Presented by: HomeMadeIt Productions and Pressgang in association with Pandemic Theatre association with Pandemic Theatre
Photo by Graham Isador
SHE’S NOT SPECIAL
WELCOME TO THE 2022 NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL. We may have had to adjust our plans slightly but we still have many wonderful shows for you to experience. It has been a long journey for these artists, whether experimenting with new online formats or suddenly recording a show in a venue, all of these companies have risen to the occasion and we are hoping that you, the audience, will not only support them but share their work with others. Our image this year is that of the butterfly, our theme is returning and transforming. Part of that was about coming back into a physical theatre which alas is no longer possible but I believe the imagery and idea still stands. We are returning – we have a festival still, four pieces that were curated from the very beginning with a digital space in mind and several new pieces that had to quickly pivot into creating their shows for you online. I could not be prouder of all that has been created both from our artists and the entire fringe team who have made this transformation happen. All we ask from you is to join us, be an active part of the storytelling and this chapter of Next Stage and enjoy! Happy Fringing,
Lucy Eveleigh Executive Director
December 30, 2021 Dear Next Stage Audience and Supporters, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to everyone attending this year’s Next Stage Theatre Festival hosted by Toronto Fringe. It gives me great joy that this year’s festival is hosted at Daniel Spectrum in our dynamic Regent Park community here in Toronto Centre. Many of the previously planned in-person productions were filmed in this incredible venue. I know these past two years have been especially hard on our arts community. I’m thrilled to see the continued success of this festival as I know its important role in the creation of new Canadian works. The Toronto Fringe and Next Stage Theatre festival have been instrumental as part of the development of new Canadian plays including Kim’s Convenience, Da Kink in My Hair, and helped foster the talent of the co-creators of Come From Away. Not only does this festival foster Canadian stories, but it promotes and encourages residents to participate in their community at large; creates new connections with emerging artists, and contributes to our community. For the 15th year, the Next Stage Theatre Festival features a great number of productions that showcase dynamic and innovative styles and formats. Even in the face of a global pandemic, you have been adaptable, flexible, and resilient. Your platform has provided the opportunity for indie theatre-makers to continue to develop their craft and showcase their talents making up an integral piece of the cultural fabric of Toronto. Congratulations to everyone involved and I wish everyone an enjoyable and memorable event. Yours truly,
Kristyn Wong-Tam City Councillor Ward 13, Toronto Centre
Toronto Fringe would like to acknowledge that our office has been built on the traditional territory of Tkaronto, “the gathering place” - we acknowledge the original caretakers of this land, the Anishinaabe, including the Mississaugas of Credit, Haudenosaunee, Chippewa, and Wyndat nations. To all the people of Turtle Island, Chi Miigwetch.
Fresh pixels.
www.hoffworks.com
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR AMAZING LOCAL VENDORS WHO HAD PLANNED TO FILL OUR LOUNGE IN DANIELS SPECTRUM.
SHE’S NOT SPECIAL Presented by HomeMadeIt Productions and Pressgang in association with Pandemic Theatre Created and performed by
Fatuma Adar
Co-directed by
Fatuma Adar and Graham Isador
Dramaturgy by
Graham Isador
Music supervision by Music Direction & Sound Design by
Ben Elliott Adrian Hogan
Videography by
Roya DelSol
Set and lighting design by
Joe Pagnan
Sound design by
Christopher Ross-Ewart
Stage manager
Lucy McPhee
Production manager
Deborah Lim
Assistant film director
Baakal Geleta
Production assistant Sound recordist Gaffer / grip swing Hair by
Avery Jean Brennan Amanda Ann-Min Wong Yann Garcia That Girl Lola
FATUMA ADAR (she/her) creator/performer/director - is a Somali artist based in Toronto. Her writing has been published in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and the anthology Black Writers Matter. She was listed in Playback Magazine’s 10 to Watch in 2020. Fatuma wrote a song called The Nap Anthem and comedian Bo Burnham said nice things about it. Follow her work @fatumaadar on IG & Twitter. GRAHAM ISADOR (he/him) director/dramaturg - is a writer and director based in Toronto. His work has appeared at The Beaverton, GQ, and VICE, among other places. Called a “master storyteller” by Toronto Guardian, Isador is a director and producer for ONE Championship, who wrapped their first season on TNT late last year. His latest play, White Heat, won best performance text at the 2019 Summerworks Festival and has its international premiere in Berlin this March. @presgang BEN ELLIOTT (he/him) music supervisor - is an actor, musical director, musical supervisor and composer living in Vancouver, BC. This past fall, Ben was at Chicago Shakespeare musical supervising The Beatles version of As You Like It, next, he heads to Milwaukee Rep to do the same. www.benelliott.ca ADRIAN HOGAN (he/him) music director - is a platinum selling music producer, music director, keyboardist, and music educator from Toronto, Canada. He has worked with recording artists on stage and in studio spanning genres of Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Jazz and Neo-Soul. He has performed for the likes of Michael Jordan and Barack Obama, and at music festivals such as Rifflandia, Westward Music Festival, NXNE, and Osheaga. ROYA DELSOL (she/her) videographer - is Black media artist & cultural worker currently living in T’karonto/Toronto. Creating motion work ranging from experimental documentaries to music videos; she aims for her work in all spheres to centre and uplift the experiences Black, queer, and marginalized peoples. Past photographic work captures Black femme intimacies, strength & joy in hopes of visualizing new, liberated worlds. JOE PAGNAN (he/they) set and lighting designer - has created for companies touring North and South America, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. They’ve included collaborations with Buddies in Bad Times, Obsidian Theatre, Stratford Festival with colored lights, LemonTree Collective, Sampradaya Dance Creations, Globe Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Chemainus Theatre. More, or less, at joepagnan.ca
CHRISTOPHER ROSS-EWART (he/him) sound design consultant - is a sound designer, composer, and performer from Vancouver, Canada. He developed his practice at the MFA program in Sound Design at Yale School of Drama. Now working across the US, Canada, and the world, his experience ranges from performer to composer to designer, in theatre, musical theatre, dance, film, podcasts and installation. LUCY MCPHEE (she/they) stage manager - is a queer Stage Manager, Producer, and Administrator based in Toronto. As a Stage Manager, Lucy has worked with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Nightwood Theatre, Musical Stage Company, and Mirvish, among others. They have worked on many shows at Toronto Fringe and the Next Stage Festival, and are very excited to be back with the festival. DEBORAH LIM 林潔樂 (they/them) production manager - is a Singapore-born, California-raised, Toronto-based production manager, technician, and the general manager at fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company. Deb is also a second-year law student at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. AVERY JEAN BRENNAN (they/them) production assistant - is transfeminine producer, actor, musical director, writer, and transgender advocate raised in Kjipuktuk, and now based in Tkaronto. Avery Jean recently completed Generator’s Artist Producer Training program, and is currently the RBC Apprentice Artistic Director at The Musical Stage Company. BAAKAL GELETA (he/him) assistant film director - Baakal Geleta is an emerging writer & director. He is a 2021 Nicholl Fellowship Semifinalist and ScreenCraft Fellowship Semifinalist with his screenplay ALASKA. His screenplay DIRT was chosen for the 2021 BloodList and is currently in the Launch Pad Top 10. His short DON’T BREATHE was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award - Thriller Short at the 2021 LA Film Festival Indie Short Fest. AMANDA ANN-MIN WONG (she/they) sound recordist - is a sound artist, filmmaker, and musician. Notable credits include sound design on Canadian Screen Award-winning short PICK (2019), directed by Alicia K. Harris. In their free time, they love rocking out with their all-queer East Asian alt-rock band, cutsleeve. THAT GIRL LOLA (she/her) hair stylist - admiring the neon pink box braid realness on our main character? Check out @thatgirllola_toronto on IG.
NOTES ON THE PLAY: She’s Not Special combines musical theatre and comedic storytelling to explore the pressures of Black Excellence. As a Black Muslim Woman (a triple threat!) Fatuma is on a mission to free you from the clutches of exceptionalism and teach you how to relish in the joys of mediocrity. SPECIAL THANKS TO: Tom Arthur Davis, Jiv Parasram, Andrea Scott, Makambe K Simamba, Emerjade Simms, Lali Mohamed and all those who donated to our GoFundMe for all your generous support.
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FUNDERS FOR MAKING THIS SHOW POSSIBLE
LIKED THE SHOW? SPREAD THE WORD! Use the hashtags #ShesNotSpecial #TorontoFringe on social media, or idk, talk to someone IRL I guess.
SHE’S NOT SPECIAL
THE SUNGLASSES MONOLOGUE
STAND UP COMEDY NIGHT
STORIES OF A DISH
TANGO IN THE DARK
THE COMPLEX
HEART OF A DOG
URSA: A FOLK MUSICAL
SAVING WONDERLAND
CHECK OUT THE FULL NEXT STAGE LINEUP AT
FRINGETORONTO.COM
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