2023 Next Stage Theatre Festival Brochure

PRESENTS

WE SPREAD OUR WINGS XNE T

18–29

For the Next Stage Theatre Festival’s 16th year, we are spreading our wings. Inspired by the monarch butterfly emerging from its cocoon, heralding the autumn season, we are back at a new time of year and at a new venue.

At the historic Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, enjoy six productions in this exceptionally rich and experimental season. No matter what kind of patron you are, we have something for you: come and experience music, movement, levity, and raw emotion from six talented companies who are poised and ready for their next stage.

BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES THEATRE

Toronto Fringe acknowledges that our festival occupies spaces in the city known as Toronto, on lands and waterways that have known human activity for thousands of years. It has been the territory of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy of Six Nations, and more recently is also the territory of Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit, who are part of the Anishinaabe Nation. We acknowledge our privilege to stand on this land, our responsibility to uphold truth, and our shared stewardship of our home and each other. To all the people of Turtle Island, chi miigwetch.

We are so thankful to be back in person for the 16th Next Stage Theatre Festival, and so excited to share six wonderful shows with you. Our last Next Stage in January 2022 made a last minute pivot to a fully online festival, so this return to inperson programming is a long time coming. We are thrilled to welcome you to our new festival home, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, at a different (and less cold!) time of year.

We are still finding our way back since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, so we appreciate any donation you can give as we head towards the end of 2023. Even more importantly, we ask you to show up, see the shows, stay for the extra events, and share your experiences with your friends and family. For this crucial festival to survive we need you to come out, more than ever. So, thank you for being here and for showing your support for the arts.

Happy Next Stage,

Lucy Eveleigh Executive Director, Toronto Fringe

BLACK IN CANADA

Black in Canada is a powerful episodic performance of dance, spoken word, and recorded archives that emphasize the immense and lasting impact Black people have had, and continue to have, on the social and cultural fabric of our land. The work interprets the consequences of systemic racism and educates the audience about not only our history, but the contemporary climate of racial oppression in Canada.

Choreographer: Shameka Blake

Cast: Marquisha Sparkes-Whonder, Diane Jean-Louis, Kayla-Renée Wilson, Onija Bennett

Lighting Designer: Emerson Kafarowski

Stage Manager: Willem Sadler

Dramaturg: Vivine Scarlett

Artists in Motion

Photo by Sean Rees

SOMETHING IN THE WATER

When Grumms transforms into a horrible squid monster, they must hide their secret identity. With spellbinding video projection, puppetry, and laugh-out-loud physical comedy, Something in the Water is an absurd exploration of gender, comic books, and growing up “normal”. This awardwinning solo-show is a touching story of acceptance that anyone can relate to.

WINNER: Best Theatre, Adelaide Fringe 2021 ★★★★★ “UTTERLY SPECTACULAR”

- Broadway Baby

Author: S.E. Grummett

Director: Deanna Fleysher

In collaboration with: Mind of a Snail Puppet Company, Alyssa Billingsley, Charlie Peters, Kenn McLeod, Holly Brinkman

Puppet & Video Design: S.E. Grummett

Stage Manager: Sam Kruger

Music: The Garrys

Scantily Glad Theatre

Photo by Brianne Jang

Garner Theatre Productions & Guildwood Collective

GUILDWOOD

Before their home is taken over for use for the great war across the sea, the residents of an artist commune gather for one final night of soul-searching and celebrations. Inspired by the “Guild of All Arts” built in Scarborough during the Great Depression, Guildwood is a love letter to the artist, the dreamer, and the revolutionary.

Playwright & Director: Braeden Soltys

Music Director & Orchestrator: Jake Schindler

Actor-Musician Advisor: Donna Garner

Choreographers: Meghan Caine, Sierra Holder, Tyler Pearse

Cast: Kryslyne-Mai Ancheta, Donna Garner, Rick Hughes, Tyler Pearse, Meghan Caine, Jake Schindler, Camila Diaz-Varela, Taran Kim, Rita Dottor, W. Joseph Matheson, Yunike Soedarmasto

Stage Manager: Keleshaye Christmas-Simpson

Photo by Roya DelSol

Dead Parents Society

DEAD PARENTS SOCIETY: A DARK SKETCH COMEDY REVUE

Good grief. Dead Parents Society is a dark sketch comedy revue created by a group of comedians who each lost a parent at a young age. Grief connects us to the most basic truth about humanity - everyone will experience loss in their lifetime. Where is it okay to talk about death? Is it possible to face grief with humour?

Directed by Canadian Comedy awardwinning director Kirsten Rasmussen, this is a show with equal parts heart and humour about love and loss.

Creator: Shohana Sharmin Sicilia

Director: Kirsten Rasmussen

Cast: Anne McMaster, King Chiu, Shohana Sharmin Sicilia

Photo by Roya DelSol

A Front Company

ECHO

Echo and Narcissus lock eyes in a club, and the world begins to float. Heartbreak, love, sex, psychedelics, and an adorable dog all combine as the two relive their whirlwind relationship. In a modern retelling of the Greek myth, ECHO asks what place love has in a world in love with itself.

Playwright: Kole Durnford

Director: Robert Morrison

Cast: Jenn Tan, Tom Shoshani

Producer: Olivia Seward

Associate Director: Katarina Fiallos

Lighting Designer: Mathilda Kane

Sound Designer: Olivia Wheeler

Costume Designer: Rebecca Chaikin

Photo by Roya DelSol

BREMEN TOWN

After forty-five years of hard work and dedication, Frau Esel, the longest serving housekeeper of Völksenhaus, has been fired and sent out to pasture. Bremen Town is a rural folk tragedy (with humour) about what happens when we outlive our use.

Playwright & Director: Gregory Prest

Composer: Tatjana Cornij

Costume Designer: Nancy Anne Perrin

Stage Manager: Arwen MacDonell

Lighting Designer: Logan Raju Cracknell

Cast: Tatjana Cornij, Oliver Dennis, Simon Gagnon, Farhang Ghajar, Deborah Grover, Veronica Hortiguela, Nancy Palk, William Webster

Bremen Town Collective

Photo by Dahlia Katz

community programming

JOIN US AT BUDDIES FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING IN SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL SHOWS AND OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW ASL-INTERPRETED SCREENING

Presented in partnership with The Disability Collective. Let’s do the time warp again! For the first time ever in Toronto, don’t miss a screening of cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show featuring ASL interpretation by a Deaf cast. Join The Disability Collective to sing, dance, and sign along to kick off your Halloweekend.

Dammit Janet! Let’s make this spooky season accessible!

Saturday, October 28, 8:15pm Tickets: Pay What You Can, suggested price $20 (+$3.50 order fee)

(not eligible to add to a Next Stage pass)

AFTER STAGE WITH TENT

Presented in collaboration with the 2023 TENT Program and Next Stage companies. This season, the 2023 TENT (Theatre Entrepreneurs’ Network & Training) Program artist producers have collaborated with each Next Stage company to create and produce programming that expands the experience of each production. Registration for these events is free.

INDIE ARTS WORKSHOP & SOCIAL

Presented in partnership with TAPA. Calling indie arts workers of all kinds! Join us for an enlightening session that will focus on how to balance the pressures of life, work, and caring for others in your community. Following the workshop, we will be hosting a casual evening of conversation and connection with your peers. Registration for this event is free.

For more details on all events, visit fringetoronto.com/next-stage

TICKETS

REGULAR

$20

STUDENT* $15

PRICE + $3.50 ORDER FEE

*valid student ID to be shown at venue

PASSES

6 TICKET

$108

12 TICKET

$216

PRICE + $3.50 ORDER FEE

Redeem tickets off your pass in advance online, by phone, or at the venue during the festival.

Passes are limited to one pass per patron.

If you have an active Festo smart card, it will be automatically loaded with your pass and tickets. You can tap this at the door to book a ticket for a performance. If you do not have a Festo smart card, pick one up at the Next Stage box office during the festival, and reuse it year to year at Next Stage and Toronto Fringe Festivals.

HOW TO BUY

fringetoronto.com/next-stage 416.966.1062

Festival Box Office

At the venue starting one hour before the first performance of the day

Policies: We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Union Pay online and by phone, as well as debit, Visa debit, and cash (when paying in person). Tickets and passes purchased online or over the phone are subject to a $3.50 order fee. Tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged after a performance has started. The festival does not as a rule offer refunds or exchanges for reasons other than illness. There are no refunds for any unused portions of a pass. Seating is general admission, and latecomers may not be admitted, or may be separated from their party.

Plan your visit

BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES THEATRE

12 Alexander Street, Toronto

Buddies is fully physically accessible to audience members. The entrance is accessed by ramp for all patrons. The washrooms are not separated by gender, and are located on the lower level, which can be reached by a lift. The lift requires an attendant due to the manual door function and the need for a key to use. A venue guide is available at fringetoronto.com/next-stage. Please note, Buddies requires all audience members to be masked while attending Next Stage shows in their venue.

TICKETLESS

There are no physical or e-tickets at Next Stage! When you book your ticket you will receive a confirmation email, and then you can check in at the door on the day of the show with the name it is booked under.

SAFER SPACES

When you attend Next Stage, you join a vibrant, diverse, inclusive, welcoming, and safe community. Creating an authentic safer space requires commitment, accountability, and support from everyone. Thank you for helping make Next Stage safer for everyone. If you witness or experience harassment, violence, or discrimination, please tell us. We will listen, and we will help you. fringetoronto.com/about/safer-spaces

ACTIVE LISTENERS

New this year, Active Listeners will be available for audience members at Next Stage. Active listeners are there to provide compassionate, empathetic, and confidential support during or following a performance. Additional mental health resources can be provided if requested.

The Metcalf Foundation The McLean Smits Foundation Jon Kaplan Legacy Fund

Next Stage is committed to accessibility. We work with our audiences and artists to identify, prevent and remove barriers so a fulfilling experience can be enjoyed by all. If you have access needs or a question about accessibility at Next Stage, please contact our Patron Services at 416-966-1062 or general@fringetoronto.com.

PRIORITY SEATING

Priority seating is available for patrons with access needs. Patrons are requested to indicate seating requests when purchasing tickets and identify themselves to the Patron Services staff when arriving at Buddies in Bad Times.

PERFORMANCES

Some shows at Next Stage will offer access features such as ASL Interpretation, Relaxed Performances, and Audio Description. Details will be posted at fringetoronto.com/next-stage.

SERVICE ANIMALS

Service animals are welcome in all areas of Buddies in Bad Times that are open to the public.

SUPPORT WORKERS

Where a support worker is required by a patron with a disability, admission is free for the accompanying person.

ON STAGE STARTING

OCT 5

HER WORDS FESTIVAL

A festival showcasing Canada's most exciting women playwrights & emerging voices

ON STAGE STARTING

OCT 24

Who is the real beast?

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY KAT SANDLER

THE GUIDE TO BEING

Get a front row seat to a life well lived.

WRITTEN BY SANDRA CALDWELL

ON STAGE STARTING

NOV 16

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL

The devil has the best tunes.

CREATED BY RAHA JAVANFAR DIRECTED BY SABRYN ROCK

Tickets $25+

Learn More at Soulpepper.ca