NS2022 Saving Wonderland Program

Presented by: David Carpenter/Gamiotics Studios

Photo by Heather Zabriskie on Unsplash

SAVING WONDERLAND

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.

SAVING WONDERLAND Presented by David Carpenter/Gamiotics Studios

Directed by

Attilio Rigotti

Written by David Andrew Laws,

Kevin Hammonds, Attilio Rigotti,

Jacob Thompson

Story Editor

Caroline Prugh

Production Manager

Sarah Reynolds

Visual Design and Editing

Additional Visual Design

Sound Design and Editing

Original Music

Orsolya Szánthó Kaila Hill Ryan Milligan Ben Boecker

Featuring Lynn Craig Michael Indeglio Pooya Mohseni Carlina Parker Michael Pilato David Andrew Laws with Kim Morgan Dean and Jacob Thompson

DAVID CARPENTER, Producer 20+ years as Off-Broadway and Broadway producer. Executive Producer of 2019 Broadway run of critically acclaimed Slava’s Snowshow. Helmed OffBroadway hit comedy: Puffs, which ran in NYC for three years. Executive Producer of Puffs: Filmed Live Off-Broadway, released nationally through Fathom Events. Producer of Puffs in Australia for two years in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Publisher of the Puffs script and upcoming companion book. Former DreamWorks Theatricals Executive overseeing Shrek the Musical sales operations.

ATTILIO RIGOTTI, Director/Head Writer Attilio is a performer, technology artist, theater-maker, video game designer and teacher. He has researched, performed, and developed work around the world and collaborated with companies like City Lyric Opera, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, theatreC and others. His productions have been recognized by the New York Times, Vulture and American Theatre Magazine, His video and technology work with Orsolya Szánthó has been featured with Kaki King, Mason Gross School of the Arts, NYU Tisch, MIT Music & Theatre Arts, The Harvard School, The Juilliard School, among many more.

SARAH REYNOLDS, Production Manager Sarah Reynolds is a multidisciplinary artist, manager and facilitator whose work has been seen on Broadway (Slava’s Snowshow, Oklahoma!), OffBroadway (The Twenty-Sided Tavern, Puffs, Rock of Ages, Get On Your Knees), Internationally (Toronto Next Stage Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival), and on tour (Cruel Intentions, The Stand In with the American Czech Theatre). She has been designing gameplay experiences in performance spaces for over a decade and has worked with Gamiotics for over 3 years providing extensive development and game design integration on over 25 productions, brand activations, and client experiences.

ABOUT GAMIOTICS STUDIOS: Not your run of the mill experience, Gamiotics Studios (formerly Seize the Show) presents live performance gaming experiences where storytelling meets the thrill of gameplay. Featuring original stories performed by a diverse company of actors, Gamiotics Studios creates completely immersive, interactive experiences that happens in real time. Using patent-pending Gamiotics technology, audiences have the power to choose the outcome of the story through voting for choices, solving puzzles, and completing mini games that move the narratives forward. With countless story branches and numerous endings, each show’s journey and ending won’t be like the last and it’s up to YOU to decide what will happen. Choose to be a gamechanger.

NOTES ON THE PLAY: Saving Wonderland is one of our first grand experiments in a new form of storytelling for a new type of audience. Our question is always the same: how do we bring people together to create stories together?

In this show, your choices matter. You must work as a team. Pay attention.

Listen. Collaborate. Do it for the hedgehogs. Try once. Try again. Come for one possibility but return for all the rest. Every night is a different journey and path down the rabbit hole. Which one will you get today? It’s your choice.

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO: Samantha Blain & Tom Coppola.

ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY: Launched in 2020 by Founder and CEO David Carpenter, an expert in multiplatform content development, Gamiotics is currently the only software solution for the live entertainment market that connects the audience and content through the infinite power of technology.

The Gamiotics browser-based interface allows any smartphone to access the platform instantly, making for a complete audience experience across multiple industry categories, events and programming. Gamiotics has powered experiential and interactive entertainment in branching narrative storytelling, brand activations, escape rooms, interactive museums, game shows, and more.

David Carpenter, CEO Allison Stratton, COO Sarah Reynolds, Director of Operations SPONSORS:

CONNECT WITH US: gamioticsstudios.com gamiotics.com Instagram: @gamioticsstudios #nstf #gamiotics

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

TORONTO FRINGE OUR MANDATE The Toronto Fringe is a platform for everyone to access, discover, and experiment with the arts. By valuing creative experiences, we contribute to a healthy arts economy and, ultimately, a thriving society.

OUR VALUES Access – in every sense of the word Accountability – we work with integrity and respect Creativity – freedom of expression permeates everything we do Exploration – we let curiosity be our guide Support – empowering you to take a chance

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OUR BOARD President Jason Murray Vice President Nancy Madonik Treasurer Garth Sheriff Secretary Boyd Neil Directors Nicole Biros-Bolton, Cindy Gouveia, Sage Paul, Barry Peters, Steven Smits, Douglas Steiner, Kate Supleve, Denise Ruzage

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ARTIST ADVISORY Ophira Calof, Joan Jamieson, Rob Kempson, Amy Lee, Ashley Perez, Miquelon Rodriguez, Andrew Seok, Kevin Vidal

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