EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Inspired by true events in the early 2010’s, Ballad of the Motherland is the story of one woman’s journey to discover her heritage, while surviving a war zone. Set against the backdrop of a decades old conflict, this new work holds a mirror up to the current conflict between Russia and the Ukraine.

Part of our mandate at Neptune Theatre is to support and showcase Atlantic Canadian voices, and recently, that includes refugees fleeing the ongoing war in the Ukraine. Through this rehearsal and show process, we have worked closely with the YMCA’s Centre for Immigrant Programs, to find opportunities of cultural exchange. On behalf of the staff and artists of Neptune Theatre, we welcome our new friends and neighbors to our beautiful province.

If you’d like to support Neptune Theatre’s cultural outreach work please contact Leslie MacDonald, Director of Development and Partnerships, at lmacdonald@neptunetheatre.com

Catherine Bagnell Styles Interim Executive Director

Welcome to Ballad of the Motherland

Our Artistic Associate, Annie Valentina, has written and directed this searing drama, about one woman’s experience surviving a war zone. Inspired by true events from 2014, the themes of this play are pulled into an even sharper focus by Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine.

Neptune theatre is pleased to partner with the YMCA of Greater Halifax/ Dartmouth for this production. We will be donating $1 from every ticket purchased for this production to the Nova Scotia Supports Ukraine fund. For more information on the fund, ways to help or to make a donation visit ymcahfx.ca/ns-supports-ukraine/

Paul Laberge Chair, Neptune Theatre Foundation

NEPTUNETHEATRE.COM

ORIGINALLY PRESENTED IN LONDON BY UNIVERSAL PICTURES STAGE PRODUCTIONS,WORKING TITLE FILMS, OLD VIC PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TIGER PRODUCTIONS.

BASED ON THE UNIVERSAL PICTURES/STUDIO CANAL FILM. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI). ALL AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE MATERIALS ARE ALSO SUPPLIED BY MTI. WWW.MTISHOWS.COM

HANNAH WAYNE-PHILLIPS

ROLE: Kate

NEPTUNE: Debut OTHER THEATRE: Trojan Girls and the Outhouse of Atreus (Outside the March/Factory Theatre), Crimes of the Heart, Boeing Boeing (Watermark Theatre), In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play (RedWit Theatre), King Lear, Twelfth Night (Canadian Stage). TRAINING: MFA from York University.

OTHER: Thank you to Alisha, mum, and dad for all your love and support – I wouldn’t be here without you.

Nikolai Afanasev

ROLE: Volodya

NEPTUNE: Debut OTHER THEATRE: The Anniversary (“N” Studio Theatre), Most Humorous Tale of Shakespeare (The Redwood Theatre), Babel-O-Drome (Collectifbus123).

FILM/TV: Lullaby (Creative Salt), Remi (Ofis Productions).

TRAINING: Two-Year Acting Training - Sheridan College (2014-2016) – Teachers: Patrick Young, David Matheson. Second City: Improvisation 1-4. Trainers: Leah Cameron, Ian Keeling, Cary West, Christian Smith. Michael Chekhov Technique. Teachers: Rena Polley, Lionel Walsh, Peggy Coffey (2018).

OTHER: A Russian-born actor and Neohumanist. I am grateful to my teachers and our creative team to be transmitting this story to the respected audience of Neptune Theatre.

Annie Valentina

ROLE: Playwright & Director NEPTUNE: (as Director) Pleasureville; Lo (Or Dear Mr Wells); (as Dramaturg) In Lieu of Flowers. OTHER THEATRE: The Outside Inn (Festival Antigonish); Yaga (Highland Arts Theatre); What to Expect When You Aren’t Expected (The QRB Project); King of Berlin (The Doppler Effect). OTHER: Love to my family, both born and chosen. Protect trans lives.

Yevgeniya Kononoff

ROLE: Cultural Consultant and Dramaturg

NEPTUNE: Directed first workshop of Ballad of the Motherland. OTHER THEATRE: Director and co-creator of Play Invisible (produced independently, FOOT Festival), King Stag (Next Stage Theatre co), directed and translated An Ordinary Wonder (produced independently).

Karen Bassett

ROLE: Fight Director

NEPTUNE: Misery, The Color Purple, Shakespeare in Love, Stag and Doe, In a World Created by a Drunken God, Heroine, Masked OTHER THEATRE: Numerous credits with Theatre New Brunswick, Ship’s Company Theatre, Festival Antigonish, Two Planks and Passion Theatre, Villain’s Theatre, Shakespeare by the Sea, 2B Theatre, Halifax Theatre For Young People RECENT CREDITS: Misery (Neptune Theatre 2022) Unity and the Stranger (Two Planks and a Passion Theatre 2022), Robin Hood, the Great Escape (Festival Antigonish 2021) OTHER: Karen is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist as a fight director, performer, playwright and teacher. She is co director of a simulation company that provides actors for workplace scenario based training: www.inpractice.ca

WES BABCOCK

ROLE: Set Designer

NEPTUNE: Pleasureville (Set) OTHER THEATRE: The Woodcutter (Matchstick - Set, Merritt Nominee), Educating Rita (Watermark Theatre - Set), The Little Prince Reimagined (Puzzle Piece - Lights). Co-founder of WhatByWhen, where, with Crystal Lee, he is building models for sustainable production management through praxis (whatxwhen.ca).

AWARDS: TNS Wes Daniels Design Award (2020). OTHER: Wes is a queer set and lighting designer, production manager, and technical director based in Halifax, NS. Wes is grateful to the Associated Designers of Canada Assistant Designer Program funded by the Government of Canada for Ryan’s presence. Couldn’t have done it without you!

RYAN WILCOX

ROLE: Assistant Set Designer

NEPTUNE: In Lieu of Flowers, Little Thing Big Thing (Sound Design) UPCOMING: Ballad of the Motherland (Set Design Assistant), Billy Elliot: The Musical (Chrysalis Lighting Design Assistant) OTHER DESIGNS: The Three Questions (Set Design, Phin Performing Arts) Outside Inn (Set Design Assistant, Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre) Crypthand (Associate Set and Lighting, Galeforce Theatre), Altar (Lighting Design, Todos Productions), Untitled Flamingo Play (Sound Design, Talk is Free Theatre), Hamlet, As You Like it (Sound Designer, Perchance Theatre) #IAMTHECHEESE (Video Design Assistsant, Eastern Front Theatre) TRAINING: Production Design and Technical Arts, National Theatre School of Canada

KAELEN MCDONALD

ROLE: Costume Designer

NEPTUNE: Peter Pan, Cinderella & Shakespeare in Love (Assistant Costume Design). OTHER THEATRE: Concord Floral (Costume Design, FSPA) Birds of a Feather, (Costume Design, Neptune YPCO) Seeds of Change, (Costume Design, Neptune YPCO), The Hobbit (Designer, Neptune YPCO). FILM: From S1 & 2 (Costume Truck Supervisor), Washington Black (Costume Truck Supervisor, Halifax).

OTHER: Kaelen is a Halifax based designer, working in theatre and film. She is delighted to have been a part of this project, and has big thanks for everyone involved.

JESSICA LEWIS

ROLE: Lighting Designer

NEPTUNE: Lighting Designer: Alice in Pantoland, Fully Committed, The Last 5 Years, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Shakespeare In Love, In A World Created By A Drunken God, Drowning Girls (w/DMV Theatre). OTHER THEATRE (SELECTED WORKS): As Lighting Designer: Fat Juliet (Eastern Front Theatre), WHODUNIT? (Votive Dance), Tiny, Slowly I Turn, How Small How Far Away (Zuppa Works), Broadway on Argyle St, Under Milk Wood, Fishing (Off The Leash Productions Inc.).

ALISON CROSBY

ROLE: Stage Manager

NEPTUNE: The Rocky Horror Show (SM); Calendar Girls, Peter Pan, Cinderella (ASM); Lo (Or Dear Mr. Wells), The Color Purple (Assist. Lighting Designer, Chrysalis Project). OTHER THEATRE: Let’s Run Away (rework Production / Royal MTC), The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time (National Arts Centre/Neptune Theatre); Chasing Champions, After Eepersip Disappeared, Hook Line & Sinner (Ship’s Company Theatre); Samqwan, House, John & Jen, YAGA (Highland Arts Theatre); The Hound of the Baskervilles, Kingfisher Days, Stage Kiss (Festival Antigonish). TRAINING: Mount Allison University. OTHER: Neptune Theatre’s INKubator Project (In Lieu of Flowers).

CASSIE WESTBROOK

ROLE: Apprentice Assistant Stage Manager

NEPTUNE: Misery (Appr. ASM); Elf: The Musical (Swing Dresser); YPCO’s 13: The Musical (Cast) UPCOMING: Casey and Diana (Stratford Festival) SELECT ELSEWHERE: The Hobbit (Festival Antigonish); A Midsummer Night’s Wet Dream (Tea Time Creation Co.); The Crucible, Dog in the Manger, Mary Stuart (FSPA); The Triangle Factory Fire Project (CCPA). TRAINING: Dalhousie University’s Fountain School of Performing Arts (FSPA), and the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA). ONLINE: cassiewestbrook.com, @casswestb. ET CETERA: Love to my family and friends for their endless love and support! x

DEVON MCCARRON

ROLE: RBC Chrysalis Lighting

NEPTUNE: Elf The Musical OTHER THEATRE: Stage Management Apprentice: The Drawer Boy, Educating Rita (Watermark Theatre); Lighting Design Intern: Tell Tale Harbour, Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (Charlottetown Festival); Actor: La Calandra, Women of Troy, Love and Infor- mation, Don Juan Comes Back from the War (FSPA) TRAIN- ING: Fountain School of Performing Arts. OTHER: I’m grateful to be back in Halifax, surrounded by dear friends, and to be working with Neptune!

LINDA MEIAN

ROLE: Chrysalis Production Dramaturgy NEPTUNE: Debut. ACTING: Macro Digitals: Connections (Eastern Front Theatre); First Flight (Two Planks and a Passion Theatre); Observatory Mansions (Villains Theatre); Late Night Radio (North Barn Theatre Collective); Settle Elsewhere (Theatre du Poulet); Dante’s Purgatorio, Secret in the Wings (FSPA).STAGE MANAGEMENT: Coarse (Villains Theatre). AWARDS: Andrew and David Stitt Memorial Award (2017). TRAINING: Fountain School of Performing Arts, B.A. w/ Honours in Theatre (Acting). OTHER: Please consider supporting Ukraine by making a donation through one of the links provided in the program.

Matthew Kratz

ROLE: 2023 RBC Chrysalis Participant: Video and Projection Design NEPTUNE: Debut TRAINING: Masters of Fine Arts, NSCAD University 2022 OTHER: Technical Assistant and Production Manager, Prismatic Arts Festival 2022; Director at Large, Nocturne: Art at Night Board of Directors. Special thanks to the cast, crew, Annie and Neptune for the inspiring experience!