PRESENTS
Black in canada Artists in Motion
Photo by Sean Rees
neXt stage
WELCOME TO THE 2023 NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL. Thank you for being here at Buddies in Bad Times for Next Stage 2023. If this is your first show of the festival, I hope it won’t be your last. We have six companies joining us this year, all offering something unique and wonderful, and we would love for you to see as much as possible. We have not had an in-person Next Stage Theatre Festival since January 2020, so it is glorious to be back. This festival is very important to the ecosystem of theatre and performance in this city and beyond, offering a showcase for artists and an opportunity for audiences to see what’s new and exciting in our sector. As always, I will use this opportunity to ask you to donate to the Toronto Fringe. If you can, please support us as we continue to navigate these choppy waters. Despite having a wildly successful Toronto Fringe Festival this past July where we returned $500,000 to artists, we are still struggling financially. With decreased funding and increased costs, it is harder and harder to plan for the future of this organization. Your help will go a long way in providing sustainability for us and for the artists we support. Thank you and Happy Next Stage!
Lucy Eveleigh Executive Director
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Land Acknowledgement 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.
FUNDERS
PARTNERS
The McLean Smits Family Foundation
NEW YOUNG REVIEWERS The New Young Reviewers Program, supported by the Jon Kaplan Legacy Fund, is a workshop series and writing group for emerging theatre and performance reviewers Canada-wide. The cohort of writers for this festival consists of Melissa Avalos, Columbia Roy, and Zoe Marin, facilitated by Signy Lynch and Stephanie Fung. Their reviews of Next Stage shows can be found online at Intermission Magazine at www.intermissionmagazine.ca. ABOUT THE JON KAPLAN LEGACY FUND For over three decades, beloved theatre reviewer Jon Kaplan wrote about and celebrated Toronto theatre. He was a strong supporter of young artists and diverse voices. Following his death in 2017, the Jon Kaplan Legacy Fund was created to provide recognition and financial support for theatre makers at all stages of their careers.
ACTIVE LISTENERS Active Listeners will be available for audience members at Next Stage each day of the festival. 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. Learn more at fringetoronto.com/accessibility/access-measures. This program is funded by the Community Services Recovery Fund, through the Canadian Red Cross. Now more than ever, community service organizations like the Toronto Fringe play a key role in addressing complex social problems faced by many communities across Canada. We are grateful for the support.
neXt stage
BLACK IN CANADA Director/Choreographer: Shameka Blake Stage Manager: Willem Sadler Dramaturg: Vivine Scarlett Lighting Designer: Emerson Kafarowski, Sophia Hassenstein FEATURING Onija Bennett Diane Jean-Louis Marquisha Sparkes-Whonder Kayla-Renée Wilson
SHAMEKA BLAKE, DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER Shameka Blake was born with an intrinsic desire to create. In her artistic practice, she is committed to shedding light on issues of social justice, as they relate to culture, gender, and ethnicity. Her work in the commercial industry earned her the 2015 Black Canadian Award for Best Urban Dance Act. Shameka’s work has been featured at the Association for the Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) Convention in New York City, Roots Canada, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, in addition to local Toronto festivals; Yensa, Dusk Dances, Dance Ontario DanceWeekend, TIFF and Pride. Shameka’s career began in the commercial dance field but has now evolved as she has found a new voice in the dance/theatre world. ONIJA BENNETT, Principal Dancer Onija’s appreciation for the arts began to grow into a passion for dance and acting, and he started educating himself with videos from YouTube whilst practicing choreography with friends. To further his studies, Onija joined a training program to develop a strong foundation in hip-hop and contemporary dance. Having learned from some of the industry’s best instructors and choreographers, he went on to perform on variety of sets and stages across Canada. Currently, Onija is a principal dancer at Artist in Motion, where he and fellow company members take on and tackle world issues through the lens of the BIPOC community. DIANE JEAN-LOUIS, Principal Dancer Diane Jean-Louis was born in Haiti and raised in the US and Canada. Now at twenty-six years old, Diane has developed into an industry professional which has given her many opportunities to share her passion. Diane has been fortunate enough to have opportunities to learn from Toronto’s best dancers and choreographers. As a current member of AIM (Artists In Motion), directed by Shameka Blake, Diane is thrilled to see where this chapter of her dance journey will take her, in an all black lead, all black force, and all black serving space. Diane would one day like to create in hopes to teach and inspire the younger generation of dancers.
MARQUISHA SPARKES-WHONDER, Principal Dancer Marquisha Sparkes-Whonder was born to entertain. Being self-taught, she was accepted into the fine arts dance program at York University at 17, eventually branching out to advance her skills and work with a variety of professional companies. Now, you can find her on the TV screen dancing in motion pictures for Disney, Netflix, and Lifetime Television. Dance has steered her to travel internationally to work with artist like Sean Paul and Keri Hilson, and to work with choreographers like Shameka Blake, Hollywood Jade, Tanisha Scott, and Ebony Williams. She feels gratification through exploring diverse personas and aspires to influence marginalized groups to speak up and use their voices. KAYLA-RENÉE WILSON, Principal Dancer Kayla-Renée Wilson is a dance artist born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Greg and Charlene Anthony-Hines, two original Do Dat Entertainment Company members, sought her. And at seven years old, she began training at their all-hip hop dance school, DOAHL Dance Academy. There, she received mentorship in choreography and freestyling, fueling her love for hip-hop culture and street dance. As of 2022, Kayla-Renée began her battle journey, taking on a victory in October at From the Ground Up All-Styles Battle in her hometown. Kayla-Renée is currently a member of Footnotes Academy, run by Andrew “Pyro” Chung and Mariano “Glizzi” Abarca; Artists in Motion Dance Company, run by Shameka Blake and WeKnoFlo Crew. Today, she continues developing her skillsets as a hip-hop dance artist while training in contemporary, jazz, popping, locking, breaking, and house dance, all of which fuels her love for dance, pushing her to be a better artist.
NOTES ON THE PRODUCTION: Black in Canada is a glimpse into the social and emotional impact of systemic racism, while teaching audiences about the accurate history of racial oppression in Canada. All while shining a light on the tremendous lasting impact Black people continue to have upon the cultural fabric of our land. THANK YOUS: To Kimberly Plic and Joy of Dance Centre for the use of their beautiful space. To Vivine Scarlett and Dance Immersion for supporting our artistic endeavours whenever, wherever, and however they can. To our Media Manager Sammi Vassell for being present throughout this process. To our phenomenal Stage Manager Willem Sadler, we couldn’t have done any of this without you. To the Toronto Fringe Next Stage Team for giving us the opportunity to share our work on their platform. CONNECT WITH US: www.aimtoronto.ca Instagram/Twitter: @aimtoronto #AIMBIC #BIC #blackincanada2023
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TORONTO FRINGE MISSION 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. 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 FESTIVAL PEOPLE Executive Director Lucy Eveleigh Managing Director Laura Paduch Communications Manager Tessa Cernik Projects & Operations Manager Kevin Yue Associate Producer Suzanne Wilkie Metcalf Executive Management Intern* Lucy McPhee Publicist Damien Nelson, Want & Able Arts Consulting Next Stage Content Coordinator Oliver Pitschner Festival Production Manager Caitlin Farley Festival Technical Coordinator Anthony Allan Volunteer Coordinator Ellen Reade Community Support Coordinator Jules Vodarek Hunter Accessibility Coordinators The Disability Collective - Ali Hand, Emily Maxwell, Nathan Sartore TENT Program Director Tanya Rintoul New Young Reviewers Facilitators Signy Lynch, Stephanie Fung Finance Coordinator Scratch Anderson Web Developer Tom Dearden Eventotron Developer Chris Perkin Brochure & Graphic Design Trajectory Brands Inc. *With Support from the Metcalf Foundation.
NEXT STAGE 2023 SELECTION COMMITTEE Lucy Eveleigh, Laura Paduch, Daniel Carter, Derrick Chua, Amanda Lin OUR BOARD Chair Jason Murray Vice Chair Kate Supleve Treasurer Garth Sheriff Secretary Boyd Neil Directors Nicole Biros-Bolton, Roger Dunbar, Ian Filderman, Cynthia Foo, Dr. Cindy Gouveia, Nancy Konopinsky, Prerna Mathews, Jayan McPherson, Chuck Okonkwo, Miquelon Rodriguez, Denise Ruzage, Sherry Yuan Hunter SPECIAL THANKS McWood Studios, Luminato Festival Toronto, Dancemakers, the staff of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS We are so grateful to the following listed and to EVERYONE who has donated to the Toronto Fringe. We continue to rely on your generosity and we want you to know that when you donate to the Fringe and to Next Stage your money goes far. Since we return 100% of box office revenue to artists in the Toronto Fringe Festival and 70% to artists in the Next Stage Theatre Festival, your donation helps us to support them. If you want to join this list of incredible people, please reach out to Executive Director Lucy Eveleigh at lucy@fringetoronto.com. $10,000+ Neville Austin B Street Collaborative $5,000–9,999 Anonymous Cindy Blakely Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation IATSE LOCAL 58 McLean Smits Family Foundation Douglas Steiner & Jasmine Herlt Tony Cesaroni Family Foundation Junek Velodromes Scott Windsor $2,500–4,499 Anonymous Joan Jamieson Robert Sherrin Heidi Stock, Aspiring Canadian Writers Inc. Darlene Varaleau $1,000–2,499 Anonymous Byron Bellows The Benjamin Foundation – in memory of Julie Rae King Doug Ewart & Judith Keene Lisa Feld Ian Filderman
Sherry Yuan Hunter Jason Murray Perry Orestes Leanne Rapley Garth Sheriff, Sheriff Consulting Stendel Family Foundation Zukerman Family Foundation $500–999 Anonymous David Atkinson & Sarah Joy Bennett Efrim Boritz Roger Dunbar Bryan Eaton Anne Fleming Andrew Gillespie Richard Gotlib Oi Yan Gouveia Randy Hesp Elizabeth Howson Nancy Konopinsky Leah Lambert Lisa Lambert Gabriel Mansour Prerna Mathews Jayan McPherson William Milne Susan Moellers Boyd Neil Chuck Okonkwo
The Paul Butler and Chris Black Foundation Barry Peters Charlotte Ryan Spencer Saunders Dianne Saxe Kelly Straughan Kate Supleve $250–499 Susan Anderson Pat Anweiler Nicole Arends Gideon Arthurs Linda Barghoorn Jeannie Baxter The Baxter Agency Nicole Biros-Bolton Andrei Borissenko Brian F Curran Iris Gershon Jenny Ginder John Goddard Sania Hameed Shelley Hobbs, dedicated to those who are brave enough to put on a show Happy Fiets Canada Steve Fisher Sandra Fleischer Raymond Hickman Jennifer Hollett Andrew Johnston Birthe Jorgensen Barry Joslin Johnson Lai Susan Leclaire Marcel Martel David Nairn Paul Nash, dedicated to Carol Farkas
Shivani Nathoo Milton O’Brodovich Personal Tax Advisors Karen Reid Miquelon Rodriguez Angela Rudden Norman Seli Matt Shoom-Kirsch Maureen Simpson William Tallon Steve Welch W Bruce Wither Claire Wynveen $150-249 Marlowe Ain Ruth Albertyn Harry Arthurs Amanda Barker Kathryn Ball Gregory Beneteau Bonnie Bereskin Sarah Brooks Leora & Mauricio Chiprut Laura Clark Gail & Richard Cooper Dan Copeland Michael Crump, dedicated to Duncan Green Peter Cuff Sarah Dale-Harris Eileen de Villa Miriam Diamond Leah Dietrich Sholem Dolgoy Robert Duchnicky David Eden Lucy Eveleigh Joyce Feinberg Sam Festino Barbara Fingerote
Karen Fricker Jody Garriques Randy Goldman Kath Hammond Celia Harte Ray Hogg Robyn Hoja Ruth Hull Lena Hurzook Donna Hutchins Calvin Johansson, remembering Valerie Lawson, long time Fringe supporter Henriette Katz Gordon Phillip King Carol Kobel Jury Krytiuk Paul Kuypers Steven Lico Lisette Lu Chuck McEwen Eddy Morassutti
Noel Mowat Gayle Owler Anna Pace Leo Petrazickis Joan & Bill Rajala Patrick Robinson Roseneath Theatre Cyn Rozeboom Mark Russom Kathleen Ryan Patti Ryan Nadine Sandercock Pam Seran Hank Shannon Christopher Stanton Kenn Taylor Bryant Thompson Martha Tobe Brent Vickar Donna Walsh Martin Richard Wasserman Nathalie Younglai
This list represents people who donated $150 or more from September 1, 2022 to September 20, 2023. A special thanks to all who donated this year! Every amount makes a difference.
HOW DO YOU “FRINGE”? “To Fringe” is a verb meaning to support the indie arts community, engage with theatre and the performing arts, and value cultural experiences.
FRINGE AS AN ARTIST: Applications are opening at the end of October for the 2024 Toronto Fringe Festival lottery! For more information visit fringetoronto.com/get-involved/artists/fringe
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2023/2024 A JOURNEY OF IMMERSION AND CONTEMPLATION NOVEMBER 2023
DECEMBER 2023
THE BRIGHT DIVIDE
ELECTRIC MESSIAH
FEBRUARY 2024
APRIL 2024
THE ESTONIAN PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER CHOIR
6 PIANOS 12 HANDS VARIATIONS ON GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
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