Ovation Volume 27, Number 1 (October/November 2019) by Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre

vol 27 â&#x20AC;¢ no 1 oct/nov 2019

The Color Purple Based upon the novel written by Alice Walker and the Warner Bros./ Amblin Entertainment Motion Picture

Book by

Music and Lyrics by

Marsha Brenda Allee Stephen Norman Russell Willis Bray JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

Bang Bang By Kat

Sandler

TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE SEASON SPONSOR

TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE

Every scene tells a story. Proud to support the storytellers in Winnipegâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative and cultural arts community.

MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR As I sit down to pen my first message to you, I relish this extraordinary moment. It is a new beginning for us all. I believe the fall holds a special place in our psyches, and while we lament the end of long summer nights and sun-kissed days, secretly many of us love to don a cozy sweater and settle in for the crisp cool air ahead. In childhood, fall took us back to school, with anticipation of the unknown, and binders of blank pages waiting to be filled with all there is to learn. In the world of theatre, our cycle begins again as well, with new stories waiting to be shared. Kelly Thornton

Standing on the stages of the John Hirsch and Tom

Hendry theatres, I am filled with immense joy and the depth of responsibility before me. What are the stories we need to tell? What epic journeys will we share together? To be a storyteller is to be a conduit, confronting the sometimes-difficult truths of our world, and creating passage for these narratives to be told. The Color Purple is a testament to the resounding power of story. In this adaptation of Alice Walker’s remarkable novel, we share a journey of resilience, as Celie transcends a world of violence through the profound nature of love. The musical genre is rooted in the principle that the magnitude of emotion is so great it must be sung, and indeed song is a powerful vessel to carry such a story as this one. While The Color Purple uses the language of music, Kat Sandler’s Bang Bang deploys laughter for its purpose. Sandler’s sharp-witted collision course of ideas around cultural appropriation and racism is a roller-coaster ride of hilarity, amidst the uncomfortable truths she skewers while deconstructing storytelling itself. In shepherding these stories to the stage, we begin our conversation. I am thrilled to share them with you. All my very best,

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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 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 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 27, NUMBER 1 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

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 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.

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.

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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Gordon’s Legacy

“MTC creates great community spirit and is an integral part of the local scene. It has been here for over 60 years and is deserving of the support that each of us can give.” — GORDON KEATCH

After seeing his first play in 1958, Gordon lived by those words until his passing in June. Gordon loved the theatre so much that he not only subscribed but also gave his time in varying capacities including chairing the MTC Board of Trustees from 1982 to 1984. The transformative experience of live theatre became so much a part of Gordon’s life that he chose to become the very first member of the Founders’ Circle — Royal MTC’s legacy giving program. The Founders’ Circle is made up of individuals who believe in the magic of theatre and what it can do for our community. These individuals have chosen to dedicate a gift to Royal MTC

in their will to keep that magic alive long after they’re gone. We’re extremely grateful for the generosity Gordon showed to Royal MTC throughout his life, and because of his example, the Founders’ Circle has grown to 68 members. A shared passion and commitment to the art of live theatre connects all of them, and you! Have you considered leaving a legacy gift to Royal MTC in your will? It is an opportunity to express your passion for this art form and what it means to you. Designating a portion of your estate or leaving a gift to Royal MTC in your will is an incredibly personal and thoughtful tribute that helps ensure future theatre-goers can share in the experience.

Will you join us? For more information, please contact Chris Turyk, Development Manager, at 204 954 6412 or cturyk@royalmtc.ca

THE COLOR PURPLE

DIRECTOR’S NOTES BY KIMBERLEY RAMPERSAD

Having the opportunity to connect with you, our audience, allows me to reflect upon what I thought this play may be, and what it has grown into. We navigate an empty field with Celie. We stoop with her as she weeds out poverty, patriarchy and normalized violence and watch as she attempts to plant seeds of agency, acceptance and forgiveness. Celie gathers these blossoms from the richest soils fertilized by the Ancestors, tilled by Nettie, Sophia and Shug, and watered by her own tears. She creates a bouquet of Self, of the Divine, manifested as Nature. The Color Purple is as the creation of theatre – the sum of the parts. I offer my gratitude to Ms. Alice Walker for writing the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the gardeners who tend this play both on and off the stage, and particularly to the actors – the most splendid bouquet to behold.

A homegrown success story Hot off a New York Times profile for her work as Director of the epic Man and Superman at the Shaw Festival, we’re thrilled to welcome Winnipeg-born Kimberley Rampersad in her directing debut at Royal MTC. Kimberley’s work at Royal MTC has featured Choreography (Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, Bittergirl: The Musical, Legally Blonde: The Musical) and Assistant Directing (It’s A Wonderful Life: A Radio Play). With more than 20 years experience as an actor, she’s also been featured as a performer in shows including Cabaret, The Penelopiad and Grumpy Old Men: The Musical to name a few. Kimberley is a recipient of many awards such as the 2017 Gina Wilkinson Prize for an Emerging Female Director, OAF; a Wall of Fame Inductee, Rainbow Stage; Guthrie award, Stratford, Prix Rideau award for Outstanding Production and 6

has received two Dora nominations for Outstanding Choreography for Passing Strange (The Musical Stage Company and Obsidian Theatre) and Seussical (Young People’s Theatre). She has also received the Maud Whitmore Scholarship, Charlottetown. A homegrown success, Kimberley’s gift of storytelling, creativity and incredible showmanship make her make her one of the most acclaimed artists in theatre. As Sara Topham stated in the New York Times, “The only word I can think of to describe her is ‘extraordinary’.”

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 RBC Convention Centre—York Ballroom premier sponsor

in support of

TICKETS : ROYALMTC.CA/BW For more information please contact Melissa at 204 954 6410 or blackandwhite@royalmtc.ca

A wild romp through the worst reception ever! PRAIRIE THEATRE EXCHANGE Nov 20 – Dec 8 / 2019 PTE.mb.ca | 3rd FLOOR OF PORTAGE PLACE

THE COLOR PURPLE

Q&A WITH MUSIC DIRECTOR

FloyDd Ricketts Tell us about the music in The Color Purple, and your role in this production. Well, the music in this show is quite eclectic. It’s a cornucopia of different afro-diasporic music such as gospel, blues, spirituals, R&B, soul, jazz and musical theatre. It really runs the full gamut. It’s a very exciting piece of Black art. The creative threesome on this score really pushed the envelope to ensure that audiences coming to see the show receive a master class on Black American music. I have the distinct pleasure of acting as Music Director on this production, and it has been a complete thrill to collaborate with the actors, the creative team, the pit musicians, and all of those involved behind the scenes who make this theatrical piece come to life, especially Director Kimberley Rampersad who, and I don’t say this lightly, is a both a virtuoso and genius. How are you preparing for The Color Purple? I actually spent the whole summer working on getting this score under my fingers. Trying to find all the tasty bits that I could, all the nuances, all the surprises, all the humour, all the tragedy, the grotesqueness. It was certainly a labour of love, made even more complex because I have not played many of these styles of music before. Presently, I am studying early choral music (baroque, renaissance, classical, etc.) so though

I’ve grown up listening to all these genres of music, I’ve rarely played them. However, the score is written so well, SO well, that if you lean into it, it’s truly a workshop in style. I’m sure I’ll take many of the musical lessons that this score has taught me to future projects. What role does the music play in the production? The Color Purple is about 80% music. Those of us who watched the 1985 film version of the story will remember the wonderful score written and produced by the inimitable Quincy Jones. One of the cool things about this musical is that although Quincy Jones signed on as a producer for the musical, they used absolutely none of his film music (despite him giving them the green light to do so). So, this is a completely new musical landscape, true to the quintessential mode of writing musicals. Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell and Allee Willis collaboratively wrote these compelling and soul-stirring tunes, for example the particularly moving 11 o’clock number “I’m Here”, which has become an empowerment anthem for those who have found, or are still searching for, their inner strength, beauty and self-worth. What the music does well is to highlight the effects of the dialogue and the emotional journeys of the characters in a way that sometimes dialogue alone fails to do.

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WELCOME!

A great big Winnipeg welcome to new Artistic Director Kelly Thornton. Congratulations and we look forward to an exciting season of outstanding theatre.

Proud sponsors of The Color Purple asperfoundation.com

Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director • Camilla Holland, Executive Director PRESENTS A CO-PRODUCTION WITH CITADEL

THEATRE

The Color Purple Based upon the novel written by Alice Walker and the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment Motion Picture

Book by

Marsha Norman

Music & Lyrics by

Brenda Russell

Allee Stephen Willis Bray

October 24 - November 16, 2019 previews October 22 & 23

Director..................................................................... Kimberley Rampersad Music Director......................................................................Floydd Ricketts Set Designer........................................................................Brian Perchaluk† Costume Designer..................................................................... Ming Wong Lighting Designer...............................................................Hugh Conacher Sound Designer..................................................................... Peter McBoyle Dramaturg..........................................................................Mukonzi Musyoki Fight Director...........................................................................Miranda Allen Stilt Walking Coach.............................................................Randall Fraser Assistant Director.............................................................Patricia Darbasie Stage Manager.......................................................................Leslie Watson Assistant Stage Manager............................................. Michael Duggan† Apprentice Stage Manager........................................... Sarah McDowell The Color Purple is performed with one intermission. THE COLOR PURPLE was produced on Broadway at the Broadway Theater by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman and Quincy Jones. The world premiere of THE COLOR PURPLE was produced by the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia. THE COLOR PURPLE is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. (866) 378-9758 www.theatricalrights.com The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited. Production photography by Ian Jackson, Epic Photography. ©2019. PRODUCTION SPONSORS

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. †Past Jean Murray - Moray Sinclair Scholarship award winners

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The Color Purple THE CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Mister................................................................................................ Ryan Allen Harpo.................................................................................Andrew Broderick Shug................................................................................... Karen Burthwright Preacher / Ol’ Mister............................................................ David Comrie Sofia..........................................................................................Janelle Cooper Nettie.......................................................................Allison Edwards-Crewe Adam........................................................................................... Omar Forrest Celie.............................................................................................. Tara Jackson Buster................................................................................... Jesse Lipscombe Pa.................................................................................. Michael-Lamont Lytle Church Lady Darlene.................................................. Masini McDermott Olivia.......................................................................................Jameela McNeil Church Lady Jarene.............................................................Maiko Munroe Church Lady Doris...................................................................Sarah Nairne Squeak........................................................................................Amber Tomlin Grady......................................................................................... Tenaj Williams MUSICIANS

Music Director / Keyboard 1............................................Floydd Ricketts Keyboard 2 / EMD......................................................................Cary Denby Bass – Acoustic, Electric..................................................... Nenad Zdjelar Guitar – Acoustic, Electric, Dobro.............................Derrick Gottfried Drums.................................................................................................. Rob Siwik Reed 1............................................................................................Janice Finlay Reed 2....................................................................................Sharon Atkinson Trumpet 1.......................................................................................... Jeni Taylor Contractor...................................................................................Dave Lawton

SYNOPSIS – Told she was worthless, Celie is just a teenager when Mister comes looking for a “child-raising woman”. Celie’s father happily obliges and she’s sent away from her beloved sister Nettie. Married life is drudgery and Celie’s hopes for happiness are dashed when Mister cuts off all contact with Nettie. Despite the hardship, Celie’s compassion shines and she lifts up those around her. When Mister’s long-time girlfriend Shug comes into the picture, her relationship with Celie is transformative. The connection between the two women sparks Celie’s confidence, giving her the strength to follow her own path. Along the way, some of the good Celie put out into the world makes its way back to her.

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The Color Purple MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT 1

Huckleberry Pie / Mysterious Ways......Celie, Nettie and Ensemble Somebody Gonna Love You...................................................................Celie Our Prayer........Nettie, Celie, Mister, Doris, Darlene, Jarene and Pa That Fine Mister.............................................. Doris, Darlene and Jarene Big Dog....................Mister, Celie, Young Harpo, Mister’s Daughters and Male Ensemble Lily of the Field.................................................... Celie, Nettie and Mister Sofia........................................................................... Sofia, Harpo and Mister Dear God – Sofia.........................................................................................Celie A Tree Named Sofia....................................... Doris, Darlene and Jarene Hell No!........................................................Sofia, Celie and Sofia’s Sisters Brown Betty....................... Harpo, Squeak, Celie and Male Ensemble Shug Avery Comin’ to Town..................... Mister, Celie and Ensemble All We’ve Got to Say...................................... Doris, Darlene and Jarene Dear God – Shug....................................................................Celie and Shug Too Beautiful for Words........................................................................... Shug Push Da Button..............................................Shug, Harpo and Ensemble Uh-Oh!...............Sofia, Squeak, Celie, Buster and Female Ensemble What About Love?................................................................Celie and Shug Act 1 Finale........................................Orchestra, Shug, Celie and Nettie ACT 2

African.......Nettie, Celie, Young Adam, Young Olivia and Ensemble The Color Purple – Shug.....................................................Shug and Celie It’s Easter Sunday.....................................................................................Nettie End of Easter Dinner.................................................................................Celie Mister’s Song.............................................................................................. Mister In Miss Celie’s Pants.........Celie, Shug, Sofia and Female Ensemble Any Little Thing.................................................................... Harpo and Sofia What About Love? (Reprise).............................................Celie and Shug I’m Here...........................................................................................................Celie The Color Purple.......................................................... Celie and Company

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THE COLOR PURPLE Ryan Allen

Karen Burthwright

Mister

Shug

ROYAL MTC The Rocky Horror Show (with

ROYAL MTC First appearance.

CS).

OTHER THEATRE Selected: The Book of

Mormon (Broadway); Twelfth Night (TC); Sousatzka (Teatro Proscenium Ltd.); Oil and Water (Artistic Fraud); Metamorphoses (NAC); The Color Purple (Neptune); Feelgood (TNB); Master Harold and the Boys (Thousand Islands Playhouse). FILM/TV Selected: Tokens (web series); Between, 21 Thunder (Netflix); Frankie Drake, Rex, Working Moms (CBC); Taken (NBC); Rogue (DIRECTV); Blue Mountain State (Spike TV); Orphan Black (BBC America). ET CETERA Ryan is also a trained operatic tenor who has performed across North America and Italy. Twitter: @ryanallen44

Andrew Broderick Harpo

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE The Color Purple

(Neptune); Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, Peter and the Starcatcher (Shaw); You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Stratford); Hairspray (Charlottetown/Drayton/ Rainbow); Dreamgirls (Grand); Hadestown (Citadel). TRAINING Graduate of the Sheridan Musical Theatre Program. ET CETERA Andrew is excited to share this very human and timely story with this talented cast and creative team. Special thanks to The Talent House; and loved ones at home who are the roots and reminders to always return home.

OTHER THEATRE Favourite credits include:

Shug Avery in The Color Purple (Neptune); Paradise Square (Berkeley Repertory Theatre); Obeah Opera (Panamania 2015); and Fall for Dance North 2018 (Fleck Theatre); Jesus Christ Superstar (2012 Broadway Revival/Stratford/La Jolla Playhouse); Play Like A Winner (New York Music Festival 2017); Disenchanted (Westside Theatre); Dirty Dancing, Hairspray, Mamma Mia! (Toronto/first National Tours); Woman 2 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (George Street Playhouse); Brenda in Smokey Joe’s Café (Florida Studio Theatre); Nickie in Sweet Charity (Writers Theatre); Ragtime, Hot Mikado, Aida (Drury Lane Oakbrook). FILM Superman: Man of Steel. TRAINING Claude Watson School for the Arts, Earl Haig SS CWSA program. ET CETERA Lots of love and gratitude to my mommy for all her support and encouragement over the years. Special thanks to Talent House and to all of my teachers and coaches. Karenburthwright.com

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

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THE COLOR PURPLE David Comrie Preacher / Ol’ Mister

TRAINING Janelle holds a BFA in Drama specializing in Performance Creation from the University of Calgary. ET CETERA Janelle is an award-winning actor and one of three 2019 finalists for the Gina Wilkinson Emerging Directors Prize.

ROYAL MTC First appearance.

Allison Edwards-Crewe

OTHER THEATRE International: He was

last seen as Mufasa in the musical The Lion King. Regional: Motown Gold, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Grease, Les Misérables. FILM/TV Money Heist (La Casa de Papel Netflix). ET CETERA David is excited to be back on the Canadian stage after living abroad for the past eight years. When not performing, David is a writer and is currently working on his first book. Immense gratitude to my family, Maxime, and the cast and creative team of The Color Purple. @iamdavidcomrie

Janelle Cooper Sofia

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Canadian premiere

of The Color Purple (Neptune); Twelfth Night, I Am For You, The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God (NAC); World Premiere of Sousatzka The Musical (Teatro); Waiting for the Parade, Charlotte’s Web, Penelopiad, Toad of Toad Hall (ATP); Speed Dating for Sperm Donors (Lunchbox); world premiere of John Ware Reimagined, Canadian premiere of Ruined, The Real McCoy and Vagina Monologues (Ellipsis Tree Collective). FILM/TV John Ware Reclaimed (NFB); The Right Kind of Wrong (Serendipity); High Noon (Lifetime); Snow 2: Brain Freeze (ABC).

Nettie

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Beauty and the Beast,

All Shook Up (The Globe Theatre); Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Citadel); School Girls (Obsidian/Nightwood Theatre); Girls Like That (Tarragon); ‘da Kink in my Hair (TC/NAC); How Black Mothers Say I Love You (Factory); All Shook Up (Stage West Theatre); Hairspray (Rainbow); Dreamgirls (Grand). FILM/TV Black Actress (Jungle Wild); Surviving Evil (Cineflix); The Witches Ball (Brain Power). TRAINING Sheridan College – Bachelor of Arts Music Theatre. ET CETERA Thanks to Kimberley, Floydd and the whole Royal MTC team for this amazing experience. Love to my family, friends and Monika for their ENDLESS support.

Omar Forrest Adam

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Twelve Angry Men

(Drayton); The Hockey Sweater (NAC); The Wizard of Oz (YPT); Legally Blonde (TA); West Side Story (Vancouver Opera

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

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VISIONARY CONVERSATIONS

A SPEAKER SERIES HOSTED BY Pres i d e n t a n d V i c e - Ch a n c e l l o r D a v i d T. B a r n a r d

Join us to explore three vital issues impacting our lives today. Global Climate Emergency

Decolonizing Canada

November 6, 2019

December 11, 2019

R.B. Schultz Lecture Theatre, St. John’s College, Fort Garry Campus

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Impacts of Drug Addiction March 5, 2020

Brodie Centre Atrium, Bannatyne Campus

DOORS OPEN 6PM • PANEL DISCUSSION 7PM • RECEPTION TO FOLLOW Admission is free but seating is limited.

To learn more visit umanitoba.ca/visionaryconversations #umvisionary

THE COLOR PURPLE Company); Cabaret, Trojan Women (Stratford); Peter Pan (Neptune); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Stage West Mississauga); The Lion King, Lord of the Rings (Mirvish); Touch the Sky (LKTYP). FILM/TV Mirror, Mirror (Relativity Media); Repo: The Genetic Opera (Twisted Pictures); Da Kink in My Hair (Global); Da Vinci’s City Hall (CBC); Once Upon A Mattress (Paramount). ET CETERA Thank you, Kimberley and Floydd, for this amazing experience. Thanks, TH.

Tara Jackson Celie

Jesse Lipscombe Buster

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE The Candidate and The

Party (Citadel); John Ware Reimagined (Workshop West). FILM/TV #Roxy, It’s Not My Fault and I Don’t Care Anyway, Hell on Wheels, Resurrecting the Champ. ET CETERA I want to dedicate this show to my mother (Monica) and sister (Deanne). Two of the biggest The Color Purple fans in the world and the reason musical theatre is such a huge part of my life!

Michael-Lamont Lytle

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE The Color Purple

(Neptune); Brave Girl (Lunchbox); Jesus Christ Superstar, Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival); Mamma Mia!, Hadestown, Bittergirl: The Musical (Citadel); Soul Sistas, Jesus Christ Superstar, HAIR, Back to the 80’s, Hairspray (Mayfield); Hollywood Hits, Rumours and Dreams (Stage West). TRAINING An honours graduate of Berklee College of Music. She recently participated in the Broadway Dreams Intensive, and was nominated to perform in a showcase in New York. ET CETERA Tara was Betty Award-nominated for Brave Girl (Lunchbox) and a Sterling award-winner for Hairspray (Mayfield). Much love to Steven, family and friends! Enjoy the #blackcellence. @taraatee

ROYAL MTC Dreamgirls (with TA). OTHER THEATRE Beauty and the Beast,

The Lion King (Original Canadian casts); Chicago (Original French Canadian cast); Céline Dion (Colour of My Love tour); Cirque du Soleil; 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Cinderella; Seussical; Dayton Contemporary Dance Company; Toronto Dance Theatre; Pippin. FILM/TV Sing; Suits; Madam C. J. Walker Story. TRAINING Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. ET CETERA Michael-Lamont dedicates this and all future performances to the two people who have always shown him unconditional love, his mother Barbara Lytle, and his husband D’Arcy McLenaghen.

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

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THE COLOR PURPLE Masini McDermott Church Lady Darlene

part of this journey. Thank you to my mother for always having my back. I love you. I hope you all enjoy this beautiful story and are as inspired as I have been.

Jameela McNeil Olivia

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Summerland, True North

Mixtape, The Fence (Toronto Fringe Festival); Aladdin a Musical Spectacular, Wishes, Believe (Disney Cruise Line – Disney Fantasy); The Color Purple (Neptune). TRAINING Wexford Collegiate School of the Arts, Sheridan College BA Musical Theatre. Trained by: Lorraine Lawson, Falconer Abraham, Ann Merrian, Barbara Johnston, Valorie Stanois, Gillian Saunders, Greg Peterson. ET CETERA This show has taught me about love, forgiveness and gratitude. I want to thank Kimberley Rampersad, The Color Purple creatives and cast for having me be

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Sister Act, All Shook Up,

Soul Sistas (Mayfield); A Christmas Carol (Carter-Ryan); Sleeping Beauty (Capitol); John Ware Reimagined (Workshop West). TRAINING Graduate of MacEwan’s Theatre Arts Program. ET CETERA Jameela is an Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award nominee. Thanks to my family for your love and support.

TONIGHT’S WAITING Join us before or after the show for a delicious cocktail and mouthwatering steak. Reservations are available.

St. James 2553 Portage Ave 204.885.5275

Garry Street 115 Garry St 204.942.7619

Southside 2034 McGillivray Blvd 204.477.5300

THE COLOR PURPLE Maiko Munroe

Sarah Nairne

Church Lady Jarene

Church Lady Doris

ROYAL MTC First appearance.

OTHER THEATRE She recently played the

OTHER THEATRE Church Lady in The

role of Emma Jones in Strike! The Musical (Rainbow) this past spring. Other select credits include Mimi in Rent (Rainbow); and B.J. in Smokey Joe’s Café (Smokey Joe’s Cafe). ET CETERA The Color Purple is a very special show, and Maiko is grateful to be working with such a wonderful team on her first production with Royal MTC. She writes and produces original music in Toronto, where she currently resides, and is the recipient of two Western Canadian Music Awards. In her teens, she was a member of platinum award-winning pop/R&B group Sugar Jones.

Color Purple (Neptune); Mrs. Hubbard, Judge and The Machine in ALECK BELL: A Canadian Pop-rock Musical (Tweed & Co.); Fairy Godmother in Cinderella: The Panto (Drayton); Mrs. Muller in Doubt: A Parable (Lost and Found Theatre). TV Commercials: Oh Henry! ET CETERA Thank you to my family for being so supportive, and thank you to Royal MTC for continuing this amazing story. WTG! Thank you @canvassarah

. .

THE COLOR PURPLE Amber Tomlin

Marsha Norman

Squeak

Book

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE West Side Story, Man

of La Mancha, You’ll Get Used To It!...The War Show (Drayton); Portia, Starbright Christmas (Victoria Playhouse); Carmen, Madame Butterfly, Turandot, Norma, The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, Tosca, Nabucco, La Sonnambula, Margaret Garner, Porgy and Bess, La Rondine, The Marriage of Figaro, Romeo and Juliet (Detroit Opera House). TV Art Beat (Detroit Public Television). ET CETERA Thanks to Mike, dad, mom and Shantelle, your support means so much. To God be the glory! ambertomlin.com

Tenaj Williams

Marsha Norman won the Pulitzer Prize for her play ‘Night, Mother and a Tony Award for her book of the Broadway musical The Secret Garden. Ms. Norman is co-chair, with Christopher Durang, of the Playwriting Department of the Juilliard School and vice president of the Dramatists Guild of America. Her other plays include Getting Out, Traveler in the Dark, Sarah and Abraham, Trudy Blue and Last Dance. Her published work includes Four Plays, Vol. I: Collected Plays of Marsha Norman and a novel, The Fortune Teller. She has numerous film and TV credits, Grammy and Emmy nominations, and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters and the Fellowship of Southern Writers. She is a native of Kentucky who lives in New York City and Long Island with her two children.

Grady

Brenda Russell Music & Lyrics ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE The Color Purple

(Neptune); Touch Me: Songs for a (Dis) Connected Age, A Christmas Carol (TC); Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Charlotte’s Web (ATP); King Lear, Macbeth (Shakespeare Company); Naughty But Nice, The Paperbag Princess: A Musical (Forte); Sextet (Verb); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Rosebud). ET CETERA It is such a pleasure to get to be a part of telling this beautiful and important story. I hope you all enjoy the show!

Brenda Russell has a unique musical perspective, intimate voice and prolific treasure trove of lyrics that prove that a truly glowing talent only deepens with time. Composer of the classics “Get Here,” “If Only For One Night” and the Grammynominated “Piano In The Dark,” Brenda’s songwriting prowess and chameleon-like ability to shift between musical genres and combine styles trumpeted ovations in 2005 with the opening of the Tony Award-winning hit Broadway musical The Color Purple, for which she, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray co-wrote the music and lyrics. Brenda and her co-authors were also nominated for a 2007 Grammy in the Best Musical Show Album category for the original cast album.

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

october/november 2019

Ovation

THE COLOR PURPLE Allee Willis Music & Lyrics Allee Willis is a one-woman creative think tank. A multi-disciplinary artist and visionary thinker whose range of imagination and productivity knows no bounds, her success exuberantly defies categorization; ‘unique’ pales as a descriptor. Willis is a Grammy-winning and Emmy- and Tony-nominated composer whose hit songs – including Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” and “Boogie Wonderland,” The Pointer Sisters’ ‘Neutron Dance,” Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield’s “What Have I Done To Deserve This” and The Rembrandts’ “I’ll Be There For You (theme from Friends)” – have sold over 50 million records. In 2006, Willis’ songs were also featured in three of the top-grossing films of the year, Happy Feet, Night at the Museum and Babel.

Stephen Bray Music & Lyrics Stephen Bray was thrilled to make his Broadway debut with The Color Purple. After beginning music studies with private instruction in Detroit, Bray continued training at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Working with Madonna, he wrote and produced many of her top-10 recordings, including “Angel,” “Into the Groove,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” “True Blue” and “Express Yourself.” Performing with Breakfast Club, he earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and a top-10 single. He has composed and produced for multiplatinum artists including The Jets, Gladys Knight and Kylie Minogue. Film and television projects include Beverly Hills Cop II, Who’s That Girl?, All About the Benjamins and the theme for PBS’s California Connected.

Stephen is developing artists for his Soultone label and looks forward to more musical theatre. He would like to thank his daughter Milena for her eternal patience and his family for their continuing support.

Kimberley Rampersad Director

ROYAL MTC Choreographer: Roald Dahl’s

Matilda The Musical (with Arts Club/ Citadel), Bittergirl: The Musical; Legally Blonde (Royal MTC/MBA). Assistant Director: It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play (2009). Actor: Cabaret, The Penelopiad, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, Calendar Girls (with Mirvish), Judy in White Christmas, Dreamgirls (with TA), Guys and Dolls (with Citadel/TC), Lady, Be Good!. OTHER THEATRE Director: Man and Superman, O’Flaherty, V.C. (Shaw); The Color Purple (Neptune); Intimate Apparel (WJT); How Black Mothers Say I Love You (GCTC); hang (Obsidian); Routes (MTYP). ET CETERA Kimberley’s work on Man and Superman was recently featured in the New York Times. She is the Intern Artistic Director at the Shaw Festival. For her beloved sister, Penelope.

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october/november 2019

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THE COLOR PURPLE Valley Fun Town, Prairie Nurse, Gracie, The Flats (PTE); A Little Night Music (Dry Cold); King Lear, Fidelio (Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada); Proud (TPM). TRAINING Graduate of U of W and NTS. ET CETERA Recipient of Gemini, Jessie Richardson, Prix Rideau and Evie Awards.

Floydd Ricketts Music Director

ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Selected: Choir Boy

(Centaur); Hello, Dolly; Les Misérables, The Addams Family, Legally Blonde, The Little Prince, My Fair Lady (Grand). Intern Music Director: Trouble in Tahiti, One Touch of Venus (Shaw). TEACHING Course instructor, choral area, McGill University. ET CETERA Artistic Director, Ensemble Noir; Co-founder, The Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra.

Brian Perchaluk Set Designer

ROYAL MTC Recent and favourites: The Cottage, John, A Doll’s House, The Humans, Di and Viv and Rose, Once (with Grand), Sarah Ballenden, Black Coffee, Billy Elliot the Musical, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, A Christmas Story, Harvey, August: Osage County, The Boys in the Photograph (with Mirvish), The Lonesome West, Patience, Picasso at the Lapin Agile (with NAC), M. Butterfly (with NAC). OTHER THEATRE Brian’s work has been featured at theatres across the country, including two seasons each at the Shaw and Stratford festivals. Selected recent credits include: Falsettos (WJT/Dry Cold); The Whipping Man (WJT); Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables (Rainbow); The Drowsy Chaperone (Globe); Vimy (NAC/GCTC); New Magic

Ming Wong Costume Designer

ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Upcoming: Julius Caesar

(Crow’s/Groundling); Hansel and Gretel (COC). Selected: Beautiful Man (Factory); Girls Like That (Tarragon); Life After – Dora nomination, Unsafe (CS); Four Chords and a Gun (Starvox); The Cherry Orchard – Dora nomination (Modern Times); The Wedding Party – Dora nomination (Crow’s); hang (Obsidian); Rocking Horse Winner (Tapestry Opera); Gertrude and Alice – Dora nomination (Buddies); Gorey Story – Dora nomination (Thistle Project). FILM/TV Supers (Pilot, Good Film & TV); Scales (Short, Fruitful Productions); Breaking Down (Iskwe music video, Fruitful Productions); Buffaloed (Feature, Assistant Costume); Departure (Limited series, First buyer); The Beaverton (Seasons 1-3, Assistant Costume). TRAINING Ming holds a BFA from the Ontario College of Art and Design with a major in Integrated Media. ET CETERA Ming is a Toronto costume designer, stylist and technician. She works on a variety of projects ranging from dance, theatre, film and TV. Ming was nominated for the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award for Costume Design 2017-19. mingwongdesign.com @mingcynthia (Instagram)

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

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Building creative communities and bright futures Together, we can do more for Canadians, for each other and for the communities we love.

THE COLOR PURPLE Hugh Conacher

Peter McBoyle

Lighting Designer

Sound Designer

ROYAL MTC A Doll’s House (Lighting & Video Designer), It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play, Vietgone (Lighting & Video Designer), Heisenberg, The Humans, Outside Mullingar, Kill Me Now (with NAC), Hand to God, Million Dollar Quartet, My Name is Asher Lev (with Segal), Things We Do For Love, Seminar (with Mirvish), The Woman in Black, Cabaret (2015), The Glass Menagerie (2014, 1989/90), Venus in Fur (Lighting & Video Designer), 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 35 years. In Winnipeg, his work has been seen with Canada’s RWB, QDance, Gearshifting Performance Works, PTE, TPM and MTYP, 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 and L’Association des professionnels des arts de la scène du Québec www.pellucid.me.

ROYAL MTC Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (with Mirvish), Medea (with Mirvish), Orpheus Descending (with Mirvish). OTHER THEATRE Most of the major Canadian theatres and in US cities such as New York, Boston, Las Vegas, LA, Dallas and Atlanta. Selected credits include Billy Elliot the Musical, Little Shop of Horrors (Stratford); Come Fly Away (Broadway, Las Vegas, National Tour); Barrymore (Stratford/Tour/Broadway/Toronto); Sister Act, Catch Me If You Can, West Side Story, Legally Blonde (National Tours). TRAINING/TEACHING Bachelor of Music and Masters in Music Media and Technology from McGill. Previous faculty member at Ryerson University and Humber College. ET CETERA Member of ADC (Associated Designers of Canada) and IATSE 829 (United Scenic Artists). Thanks to Meghan, Ella and Beatrice for their unending support.

Miranda Allen Fight Director

ROYAL MTC First engagement. ET CETERA Miranda is an Edmonton-based

actor and internationally touring escape artist. She has specialized experience in whip-cracking, stunts and stage combat. In 2018 she premiered her first theatre/ escape art fusion, Whiskey Business, where she was locked inside a full whiskey barrel (Found Festival) and was nominated for Best Actress for her role as Lizzie in Pretty Goblins (Workshop West). Miranda is honoured to be sharing her skills with this team.

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

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october/november 2019

WIN A TRIP FOR TWO! ENJOY A 7-NIGHT TRIP FOR TWO TO THE UNITED KINGDOM courtesy of

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THE COLOR PURPLE OTHER THEATRE Over 50 productions

Patricia Darbasie Assistant Director

ROYAL MTC Actor: Shakespeare in Love (with Citadel). OTHER THEATRE Actor: (selected) The Finest of Strangers (Teatro la Quindicina); Nine Parts of Desire (Maggie Tree); Going to St. Ives (Atlas); Ribbon (Ground Zero Productions); A Street Car Named Desire, (Globe Theatre). Director: Mesa (Altas); The Syringa Tree (York University); The Domino Heart (Edmonton Fringe). TRAINING A graduate of University of Alberta’s BFA acting and MFA directing programs. York University – Voice Pedagogy. ET CETERA Pat has received two Sterling awards as an actor for Barbarians (Workshop West Theatre) and Seeds (Edmonton Fringe).

Leslie Watson Stage Manager

ROYAL MTC Stage Manager: A Doll’s House, Part 2 (with Mirvish), Once (with Grand), Kill Me Now (with NAC), Black Coffee, My Name is Asher Lev (with Segal), 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, Manitoba Theatre for Young People and Winnipeg Jewish Theatre. TRAINING Graduate of Sheridan College and member of CAEA. ET CETERA Leslie also owns and operates Manitoba’s first mobile dog boutique – @updogboutiquewinnipeg – with her dog, Murtaugh.

Michael Duggan Assistant Stage Manager

ROYAL MTC Stage Manager: Vietgone (with fu-GEN/Hope and Hell), Hand to God. Assistant Stage Manager: A Christmas Carol, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (with Citadel), Chimerica, Clever Little Lies, The Glass Menagerie, Other People’s Money. Apprentice Stage Manager: 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 Dragonfly, Mary’s Wedding (TPM); Mamma Mia! (Rainbow); New Magic Valley Fun Town, Fly Me to the Moon (PTE); Am I Not King? The Last Concert of Richard II (zone41); Hamlet, Timon of Athens (SIR). TRAINING B.A. (Hons) in Theatre Production and Stage Management at the University of Winnipeg. ET CETERA Enjoy the show!

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

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october/november 2019

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THE COLOR PURPLE Sarah McDowell

The Asper Foundation & Gail Asper Family Foundation

Apprentice Stage Manager

Production Sponsors

ROYAL MTC It’s a Wonderful Life: The

Radio Play.

OTHER THEATRE Stage Manager: The

Trinity Unhinged, Beauty and the Lonely Beast (Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival); The Princess and the Goblin, Simply Cinderella, Snow White (Dramatic Theatre Company). TRAINING Sarah is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film. Aside from stage management, Sarah contributes her talents to scenic painting and graphic design. ET CETERA Sarah is delighted to be a part of Royal MTC’s 2019/2020 season. Many thanks to her family for their unconditional love and support.

The Asper Foundation and the Gail Asper Family Foundation are private philanthropic organizations that together support, undertake and develop major initiatives in the areas of Jewish charity as well as culture, education, community development and human rights locally, nationally and internationally.

Great-West Life, London Life & Canada Life Theatre for Young Audiences Sponsor Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life are leading insurance, wealth management and benefits specialists, focused on improving the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. Under the new Canada Life brand, we help Canadians achieve their potential, every day. Together, we serve more than 13 million people across Canada.

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 2019/20 season features a Mainstage Season of six productions, plus our High-Wire series of alternative work, our annual production of A Christmas Carol, and our House Series of cabaret, comedy and concerts. The Citadel also offers robust theatre training for professionals and aspirants of all ages, and a New Play Development program dedicated to the creation of innovative new work. This plethora of activity takes place in our architectural award-winning facility which has five performance spaces, production shops and classrooms, and is also home to Catalyst Theatre and Rapid Fire Theatre. Daryl Cloran, Artistic Director

Chantell Ghosh, Executive Director

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

Ovation

october/november 2019

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!

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

EXPLORE MORE The Color Purple More African-American Writers

An Unkindness of Ghosts by River Solomon. The HSS Matilda, a space vessel, is taking the last of humanity to the “Promised Land,” but not all on board are equal. The elites have deemed the dark-skinned sharecroppers to be less than, including Aster, a young woman who learns there may be a way to turn the tides of fate, but at a price. FICTION SCI SOLOMON Beloved by Toni Morrison. Sethe is haunted by memories of Sweet Home, a plantation where she was a slave for many years, and by her baby who died nameless, with only the inscription “Beloved” on her tombstone. FICTION MORRISON Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. It’s 2025 and the world has descended into madness and anarchy. Lauren Olimina, who suffers from hyper-empathy, is forced into the world away from her compound where she conceives a revolutionary idea that may save humankind. FICTION SCI BUTLER More Pulitzer Prize Winners

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. This 2017 winner follows Cora and Caesar, slaves on a Georgia plantation who hear about the Underground Railroad as a chance to find true freedom. Both decide to escape, but a slave catcher is on their tails and things don’t always go as planned. FICTION WHITEHEAD

Rent by Jonathan Larson. A rock-opera based on La Bohème, this 1996 Drama and Tony winner centres on young and impoverished artists living in New York. The musical explores the struggles of being an artist, dealing with addiction and living with HIV/AIDS. The library carries many iterations of the musical including the score, soundtrack, the Broadway show on Blu-ray and the film version of the musical. More Empowering Women

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Published in 1985, this novel is just as popular today. Set in a near-future dystopian society where the ruling class are men and women who are still able to bear children are classed as handmaids. The novel follows handmaid Offred, who recalls the time before the fall and details her life with her third assignment, Fred. FICTION ATWOOD The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. This family saga explores the Trueba family through four generations: patriarch Esteban who came from nothing and gained wealth and political influence through fear and respect, wife Clara who possesses magical abilities, daughter Blanca who is involved with a forbidden love and granddaughter Alba who joins the revolutionary movement. Fate, love and magic intertwine. FICTION ALLENDE

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. 30

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BEFORE & AF TER

A GREAT NIGHT OUT BEGINS WITH AN AMAZING MEAL Within walking distance of the theatre whether before or after the show

173 McDermot Ave themitchellblock.com 204 949 9032

wetanddrydept.com 204 975 0160

INDIVIDUAL GIVING

The cast of A Doll’s House, Part 2 during a post-show Talkback session.

donors open the season with a Bang (Bang)! We’re so excited about all the wonderful theatrical experiences that are in store for you this year at Royal MTC. Not only will you see fantastic actors presenting thought-provoking works this season but, thanks to your support, we are able to provide added experiences to deepen your connection to the art. Donors gain access to exclusive experiences to connect with the actors and artists who create the magic you see on stage. Your gift supports: • Pre-show chats • Talkback series with cast members

We’re making it really easy for you to be a part of the donor experience. With a commitment through our monthly giving program, you gain the benefits of your cumulative annual donation right away! For example, if you commit to a monthly donation of $50, you’ll receive all the benefits of a $600 annual donor. Even a small monthly donation can make a big impact! For information about donating and a full list of donor benefits, please contact Chris Turyk, Development Manager, at 204 954 6412 or cturyk@royalmtc.ca.

• Accessibility initiatives including ASL Interpreted, Relaxed and Open Caption Performances • Facility tours and student-only matinees for schools • And MORE…. 32

Playwright Ellen Peterson leads a Pre-Show Chat before Sense and Sensibility.

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RARE EXQUISITE WORLDLY

GRA NT PARK LIQU OR MART 1120 GRANT AVENUE

BANG BANG

PLAYWRIGHT’S NOTES BY KAT SANDLER All of us in theatre are in the business of telling stories. The impetus to explore those stories can come from anywhere, but I’ve always been drawn to true events as ”jumping off points”. In 2013, Toronto was rocked when a police officer shot and killed a teenage boy. The boy had a switchblade. The officer shot at him nine times. I remember reading newspaper articles that recounted the event and the subsequent trial in painstaking detail and thinking about the effect those written pieces might have on those who knew him, and on different communities in Toronto. Years passed, and the debate around racism and excessive force in the shooting deaths of Black men by police became more and more publicized. I wanted to write about racism and the police system, about the ramifications of a split-second decision and about how the victims, their families and the police were all being represented. But I didn’t know how. I didn’t know if I could. Or should. I began thinking about the responsibility we have as artists in storytelling. We’re not newspaper reporters documenting reality; we’re filtering it through our own imagination and experience, so what are the consequences of incorporating truth into fiction? How do we impact the people close to those stories or the perception of an event? How does telling a story in my voice change it? How do we responsibly create plots and characters that are far outside our own experience? Should we? How can we 34

ask necessary questions like this without sounding wanky? Bang Bang engages with these questions, but it can’t answer them. It’s about interrogating the creation process, about appropriation, about the impact of being inspired by true stories and about how easy it is to miss the intersection of communication, empathy and self-awareness. I’ve tried to create something that provokes discussion, presents multiple perspectives and entertains, but there’s no one right way to tell a story. Part of the job is embellishing and making shit up, but we can’t know if we’re doing it wrong unless we invite conversation, ask the question, listen to the answer and then try to do it better. Thank you to everyone who helped shape and breathe life into this play, to every individual who asked or answered questions, lent their voice, experience and time to this story, thank you, the audience, for sharing it with us, and thank you to Royal MTC for continuing the conversation.

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october/november 2019

Groups of 10 or more

save!

Proud to support the Theatre Under 30 program.

to book group tickets contact: Thomas Urish, Sales Manager P 204 954 6413 e turish@royalmtc.ca

We are working with Royal MTC to make theatre accessible for all.

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M05234 (0916)

BANG BANG

CREATIVE FREEDOM AND THE POWER OF THEATRE BY AUDREY DWYER, CONSULTING DIRECTOR

Imagine you’ve gone through a horrifying and terrible trauma. Now imagine that your trauma has gone public – in newspapers, online and on television. Now imagine that a stranger has taken your trauma and has re-written it with artistic changes added. Now imagine that you’re about to watch your story onstage with an audience surrounding you. How do you feel right now? Using trauma to create art isn’t something new. Artists have been inspired by trauma for decades. One of the questions at the heart of Kat Sandler’s Bang Bang is who gets to tell other people’s stories. Creative freedom and appropriation of voice are two of its major themes. Writing a play can include numerous elements under the banner of creative freedom. Many playwrights spend years doing research on their topic of choice. They examine each character’s life. They research the era in which their characters live. They give their characters obstacles, idiosyncrasies and habits that are as unique as they can imagine. As writers create, they shape and shift a tale according to their needs, wants, desires and imaginations. Some of them gain inspiration from true events. Some write plays that are based on true stories. Others write verbatim plays where they use the dialogue and situations exactly as they have been lived. Others make it up completely. A broad description of appropriation of voice in playwriting is when a playwright depicts characters, themes or voices 36

from cultures that aren’t their own. This depiction happens with authoritativeness and an “insider’s intimacy.” Creative freedom can become controversial because freedom is important to us. Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.” To be responsible is to be aware of yourself and others. Is creative freedom meant to serve oneself? Or is it meant to serve others? If one has the freedom to take your story and share it with others, who should they serve? You? The audience? Themselves? The exchange between writer and audience is an intimate one. This intimacy is valuable because with it, there is great potential for change – of heart, mind and opinion. The impact of great storytelling is immense. Theatre thrives on characters that are able to transform their trauma into self-determination and empowerment. We learn about others and ourselves. We observe power dynamics. We understand our place in the world and what needs to be done to change it. It can also bring us joy, laughter and release. This intimate exchange depends on whom the playwright focuses and how they tell the story. The famous writer and activist Audre Lorde said, “I am not free while any

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BANG BANG woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” Her words inspire. If one has the power to be free and the person beside them does not, then they are not free. Creative freedom, responsibility and power are intimately linked. Freedom is the power of choice. For all of us to gain freedom, we must be willing to take the steps to understand one another and more importantly, to advocate for one another altruistically. We can speak up when we see others in distress. We can stand up for others, even though we feel discomfort. What would it feel like if your story were told in a way that suited your needs and

values? What would it feel like if your story were told in a way that made you feel as free as the writer? Bang Bang resonates with audiences because Sandler’s themes cut to the core of what it means to be human. I hope it resonates with you!

We hope you enjoy Bang Bang! Here’s a list of tough questions that you can use to continue the conversation with your friends and family after seeing the play. How does appropriation affect the people involved? How does it affect the art? How does social media or fake news change the way we get our information? What is the role and responsibility of artists when storytelling? Does this play make you question the meaning behind the phrase “based on a true story?” Who has the right to tell a story? What is the play about? Race, art, violence, or something else?

say hello to Audrey Dwyer! Royal MTC is thrilled to welcome award-winning multi-disciplinary artist Audrey Dwyer as the theatre’s new Associate Artistic Director, and Consulting Director for Bang Bang. Audrey has over 20 years of experience working as an actor, director, playwright, teacher, artistic director, facilitator and mentor. She will direct Women of the Fur Trade (Feb 26 – Mar 14).

october/november 2019

Ovation

Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director • Camilla Holland, Executive Director PRESENTS A CO-PRODUCTION WITH BELFRY

THEATRE

Bang Bang By Kat Sandler October 3–19, 2019 preview October 2

Director.................................................................................... Kelly Thornton Set Designer.................................................................. Adam Parboosingh Costume Designer..............................................................Joseph Abetria Lighting Designer.............................................................Scott Henderson Sound Designer............................................................................ Brian Linds Fight Director...................................................................... Jacquie Loewen Firearms Consultant..................................................................Dave Brown Consulting Director............................................................ Audrey Dwyer† Apprentice Director.........................................................................Eric Rae* Stage Manager.........................................................................Kathryn Ball† Assistant Stage Manager..................................................... Zahra Larche THE CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Jackie Savage..................................................................... Sébastien Heins Tim Bernbaum............................................................................ Tom Keenan Lila Hines..............................................................................Beverly Ndukwu Tony Cappello...................................................................Alex Poch-Goldin Karen Hines...................................................................Warona Setshwaelo Bang Bang is performed with one intermission. Originally commissioned by Factory Theatre. BANG BANG was first produced by Factory Theatre in Toronto, Canada, 2018. BANG BANG is staged by arrangement with Emma Laird, GGA, www.ggagency.ca. Special thanks: Factory Theatre and Joseph Michael Photography for the use of the Sébastien Heins photo in Royal MTC’s Two Shots movie poster. Production photography by Dylan Hewlett.

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. *Position funded through the Jean Murray - Moray Sinclair Theatre Apprenticeship Program †Past Jean Murray - Moray Sinclair Scholarship award winner

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october/november 2019

BANG BANG Sébastien Heins Jackie Savage

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Selected: Wedding at

Aulis (Soulpepper); The Tempest, Comedy of Errors, School for Scandal, Timon of Athens, Breath of Kings: Rebellion & Redemption (Stratford); Bang Bang (Factory); Brotherhood: The Hip Hopera (b current & Sébastien Heins); Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Outside the March/Crow’s/Starvox). FILM/TV Selected: Stratford HD’s: The Tempest, Timon of Athens (Cineplex/CBC); The Drip (Suntola); The Listener (CTV); Her Chance to Dream (ESC & Listening Duck); Darknet (Superchannel); Cracked (CBC). TRAINING National Theatre School of Canada. ET CETERA Sébastien is thrilled to return to the world of Bang Bang. He wishes to thank his incredible wife for her loving support while he is away from home, and to thank his family and friends for their continuous care.

Tom Keenan Tim Bernbaum

ROYAL MTC Selected: The Cottage, Sense and Sensibility, The Humans, Shakespeare in Love (with Citadel), Sarah Ballenden, Hand to God, Unnecessary Farce, The Seagull, Gone With the Wind, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, A Christmas Carol. OTHER THEATRE Selected: Hedda Gabler (Echo Theatre); How My Light Is Spent (Play It Again); Am I Not King?, Three Sisters (zone41); The Gravitational Pull of

Bernice Trimble (PTE); Dear Johnny Deere (Persephone); Ring of Fire (Rainbow); The Power of Harriet T, New Canadian Kid (MTYP); White Rabbit Red Rabbit, The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz (TPM); One Man, Two Guvnors (TC); The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, Henry IV (SIR). FILM/TV Selected: Welcome to Sudden Death (Universal); Christmas Club, Love, of Course (Hallmark); Burden of Truth (CBC); Nikola Tesla and the End of the World (Zoot Pictures); Channel Zero (NBC/Universal); Nomis (PalmStar); The Pinkertons (Buffalo Gal/Rosetta Media); House Party (Comedy Network); Something Beneath (Peace Arch); The Crooked E (CBS). ET CETERA Find his music at tommydouglaskeenan.com and heavybellmusic.com.

Beverly Ndukwu Lila Hines

ROYAL MTC The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (with Citadel). OTHER THEATRE Intimate Apparel (WJT); Danny, King of the Basement (MTYP). FILM/TV Tales from the Loop, Love in Design, Breakthrough, Night Hunter (Nomis) etc. ET CETERA Thank you to everyone who has supported me during the course of my career. I’m constantly learning and evolving as an actor, and open to where this passion will take me. “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” – Roy T. Bennett

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

october/november 2019

Ovation

BANG BANG Alex Poch-Goldin

Warona Setshwaelo

Tony Cappello

Karen Hines

ROYAL MTC My Name is Asher Lev (Meta Award/Evie Nomination), Scorched, King Lear, Quills, Broadway Bound. OTHER THEATRE Oslo, Disgraced (Mirvish); The Dybbuk, Incident at Vichy (Soulpepper – Dora Award); Our Class (Studio 180 – Dora Nomination); Amadeus (TiFT); King Lear (Groundling); Wit (VP – Jessie Nomination); Superior Donuts (Coal Mine); Harper Regan, The Comedy of Errors, Angels in America, The Tempest, Intimate Apparel (Canadian Stage); Belle (NAC). Playwriting: Cringeworthy, This Hotel (Dora Nominations); Yahrzeit (Jewish Playwriting Award/German tour); The Bad Luck Bank Robbers, The Right Road To Pontypool (4th Line). Opera Libretti: The Shadow, Against Nature. FILM/TV Suits, Nurses, Burden of Truth, Cardinal, The Calling, Nero Wolfe, Good God, The Kennedys, Flashpoint. ET CETERA Alex has recently moved to Winnipeg and is thrilled to open the 2019 season at Royal MTC. Upcoming: Indecent for Mirvish. For directing, teaching and audition coaching, visit alexpochgoldin.com. Love to Chloe Babette!

ROYAL MTC First appearance. OTHER THEATRE Stori Ya (Black Theatre Workshop); Pinocchio, Reaching for Starlight (Geordie Theatre); If We Were Birds, Intractable Woman (Imago Theatre); Julius Caesar (Repercussion). FILM/TV White House Down, Quantico, The Disappeared, Northpole (Hallmark). Video games: Assassin’s Creed: Origins. TRAINING/TEACHING B.A. in Virginia Tech’s Theatre Arts program (2000). Coordinator of the Artist Mentorship Program at Black Theatre Workshop. ET CETERA Warona is an artist, mother, storyteller, community builder and activist. Originally from Gaborone, Botswana and Johannesburg, South Africa and has lived in Tio’tia:ke (Montréal) for 12 years.

SYNOPSIS – Lila Hines, an ex-police officer, lives with her mom after an on-the-job shooting shatters the rookie cop’s career. Tim Bernbaum wrote a hit play about the shooting and drops by uninvited to talk to Lila about a movie in the works. He actually wants to set the stage for a visit by Jackie Savage, a former child star who’s set to star in the film. Jackie wants to do research, his bodyguard wants to keep everyone safe (and well fed) and Lila wants it all to go away. As they furiously – and hilariously – debate whose story is being told and how, the stakes get higher until we reach the explosive conclusion.

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

Ovation

october/november 2019

BANG BANG Kat Sandler Playwright

Kat Sandler is a playwright, director, screenwriter and Artistic Director of Theatre Brouhaha in Toronto. She has staged 16 of her original plays in the last eight years, including the concurrent double bill of The Party and The Candidate this past April, where the same cast raced back and forth between spaces at the Citadel Theatre to perform in two simultaneous plays each night. Her play Mustard (Tarragon Theatre) won the Dora Award for Best New Play, and Bang Bang was nominated for the same award. She was the recipient of NOW Magazine’s Audience Choice Awards for Best Director and Best Playwright, the SummerWorks Spotlight Award, and was the winner of the Austin Film Fest Award for Best Fiction Podcast for How to Build a Fire. Kat is a graduate of the Queen’s University Drama Program.

of Errors (CS); This Hotel (Theatre Passe Muraille); and nine seasons of Nightwood’s Lawyer Show, staging Shakespeare’s comedies and Broadway musicals. TEACHING Associate Director of the Directing Program at the National Theatre School of Canada 2010-2013. Guest Instructor at the University of Toronto Graduate Centre for Drama, and at Sheridan College and Theatre Erindale (U of T) Theatre and Drama Studies Program. ET CETERA Kelly is Royal MTC’s Artistic Director and has been honoured with the Pauline McGibbon Award, multiple Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations, a Harold Award, as well as being named a YWCA Woman of Distinction. She wishes to thank her incredible family for all their love and support.

Adam Parboosingh Set Designer

ROYAL MTC Buying the Farm (tour). OTHER THEATRE Scenery Design: Kiss of

Kelly Thornton Director

ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Eighteen years as Artistic

Director of Nightwood Theatre in Toronto, where she directed Unholy, Refuge, Free Outgoing, The Penelopiad, Between the Sheets, The Happy Woman; as well as The List, That Face and Wild Dogs (all in association with CS); The Danish Play (NAC, Aveny-Teatret, Copenhagen; Magnetic North Theatre Festival); Bear With Me (Magnetic North); Finding Regina (Globe); Mathilde and China Doll. Other select credits include: Vigil (TiFT); The Comedy

the Spider Woman (Dry Cold). Lighting Design: Intimate Apparel (WJT). Scenery and Costume Design: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (U of W). Lighting Design: Mary’s Wedding (TPM) and Miracle on 34th Street (Magnus Theatre). Projection Design: Boundary Avenue (One Trunk Theatre). TV Assistant Art Director for CBC’s Burden of Truth. TEACHING Assistant Professor at University of Winnipeg. ET CETERA Adam’s ongoing support comes from his wife Tamara and three kids (Mackenzie, Keaton and Harrison) and dog Coco. He is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada. adamparboosingh.com

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

october/november 2019

Ovation

BANG BANG TRAINING Scott is a graduate of Ryerson

Joseph Abetria Costume Designer

ROYAL MTC Costume Designer: Last Train to Nibroc (tour). Apprentice Costume Designer: Billy Elliot the Musical. OTHER THEATRE (selected) Costume Designer: Women of the Fur Trade (Vault Projects); Mary’s Wedding, Iceland (TPM); Concord Floral, Vinegar Tom, The Cassilis Engagement, The Laramie Project (U of W). Set Designer: Richard III (SIR). Production Designer: The Game, Two Indians, The Seduction Theory (Sarasvàti Productions). Assistant Costume Designer: Othello, The Neverending Story, The Rocky Horror Show, Romeo and Juliet (Stratford). TRAINING University of Winnipeg. ET CETERA Much love to my family and friends! Hope you enjoy the show.

Scott Henderson Lighting Designer

ROYAL MTC Over 50 productions since 1995, including The Cottage, John, Sense and Sensibility, A Christmas Carol (2017, 2005), Shakespeare in Love (with Citadel), Sarah Ballenden, Black Coffee, The Audience (with Mirvish), Billy Elliot the Musical, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (with Mirvish), Next to Normal, Red (with Belfry), The Seagull, Top Girls. OTHER THEATRE Scott has designed lighting for opera, dance and theatre companies in Winnipeg and across Canada, including the Shaw and Stratford festivals. Most recently he designed Strike! The Musical and Cinderella at Rainbow Stage.

Theatre School and is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada. ET CETERA In 2018 Scott received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Winnipeg Theatre Awards. He was also nominated for a Sterling Award for Outstanding Lighting Design (Shakespeare in Love – Citadel/Royal MTC). Special thanks to Karen, Sean and Alex for the love and support.

Brian Linds Sound Designer

ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE The Full Light of Day, No

Exit (The Electric Company); Carried Away on the Crest of a Wave (NAC); Mustard, The Valley, Best Brothers (Belfry); Romeo and Juliet (Bard on the Beach); Sweeney Todd (Vancouver Opera); A Christmas Story (Chemainus Theatre); The Audience, August: Osage County, The History Boys (Arts Club); True West (VP); Of Mice and Men (Blue Bridge Theatre). Brian created a sound-performance-theatre show called Reverberations which takes place in five theatre spaces. It premiered at the Belfry Theatre’s SPARK Festival in 2017, and last March played at Presentation House Theatre in North Vancouver. TEACHING Brian has been a sound design mentor and teacher at Studio 58, The Phoenix Theatre, The Belfry Theatre and SKAM Theatre. ET CETERA Brian resides in Victoria.

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

Ovation

october/november 2019

“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.

BANG BANG TRAINING National Theatre School of

Jacquie Loewen

Canada.

Fight Director

ET CETERA Audrey is a multi-disciplinary

ROYAL MTC Fight Director: The Cottage, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical (with Arts Club/Citadel), Vietgone (with fu-GEN/ Hope and Hell), Black Coffee, Hand to God, 23.5 Hours, Unnecessary Farce, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, Private Lives, A Christmas Story, Gone With the Wind, August: Osage County, Romeo and Juliet, The Seafarer. Actor: Alice Through the Looking-Glass, Top Girls. Assistant Director: Other People’s Money. OTHER THEATRE Selected fight directing: Macbeth (Bard on the Beach); Indigenous Playwrights New Works Workshop (Playwrights Theatre Centre – 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 Jacqueline has taught at the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, Trinity Western University and Simon Fraser University.

Audrey Dwyer Consulting Director

ROYAL MTC Upcoming Direction: Women of the Fur Trade. Actor: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (with Mirvish), Good People, Medea (with Mirvish), The Crucible. OTHER THEATRE Director: Prairie Nurse (Lighthouse Theatre); Calpurnia (Nightwood Theatre/Sulong Theatre); The Apology (Rabiayshna Productions).

artist with over 20 years experience working as an actor, director, playwright, teacher, artistic director, facilitator and mentor. She won the Cayle Chernin Award for Theatre in 2015. She has been nominated for four Dora Awards and has won three. She has been nominated for the Pauline Gibbon Award for Direction twice. She was the Artistic Director of Cow Over Moon Children’s Theatre. Most recently she was the Urjo Kareda Artist in Residence and Assistant Artistic Director at Tarragon Theatre.

Eric Rae Apprentice Director

ROYAL MTC First engagement. OTHER THEATRE Director: Pas Moi

(University of Nice Sophia Antipolis); Anomie by Wren Brian (Downside Up); The Tempest (Knavish Hedgehogs). Actor: Riot Resist Revolt Repeat and After the Ball is Over (Vault Projects); Expressions Vives (Cercle Molière); Unplugged (Green Kids). TRAINING Bachelor of Arts Honours from the University of Winnipeg and Master of Arts from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis. ET CETERA I just got back from two years doing my Master’s in France and am thrilled that Bang Bang is my first show back. Huge thanks to everyone who supported me and kept me sane during my time away. You know who you are.

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

Ovation

october/november 2019

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. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to be the Season Sponsor of the Tom Hendry Warehouse.

BANG BANG Kathryn Ball Stage Manager

ROYAL MTC Mainstage: Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, Shakespeare in Love (with Citadel), Steel Magnolias, The Shunning, The Importance of Being Earnest, Dreamgirls, Orpheus Descending. Regional tours: Last Train to Nibroc, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Armstrong’s War, Miracle on South Division Street, Ed’s Garage, The Melville Boys, Bad Dates. OTHER THEATRE Numerous productions with Manitoba Opera, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Rainbow Stage, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Citadel Theatre (Edmonton) and the Globe Theatre (Regina). TRAINING Theatre Production program at MacEwan University in Edmonton and Bachelor of Commerce at University of Manitoba.

Productions); The Amazing Adventures of Pericles, Prince of Tyre (A Company of Fools). TRAINING Graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada – Production Program (2017). ET CETERA A very special thanks to my Royal MTC family, my parents, my family and friends from Gatineau to Tasmania, Ilana Modulevsky, Craig Heinrich, and my graduating class at NTS.

Zahra Larche Assistant Stage Manager

ROYAL MTC Apprentice Stage Manager: Buying the Farm (tour), Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, Vietgone (with fu-GEN/Hope and Hell), The Humans. Assistant Production Manager (2017/18 season). OTHER THEATRE Stage Manager: The Drawer Boy (Hudson Village Theatre); Ed & Ed – Trapped!, Outside Mullingar, Neddy Norris Night, Fly Me to the Moon, Newfoundland Vinyl, The Out Vigil (Gros Morne Theatre Festival); Shape of a Girl (Cart Before the Horse). Apprentice Stage Manager: Barber of Seville (Manitoba Opera); The Halloween Tree (Geordie

THE BELFRY THEATRE

With love, from scratch, and with the country’s best theatre artists, we build, rehearse and create our plays in our own home, a renovated 19th century church in Fernwood – Victoria’s most interesting neighbourhood. The Belfry’s mission is to produce theatre that generates ideas and dialogue, and that allows the audience to see the world from different perspectives. The Belfry has produced 330 plays, including 238 Canadian plays, and more than 50 premieres. Many of those premiere productions have gone on to acclaim across Canada, in the U.S., Australia, Europe and London’s West End. We produce up to 12 plays per year: one or two summer productions, a four play Mainstage series, and SPARK, our mid-winter festival of innovative and alternative work from across Canada. Michael Shamata – Artistic Director

Ivan Habel – Executive Director

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

Ovation

october/november 2019

NEXT AT THE JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE

NOV 27 – DEC 21 “A perfect holiday treat” — vancouver sun

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley By

Lauren Gunderson and

Margot Melcon

Following a two-year separation, the Bennet sisters reunite for Christmas. Everything has changed – three sisters are married and Jane is pregnant – yet everything is the same, namely with Mary, who seems destined for a solitary life but longs for more. Her predictable life is upended when Arthur de Bourgh joins the celebrations, immediately finding a kindred spirit in the clever middle sister. An imagined sequel to Pride and Prejudice, this festive frolic rekindles the warmth and wit of Jane Austen. Audiences across the country have been overjoyed with Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and we’re delighted to share this story of love, hope and holiday cheer with you.

TICKETS START AT $27.25 • BUY NOW

NEXT AT THE TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE

Fun Home

NOV 13 – DEC 1 “A groundbreaking masterpiece” — the independent

Music by Jeanine Tesori Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron Based on the graphic novel by

Alison Bechdel

TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE SEASON SPONSOR

PRODUCTION SPONSOR

Winner of five 2015 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Fun Home is inspired by Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir. The comic was already a bestseller when Bechdel’s career hit another gear with the runaway success of the musical. Exciting offers followed, including a cameo on The Simpsons. When asked by The Guardian whether comics and musicals have something in common, Bechdel said, “It strikes me they can share a weirdly direct route to the human heart.” We expect tickets to sell quickly for this musical. Buy early to avoid disappointment!

TICKETS START AT $22 .25 • BUY NOW

CALL 204 942 6537 | VISIT ROYALMTC.CA

SUPPORTERS Many thanks to our donors who made a gift between June 1, 2018 and Sept 1, 2019. DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $10,000+ Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson Deborah Gray June & Bob Jackson Memorial Fund for the Performing Arts – The Winnipeg Foundation The Estate of E. Louise Nebbs Hartley & Heather Richardson Susan Glass & Arni Thorsteinson $6,500-9,999 David Christianson & Vera Steinberger Kingfisher Foundation Leslie John Taylor Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation

$4,000-6,499 In memory of Duane Braun – Pauline Braun Hugh Conacher Sylvia Guertin-Riley Elizabeth Marr & Nick Slonosky Virginia Martin & the late Robert Martin Bernie & Rhonda Plett

$2,000-3,999 Dr. J. Baluta & Ms. O. Kandia Craig McIntosh & Lorraine Beck Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Leah Bjarnarson & Robert Malech David & Lianne Carefoot Dr. Bonnie Cham & Dr. Lorne Bellan Haderra & Mark Chisick David* & Barb Christie Gerry* & Chris Couture Kerry Dangerfield*‡ Tony* & Jennifer Fletcher‡ John F. (Jack) Fraser* Sara Gray Patrick Green & Shayla Harapiak Green Rita Gunn & Greg Mason John* & Nicola Guttormson‡ Ahava Halpern & Frank Lavitt‡ Linda Hamilton & Grange Morrow‡ Camilla Holland† & Colin Viebrock‡ Andrew & Wendy Jensen Derek & Mary Johannson David & Diane Johnston John Kearsey‡

Dr. Terry Klassen & Grace Dueck Dr. P. Kmet & Mr. B. Roslycky Bill & Shirley Loewen Jim* & Penny McLandress‡ Drs. Ken & Sharon Mould In memory of Liam Murphy – Leigh Murphy‡ Vivienne Nickerson Cam & Carole Osler Drs. Bill Pope & Elizabeth Tippett Pope Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Sanford & Deborah Riley Bill & Laurie* Speers Maitland & Pat Sundmark Helga Van Iderstine* Marcel Van Woensel Scott & Sonya Wright Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Anonymous

COMPANY CIRCLE

$1,200-1,999 John Borger Todd Bourcier Sheldon & Penny Bowles Doneta Brotchie, CM* & Harry Brotchie‡ Terri Cherniack & Steven Schipper, CM, OM†‡ Heather Clarke* Andrew Drinnan†‡ Lawrence & Brenda Ellerby Katherine Fox*‡ Susan* & Ab Freig‡ Sandy Gousseau*‡ Mintie & Al Grienke In memory of Kristin Hanson – Dawn & Brian Hanson Vivian Hilder-Skwark & David Skwark‡ Shawn Hughes* & Bruno Koehn‡ Katie Inverarity†‡ Jason Kasper* Gordon Keatch§ Serena Helen Kraayeveld Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Brenda & Trevor Kriss‡ David* & Ellen Kroft‡ Katarina Kupca‡ Donna & Dave* Lalama J. Lamothe Rick Lee & Laurie Shapiro Gail Loewen Reginald & Judy Low Leona MacDonald & Douglas Riske Mark & Gloria Mancini‡ Carol & Barry McArton Pat McCullough & Chris Brown Terri & Jim McKerchar‡ Grant Mitchell & Cat Lambeth Dr. & Mrs. Kieran O’Keeffe M. Plett-Lyle

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrie & Fran Pollard K. Heather Power & Harold Klause‡ Lawrence Prout* & Lisa Gardewine‡ Margaret Redmond* & Greg Gillis‡ Brad Regehr & Nalini Reddy Murray & Cindy Reimer Mrs. Shirley Richardson Barbara & Derek* Rolstone‡ Dean & Rachel Scaletta Cheryl & Lorne Sharfe Ken & Susan Skinner* Kevin Hines & Shelly Smith-Hines†‡ In memory of Annice Stephens – Joan Stephens‡ Shelley† & Mark Stroski‡ Jim & Jan Tennant Josh Thiem* Albert & Sindee Wilhelmer Richard L. Yaffe* & John A. Statham

†Current Royal MTC staff

Ovation

$600-1,199 Robert & Ina Abra Family Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Margaret & Jim Astwood Ryan Bernier Bruce & Shelley Bertrand-Meadows Helga & Gerhard Bock Cathie & Brian Bowerman Pam & Andrew Cooke Ben & Shari Diamond Sharron & Joel Dudeck Robert & Florence Eastwood Ernest & Ruth Epp Paulo Fernandes*‡ Hon. Gary Filmon & Hon. Janice Filmon CM Barbara Hamilton Sylvia & Doug Hannah Gordon Hannon Gregg & Mary Hanson Dr. Ted & Gail Hechter Hon. Justice William Johnston Dr. Laurence Katz & Ms. Zoe Kogan Ian Kirk†‡ Eileen & George Klassen Donna L. Korban & Family The Honourable Guy J. Kroft & Hester Kroft* Brent Kvern Peter & Karen Leipsic Pat & Jim Ludwig Peter & Maureen Macdonald Mr. G. Markham Gerry Matte & Lydia Surasky-Matte Shelley Neel‡ Tracey Novak Kris Olafson‡ Richard & Bonnie Olfert ‡Monthly donors

§ Fondly Remembered

october/november 2019

SUPPORTERS Linda & Wayne Paquin Donna Plant Ms. Judith Putter David & Joan Rew Henriette Ricou & Jure Manfreda Andrea & Michael Robertson‡ Margaret & Paul Shuckett Ms. Judy Nichol & Dr. Jim Skinner Carol & Ron Slater Fund – Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Debbie Spracklin Donald & Lorraine Swanson Dr. Peter Triggs‡ Grant Tweed Carol & Hugo Unruh Strang/van Ineveld Family Vicki Verville‡ Margaret Wollner 3 Anonymous

$250-599 Pat & Bob Adamson Dr. Liz Adkins Brian Adolph†‡ Jay & Judy Anderson Dr. Ignatius Anyadike Archie & Jo-Anne Arnott Elaine Arsenault-Schultz Sheena Baird†‡ Jorslaw & Mary Barwinsky Larry Beeston & Anna Sikora Trish Bergal Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Bergbusch Bruce & Joyce Berry Lilian Bonin Dr. Elizabeth Boustcha Bruce & Karen Boyd Billy Brodovsky & Libby Yager‡ Sheila & David Brodovsky France Adams & Stephen Brodovsky Miriam Bronstein George & Ellen Bruce MacDonald/Cageorge Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Charlotte Calnitsky Rosemary Chapman Shelley Chochinov Bobbi Chomiak Katherine Cobor & Gordon Steindel Daniel Cowan Dr. & Mrs. James Dalton Ms. Linda Daniels Chris Darazsi‡ J. Davidson‡ Margaret & Sylvia Docker James Dugan & Mary Bawden Helene Dyck H. Dyck Roberta Dyck Glen* & Joan Dyrda Mr. & Mrs. William Easton

Dr. Michael Eleff & Chana Thau Debra Evaniuk Beverley & Ronald John Fitzpatrick Felicia & Trevor Frost Colleen & Dan Furlan‡ Brent & Debbie Gilbert Ms. Heather Gillander Ben & Serky Goldberg Dr. & Mrs. Andrew Gomori Lila Goodspeed Kayla Gordon & Art Maister Sig & Leona Hackbart Frank & Sue Hechter Kristin Heinrichs Mr. Kyle Hendin Dennis & Betty-lynn Hodgkinson Tanis & Bernd Hohne Michael & Crystal Hollas‡ N & L Holliday Carol Holmes & Brian Duff Robert Hykawy Dan & Karen Ilchyna Marlis & David Jacobson Sylvia Jansen Margaret Jeffries Claire & Gerald Jewers Dr. Danielle & Mr. Brendan Roddy G & C Jochum Lisa Johnston‡ James Tam & Katherine Jordan Marilyn & Sheldon Joyal Sheryl Kapitz & Aaron London Edgar Kellett Edward & Stella Kennedy Robert Kennedy & Claudette Leclerc Peter Kingsley Betty Klassen Vern & Roselin Klassen Julie Ann Kniskern John & Kathryn Knowles E. Koop David & Denise Koss Carol Campbell & Andy Krentz Howard & Jane Kroeger Randie & Jan Kushnier Glad & Lloyd Lamont Desiree Lavallee†‡ Dr. G. H. Lawler John & Heather Lea Tim Preston & Dave Ling Charles & Diane Littman Dr. Sora Ludwig & Dr. Brent Schacter Harriet & Ted Lyons Brian & Christie Lysack Dr. Donald McInnes Campbell & Lorraine McIntyre Marlene & Ian McKay Greg & Gloria McLaren Barb Melnychuk Dr. Jonathan Gabor & Tia Metaxas Marc Monnin & Donna Miller Sagan Morrow*‡

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

october/november 2019

Ovation

Cathy Moser & Jeff Itzkow Suzanne & Kenneth Munroe B. Nagamori Marika Nerbas D & G Nytepchuk Helen Orestes Cam Mackie & Doris Mae Oulton Jeff Palamar Murray Palay & Ivy Kopstein Heather & Harry Panaschuk Dr. Philip & Joanne Pass Chris Pearce & Ruth Magnuson Brian & Deborah Pekarchuk Maryam & Izzy Peltz Fund – Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Calvin & Jen Polet Beth Pollard Keith Powls Maureen Prendiville & Paul Jensen Tammy Rabkin Vivian E. Rachlis Carole Rankin‡ Vance & Bev Rehill Iris Reimer Wayne Rempel Dr. & Mrs. J. Richtik Cathy & Paul Samyn Barbara Scheuneman Renate & Bill Schulz Harald & Vicki Schulz Gary & Darcia Senft In memory of Sybil Shack for the benefiit of MTC – Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Sharon Shaydak Sandra & Cliff Skrabek Chad Smith‡ Mrs. Lorraine Smith Al* & Virginia Snyder Evelyn Stephen Eleanor Suderman MaryAnn Supleve Mr. & Mrs. Paul Swart Shayne & Kathryn Taback Ross & Bette-Jayne Taylor Karen Tereck – Welcome to Winnipeg Inc. Leah R. Janzen & Ian R. Thomson Gord & Lorena Trann Louis Trepel & W.T. Grogan B. Baydock & W. Tretiak Dr. Stephen Tritt & Dr. Sharon Goszer-Tritt Dr. & Mrs. M. B. Vodrey Ed & Jesse Vorst Dorothy Walker Stirling Walkes Lois & Henry Wedel Florence & Donald Whitmore Kathleen Gough & Timothy Wildman In memory of C. Noreen Wilkie – Catherine Wilkie

†Current Royal MTC staff

‡Monthly donors

SUPPORTERS Dr. David Wiseman & Merilyn Kraut Valerie Wowryk Harry & Evelyn Wray Landice Yestrau Dr. Dorothy Y. Young 13 Anonymous

$150-249 Elena Anciro†‡ Dawn Andersen Bernice Antoniuk Elizabeth B. Armytage Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Lynne Arnason Peter Attwood Ian Backus Richard & Nancy Ball Robert Bamburak Lynley Baranyk June & Ted Bartman Karen & John Bate James & Dawn-Lynne Bedford Holly Beirnes-Burt Susan & George Benias Trust Beta Edwin M. Bethune Kelly Black Marnie & Keith Bolland Colleen & Stephen Bonner Denise Bonner Tim & Shelly Borys Morva Bowman & Alan Pollard Jackie & Steve Broda-Milian Brian Brown Gerald R. Brown Carol Budnick Sean & Melanie Bueckert Ken England & Gerri Burge John Burrows Enid Butler Donna Byrne Kelly & Judy Caughlin Douglas Chapman Lorraine Chatel Farouk & Laila Chebib Duane Cheskey‡ Glen & Lorna Clark Lawrence & Reesa Cohen A son’s Tribute to the memory of Berdie & Irvin Cohen Agnes & John K. Collins Donna Collins Melonee Collins Diane M. Connelly Joan E. Coombe Roy & Marie Craig Barbara & Brian Crow Gary & Fiona Crow Ellen Curtis‡ J. Dale G. L. Damphousse

Maureen Danzinger Bob & Alison Darling Diane de Rocquigny Andrea Hector & Kirk Dellebuur Carl & Wilma Doerksen Beverley Doern Sheila Domke & Stephen Ross Dennis Doyle Jacqueline F. Drever Rob Dryden Craig & Claudette Dunn Sonya Dyck-Ledochowski David & Barbara Ediger‡ Greg Edmond & Irene Groot-Koerkamp E.N. Egan Dan & Lilianne Erickson Jemara Fay‡ Marion Fellinger Douglas Finkbeiner Gayle Fischer Lawrence Foster‡ Jack Fraser Janice French Menno H. & Jolanda Friesen Anne Friesen Pamela & Kevin Friesen Dianne Frost Paul Daeninck & Monica Furer Daniel Gagnon Basil & Judy Galarnyk Gloria & Rick Gallant Frank Filbert & Judy Garwood-Filbert Lynne & Lindsay Gauld‡ Denise & Ron George Sharon & Arnold Glass Barbara & David Goldenberg Alicyn Goodman‡ Michele Goossen‡ Shawn & Bill Gould John & Margaret Graham Rosa Graveline Karen H. Guenther Kari Hagness†‡ Sharon Hamilton‡ Gregory & Heather Hammond Bruce & Judy Harris Joanne Harris Kathryn & Wayne Harrison Ken & Ruth Hayes Evelyn Hecht Mary Heindle Coral Hetherington David & Mary Hickling Cathy & Ted Hlynsky Gwen Hoare Rob & Jen Hochkievich‡ John & Lenore Hodge Tom & Dianne Hodgson Gary Hook & Charmine Lyons

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

Ovation

Keith Horn Ken Houssin Mr. & Mrs. Richard & Karen Howell Carol & Ian Hughes Mrs. Kadri Irwin G. C. Irwin-Kilfoyle Krista Jackson & Matthew Handscombe‡ Brenda Jenkyns Lynne Jentsch Dave & Lesia Johns Robert & Karen Johnston Ijneb & Armand Joyal Penny & Brian Kelly Paula Klan Orah & Soody Kleiman L. Knodel Paul & Tamara Kochan Ms. Julie Koehn Peter & Valerie Kohut Lisa Koss & Alex Vecherya Richard & Janice Kostelnyk‡ Jacki & Sheldon Koven Lorraine Kraichy‡ Paula Kristjanson Hasiuk Jonathan & Cara Kroft Leonard & Helen La Rue Teena Laird Barbara Latocki Pam Lawrence Bob Leggett Kathy & Saul Leibl Tim & Kate Letkemann‡ Carol & Clifford Levi Teresa Lopata & Bruce Wagg Nora Losey Maylene & Israel Ludwig Carole Lupkowski Tom Lussier Enid Lyons Dr. Shelley Mahoney Tamara Mares Elaine & Neil Margolis Agatha Massey Cheryl & Eric Matheson Linda Matheson Bob & Betty McCamis John & Carolynne McLure Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Barry McNabb‡ Donald G. McNabb Mario Mendizabal Susie Miclash Jim & Karren Middagh Andrew & Pat Miles Don Munro Lillian Neaman* Betty Nesbitt & Peter Chambers Robert Nickel Iris Noiseux Sheila Norrie

†Current Royal MTC staff

‡Monthly donors

october/november 2019

SUPPORTERS Tom Nowicki Joanne Olchowecki S. Joy Ooto Cynthia Orris In memory of Diane Stefanson – Theresa Oye Beverly Pavlek B. Peterson & S. Slonosky Rick Pinchin Bill Podolsky Carolyn Porhownik Jocelyne Prefontaine W. John Rae Dr. R. & Audrey Ramchandar Angeline Ramkissoon Linda Ratynski Cheryl Reid Mr. & Mrs. William Reynolds Mr. Louis Ricciuto Henry & Sheila Riendeau Jean Riggall Kent Ringler Marilyn Robbins Gail MacAulay & Kevin Rollason Renee Roseman Mary Anne Rosenbloom D. Ross & Rita Romsa-Ross Olga A. Runnalls‡ In memory of Patrick Brown – Elizabeth & Laurence Russin Shona Scappaticci‡ Carolyn Schellenberg Werner & Mary Schulz Ms. Faye Scott Jim & Susan Shaw Blake Shiaro Dr. & Mrs. A.M. Shojania Debbie Shymko Meera Sinha Jennifer Skelly & Family‡ Donald Smith Lillian Smith Peter & Geri Spencer Adrienne Stach Lisa & Daniel Stiver Heidi Struck‡ Lorne Sunley Mary-Lou K Taylor Aurora Tetrault Robert & Catherine Thiessen Mary E. Tibbs‡ Sharon Timson‡ Malcolm & Shirley Tinsley Terry Tully Helmut & Gwen Waedt Bob & Sherry Ward Veralyn Warkentin Peter & Joan Washchyshyn Walter & Shirley Watts Tamara & John Wells Al & Pat Wherrett‡ Murray & Nancy Wiegand

C. E. Wilmot Leslie Wilson Dennis & Gustine Wilton Dorcas & Kirk Windsor Dennis & Janet Woodford Grant & Sheila Woods Adele & Arthur Wortzman Raymond & Louise Wyant Brad Zander‡ Ken & Pat Zealand Gary Zimak Dr. & Mrs. A. Zimmer Mr. & Mrs. Roman Zubach 23 Anonymous

$25,000+ Johnston Group Inc. Richardson Foundation

$10,000-24,000 Qualico

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

SPONSOR

$1,200-2,999

The Asper Foundation The Gail Asper Family Foundation Assiniboine Credit Union Banville & Jones Wine Co Bell MTS BMO Financial Group Canada Life CN Culligan Water Dycom Direct Mail Services Esdale Printing Co. Ltd. Fillmore Riley LLP Freeman Audio Visual Canada Friesens Corporation Gardewine/Winnipeg Moving & Storage The Gates on Roblin The Great Canadian Travel Group HUB International IG Wealth Management Lawton Partners MacDon Industries Ltd. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries McDiarmid Flowers McNally Robinson Booksellers MMP Architects Pinnacle PwC RBC Convention Centre RBC Royal Bank RE/MAX Relish Sleeman Breweries Ltd. Stantec Consulting Ltd. Subway Franchise World Headquarters, LLC TD Bank Group TD Greystone Asset Management University of Manitoba Wawanesa Insurance Winnipeg Richardson International Airport The Winnipeg Foundation The Winnipeg Free Press

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

october/november 2019

CORPORATE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

Ovation

Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance and Risk Management BRR Logistics Ltd., Judy & Michael Wakefield Deloitte Foundation Canada Fillmore Riley LLP Manitoba Blue Cross Manitoba’s Credit Unions Maple Leaf Construction Ltd., Blake Fitzpatrick Maxim Truck & Trailer Mile Road Productions Inc. (Laurie Lam† & Larry Desrochers) Pollard Banknote Limited PRA Inc. Regal Tours Safeway & Sobeys

CORPORATE COMPANY CIRCLE $600-1,199 Astroid Management Ltd. Party Stuff/U-Rent-It Premier Printing Ltd.

$300-599 MCW/AGE Consulting Professional Engineers Mid West Packaging Limited

$150-299 Funseekers Ladies Travel Intergroup Consultants Ltd. Patill/St. James Insurance

†Current Royal MTC staff

‡Monthly donors

SUPPORTERS 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 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 John* & Nicola Guttormson Ahava Halpern & Frank Lavitt Linda Hamilton & Grange Morrow Gary Hannaford* & Cathy Rushton Ted & Gail Hechter 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 Mark & Gloria Mancini Peggy Barker & Ron McKinnon Jim* & Penny McLandress Barb Melnychuk Bob & Pat Migliore Jeffrey Morton* Ken & Sharon Mould Dr. Liam Murphy§ Robb & Heather Paterson Chris Pearce 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 Joan Stephens Suzanne Ullyot Richard L. Yaffe* & John A. Statham Brenda Zaporzan§ 2 Anonymous

TRIBUTE GIFTS In memory of Anita Cormier Sheila Stanley In memory of Margaret Irene Ferguson Marina Plett-Lyle Warmest congratulations to Camilla Holland on receiving the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award Richard L. Yaffe, QC & John A. Statham In memory of Gordon Keatch Doneta Brotchie, CM & Harry Brotchie Lynda & Barry Brown Dr. Kenneth Clark & Family, Napier New Zewland Kia Ora Kerry Dangerfield Gregory & Heather Hammond Michael Keatch Leona MacDonald & Douglas Riske Peter & Maureen Macdonald Gerald & Corinne McCallum Bonnie McDonald Sally & Brian Metcalfe Gavin & Judy Todd George Wright In honour of the Anniversary of Maureen & Fred Robinson Sandra Caplan In honour of Steven Schipper Joan Blight Helene Dyck Gayle Fischer Patrick Green & Shayla Harapiak Green Garth & Abigail Grieder Kevin Hines & Shelly Smith-Hines Katie Inverarity Jack Fraser Sue Caughlin & Lance McKinley Margaret Redmond & Greg Gillis Lyse Rémillard & Ed Fisher

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

Mitch & Rosemary Vodrey Debbie & Sheldon Wiseman Anonymous To Steven & Terri; with our gratitude, affection & best wishes Anonymous In memory of Melanie Sexton Katie Inverarity Joan Stephens Graham & Vicki Young In honur of the 60th wedding anniversary of Ron & Irene Stevens Shirley and Frank Mikuska

ENDOWMENT – STEVEN SCHIPPER FUND Many thanks to the generosity of our Endowment Fund donors who gave a gift or fulfilled a pledge payment between June 1, 2018 and Sept 1, 2019. 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||

$100,000-249,999 Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Volunteer Corps of Ushers Henriette Ricou & Jure Manfreda

$25,000-49,999 Susan Glass & Arni Thorsteinson J.K. May Investments Ltd. Elizabeth Marr & Nick Slonosky Cam & Carole Osler

$10,000-24,999 The Bowles Family Gus* & Diane Campbell James Cohen & Linda* McGarva-Cohen Neil Duboff John F. (Jack) Fraser* Wearing Williams Limited – Don & Sheila Katz Bryan Klein & Susan Halprin The Estate of Gordon P. Linney

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

Ovation

§ Fondly Remembered

october/november 2019

SUPPORTERS Virginia Martin & the late Robert Martin Norma Anne Padilla Lawrie & Fran Pollard Terracon Development Ltd. Wearing Williams Limited – Don & Sheila Katz

$5,000-9,999 Doneta Brotchie, CM* & Harry Brotchie Margaret Caie Helene Dyck Gayle Fischer Dr. Ted & Gail Hechter Susan and Keith Knox John Maguire & Susan Collison Gina O’Connor & John C. Petersmeyer* Faye Warren Dr. Dorothy Y. Young

$2,500-4,999 Pam & Andrew Cooke Hyman & Esther Dashevsky* Peter & Maureen Macdonald Irene Miller & the late Claire Miller Ruth Simkin Jim & Jan Tennant Anonymous

$1,000-2,499 Joan & Ed Alexander Jean Bissett Don & Cheryl Breakey David* & Barb Christie Jan* & Kevin Coates Agnes & John K. Collins Kerry Dangerfield* Dorothy Davidson Ernest & Ruth Epp Michael & Lynn Evans Teresa A. Hay Marilyn & Helios Hernandez John Kearsey

Gerry Matte & Lydia Surasky-Matte Vera Moroz Paul & Elaine Neelon Jean & Lisa Neron Myron Pawlowsky & Susan Boulter Margaret Redmond* & Greg Gillis Bill & Norma Rennie Marc & Sherri Rittinger Deborah & Neil Rostkowski Pat & Michelle Rowan Al* & Virginia Snyder Bill & Laurie* Speers Miss Debbie Spracklin In memory of Melanie Sexton – Joan Stephens Margaret & Paul Wright Richard L. Yaffe* & John A. Statham 2 Anonymous

$500-999 In memory of Judy Acheson – Peggy Bainard Acheson Helga & Gerhard Bock Nan Carson Nelma Fetterman Chris Freeman Patrick Green & Shayla Harapiak Green Linda Hamilton & Grange Morrow Martha Henry Shawn Hughes* & Bruno Koehn Jason Kasper* Mr. & Mrs. Fred Kisil Barbara Latocki Estelle Meyers Marlene Milne Rena & Reno Molinari Marcel & Louise Mollot Cam Mackie & Doris Mae Oulton Edna Poulter Ivor & Lorna Schledewitz Jim & Susan Shaw David P. Silcox & Linda Intaschi Howie & Sue Simpson Gabor Vamos & Brenda Silver

UP TO $499 Helen M. Arkos Marge & Ted Avent Joan Blight Laura Butler Lawrence Cherniack Helene Dyck Brenda & Michael Evans Paulo Fernandes* John & Clara Fjeldsted Katherine Fox* Susan* & Ab Freig Sandy Gousseau* Garth & Abigail Grieder John* & Nicola Guttormson Yude Henteleff Dr. & Mrs. James C. Jamieson Donna & Dave* Lalama Nancy Latocki Frances Lemieux Anne & Keith Love Peggy Barker Sagan Morrow* Keith Powls Lawrence Prout* & Lisa Gardewine Edward Fisher & Lyse Rémillard Jack & Regina Schipper In memory of Melanie Sexton – Katie Inverarity† Bryce & Jenna Simes Kevin Hines & Shelly Smith-Hines† In memory of Judith Hendry – Brian Stein Ross & Bette-Jayne Taylor Lesley Thomson Helga Van Iderstine* Mitch & Rosemary Vodrey Judy & Michael Wakefield Elaine Walker R. & A. Winstone Debbie & Sheldon Wiseman Graham & Vicki Young 6 Anonymous

THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2019/20 SEASON.

WE DELIVER WINE TO YOUR DOOR!

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SUPPORTING PARTNERS CORE FUNDERS

SEASON PARTNERS

TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE SEASON SPONSOR

EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTION SUPPORTER

JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION SPONSOR

TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE PRODUCTION SPONSOR

JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCE SPONSORS

YOUTH PROGRAMS

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES

TD THEATRE UNDER 30

REGIONAL TOUR

Ovation

october/november 2019

SUPPORTING PARTNERS BLACK & WHITE BALL PREMIER SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR

SILENT AUCTION SPONSOR

COCTAIL RECEPTION SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSOR

BIRCHWOOD LEXUS

LAWYERS PLAY

DESIGN SPONSOR

CAPITAL ASSISTANCE

SEASON MEDIA SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

WINNIPEG FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL

MASTER PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL

october/november 2019

Ovation

BEHIND THE SCENES Front of House

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Adrianne Breyfogle, Front of House Manager, John Hirsch Mainstage Kim Cossette, Front of House Manager, Tom Hendry Warehouse Front of House Staff: Rylen de Vries, Nick Fletcher, Elife Harvey, Marissa Kellet, Breanne Korban, Tia Levine, Kimmy Martin, Daniel MacPherson, Graeme Olson, Jennifer Schmidt, Hannah Schneider, Rita Vande Vyvere

Honorary Members

Her Honour, Lt. Governor Janice C. Filmon The Honourable Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba His Worship, Mayor Brian Bowman Executive Officers

David Christie, Chair John Guttormson, Chair-Elect Heather Clarke, Treasurer / Organizational Performance Chair Katherine Fox, Secretary Jason Kasper, Resource Development Chair Sandy Gousseau, Audience Development Chair Laurie A. Speers, Governance & Strategic Planning Chair Trustees

Jan Coates Paulo Fernandes Susan Freig Shawn Hughes David Kroft Advisory Council

Anthony C. Fletcher, Chair Gail Asper Doneta Brotchie, CM Angus Campbell Gerry Couture Kerry Dangerfield Hy Dashevsky Glen Dyrda, FCA John F. Fraser Jean Giguere

Maintenance

Andrew Drinnan, Building Superintendent Chris Fletcher, Assistant Building Superintendent Marketing & Communications

David Lalama Andrea Lochhead Linda Mcgarva-Cohen Sagan Morrow Derek Rolstone

Josh Thiem Jeremy Trickett Helga D. Van Iderstine Claire Workman Richard L. Yaffe

Charron Hamilton Gary Hannaford, FCA Yude Henteleff Ken Houssin Gordon Keatch Colin R. MacArthur, QC Patrick J. Matthews Jim McLandress 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

STAFF

Sue Caughlin, Marketing & Communications Manager Kathleen Cerrer, Publicist & Online Media Coordinator Katie Inverarity, Director of Marketing & Communications Desiree La Vallee, Ticketing Application Specialist Savannah Lillies, Publications Coordinator Thomas Urish, Sales Manager Paint

Susan Groff, Head Scenic Artist Carla Schroeder, Head Scenic Artist Melissa Smigelski, Scenic Artist Production

Claire Bourdin, Assistant Production Manager Christine Corthey, Production Associate Chris Coyne, Technical Director, John Hirsch Mainstage Ian Kirk, Assistant Technical Director Rick MacPherson, Technical Director, Tom Hendry Warehouse Russell Martin, Director of Production Properties

Kari Hagness, Head of Properties Jamie Plummer, Properties Builder (on leave) Lawrence Van Went, Master Builder Stage Crew

Accounting/Finance

Joan Lees-Miller, Head of Wardrobe Gary Plouffe, House Stage Hand Claude Robert, Head Electrician Chris Thomson, Head Carpenter Michael Wright, Head of Sound

Sharon Burden, Payroll Administrator Yvonne O’Connor, Accounts Payable Administrator Shelley Stroski, Controller Administration

Brian Adolph, IT Manager Elena Anciro, Education & Community Engagement Manager Devan Graham, Director of Human Resources Camilla Holland, Executive Director Daphne MacMillan, Administrative Assistant Kathrin Moncaster, Senior Developer & Systems Administrator

Tom Hendry Warehouse

Artistic

Thora Lamont, Cutter Lorraine O’Leary, Head of Wardrobe / Cutter Jackie Van Winkle, Head Buyer & Accessories Coordinator

Chris Brett, Head of Sound Rick MacPherson, Technical Director Jacqueline Robertson, Acting Head Electrician Rudy Wall, Head Carpenter Wardrobe

Casey Challes, Assistant to the Producer Audrey Dwyer, Associate Artistic Director Jeff Kennedy, Literary Coordinator Laurie Lam, Producer Paige Lewis, Artistic Coordinator Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director Box Office

Wigs

Beverly Covert, Wigs & Makeup Supervisor Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival & Master Playwright Festival

Sheena Baird, Director of Patron Services Olaolu Fayokun, Patron Services Coordinator Julie Gregorchuk, Box Office Manager Box Office Representatives: Jennifer Bahniuk, Melissa Langdon, Robyn Pooley, Joshua Robertson, Katie Schmidt, Katie Spring Carpentry (John Hirsch Mainstage)

Louis Gagné, Layout Carpenter Brent Letain, Master Carpenter Chris Seida, Scenic Carpenter Development

Michael Joyal, Development Data Manager Melissa Novecosky, Sponsorship Fulfillment & Events Manager Shelly Smith-Hines, Director of Development Chris Turyk, Development Manager

Chuck McEwen, Executive Producer Tori Popp, Interim Festival Manager Honorary Staff

Zaz Bajon, General Manager Emeritus Steven Schipper, CM, OM, Artistic Director Emeritus

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF The Color Purple

Zoë Leclerc-Kennedy, Properties Builder Karen Luchak, Cutter Barbara Mackenzie, Cutter Bang Bang

Tim Clark, Assistant Carpenter – Warehouse Dean Cowieson, Stage Crew – Warehouse Tamera Grace, Stage Crew – Warehouse Katelyn Howlett, Stage Crew – Warehouse Teri-Lynn Kosinski, Assistant Carpenter – Warehouse Zoë Leclerc-Kennedy, Properties Builder Karen Luchak, Cutter Barbara Mackenzie, Cutter

Ovation

october/november 2019

BEHIND THE SCENES Karen Sewell, Wardrobe & Laundry Assistant Tiffany Taylor, Assistant Carpenter – Warehouse Zane Kirk, Hairstylist c/o Urban Crush Salon

THE COLOR PURPLE Citadel Theatre Production Staff

Cheryl L. Hoover, Director of Production Patrick Fraser, Technical Director Gal Minnes, Assistant Production Manager Jacinda Maxwell, Assistant Technical Director Geoff Wright, Assistant 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 Serge Menard, Scenic Carpenter Sheila Cleasby, Head of Electrics Meaghan Skerik, Assistant Head of Electrics Nicole Deibert, Head of Scenic Paint Zena Jensen, Scenic Artist Chris Bullough, Scenic Artist Jim Meers, Head of Props

Angie Sotiropoulis, Acting Head of Props Charlotte Hunt, Props Marc Anderson, Head of Stage Carpentry Kris Aasen, Assistant Head of Carpentry Patsy Thomas, Head of Wardrobe Terri Grant, Assistant Head of Wardrobe Judith Darough, Cutter Janet Dundas, Tailor Genevieve Savard, First Hand/Junior Cutter Barb Becker, Fabricator Tammy Barry, Stitcher Emma Allarie, Stitcher Jonathan Beaudoin, Stitcher Christa Hoefling, Stitcher Christy Hutchinson, Stitcher Michelle Warren, Stitcher Elena Vandakurova, Stitcher Olivia Derkson, Head of Wardrobe Running Judy Robinson, Dresser Terri Grant, Wardrobe Maintenance Katie Patton, Head of Wigs Christa Hoefling, Assistant Head of Wigs Lloyd Bell, Wigs

Design with community in mind. Engineering, Architecture, Environmental Services, Project Management

Manitoba Museum | stantec.com

P R O U D LY S P O N S O R E D BY

THEATRE FOR FANS UNDER 30 Looking for a great night out that’s easy on your wallet? TD 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 ELENA ANCIRO AT UNDER30�ROYALMTC.CA ANNA ANDERSON-EPP IN ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL. PHOTO BY DYLAN HEWLETT.

ROYAL MTC/MBA LAWYERS PLAY The cast of Mamma Mia!

PHOTO BY DAVID SWIECICKI

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC! It was an ABBA-solutely fabulous week as members of the Manitoba Bar Association sang and strutted their stuff in Mamma Mia!. Our Dancing Queens lit up the Tom Hendry Warehouse from May 7 to 11 for the annual Lawyers Play. Cast entirely with members from the Manitoba Bar Association, the Lawyers Play is one of Royal MTC’s largest fundraisers and since its inception in 1990 has raised over $1,090,000 to ensure vibrant theatre remains accessible to all Manitobans. So we say, thank you for the music and thank you to our patrons, donors, advertisers and sponsors for supporting our efforts. Royal MTC would also like to extend sincere thanks to the talented cast and hardworking crew, as well as our many volunteers and committee members. CAST Gail Asper Andrea Bellhouse Jennifer Bird Paul Cooper Laura Diamond Tashia Dreger Caleigh Glawson Blair Graham

Benji Greenberg Melissa Hazelton Kate Henley Reannah Hocken Joan Holmstrom Chaobo Jiang Jamie Jurczak Ryan Krahn

David Kroft Melanie Labossiere Hayley Main Jim McLandress Louis Mendelson Anastasiia Movchan Jeff Palamar Leo Palay

Myron Pawlowsky Sandi Phillips Nalini Reddy Margaret Redmond Pamela Reilly Evan Roitenberg Jaime Rosin Steve Scarfone

Darcia Senft Kyla Wills Robert Tyler Heather Wadsworth Kyla Wills

Co-Director: Steven Schipper*, Co-Director: Teri-Lynn Friesen

PRESENTING SPONSOR

RECEPTION SPONSORS

PwC

RBC Convention Centre University of Manitoba Hermanos Restaurant & Wine Bar

SILVER SPONSOR Lawton Partners

WINE SPONSOR Banville & Jones

SUPPORTERS Stella’s Catering Safeway & Sobey’s

COMMITTEE Jamie Jurczak – Chair John Harvie Melissa Hazelton Reannah Hocken

Shawn Hughes Jessica L.M. Isaak Stacy Nagle Nalini Reddy Ian Scarth Stéphanie Tétreault

Join us May 5 to 9, 2020 as Royal MTC and Manitoba’s legal community present Picasso at the Lapin Agile. *The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance • Opera • Theatre Policy.

Ovation

october/november 2019

The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S IN A NAME? AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE.

GFL Environmental is proud to support the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Arts. Our diverse service offerings include solid waste management, recycling services, and hazardous waste collection. Green Today. Green For Life.

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