NS2023 ECHO Program

PRESENTS

neXt stage Echo

Photo by Roya DelSol

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

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

ECHO

Presented By: A Front Company

Playwright: Kole Durnford

Director: Robert Morrison

Associate Director: Katarina Fiallos

Producer: Olivia Seward

Costume & Set Designer: Rebecca Chaikin

Lighting Designer: Mathilda Kane

Sound Designer & Composer: Olivia Wheeler

Original Set Design & Construction: Antel Kollenburg

Intimacy Coordinator: Avery Rose

Stage Manager: CIaran BRenneman

Assistant Stage Manager: Laurie-Anne Rohaly

FEATURING

陳佳琦 Jennifer Tan

Tom Shoshani

PLAYWRIGHT’S NOTE:

Over the past two years, I’ve learned that ECHO is about empathy. As you are about to see, Narcissus and Echo decide to step into the other’s shoes in an attempt to fully understand each other, and they do so bravely, without judgment, without editing. I think being here, in the audience, also requires a true act of empathy. In a few moments, all of us will take 75 minutes and suspend our disbelief together, so much so that ECHO will feel as real as life itself. It’s beautiful that we can choose to believe in these characters, that we can try to understand them, even when we know they’re not real.

With that in mind, I’d like to offer you an Indigenous framework I’ve learned recently to consider while you view ECHO. So often when we go to experience art, we view it through a quantitative lens: Was this good? Was this bad? What star rating would I give this? I challenge you to instead consider what images it evokes for you, what feelings and colours and textures arise. Viewing art qualitatively reminds me that I’m not just an audience member being performed at- instead, we’re all in a circle together, audience and performer, lending each other our empathy, experiencing this story together.

Thank you for being here, and thank you to everyone who has helped with ECHO over the past two years, for being open to my words. I’ve learned so much from these characters, and it’s my hope that, if you reach towards them, they will teach you something as well. See you in the Pathless Woods :)

- Kole

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

When Kole approached me two years ago with the first 20 pages of ECHO, I was in the process of mending a broken heart. His play, these characters and everyone working on the show allowed me to celebrate love in new and exciting ways by throwing myself headfirst into the play. My goal: to create great art.

Two years later, here we are again with ECHO. In the interim, I have often thought about what it takes to create great art: personal sacrifice, blinding dedication, and relentless self-promotion. I find myself craving a more gentle, humanistic approach to making art. One centered around love.

Narcissus wants to make great art, and Echo wants to make great love. The understanding in which Echo and Narcissus face this dilemma

sets ECHO apart from other plays. Echo shares Narcissus’ words and thoughts with us as if hers, and Narcissus shares Echo’s as if they were his. A lesser play would result in Echo and Narcissus arguing about how the other was depicting their perspective or about how the other was lying to the other out of a more redemptive ending. Instead, for the duration of Echo, these two characters honour the good, the bad, and the ugly of their relationship and each other.

I don’t know what exists in the middle of the pursuit of great art and great love. Two years after first encountering ECHO, I have fallen in love with this play again, and I have also fallen in love. Echo and Narcissus don’t know either, but I know they are happy they tried. As you sit in the theatre today, sitting across from your fellow audience members, see if you can listen as openly as these characters do. I hope you fall in love with Echo and Narcissus as I have.

- Robert

陳佳琦 JENNIFER TAN (she/her), “ECHO”

Hii, I’m Jenn (she/her)!! I recently graduated from Performance Acting at TMU, I’m an Aquarius and a spilly girl <3. I am so grateful for the opportunity to bring Echo to life once again. Some past theatre credits include: Featherhead (Toronto Fringe), Hookman (TMU), Untamed (TMU). My past film credits include: Ruthful (Chrysanthemum Productions), Chaz Bender (MetTV Series), Colour, Silence (郝邦宇 Steven Hao). Shamelessly plugging my instagram to connect, create, or creep on more upcoming projects! @jenn.tann. Thank you for coming to see our show!

TOM SHOSHANI (he/him), “NARCISSUS”

Tom is an Israeli born, Canadian actor who is a recent graduate of the TMU (formerly Ryerson University) acting program. Some recent theatre credits include: Ori Black’s Summer of Semitism (Winnipeg Jewish Theatre) Andrew Kushnir’s The Division (TMU/Tarragon Theatre), and Gaveston in Edward II (TMU). Tom has been with the role of Narcissus and this project for almost two years now, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to share Kole Durnford’s words with a wider net of people! Instagram: @tom.shoshani

KOLE DURNFORD (he/him), PLAYWRIGHT

Hi! My name is Kole Durnford (he/him), and I’m a Metis actor, playwright and creator originally from Stony Plain, Alberta. A graduate of the acting program at Toronto Metropolitan University, I’m a twotime Dora nominated actor, including a 2023 nomination for Best Ensemble as part of Niizh (Native Earth Performing Arts). Beyond acting, this will be the third production of my first play ECHO. My follow up, SKYSCRAPER, is currently in development with support from Native Earth Performing Arts. Thank you for coming to see ECHO!!!! Recent credits include: Insert Clown Here (Parlous Theatre), Killing Time: A Game Show Musical (Mixtape Projects), SKYSCRAPER (Paprika Festival), Niizh (Native Earth Performing Arts. @koledurnford

ROBERT MORRISON (he/him), DIRECTOR

Robert Morrison (he/him) is a director, actor, writer for theatre and film, and the artistic director of A FRONT COMPANY. Most recently, Robert designed the set for Morning After (A FRONT COMPANY) and directed a workshop production of SKYSCRAPER at the Paprika Festival. Previously, he has staged No Exit, Any Night (Cannonball) Unity 1918 (CYPT, asst. Jamie Dunsdon) Seven Stages (Verb + Bluelight Fest.) The Zoo Story (A FRONT COMPANY) and the world premiere of ECHO in Toronto and Edmonton. For film, Robert has directed How To Be Not Alone (nominated best documentary, QUIFF) and Hatch (First Prize, Utah Dance Film Festival).

KATARINA FIALLOS (she/her), ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Katarina is a storyteller based in Tkaronto, a graduate of TMU’s School of Performance, and a member of A FRONT COMPANY. Since graduating she has had the opportunity to pursue different ventures in acting, writing, and directing for theatre and film. Her most recent acting credits include Lisa in Wakey Wakey (County Stage/Stratford Festival), Dorine in La Bête (TIFT), Chloe in Hookman (School of Performance/Soulpepper); and Bianca in Untamed (School of Performance/Tarragon). This past year, she brought to life her first original piece, Morning After, at the Toronto Fringe Festival. She looks forward to developing her next project this fall and remounting La Bête for its Toronto run next March.

OLIVIA SEWARD (she/her), PRODUCER

I am a Producer, Stage Manager, and avid book reader who grew up and continues to live and create work in Tkaronto. I am the executive producer at A FRONT COMPANY and am currently the Venue Logistics Lead at TIFF! I also have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Production, with a double minor in Performance Studies and Marketing, from the Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.

REBECCA CHAIKIN (she/her), COSTUME & SET DESIGNER

Rebecca is a costume/set designer and maker from Tkaronto. Select design credits include: costume and set design - ECHO (A FRONT COMPANY), costume design - exercise your demons, Much Ado About Nothing, What If If Only (Langham Directors’ Workshop, Stratford Festival). Select assistant design credits, Stratford Festival, include: assistant costume and set designer - Monty Python’s Spamalot, Les Belles-Soeurs, The Miser; assistant costume designer Every Little Nookie. Training: BFA in Performance Production and Design (Toronto Metropolitan University); diploma in Fashion Techniques and Design (George Brown College). Website: rebeccachaikin.com Instagram: @rebeccachaikin

MATHILDA KANE (she/they), LIGHTING DESIGNER

Mathilda Kane is a Tkaronto based Lighting Designer, Theatre Maker, and member of A FRONT COMPANY. She is a Queer, secondgeneration Canadian of Scottish, Indian, German, and Guyanese descent. Select credits include: Killing Time: A Game Show Musical (Mixtape Projects), The Bad Mitzvah (SALT Theatre), A Perfect Bowl of Pho (Send Noods Productions), Morning After (A FRONT COMPANY), Ursa: A Folk Musical (Uncommon Folk Collective), SKYSCRAPER (Paprika Festival). Mathilda is fascinated by the boundaries of ‘designable space’ in theatre. They take a collaborative approach to creation and care greatly for fostering long-term creative relationships. mathildakane.com

OLIVIA WHEELER (she/her), SOUND DESIGNER & COMPOSER

Olivia Wheeler is a mixed-race, Chinese-Canadian sound designer and composer. Select recent credits include Sound Design for Armadillos (Factory Theatre), Between a Wok and a Hot Pot (Cahoots), Associate Sound Design and Composer for A Wrinkle in Time (Stratford), Associate Sound Designer for Three Women of Swatow (Tarragon Theatre) and Bad Parent (Soulpepper/vACT/PTE), Assistant Sound Designer for Mahabharata (Why Not/Shaw), Every Little Nookie, Hamlet-911, and 1939 (Stratford). Outside of her sound design practice,

she is a playwright, puppet designer, and puppeteer, with her shadow puppet show Quest for the Moon (Theatre SKAM) touring to BC schools. More at: www.oliviagwheeler.com

AVERY ROSE (she/her), INTIMACY COORDINATOR

Avery Rose is a queer performer/intimacy coordinator and is graduate Toronto Metropolitan University in performance acting. Her Intimacy credits include: Intimacy Rehearsal Captain for Seph (TMU/Theatre Centre), The Division (TMU/Tarragon). Intimacy coordinator for ECHO (Next Stage Festival, Edmonton Fringe, TerraFirma Festival) Stale Houses, Rationality is Dead & Stall (New Voices Festival). Avery has hopes of becoming a full-time intimacy director and coordinator, with a specialty in assisting disabled actors. They send warm wishes to the cast & crew!! IG: @_averyrose

CIARAN BRENNAMEN (they/them), STAGE MANAGER

Ciaran is an emerging theatre artist and stage manager passionate about facilitating new and unconventional works of live performance. They are thrilled to be joining the team at A FRONT COMPANY for this iteration of ECHO! Previous credits include: Apprentice Stage Manager

- Richard II (Stratford Festival), Fall On Your Knees (Canadian Stage), The Grand Re:Opening Festival (The Grand Theatre); Production AssistantFestival Theatre (Stratford Festival); Assistant Production Manager - You Can’t Get There from Here Volume 2 (Factory Theatre); Production Stage Manager - rabbit hole (Toronto Metropolitan University); Stage Manager

- The Scarborough Project (Tarragon Theatre Education and Outreach).

LAURIE-ANNE ROHALY (she/they), ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Laurie-Anne Rohaly is a queer, female artist and theatre enthusiast located in Toronto, ON. She is currently a student at the Toronto Metropolitan School of Performance. Along with her major in Theatre Production, she is minoring in Disability Studies and aspires to work as an accessibility coordinator as well as in stage management, costumes, and props. Laurie-Anne is interested in creating art in accessible and inclusive spaces, with interesting stories and interesting people. Select credits include Morning After (A FRONT COMPANY), Arctic Ocean (TMU School of Performance 2023), ECHO (A FRONT COMPANY).

THANK YOUS: Isabelle Ellis, BC Batty, Desmond Lazar, Justin Miller, Haylee Thompson, Holly Fisher, Landon Nesbitt, Laur Flom, Jadey Capaldo, Antel Kollenburg, Jacob Willis, Alison Thomas-Hall, Finnian Browne, 郝邦宇 Steven Hao, Sofia DiCicco, Ben Yoganathan, Taylor Collis, Nazerah Carlisle, Vern Thiessen, Dannyelle Lavallee, Beth Graham, Angela Marriott, Aaron Jan, Why Not Theatre

SPONSORS:

CONNECT WITH US:

A FRONT COMPANY is a cross-Canadian theater company focusing on the creation and development of off-brand, bold, and imaginative new work. We are unabashedly young, energetic, and vibrant. Also at Next Stage, A FRONT COMPANY presents pool party!, a curated art party where creators across artistic disciplines share highly improvised, one-night-only performance pieces. afrontcompany.com

Instagram: @a.front.company @poolparty.afc

AFTER STAGE WITH TENT

This show has created special programming with the support of the 2023 TENT (Theatre Entrepreneurs’ Network & Training) Program participants, in order to enhance your experience of the production. Check out fringetoronto.com/next-stage/community-programming for full details.

INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN MEDIA, THEATRE OR DANCE?

Dance

COMMERCIAL DANCE

Our Programs: Media

DANCE PERFORMANCE PREPARATION

DANCE PERFORMANCE

MEDIA ACTING – GRADUATE INTENSIVE MEDIA FOUNDATION

ACTING FOR MEDIA

VIDEO DESIGN & PRODUCTION

SCREENWRITING & NARRATIVE DESIGN

SOUND DESIGN & PRODUCTION

VISUAL EFFECTS

Theatre

THEATRE ARTS – PERFORMANCE

THEATRE ARTS – PREPARATION

George Brown College School of Media and Performing Arts

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

FRINGE AS A VOLUNTEER:

The Fringe has a very active community of over 400 volunteers. Find more information at fringetoronto.com/get-involved/volunteer

FRINGE AS A PARTNER:

We are actively seeking new sponsors and partnerships for the upcoming year to support our year-round and festival programming. fringetoronto.com/get-involved/partner

FRINGE AS A DONOR:

Help ensure the survival of the Toronto Fringe and show your support of creativity. Give now at fringetoronto.com/donate

The Mary-Margaret Webb Foundation The JB Doherty Family Foundation

The Michael and Sonja Koerner Charitable Foundation