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Design: Jonathan Kitchen, Photo: Tanja-Tiziana
QUEER EXCEED LIMITS
TO BE IS TO
Each year, thousands of lives are changed by the acceptance and inspiration found here at Buddies.
Your support is our strength. Your gift ensures that Buddies remains a potent artistic and political entity for future generations who dream of exceeding their limits. Join Buddies and make your tax deductible donation today!
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Proud to support SPIN.
We’re working together with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre to make a difference in our communities.
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WELCOME TO SPIN! I am very excited to be welcoming you to the world premiere of Evalyn Parry’s SPIN. Evalyn Parry is an important artist to us at Buddies. She has performed on our stages over the years, mostly as one of the core members of the feminist performance troupe Independent Aunties who recently brought their hits Clean Irene and Dirty Maxine and Breakfast to our mainstage. She is also the much loved Director of the Buddies Young Creators’ Unit, an annual program which supports the development of four young queer artists. Over the past five years, this program has yielded incredible works such as Waawaate Fobister’s Agokwe which will be presented later this season. As you will soon discover, Evalyn is herself a versatile artist who has incorporated her skills as a musician, spoken-word artist and raconteur to create the unique theatrical experience that is SPIN. SPIN was developed by our new work development program. Our strength as a theatre company is directly tied to our ability to nurture new queer work. This season, we are thrilled to be supporting new projects by Kaleb Roberson, Alistair Newton’s Ecce Homo Theatre, The Independent Aunties, Nina Arsenault, and a collaboration between Paul Dunn, Andrew Kushnir and Damien Atkins. Much like SPIN, these projects are united by the fearless way in which they challenge the way that we make meaning of the world. At a time when simply choosing to ride your bike in this city is a political statement, this show could not feel more pertinent. Thank you for joining us in this celebration of the bicycle as vehicle for personal and political change. Enjoy the show!
Brendan Healy, Artistic Director
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“I began to feel that myself plus the bicycle equaled myself plus the world, upon whose spinning wheel we must all learn to ride, or fall into the sluiceways of oblivion and despair.” – Frances E Willard, 1895 For the last decade, I have been lucky to make my living by my passions as an independent artist: writing and performing theatre, as well as writing, recording and touring as a songwriter and spoken word artist. More than three years ago, I started to dream about a new project that would bring these two threads of my artistic life together into one performance. Inspired by American musician and performance artists like Laurie Anderson and Taylor Mac, who tread outside the conventional lines of performance genres and who are not afraid to mix politics with their art, I began with the image of the spokes of a wheel: imagining how a series of individual songs and stories could come together to create something circular, interconnected, and far stronger and more powerful than any single piece could be on its own. It seemed fitting to use my personal, life-long passion for my bicycle as a point of departure for an artistic investigation…and so SPIN was born. As my trusty creative collaborators came on board, a new electro-acoustic instrument was also born, which you’ll see in action this evening. The research for SPIN proved to be exciting and full of revelation. The stories I uncovered of how bicycles and women are intimately historically connected were not only inspiring, but also shockingly relevant to the questions and contradictions still with us today regarding women, power and the true meaning of liberation. As I write this, the news for cyclists in the City of Toronto is looking somewhat bleak: although on the one hand, the new BIXI system will launch soon, making bike commuting in the downtown core widely available and accessible; on the other hand our new Mayor has just cancelled Bike Month (replacing the month with a single “Bike to Work Day”) and has apparently laid off the City’s Cycling Infrastructure and Programs Unit. I have invited Mayor Ford to come see the show, and if you connect with what you hear and see tonight, I hope maybe you’ll call or send him an email too, inviting him to see the show, and to engage in a more far-sighted vision in terms of both urban transportation and also arts and culture in our beautiful city. Mayor_Ford@toronto.ca Ride on! Evalyn Parry
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Buddies In Bad Times Theatre in association with OutSpoke Productions presents
SPIN
Created and performed by Evalyn Parry Directed by Ruth Madoc-Jones Musicians Anna Friz and Brad Hart Production Designer Beth Kates Assistant Set/Costume Designer & Head of Wardrobe Katarzyna Misztal Assistant Lighting & Projection Designer Melissa Joakim Production Manager Charissa Wilcox Stage Manager Jenn Hewitt Cabaret Technician Jazz Kamal Graphic Design Jonathan Kitchen, jakcreative.com Photo of Evalyn Parry by Tanja-Tiziana, doublecrossed.ca Additional Credits: All words and music written by Evalyn Parry (SOCAN), except: First Flight, lyrics by Evalyn Parry, music by Brad Hart; Instructions for Learning to Ride a Bicycle By Miss Frances Willard, 1895, music by Evalyn Parry, lyrics taken from A Wheel Within a Wheel: How I Learned to Ride a Bicycle by Frances Willard, adapted by Evalyn Parry; World of Spin, lyrics by Evalyn Parry, music by Evalyn Parry, Brad Hart and Anna Friz. All Musical Arrangements by Evalyn Parry, Brad Hart, Anna Friz and Don Kerr Evalyn’s special thanks to Brad, Anna, Ruth, Charissa, Beth, and Don who all have given so much of themselves to this project, Yvonne Bambrick our merch queen, and also to my amazing wife and creative companion Suzanne Robertson. Thank you Brendan Healy, Erika Hennebury, Shawn Hitchins, Jayne Schneider, Moynan King, David Oiye, Ed Roy, and all the amazing technical and production staff at Buddies; Suzanne Robertson, The Tranzac, Grit Laskin, Yvonne Bambrick, Eric and Mikey at Curbside Cycle, Bike Pirates, Silvia Temis, Kai Wa Yapp, Brian Tezelrow and Bryce Kulak, Colin Puffer, Dave Lang, Laurel Green, Shanna Miller, Pip Bradford, Nick Rose, Katherine Smith, Marnie Sohn, Girls with Glasses: Karyn Ellis & Eve Goldberg, The Aunties: Anna Chatterton & Karin Randoja, Soraya Peerbaye, Riddle Films: Jason Charters and Liam Romalis, David Celia, Gary Cristall, Omer Yukseker, Simon Farla, Brian Quirt, Rachel Fancy, Ben Chaisson, Charlotte Moffatt, Steven McCarthy, Playground Studios, Shelagh Rowan-Legg, Melissa Tapper, Ian Arnold, Andrew Soren, Nina Okens, Susan Dicks, Michelle Turpin, The Toronto Cyclists Union and Peter Zheutlin’s wonderful book about Annie Londonderry, “Around the World on Two Wheels”. 8 spin Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Thank you to the generous financial supporters who made this project possible
The Tour de Spin ($1000 +) Susan Lawrence in memory of Sue Goldberg, Grit Laskin, Richard Reed Parry The Spinning Wheels ($500 +) Camilla and Chester Gryski The Handlebars ($250 +) Peter Janes, Orion Smith & Janet Ross, Bev Bauer, Caroline Parry, Abby Hershler & Charleen Wiseman The Pedals ($100 +) Wendy Sanford & Polly Attwood, Rosemary Meier, Sandy Byer, Dan Cooperstock & Leigh Turina, Sally Beth McLean, Jenni Huntley, Doug Miller & Patty Marr, Thomas Sorokowsky, Michael & Mary Kainer, David Barratt The Links in the Chain ($25 +) Alisa Craig, Bonnie Anthony in honour of Michael McLarney, Karyn Ellis, Eric Kristensen, Ralph Phillips, Denise Reaume, Jason Charters, Judy Durjancik, Yvonne Bambrick, Suzie Vinnick, Scott White, Mary Pinkonski, Rosemary Phelan, Maggie McLean, Suzanne Nuttall, James Andean, Brian O’Neal, Laura Brooks, Christopher Douglas, Maggie McLean, Bryce Kulak and Brian Telzerow, June Etta Chenard, Matthew Everett, Chaya Litvack, Lyn Miller and Judy Amsbury, Mark Shyzer, Rachel Parker, Rose Marie Cipryk, Laura Grunder, Carol McCloud, Daniel Allen, Meredith Egan, Eve Goldberg and Ellen Long, Patricia Moffat. Thank you to Curbside Cycle for the donation of the Pashley “merch bike”.
Wills, Trusts & Estates Family Law Real Estate
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TO BE QUEER
IS TO BE A
SUBLIME OUTCAST
Buddies 2010/11 Season For tickets and passes, call the box office at 416-975-8555 or check us out online at buddiesinbadtimes.com Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents
Blasted
By Sarah Kane Directed by Brendan Healy Sep 22 – Oct 17, 2010 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents
The Silicone Diaries Created and performed by Nina Arsenault
Nov 25 – Dec 11, 2010 Buddies In Bad Times Theatre proudly welcomes The World Premiere of Union Eight Theatre’s
The Bird By Sonja Mills
Jan 11 - 30, 2011 10 spin Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Buddies In Bad Times Theatre presents
The 32nd Rhubarb Festival Toronto’s Annual Convergence of Contemporary Performance Festival Director Laura Nanni Feb 16 – 27, 2011
Buddies In Bad Times Theatre proudly welcomes A Native Earth Performing Arts/red diva projects production
Tombs of the Vanishing Indian By Marie Clements Mar 9 - 27, 2011 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in association with OutSpoke Productions presents
SPIN
Created and performed by Evalyn Parry Mar 15 – 27, 2011 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre proudly welcomes The Cabaret Company’s
The Situationists
Written and directed by Sky Gilbert Apr 13 – 24, 2011 Buddies In Bad Times Theatre in association with the National Arts Centre presents
AGOKWE
Written and performed by Waawaate Fobister May 5 – 15, 2011 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents
Tightrope
Created and performed by 2boys.tv (Stephen Lawson and Aaron Pollard) May 26 – Jun 5, 2011 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre spin 11
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES Anna Friz, Musician
Anna Friz has created audio art and radiophonic works for extensive international broadcast, installation, or performance in more than fifteen countries. She also serves as a sound designer and composer for theatre and dance performances, working with companies such as Outspoke Productions, Public Recordings, Holy Body Tattoo/Animals of Distinction, Platform 9 Theatre, and Susie Burpee. Recent solo works include the commissioned multi-channel radio installation Respire for Nuit Blanche 2009 in Toronto, and For the time being, a compositional commission for the Äänen Lumo festival in Helsinki, Finland in 2010. Anna Friz is a free103point9 transmission artist. For SPIN she is very pleased to be making her debut playing both a time machine and a table. nicelittlestatic.com
Brad Hart, Musician
Brad Hart is a drummer, percussionist, comedian, singer, actor and writer. Not usually at the same time. Most recently, Brad performed on and co-produced the SPIN recording. He can also be heard on albums by such artists as Karyn Ellis, Daniel Sky, Eve Goldberg, The Undesirables, Treasa Levasseur, Claire Jenkins avec band and, of course, Evalyn Parry. Last year brought Brad the great honour of recording with the legendary Garth Hudson of The Band. Brad is a recipient of the Tim Sims Encouragement Award for comedy writing and performing, and on rare occasions you can find him performing stand-up monologues. Like many ex-stand ups, he is working on a one-man show. Brad has written a short film entitled “Hidden Driveway” which was produced in the winter of 2010, and is co-creator of a feature film script that is slated to go into production in 2011. Brad has been going on musical adventures with Evalyn for the better part of the last decade. When he isn’t playing it, he likes riding his bike.
Jenn Hewitt, Stage Manager
Jenn has recenly joined the Toronto theatre scene from Neptune Theatre in Halifax, NS. At Neptune Theatre she worked as the assistant scenic painter for four years and spent her last two as the head technician for Neptune’s Studio Theatre. This summer will mark her sixth season as the stage manager in residence for the Chester Playhouse Summer Theatre Festival in Chester, NS. Toronto has been wonderfully inviting and Jenn looks forward to the future in this great city.
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Evalyn Parry, Creator/Performer
Evalyn Parry is an award-winning theatrical creator, songwriter, spoken word artist and educator. Over the last decade, her solo and collaborative performances have taken her to music, storytelling, poetry and theatre festivals from coast to coast of North America. She has released four critically acclaimed recordings of music and spoken word (Borealis Records), and her work has been widely broadcast, commissioned and anthologized. A founding member of The Independent Aunties, Evalyn has co-authored (with Anna Chatterton) and performed five plays including the Dora-nominated Breakfast (Buddies, 2010) and the multiple-award winning Clean Irene & Dirty Maxine; she was the 2009 recipient of the Ken McDougall Award for Emerging Directors, and is currently the Director of the Young Creators’ Unit at Buddies, a program for young, queer-identified artists. Evalyn is thrilled to have the premiere of SPIN presented at Buddies, and gives mega- thanks to her amazing creative collaborators. The (brand new!) CD of the music from SPIN, produced by Don Kerr (Rheostatics, Ron Sexsmith) is available at the show, or via www.evalynparry.com.
Katarzyna Misztal, Head of Wardrobe
Katarzyna Misztal obtained an Honours B.A. in English from The University of Western Ontario and studied theatre production at Humber College. She has assisted Beth Kates on a number of shows since Humber such as: Shadow Cutter (GCTC), Dark Star (Tapestry New Works), Yichud (Convergence Theatre), The Madonna Painter (Factory Theatre) and the upcoming War of the Worlds (The Art of Time Ensemble). She also assisted Martha Mann on The Marriage of Figaro (Opera Atelier). She is currently doing costume/set design for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Toronto Youth Theatre) and will be working with The Arts Engine later this year.
Ruth Madoc-Jones, Director
Ruth Madoc-Jones is an award-winning performer, dramaturge and director of theatre, dance and new opera. Selected directing credits include The Bird by Sonja Mills (Union Eight Theatre/Buddies in Bad Times Theatre), Beauty dissolves in a brief hour (Queen of Puddings), Shudder by Susanna Hood (Humsoundart/La Chapelle/ Buddies in Bad Times), Madness of the Square by Marjorie Chan (Cahoots Theatre Projects/Factory Theatre), Bird Brain by Vern Thiessen (LKTYP, 2009 Dora Nomination Best Production), Stitch – an a cappella opera by Anna Chatterton and Juliet Palmer (Urban Vessel/Free Fall Festival/Theatre Centre, 2008 Dora Nomination Best Production, Opera), a nanking winter by Marjorie Chan (Nightwood Theatre/Cahoots Theatre Projects), The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey (Theatre Passe Muraille), The Gladstone Variations - Requiem for a Hotel by Mike McPhaden (Convergence Theatre, 2009 Dora Nomination Best Direction & 2007 Outstanding Production – NOW Magazine) and Dreary and Izzy by Tara Beagan (Native Earth Performing Arts). New work in development Free as Injuns by Tara Beagan. Upcoming STRIA by Marie-Josée Chartier (ChartierDanse/ Public Energy). Ruth was a recipient of the 1998 K.M. Hunter Award and the 2008 John Hirsch Director’s Award. She is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre spin 13
Beth Kates, Production Designer
Beth is an award-winning Lighting, Projection, Set and Costume Designer whose work has been seen around the world. Design highlights include completely transforming Theatre Passe Muraille into a synagogue for Yichud – which will be remounted in Toronto in May and at Magnetic North Theatre Festival in June, Bigger Than Jesus (Dora Award for Lighting), Adam Brazier’s production of Assassins, the premiere of Judith Thompson’s Such Creatures and Sick, Anita Majumdar’s Aisha n’Ben, MacHomer: The Simpsons do MacBeth, the epic operatic oratorio Dark Star Requiem, the premiere of Pierre Brault’s Shadow Cutter, the French premiere of I Am My Own Wife at Theatre Rideau Vert, and co-creating the interactive installation The ToyBox (with Ben Chaisson). Upcoming designs: War of The Worlds for The Art of Time Ensemble, projections for funk bands The ElastoCitizens and Ninja Funk Orchestra. Beth also teaches lighting and projection design around North America, and will be working with the Ensemble at LKTYP this spring. This year marks the first gallery exhibition of Beth’s photographs, her design for Max & Ruby heading to Broadway, the formation of her design and production company Playground Studios, The Synesthesia Project (a co-creation with Steven McCarthy), and the beginning of many exciting interdisciplinary collaborations. www.bethkates.com www.playgroundstudios.org
give make your tax-deductible donation to Buddies today MAIL Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto ON M4Y 1B4 PHONE Box Office 416.975.8555 (Tue-Sat 12-5pm) Admin Office 416.975.9130 (Mon-Fri 10-5) ONLINE www.buddiesinbadtimes.com/donate
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Est. 1979
The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions which have been hidden by the answers.
– James Baldwin, 1924 –1987, THE COMPANY American novelist, writer, playwright, poet, essayist Artistic Director Brendan Healy and civil rights activist. General Manager Shawn Daudlin Head of Production Charissa Wilcox Producer Erika Hennebury Director of Fundraising Jayne Schneider Young Creators’ Unit Director Evalyn Parry Youth Programme Coordinator Chy Ryan Spain Technical Director Adrien Whan Chamber Technician Katherine Smith Cabaret Technician Jazz Kamal Production Assistant Andrya Duff Finance Manager Leila Ois Administrative Assistant Mark Aikman Box Office/FOH Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Chrystal Donbrath-Zinga Asst. Box Office Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Jenna Harris Bar Manager Paul Hill Assistant Bar Manager Patricia Wilson Box Office Personnel Thom Bryce, Christopher Mitchell, Wilson Ho, Evelyn Shaller-Auslander, Aaron Rothermund, Katherine Belyea Bar Personnel Victoria Gargarella, Michael Mackid, Glenn Dwyer Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), is a participating member of the Creative Trust, and engages under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA), professional artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (CAEA). Board of Directors J. Paul Halferty (president) Russell Mathew (treasurer) Derek Billsman, Ellen Ray Hennessy, Joe Siegfried The Alexander Street Theatre Project Board of Directors Cathy Gordon (president) Russell Mathew (treasurer) J. Paul Halferty (secretary) Kristyn Wong-Tam, Derek Billsman
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MissiOn sTaTEMEnT – Buddies in Bad Times Theatre strives to fulfill the role of the leading alternative facility-based theatre in Toronto. We are committed to work that challenges the boundaries of theatrical and social convention. As a company we celebrate difference and question assumptions. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is committed to theatrical excellence which it strives for through its play development programs, strong volunteer base, youth-mentorship initiatives and ever increasing wealth of Canadian Queer Talent. MandaTE – Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a not-for-profit, professional theatre company dedicated to the promotion of Queer Canadian Culture. We are dedicated to producing, developing, and supporting queer theatrical works that speak to one, or both, of the following criteria: 1.
QUEER, referring to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered identity, encapsulates the core of our organization. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a queer-run organization committed to representing the LGBT community by supporting its artists, and by telling its stories.
2.
QUEER, referring to anything different or outside of the norm, represents the nature of artistic work presented at 12 Alexander Street. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is dedicated to work that is different, outside the mainstream, challenging in both content and form. (This second definition of Queer is not LGBT-specific)
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thank you! THE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE VISIONARIES $5000+ J. Lawrence Robert Wylie & William Hodge BENEFACTORS $1000-$4999 Dean Odorico & Woody’s Derek Billsman Jason Churchill Ken Moffatt Paul Hains Russell Mathew & Scott Ferguson Singing Strong Jim Tennyson The following donors are helping create a healthy future for Buddies with their legacy gifts Ed Cabell & Roy Forrester Russell Mathew & Scott Ferguson In Memory of Nigel Gough Donations made in Nigel’s honour will provide support for Buddies Queer Youth Art Program Anonymous Bobbie Smith Esme Fuller-Thomson Lynn Glazer Regal Road P.S. Social Committee Trevor Mangion Mr. & Mrs. Wood
CHAMPIONS $500-$999 Brendan Healy Brian Terry Joe Siegfried Ken Popert Lucinda Wallace Mark German Mark Peacock Michael Boyuk Michael Golych Natasha Mytnowych Richard Bingham PARTNERS $250-$499 Beverly Harris Ed Cabell & Roy Forrester Daniel Fabiano Jerry Doiron Ken Aucoin & Gerald Crowell Dr. Kevin Russelo Dentistry Lia Grimanis Paul Halferty Shameless For A Cause Tyler Curtis FRIENDS $100-$249 Alnoor Karmali & Doug Arcand Andre Goh Betty Carlyle
Brian McBurney Clare Smyth Cobie Crawford Denny Young Dinah Christie Donald Clarke In memory of Ed Fielding Ellen Ray Hennessy Fernando ReyesDorador George Grant Joff Evans Jon Kaplan Kathleen Harquail Kishwar Iqbal Lindsay Sweeney Mario Vecchi Matthew Jocelyn Michael Newman Michel Beauvais Mitsuko Sada Naomi Campbell Noah Aychental Paul Bishara Paul Hartwick Pauline Pelletier Richard & Pamela Earle Richard McLellan Robert Wallace Steve Lico Val Lem Winnie Luk
Thank you to all the SUPPORTERS and VOLUNTEERS who give so generously to Buddies each season. We couldn’t do it without you. To find out about becoming a member of our family of donors, please go to: www.buddiesinbadtimes.com/donate 18 spin Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Buddies in Bad Times gratefully acknowledges the following supporters for their commitment to the development of contemporary Canadian queer culture at Buddies Lead Corporate Donor
corporate sponsors festival sponsor queer media partner
mainstage media sponsor
public agencies
foundations
The Lawrence Family Foundation The John McKellar Foundation Nancy’s Very Own Foundation Buddies in Bad Times Theatre spin 19