & Sharon Mould Dr. Liam Murphy§ Robb & Heather Paterson Chris Pearce Scott Penner Gina & John* C. Petersmeyer Drs. Bill Pope & Elizabeth Tippett-Pope K. Heather Power & Harold Klause Margaret Redmond* & Greg Gillis Edward Fisher & Lyse Rémillard Joan D. Richardson Michelle Rowan Sharon Ryman Susan Skinner* Kevin Hines & Shelly Smith-Hines Bill & Laurie* Speers Deborah Spracklin Joan Stephens Joanne Tait Suzanne Ullyot Lionel & Lorraine Wiens Margaret§ & Alfred Wikjord Richard L. Yaffe* & John A. Statham§ Brenda Zaporzan§ 2 Anonymous

$500-999

Susan Glass & Arni Thorsteinson J.K. May Investments Ltd. Cam & Carole Osler Terracon Development Ltd.

Marge & Ted Avent Nan Carson Katherine Cobor & Gordon Steindel Valerie Dunsmore – in memory of Beverly Muzyk Evelyn Hecht Lynne Jentsch Mr. & Mrs. Fred Kisil Barbara Latocki Anthony & Joyce McWha Sandra Sadler Ivor & Lorna Schledewitz Bryce & Jenna Simes Peter & Sharon Taylor Gabor Vamos & Brenda Silver Erin, Bryan, Brooklyn & Jameson Wills – in memory of Beverly Muzyk

$10,000-24,999 The Bowles Family Susan & Keith Knox Norma Anne Padilla Dr. Bill Pope & Dr. Elizabeth Tippett-Pope George Sigurdson Faye Warren Margaret§ & Alfred Wikjord

$5,000-9,999 Margaret Caie Pam & Andrew Cooke Gail Hechter Irene Miller & the late Claire Miller Gina O’Connor & John C. Petersmeyer* Barbara Scheuneman Terry & Les Wiens Anonymous

$2,500-4,999

TRIBUTE GIFTS In memory of Martin Corne Anonymous In memory of Beverly Muzyk Valerie Dunsmore Erin, Bryan, Brooklyn & Jameson Wills

ENDOWMENT – STEVEN SCHIPPER FUND Many thanks to the generosity of our Endowment Fund donors who gave a gift or fulfilled a pledge payment between Jan 1, 2021 and Apr 1, 2021. Amounts listed are cumulative. $5,000,000+ Government of Canada/ Gouvernement du Canada Canadian Heritage/Patrimoine canadien

$250,000-499,999

$25,000-49,999

Rita & Don Campbell Ron & Carol Chapman Michael & Lynn Evans Jean & Lisa Neron Iris Reimer

$1,000-2,499 Joan & Edward Alexander David & Pamela Bolton Carol Budnick Art & Donna Chow DGH Engineering Ltd. Christine Fleetwood Dr. Jeremy & Maureen Gordon Teresa A. Hay Marilyn & Helios Hernandez Jordan Janisse & Teresa Cooper Carol Campbell & Andy Krentz Donna & Dave* Lalama Barbara Main Marlene Milne Myron Pawlowsky & Susan Boulter Edna Poulter W. & N. Rennie Howie & Sue Simpson Deborah Spracklin 3 Anonymous

UP TO $499 Helen M. Arkos Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. E. Firth Abigail Grieder Allan & Evelyn Hardy Nancy Latocki Dr. Shelley Mahoney Barry§ & Carol McArton Bob & Pat Migliore Charlotte Murrell Theresa Oye Henry & Sheila Riendeau Linda L. Wiebe 4 Anonymous

MANY THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

†Current Royal MTC staff ‡Monthly donors If you have remembered Royal MTC in your will, please let us know.

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§ Fondly Remembered

may 2022

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Your seat awaits. Will you consider a gift to Royal MTC in your will? Is Royal MTC already named in your will? We’d love to honour you as a member of the Royal MTC Founders’ Circle. scan for more info

For more information on Legacy Giving, contact: Chris Turyk 204 954 6412 or cturyk@royalmtc.ca

A STAGE TO CELEB ATE A SEASON TO ENJOY Proud sponsors of Royal MTC.

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FINAL BOW The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre honours the passing of those dear to our theatre – people who’ve made a lasting contribution to this ephemeral art form. Chris Johnson Chris Johnson believed theatre “was a vital part in making our lives richer,” says Chuck McEwen, Executive Producer of the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival. In 1980, Chris moved to Winnipeg with a PhD in Theatre from Leeds University in England. He built and ran the University of Manitoba’s theatre department, Black Hole Theatre and Conklin Theatre for 41 years, participating in many Master Playwright Festivals and Fringe Festivals. In 2018, Chris received the inaugural Theatre Educator Award at the Winnipeg Theatre Awards (The Evies) and was made Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba. Irene Kankova-Cohen Irene Kankova-Cohen began her performance career as an actress and dancer in Prague before her remarkable escape from Communist Czechoslovakia at age 23. After arriving in Canada, she found work at MTC, starring in the title roles of The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) and Anastasia (1960). Her work continued with performances at CBC Radio and Rainbow Stage. Her association with the theatre was a family affair as she supported Albert Cohen, her husband of 58 years until his death, during his two terms as Board Chair as he oversaw the construction of our Mainstage facility. David King David King was an award-winning playwright, actor, screenwriter and singersongwriter. He spent his formative years in Winnipeg with the Actors Showcase 38

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and his theatre company Confidential Exchange before moving to Vancouver in 1979. His plays received more than 25 premiere productions across Canada. Life Skills was produced at the MTC Warehouse in 1989. Jean McIntyre Smellie Jean McIntyre Smellie’s love of theatre, music, and performance ran deep. She performed at MTC in The Man Who Came to Dinner (1982) and Quiet in the Land (1984/85) which was both a Mainstage show and a Theatre For Young Audiences tour. Jean also worked at Rainbow Stage, performed in both French and English in Edmonton, and had an extensive career in film and television, achieving the status of Life Member of ACTRA. James Pappas James Pappas was a man of few acquaintances because he had so many friends. Jim worked in the fashion industry, ran Kelekis Restaurant, organized events for his fraternity, and never missed a dinner party or special event. Jim was the Chair of MTC’s Board of Trustees from 198487, and served as a volunteer on many boards including Dry Cold Productions. Jim was a passionate and avid supporter of culture in Winnipeg. He attended every opening night at Royal MTC, and had a most memorable laugh that inspired the audience around him. He hosted the popular CJNU radio show “A Class Act with Jim Pappas and Jim Sell” where he shared his love for music, movies and theatre. may 2022

FINAL BOW John Shopka

John “The Hawk” Tomiuk

John Shopka was a beloved member of the theatre industry for over four decades. He was well respected in the field and held the position of President and Business Agent of IATSE local 63 for many years. His career at Rainbow Stage began in 1976 and included the positions of technical director, head flyman, crew chief and head carpenter. He travelled with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, worked at Manitoba Opera and was a welcome face at many set-ups and strikes at theatres in town, including MTC. His skill, passion and craftsmanship across many years and roles earned John a spot in Rainbow Stage’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

John “The Hawk” Tomiuk fell in love with theatre as a teenager before beginning his career at Rainbow Stage with the 1969 production of Funny Girl – where he was inducted into the Wall of Fame in 2019. John worked as Royal MTC’s House Stagehand for more than two decades, ensuring seamless work backstage for more than 70 productions. On backstage tours, he gave students, artists and audiences an incredible peek behind the scenes with his deep knowledge of the Mainstage. For 47 years, John served as a member, business agent and vice president of IATSE Local 63. His colleagues in the industry called John “The Hawk” and considered him a consummate and meticulous professional, mentor and life-long friend.

Act Like a Star!

Everyone at the theatre is part of the show. Yes, even you. You want to be a star, don’t you? These tips will make you a stand-out performer (in a good way)!

Scents and Sensibility

Many theatre lovers experience adverse medical reactions from scented products. Please consider others before using scented products.

Park Your Mobile Device

We know something interesting is happening on social media. It always is. But your neighbours want to watch the play. Please turn off all mobile devices.

The Sound of Silence

Our theatre has great acoustics. So when you’re talking during the show, everyone can hear you. Your neighbours, the ushers and even the actors. We want you to talk about the show but at intermission or after the final bows. We’re always happy to see you at the theatre. Thank you for coming!

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THE BRIDGE: A FESTIVAL OF IDEAS

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may 2022

SUPPORTING PARTNERS BLACK & WHITE BALL VACATION PRIZE SPONSOR