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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.
We recommend that masks be worn in our venues. As our theatres place the audience so close to the action on stage, masking helps protect not only audience members but also the actors, who cannot wear masks when performing. By keeping them safe, we all can help prevent COVID-related performance cancellations.
Any 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.
Neptune Theatre acknowledges the support of our government partners:
King Gilgamesh & the Man of the Wild was previously developed and presented with Pivot Arts Festival, Chicago, as well as La MaMa Experimental Theater Club, New York, in association with the Public Theater’s Under The Radar Festival.
King Gilgamesh & the Man of the Wild is generously supported by Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council & Canada Council for the Arts.
Story by shalan joudry | Choreography by Sarah Prosper | Directed by shalan joudry
THE STORY OF THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH
The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient Mesopotamian poem that recounts the adventures of Gilgamesh, the legendary king of Uruk.
The epic is divided into several sections, each capturing different aspects of Gilgamesh’s journey.
The story begins by portraying Gilgamesh as a tyrannical ruler who oppresses his people. In response to their cries for help, the Gods create Enkidu, a wild man, to challenge and eventually befriend Gilgamesh. The two embark on a series of epic quests, including defeating the monstrous Humbaba and encountering the divine Bull of Heaven.
However, tragedy strikes when Enkidu dies, sending Gilgamesh into a deep grief and existential crisis. He sets out on a quest for immortality but ultimately learns the value of living a meaningful life and accepting mortality.
The epic concludes with Gilgamesh returning to Uruk, transformed by his experiences and leaving behind a legacy that endures through his city and the written account of his epic tale.
REBECCA DESMARAIS TOUR PRODUCER * THE PARTICIPATION OF THIS ARTIST IS ARRANGED BY PERMISSION OF CANADIAN ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE DANCE•OPERA•THEATRE POLICY.
TRIA THEATRE WOULD LIKE TO THANK
ELISSA COTTLE, LARRY LAVERCOMBE, PAT FRANCISCO, LUCAS SCHUMACHER, NADJA MILENA, PAOLO SANTALUCIA, PRANAY NOEL, SOULPEPPER, REBECCA DESMARAIS, OWAIS LIGHTWALA, CHRISTINA BALDWIN, THE JUNGLE THEATER, SEGAL CENTRE, THE GUTHRIE THEATER, THE MOVING COMPANY, DRIFTWOOD THEATRE, JEREMY D. SMITH, RICHARD ROSE, XINA P. GILANI, WES BOCKLEY, SINA MONEKA, SARAH KRAVETZ, MONEKA FAMILY, SAIF, ANDREA DONALDSON & ROB BAKER.
“Gilgamesh goes in search of eternal life, but what he is really looking for is a person to be and a road to take. The only thing that is left of his usual self is the storm in his heart, the constant force that drives him on, and on, and on.”
- SOPHUS HELLE
The oldest story in the world is a tale of an unlikely friendship. The Epic of Gilgamesh is many things– a guide to good kingship, a meditation on mortality, an action-adventure yarn, a mysterious, funny, profane and profoundly human tale of hope and loss, arrogance and humbling, ambition and self-acceptance. But above all it is the story of friendship– of two people who found meaning in life by finding each other. This universal truth sings to us across four millennia.
We created this play collaboratively, and as the three of us explored the themes of the ancient Mesopotamian epic, a second, contemporary story of friendship emerged between another unlikely pair. In real life, Ahmed and Jesse, an Iraqi and an American, met at an Ontario cabin in the summer of 2017 with Driftwood Theatre. In our play, they meet in a Toronto coffee shop. In both realities, a spark became a conversation, out of which formed a brotherhood that transcended differences in language, skin color, religion, and even the wars between their homelands.
There is a lesson common to both the ancient and contemporary stories: we need friends to help us become our truest and best and strongest selves. Friends are our memory-holders, our tough-truth-tellers, our witnesses in the journey of life. Friendship is a love as vital as the romantic, and one that, especially in North America, needs to be examined and celebrated.
Our production is itself a labor of love that has brought us together as a company over several years of joyful collaboration. Ahmed’s band, Moneka Arabic Jazz, was created as part of this process and has grown to be a jewel in the Canadian world-music scene. We could not be more grateful for these incredible musicians’ artistry and spirit as they take their place alongside us onstage.
Thank you for joining us on this epic journey.
Seth Bockley Jesse LaVercombe Ahmed Moneka TRIA Theatre
Welcome to Prismatic 2024!
It is an absolute honor to co-present King Gilgamesh and the Man of the Wild by Tria Theatre, with our friends, Neptune Theatre.
This extraordinary show, based on one of humanity’s oldest epics, takes us on a journey through friendship, love, loss, and the universal struggle for meaning. With breathtaking performances, rich storytelling, and a blend of ancient and contemporary elements, this production captures the very essence of what it means to be human.
Prismatic is a celebration of artistic excellence bringing together voices and perspectives from all over the world. This year’s festival showcases a rich lineup of performances that speak to the human experience, inspiring us to reflect, connect, and grow through the arts. Whether it’s through music, theatre, dance, or visual arts, our festival provides a platform for racialized artists to shine and share their stories. We hope to offer audiences moments of wonder, introspection, and joy.
In a world where we are constantly balancing the pressures of modern life, I believe that supporting the arts is one of the most nourishing and essential things we can do for ourselves. Art has a unique power to heal — it allows us to express emotions that words cannot fully capture, to find comfort in shared experiences, and to connect with the beauty of the world around us. Live performances, in particular, create a space where we can pause, reflect, and feel a sense of unity with those around us. In this shared experience, there is comfort and strength. Thank you for being here and for supporting the incredible artists who make this magic happen.
We hope you enjoy the show!
Raeesa Lalani Artistic Director Prismatic Arts Festival
PRISMATIC STAFF LIST
Raeesa Lalani Artistic Director
Kelly Li Managing Producer
Michael Mader Technical Director
Willum Watt Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Regine Tiu Website Designer
PRISMATIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jacqueline Warwick Chair
Miya Turnbull Vice Chair
Kate Hamilton Secretary/Treasurer
Laurie Gillis
Jeff Ward
Neal Morgan
Kaif Lalani
SPECIAL THANKS
Hannah Zamora, Jordan Bennett, Sophie Wilcott, Alexane Couture, Katie Blatt, Jenelle Duval, Steve Meiklejohn, Theresa Meuse, Denise John, Linda Gorrie, Lisa Mutch, Trena Empringham
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
One of the great joys of having the Prismatic Arts Festival as our “TD company in residence”, is getting to partner with them and add an incredible production into our season. King Gilgamesh & The Man of the Wild is a powerful, relevant, modern exploration of the themes of art, sex, fatherhood, mortality, and identity - interwoven with moments from the oldest story recorded in human history - the Epic of Gilgamesh.
The Prismatic Festival brings together incredible, multi-disciplinary, artists from around the world, and we strongly encourage you to check out the rest of their festival and support the amazing artists involved. The Prismatic Festival does events year round, so be sure to visit their website to learn more.
Kimberlee Stadelmann Executive Director
JESSE LAVERCOMBE is an award-winning writer and actor who works across film, TV, and theater in the U.S. and Canada. As a screenwriter, he worked on two 2024 studio feature films, Float (Lionsgate) Code 8: Part ll (Netflix), which hit #1 in 71 countries. As an actor, he won the Toronto ACTRA Award and received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for his work in Violation (Sundance, TIFF, New York Times Critics’ Pick), spent four seasons on Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), and has performed on stages across the U.S. and Canada, primarily in new plays by writers including Sarah Ruhl and Hannah Moscovitch. He splits his time between Los Angeles and Stillwater, Minnesota. jesselavercombe.com
AHMED MONEKA is a celebrated actor and musician from Baghdad, Iraq, who now calls Toronto home. SOULPEPPER 2023: King Gilgamesh & the Man of the Wild Dora nominated for Leading Role (debut); SOULPEPPER: Soulpepper Academy (2021). OTHER THEATRE: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Crow’s/Modern Times, Dora nominated for Leading Role); The Abduction from the Seraglio (Canadian Opera Company). FILM & TELEVISION: The Society; The Blind Ferryman (forthcoming). OTHER: Creator and leader of Moneka Arabic Jazz; one of the Stingray Rising Stars finalists in 2019 at the TD Toronto Jazz festival and Stingray Rising Stars winner 2022 at Mundial Montreal.Co-founder of musical group Moskitto Bar. Ahmedmoneka.com
DEMETRI PETSALAKIS is originally from Athens Greece, and is a Toronto-based musician performing in a variety of styles with a focus on Greek and Middle Eastern lutes. An active member of the Toronto world music scene, Demetri has composed for, recorded, and performed with many groups including Kune, Niyaz, Tafelmusik, Ventanas, Near East Trio, Zephyr, Turkwaz, Moneka Arabic Jazz and Moskitto Bar. Demetri has studied with many great teachers including oud masters Bassam Bishara, and Christos Tsiamoulis, and master of the Cretan Lyra Astrinos Zaharioudakis and renowned jazz guitarist Lorne Lofsky.
WALEED ABDULHAMID is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist; Composer; Vocalist; Music and Film Producer. This educator-artist of demonstrated versatility plays 20 instruments. He has recorded, performed and toured with celebrated artists including David Clayton Thomas of the Grammy award-winning band Blood, Sweat & Tears and Motown legends, The Drifters. He is the recipient of the Canadian New Pioneer Award; African Tama Award; Reel World Film Festival Award and Canadian Film Board of Excellence Award, and has been twice honoured with a DORA Award. As an actor, Waleed has performed in many films, most recently for CBC, CANN Film Festival France, and TIFF. Waleed is currently a faculty member in the music department of the University of Toronto.
MAX
SENITT Juno Award winning Drummer/Percussionist, Max Senitt is a highly regarded and in-demand freelance musician specializing in music from all around the world. A proud member of Moneka Arabic Jazz band, Max can also be been performing frequently with Cheikh Ibra Fam, Kazdoura, Avataar, WAPAMA, and several other highly acclaimed Grammy and Juno award winning artists such as: Josh Groban, Alex Cuba, Kiran Ahluwalia, and Hilario Duran. As an educator, Max teaches privately, is a frequent contributing writer for various music magazines, and a faculty member at Centennial College in Toronto, Canada where he lives. maxsenitt.com insta: @maxsenitt
SELCUK SUNA Born in Istanbul, Selcuk was performing on numerous television programs with countless Turkish pop and jazz stars by 18. While in Turkey, Selcuk performed weekly on the popular late-night show, Beyaz Show. He recorded his last album, “Turkish Standards / Non-standard”, with both Canadian and Turkish musicians. Also he is recording his second album. Selcuk is a member of the New Canadian Global Music Orchestra, KUNÉ, Moneka Arabic Jazz and a band called Meltemi. He regularly performs with the international artists. You can see him playing jazz, flamenco, Latin, indie, middle eastern and other types of world music.
MARY FAY COADY is an award-winning actor, theatre creator, part-time academic and violinist. She lives in Punamu’kwati’jk [Dartmouth].
FOUNTAIN HALL SEASON SPONSOR
SETH BOCKLEY is a writer and theater director specializing in literary adaptation, design-driven production, and new work development. Directing credits include King Gilgamesh & the Man of the Wild (Under The Radar, NYC; Soulpepper Theatre, Toronto), site-specific Utopian epic More Perfect Places, NYT Critics’ Picks Wilderness and Basetrack Live with En Garde Arts (Abrons Arts Center, NYC), 2666 (with Robert Falls, Goodman Theater), Lauren Yee’s Samsara and Philip Dawkins’ Failure: A Love Story (Victory Gardens, Chicago); Jason Grote’s Civilization (all you can eat) and 1001; the clown play Guerra, with Mexico City-based troupe La Piara (toured Mexico, Colombia, and the U.S.) As a writer his works include Tabletop Tragedies, Rip Van Winkle, 2666 (adapted from the novel by Roberto Bolaño), Laika’s Coffin, February House (with Gabriel Kahane, Public Theater), and adaptations from stories by George Saunders: Jon and CommComm. His fiction and poetry have been published with Boulevard and No Contact. He is currently working on a virtual-reality adaptation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. More at sethbockley.com
LORENZO SAVOINI is an award winning set, costume, and lighting designer for the Theatre, Ballet, and Opera. His work has been seen throughout Canada, United States, England and Cuba. Most recently, he designed the set and lighting for the new musical De Profundis: Oscar Wilde in Jail (Soulpepper; ); set design for Mahabharata (Whynot Theatre/Shaw Festival/Barbican, UK), Set Design for My Fair Lady (Shaw Festival); and Set and Costumes for Hedda Gabler (Stratford Festival). Lorenzo is the recipient of five Dora Awards for outstanding design and is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada. He resides in Stratford, Ontario. Upcoming, Lorenzo will design set for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Stratford Festival) and set for Wait Until Dark (Stratford Festival).
ADRIAN SHEPHERD-GAWINSKI is an actor, composer, and sound designer based in Toronto. He especially loves to participate in the development of new plays, like The Hooves Belonged to the Deer (Tarragon Theatre; actor), Box 4901 (Buddies in Bad Times; composer) and Easy as Pie (James & Jamesy; co-writer). Like Gilgamesh and every mortal, he will one day die, although his present hale constitution makes that day seem distant. Adrian is the winner of two Dora Mavor Moore Awards for sound design and composition, one of them shared with Moneka Arabic Jazz Band for King Gilgamesh and the Man of the Wild. He is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada.
GUILLERMO VERDECCHIA was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. SOULPEPPER 2023: Co-Director English. Dramaturg: The Seagull and King Gilgamesh & the Man of the Wild. FOR SOULPEPPER: Fronteras Americanas; Animal Farm; Of Human Bondage (dramaturg); Queen Goneril (Dramaturg); The Parliament of the Birds (playwright; Around the World in 80 plays) Other Theatre: King Gilgamesh & The Man of the Wild (dramaturg: Jungle Theatre); The Jungle (director: Tarragon Theatre); The Orchard (dramaturg: Shaw Festival); The Art of Building a Bunker (co-creator: Quiptake/Factory Theatre). Other: A recipient of the Governor-General’s Award for Drama for his play Fronteras Americanas, his newest play, Feast, will premiere in the fall of 2023. He is the Jury Chair of the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre. He teaches at the University of Toronto.
SARA SCHWARTZ GELLER is a theatre and television producer and professional chef. Sara is the owner of Toronto shop, Soul Provisions and soup delivery company, Toronto Soup Co. Combining passions, Sara is the producer and host of a reality food tv show coming out this fall. THEATRE: Lady Gaga #ARTBIRTH (Tour & Toronto) Wrestling Jerusalem (Tour & Toronto) The Curious Voyage (UK.) Sara was the Executive Director of SF based, Traveling Jewish Theatre, from 2007-2015 where she produced an annual season. FILM & TELEVISION: Freedom Talks (CBC), FreeUp! Emancipation Day 2022 & 2023 (CBC), City Girl Eats the Country (Bell, 2023), Wrestling Jerusalem (Apple TV).
REBECCA DESMARAIS is an international tour producer and on-set teacher for film and television. She has produced and managed over 65 tours across 5 continents with companies such as 2b theatre company, Why Not Theatre, Quote Unquote Theatre, and Fascinator Management. As an on-set teacher, Rebecca has worked on over 20 productions such as HBO’s Welcome to Derry, Fubar, and Moonfall. Rebecca lives in Tkaronto but hails from rural northeastern Ontario in the Robinson-Huron Treaty 61 on the lands of the Ojibwe and Algonquin Peoples.
RACHEL DAWN WOODS NEPTUNE: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Billy Elliot, Elf, Beneath Springhill, Alice in Pantoland OTHER SELECTED CREDITS: Twelfth Night, Alice in Wonderland (Shakespeare by the Sea), All I Want For Christmas, A Christmas Carol (TNB); The Real McCoy, Dear Johnny Dear (Blyth); Tell Tale Harbour, Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival); Cost of Living, The Candidate, Sweat, A Christmas Carol (Citadel Theatre); Heisenberg, The Comedy Company, Fly Me to the Moon, Annapurna (Shadow Theatre); Million Dollar Quartet, The Ladies Foursome (Mayfield); A Winter’s Tale, Two Gentlemen of Verona (Freewill Shakespeare); Les Feluettes, The Merry Widow (Edmonton Opera); I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Travesties, The Graduate (Segal Centre). TRAINING: St. Thomas University, National Theatre School
