Nestuita'si Storytelling presents KOQM

Nestuita’si Storytelling presents

Written and performed by

shalan joudry

April 5 – April 17, 2022 Directed by Ken Schwartz Mask Coaching by Ann-Marie Kerr Movement consultants: Susanne Chui & Sarah Prosper Photography by Dan Froese

CO-PRESENTED WITH SUPPORTING PRODUCER

Box Office 902-429-7070 Toll free across North America 1-800-565-7345 boxoffice@neptunetheatre.com neptunetheatre.com neptuneathome.com To advertise in Neptune Theatre house programs, contact: Leslie MacDonald 902-429-7300 Ext. 249 lmacdonald@neptunetheatre.com

@NeptuneTheatre Please keep your masks on when moving around the building and during the show, except when consuming concessions in designated lobby areas.

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

The use of cameras, cellular phones, paging devices and all other recording devices is strictly prohibited in the theatre. Please ensure all cellular phones and watch alarms are turned off.

Neptune Theatre is a scent-free environment.

Neptune Theatre 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 Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Neptune Theatre engages professional technicians represented by IATSE Local 680.

TREE/ PETRO GLYPH

MILID OW JOUD RY-MA

RTEL

Nestuita’si Storytelling presents

Written and performed by shalan joudry Directed by Ken Schwartz, Mask Coaching by Ann-Marie Kerr

The Company About the play Cast & Creative Team CO-PRESENTED WITH

Neptune Theatre acknowledges the support of our government partners:

ILLUS TRATI ON BY

9 11 18 SUPPORTING PRODUCER

Please be aware that this performance includes references to harmful impacts of European-Canadian colonization suffered by L’nu’k (Mi’kmaq). Some of these include: abuse at the residential school, forced separation of families, forced relocation, loss of access to hunting and fishing grounds, small pox, genocide as well as lasting inter-generational effects of these.

The KOQM team acknowledges the devastating role that alcohol played through colonization in compounding trauma to Indigenous families and communities. For this reason no alcohol will be available for sale in association with this production. Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be available.

The approximate running time for this production is 60 minutes with no intermission.

Neptune Theatre is located on

sacred land that has been the site of human activity since time immemorial.

We are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq,

and we acknowledge them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land.

As artists, we are grateful to

work and build community here.

As stewards of culture, we commit to continuing to improve our

relations with Indigenous people

and upholding values of collaboration and inclusivity in all that we do.

THE COMPANY

CAST shalan joudry

Performer/Writer/Artistic Director, Nestuita’si Storytelling

CREATIVE TEAM Ken Schwartz Ann-Marie Kerr Chelsea Dickie* Susanne Chui Sarah Prosper MacKenzie Cornfield Ed Benham Frank Meuse John Thomson Cedar Meuse-Waterman Rose Meuse Nadine Millet

Director/Supporting Producer Mask Coaching Stage Manager Movement Consultant Movement Consultant Lighting Designer Props Design and Creation Set Designer Technical Consultant Scenic Painter Scenic Painter Production Assistant, Nestuita’si Storytelling

Music performed by Rose Meuse & Cedar Meuse-Waterman Script review and dramaturgy by Yvonne Wallace, Yolanda Bonnell, Santiago Guzman, Lorraine Whitman, Dorene Bernard and Ken Schwartz.

Mi’kmaw language translation and review by Louise Witzell, Ursula Johnson, and Beverly Jeddore. *Participation of this Artist is arranged with permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy Thank you also to: PARC (Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre), Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, King’s Theatre, and the Fountain School of Performing Arts (FSPA) Dalhousie University for the use of the masks.

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STOO METZ

ABOUT THE PLAY

Koqm is a journey through time and land to experience the voices of fictional L’nu (Mi’kmaw) women. Throughout the course of the show we hear and meet the women who might have spoken and walked through one area of forest over centuries.

Guided by the strength of an ancient tree (“koqm”), the women’s voices share with us their personal stories of grief, humour and resiliency.

Talkback There will be a 30-minute discussion period after every evening performance for audience members who would like to stay for further conversation. Writer and actor shalan joudry welcomes questions or reflections that the show might have sparked. neptunetheatre.com KOQM 5

THE CAST WELA’LIOQ

I give thanks for the Earth: without healthy ecosystems we would not be able to be here today.

This work is an honouring of the many L’nu women who have come before me, taken care of the fires, the culture and language, these lands and waters for us all. I have deep gratitude for the teachings of many Elders who guide us along our journeys. May we continue to find our way, together. Ms~t No’kmaq.

shalan joudry is a mother, an oral storyteller, poet, podcast producer, drummer/singer, playwright and ecologist. Using her theatrical background, shalan brings Mi’kmaw stories to a new generation of listeners, as well as recounting personally crafted narratives. shalan has shared her poetry, oral storytelling and drum singing with numerous stages and events for over two decades. The author of three books, her most recent book of poetry, Waking Ground (2020) was shortlisted for multiple awards.

Her first full length play, Elapultiek, was produced twice by Two Planks and a Passion Theatre (2018 and 2019) and then published in book form (Pottersfield Press 2019). shalan acted a lead role in both productions and is hoping for an Atlantic tour in the future.

During the global pandemic, shalan turned to performing virtually, sharing storytelling and poetry for public events such as: Afterwords Festival, Cabot Trail Writers Festival, Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia events, Creative NS Gala Awards, the Shipwright Sessions, Nocturne Halifax 2020, the Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre’s (PARC)’s 2021 Cabaret as well as creating a piano piece for Restorying Climate Just Futures Collaboration and music/poetry sound piece for Samqwan.

Koqm (meaning old tree in Mi’kmaw) is shalan’s second theatrical play. shalan has been working to deepen her understanding of the Mi’kmaw language, weaving it into her art forms is part of a reclamation journey. shalan lives in her home territory of Kespukwitk (southwest Nova Scotia) with her partner and two daughters in their community of L’s~tkuk (Bear River First Nation), NS.

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CREATIVE TEAM KEN SCHWARTZ

Role: Director/Supporting Producer Neptune: debut Other: Ken is the Artistic Director of Two Planks and a Passion Theatre Company. He is the recipient of 6 Merritt Awards for accomplishment in Nova Scotia’s professional theatre; 4 for Outstanding Direction, 1 as a playwright and one for Original Score. He is the recipient of the Established Artist Award from the Province of Nova Scotia as well as the Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals for his contributions to his community. Ken completed the Michael Langham Program for Classical Text at the Stratford Festival (2010-2013) and is a two-time graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. Ken recently directed Leanna Brodie’s Schoolhouse (Two Planks), and will be directing Kevin Kerr’s Unity (1918) and The Stranger for the company’s 2022 Summer Season. Other directing credits include Hamlet (Below the Salt), Animal Farm by Fire, Rockbound , Liberation Days and Dustbowl Joan, all for Two Planks and a Passion Theatre Company.

Ken is currently the chair of Arts Nova Scotia and lives with his wife Chris O’Neill in Canning, Nova Scotia.

ANN-MARIE KERR

Role: Mask Coaching Neptune: Snake in the Grass, I, Claudia (Globe Theatre Regina, Neptune Theatre) Other: Ann-Marie is an award-winning theatre director, actor and teacher. Her work has been presented nationally and internationally. Select directing: Frequencies (Heist; Aaron Collier; Halifax, National Arts Centre); #IamtheCheese (HTYP and EFT; Josh MacDonald); Concord Floral (Fountain School of Performing Arts Halifax); Secret Life of A Mother (Theatre Centre, Crow’s Theatre Toronto); One Discordant Violin (2b theatre company, Halifax, 59E59 St Theatre NYC); Bed and Breakfast (Soulpepper Theatre Company, Toronto); A Christmas Carol (Theatre New Brunswick); Daughter (Theatre Centre; Summerworks, Toronto, Battersea Arts Centre London; Intl tour); Stranger to Hard Work (Cathy Jones Eastern Front Theatre, Ntl tour); The Circle (Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary); The Debacle (Zuppa Theatre Company, Halifax); Invisible Atom (2b theatre company Halifax, intl tour). Recent acting: Essay (Matchstick Theatre; by Hannah Moscovitch dir: Meghan Hubley); Adventures (Keep Good Theatre;

by Gillian Clark dir: Luciana Fernandes & Christian Barry);l When It Rains (2b theatre company; Anthony Black) Currently teaching Acting at FSPA and Neptune Theatre School. A graduate of Ecole internationale de théâtre Jacques Lecoq and York University and is the former Artistic Associate of Magnetic North Theatre Festival.

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CREATIVE TEAM CHELSEA DICKIE

Role: Stage Manager Neptune: Joyride, Little thing Big Thing Other: Chelsea (she/her) is a stage manager, arts administrator, drama teacher, and indie producer based out of Kjipuktuk/Halifax (originally from South Maitland, NS). She currently works in various arts management positions as the Administration and Outreach Manager at 2b theatre company, the Coordinator of the NS High School DramaFest, the Education Director for the Halifax Fringe Festival, and is one of the founders and Managing Director for her own production company Matchstick Theatre.

Chelsea is also very proud to have sat as the past chair of the Bus Stop Theatre Co-op, and to be the recipient of Neptune’s Chrysalis Emerging Artist Award for the 2019 Merritts. She also loves to Stage Manage!! And feels so thrilled and privileged to be working alongside shalan and the team on this beautiful piece. Previously Chelsea has managed many shows with a wide range of different wonderful companies such as 2b theatre, Neptune Theatre, Villain’s Theatre, Workshirt Opera, The Doppler Effect, Festival Antigonish, Theatre Arts Guild, Terra Novella Theatre, and Side-by-Side productions. With Matchstick she has produced and stage managed all of the company’s shows in their five years together. Including In On It, Bitter Rose and Bone Cage in 2017, Peter Fechter: 59 Minutes, The Woodcutter, and The Little Years in 2018, Joyride and King of the Goats in 2019, and most recently their series ‘Footnotes’, an Evening of 3 Short Plays by Hannah Moscovitch (Essay, USSR, and Mexico City) in September 2021.

SARAH PROSPER

Role: Movement Consultant Neptune: Samqwan May 2022 Other: Sarah (Sali’j) Prosper is a 21 year old Mi’kmaq woman from Eskasoni First Nation. Sarah is a young dance artist, choreographer, and Artistic Director of the multidisciplinary production Samqwan. She is currently in her internship for her fourth year at Dalhousie University in a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation.

Sarah’s love for dance and the arts began at age 2, later becoming an instructor at the early age of 14. Movement has taught Sarah her true passion for health, wellness and healing through elements and stories of our true history and the land through movement, with an approach that uplifts her Mi’kmaq spirituality. Sarah is seen amongst many communities learning to provide wellness opportunities for children and adults with varying abilities to build their connections with themselves and others. She is officially affiliated with the Board of Directors of Dance Nova Scotia, Kinetic Dance Board, East Coast Dance Academy, CEPI Youth, Sable Island National Park, & Recreation Nova Scotia. Additionally, she performs and collaborates with Alan Sylliboy & The Thundermakers, shalan joudry – Koqm Movement Consultant, House of Eights Professional Training Program, Mocean Dance Company, Dalhousie Dance Society, George and The Public Service, Highland Arts Theatre, & Neptune Theatre. Sarah hopes to incorporate Indigenous creativeness in movement of all forms and help others find their inherent ability to move freely with Ms~t No’kmaq (All My Relations).

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CREATIVE TEAM SUSANNE CHUI

Role: Movement Consultant Neptune: debut Other: Susanne Chui is mother of two, an award-winning dance artist and Co-Artistic Director of Mocean Dance. Susanne trained professionally at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and was based in Toronto from 1999-2007, during which she danced for many independent choreographers and was a founding member of TILT: sound + motion dance company.

With Mocean, Susanne has developed roles in works by Marie Josée Chartier, Heidi Strauss, Serge Bennathan, Tedd Robinson, Lesandra Dodson and Claire French and co-created with Erin Donovan (Hear Here Productions), Burnwater and Burnwater: Alchemy, both multi-disciplinary, immersive performances. Susanne and Erin’s most recent film collaboration, Woodlight: Field and Tree, has been featured at several Canadian festivals. A passionate improvisor, Susanne collaborates across disciplines and teaches at the Creative Music Workshop, an annual improvisation-based summer program. Susanne has received funding from Canada Council for the Arts and Arts Nova Scotia for her choreographic work, and has been presented by Kinetic Studio, TD Halifax Jazz Festival and Mocean Dance. Her dancing in Mocean’s Canvas 5 x 5, choreographed by Tedd Robinson, earned her the 2016 Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia’s Masterworks Award. An active arts manager, Susanne has worked in various roles in the arts community and has been Co Artistic Director of Mocean, in tandem with Sara Coffin, since 2012. From the office, to the studio, to the stage, Susanne is deeply committed to contributing to the voice of Canadian dance.

MACKENZIE CORNFIELD

Role: Lighting Designer Neptune: debut Other: MacKenzie Cornfield is an emerging theatre artist, video/projection designer, lighting designer, and stage technician based in K’jipuktuk/Halifax, NS. Since studying technical theatre and stage design at the Fountain School of Performing Arts (FSPA), MacKenzie has helped to build and tell stories in both live and digital theatre, dance, live music, circus, and film. As a video/projection designer, MacKenzie has worked on Frequencies (HEIST, 2021), Mary Stuart (FSPA, 2021), Spring Tide Circle (Ship’s Company Theatre, 2021), and A Northern Lights Dream (FSPA Opera, 2022). Select credits in lighting design include Ephemera (FSPA, 2020), Market Dances (FODAR, 2021), and the 2021, premiere production of Koqm.

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