Ovation Volume 26, Number 6 (April/May 2019)

vol 26 • no 6 apr/may 2019

by JAKE MACDONALD

JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE

to those who have renewed their subscription.

It’s deeply appreciated.

If you missed the renewal deadline, talk to a Box Office representative about your subscription needs.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the theatre.

SUBSCRIPTIONS GO ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON MAY 7 CALL 204 942 6537 or visit RoyalMTC.ca today.

MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR A good cottage asks nothing of us except our presence. It doesn’t care if the lawn isn’t mowed right away or the screen window repaired. The dock invites us right out onto the water where the trees point to the rising moon. A good cottage knows that the lake, those trees, that sky will dwarf all the problems that loomed so large in the city.

A good cottage heals us.

Jake MacDonald probably knows the ways of the cottage better than anyone in Manitoba. He has been our Thoreau, our Emerson, our Whitman: Steven Schipper

singing the lake electric, and filling our dreams with houseboats rocking gently like cradles for

grown-ups. Now Jake has created people who love lake life as much as he does. His imagined clan – Randall, her mother and her siblings – occupy a cabin that has been in the family for so long it’s woven into their very DNA. If they couldn’t go every summer, they would lose their centre – their very identity – and so they struggle to keep this little slice of Eden.

My wife Terri and I know the feeling only too well. We may be leaving Manitoba at the end of May, but we’re hanging on to our cottage as if our very lives depend on it. In a way, they do. When I asked Terri to marry me, she paused for an almost unreasonable length of time, before saying, “Yes, but we can never sell the cottage.”

I didn’t imagine, when Jake and I first talked about him writing a play, that it would be the last play of my last season here, or that its story would mean so much to us as we plan our new life. As sorry as we are to leave, and as excited as we are about my new job in Ontario, our thoughts turn most often to the lake, and to our baby granddaughter who will someday soon coo at its moon.

Yours always,

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THEATRE ABBREVIATION LEGEND Arts Club Arts Club Theatre Company • Vancouver, BC ATF Atlantic Theatre Festival • Wolfville, NS ATP Alberta Theatre Projects • Calgary, AB BAM Brooklyn Academy of Music • NYC Bard on the Beach Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival • Vancouver, BC Belfry The Belfry Theatre • Victoria, BC Blyth Blyth Theatre Festival • Blyth, ON Broadway Theatre district • New York, NY CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Centaur Centaur Theatre Company • Montreal, QC Citadel The Citadel Theatre • Edmonton, AB COC Canadian Opera Company • Toronto, ON CS Canadian Stage • Toronto, ON Dora Dora Mavor Moore Award • Toronto, ON Drayton Drayton Entertainment • Ontario Dry Cold Dry Cold Productions • Winnipeg, MB Factory Factory Theatre • Toronto, ON GCTC The Great Canadian Theatre Company • Ottawa, ON Grand The Grand Theatre • London, ON HGJT Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company • Toronto, ON Mirvish Mirvish Productions • Toronto, ON Moving Target Moving Target Theatre Company • Winnipeg, MB MTYP Manitoba Theatre for Young People • Winnipeg, MB NAC National Arts Centre • Ottawa, ON Necessary Angel Necessary Angel Theatre Company • Toronto, ON Neptune Neptune Theatre • Halifax, NS NFB National Film Board of Canada NTS National Theatre School of Canada • Montreal, QC Persephone Persephone Theatre • Saskatoon, SK PTAM Popular Theatre Alliance of Manitoba • Winnipeg, MB PTE Prairie Theatre Exchange • Winnipeg, MB

Rainbow Rainbow Stage • Winnipeg, MB RNT Royal National Theatre • London, England Royal Alex The Royal Alexandra Theatre • Toronto, ON RSC Royal Shakespeare Company • Stratford-upon-Avon, England RWB Royal Winnipeg Ballet • Winnipeg, MB Sarasvàti Sarasvàti Productions • Winnipeg, MB Segal The Segal Centre for Performing Arts • Montreal, QC Shaw Shaw Festival • Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON SIR Shakespeare in the Ruins • Winnipeg, MB Soulpepper Soulpepper Theatre Company • Toronto, ON Stratford Stratford Festival • Stratford, ON SummerWorks SummerWorks Theatre Festival • Toronto, ON TA Theatre Aquarius • Hamilton, ON Tarragon Tarragon Theatre • Toronto, ON TBTR Theatre by the River • Winnipeg, MB TC Theatre Calgary • Calgary, AB TiFT Talk is Free Theatre • Barrie, ON TNB Theatre New Brunswick • Fredericton, NB Toronto Free Toronto Free Theatre • Toronto, ON TPM Theatre Projects Manitoba • Winnipeg, MB TSO Toronto Symphony Orchestra U of M University of Manitoba U of T University of Toronto U of W University of Winnipeg VP Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company • Vancouver, BC West End Theatre district • London, England WCT Western Canada Theatre • Kamloops, BC WJT Winnipeg Jewish Theatre WSO Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra WST Winnipeg Studio Theatre YPT Young People’s Theatre • Toronto, ON zone41 zone41 theatre • Winnipeg, MB

OVATION VOLUME 26, NUMBER 6 APRIL/MAY 2019

Ovation is published six times per theatre season and has an approximate yearly circulation of 100,000. printing: Premier Printing Ltd. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Thomas Urish telephone: 204 954 6413 email: turish@royalmtc.ca

Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre 174 Market Avenue Winnipeg, MB r3b 0p8 Canada RoyalMTC.ca box office: 204 942 6537 administration: 204 956 1340 fax: 204 947 3741

Ushers • Royal MTC’s loyal volunteer ushers are avail-

able at every performance to assist patrons.

Latecomers • Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager.

Courtesy to others • Talking, candy wrappers and

coughing are distracting to fellow patrons and actors.

We ask each patron to please keep noise to a minimum during a performance. Thank you for your cooperation.

Scents and Allergies • A number of Royal MTC

patrons have expressed concerns regarding medical reactions caused by scented products, so much so that they can’t enjoy the show. Please consider others before using items such as colognes, perfumes and hairspray.

Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

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Royal MTC is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional artists who are members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.

Scenery, Carpentry and Show Running Crew at the John Hirsch Mainstage and the Tom Hendry Warehouse are members of IATSE Local 63.

Hearing enhancement • Sennheiser Infrared Listening Devices are available free of charge in the lobby at the John Hirsch Mainstage and Tom Hendry Warehouse, supplied by the Royal MTC Volunteer Corps of Ushers Capital Campaign donation. Please see the House Manager for details.

Prohibited • The use of cameras and recording devices is strictly prohibited. Mobile devices must be turned off.

To be contacted in an emergency, leave your name and seat number with the House Manager.

Warnings • On occasion, Royal MTC’s productions may contain script-specific smoking of non-tobacco products, special effects and language/content warnings. For more information on specific productions, please visit royalmtc.ca.

Ovation

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The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre

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THE COTTAGE SYNOPSIS – Randall is a dreamer who might be cheating on her banker boyfriend with the local handyman. Middle-aged Bennet longs for his teenage years, and it shows.

Matty won a bit of money, quit his job and has been riding the freedom highway. One thing these siblings have in common is their love for the family cottage. Their ailing mother has given them the weekend to decide what to do with the cottage after she’s gone, but they’re determined to drink beer, argue and avoid making any decisions. Will they ever solve the puzzle of their inheritance and sort out their messed-up lives?

Sunset at Jake MacDonald’s cottage

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THE COTTAGE

Where do plays come from?

BY JAKE MACDONALD

I grew up in Winnipeg, in one of those bland postwar suburbs with mud yards and trees as skinny as hockey sticks.

During long dismal afternoons in primary school I stared out the window, furtively sketched foxes and rabbits in my spelling book, and wondered if the inexorable drive wheels of arithmetic and Catholicism were going to crush my brain like a patty. Luckily, I had parents who believed in exposing their kids to life outside the city.

My father, a war vet, bought a piece of property at a small lake called LacLu, near Kenora, and built a cottage with his own hands. My six siblings and I spent two resplendent months there every summer, swimming, canoeing, playing baseball, exploring the woods and just generally running wild. Those summers at the lake taught us more about life than anything we learned in school. And later on, when I was in my early 20s, walking the concrete halls of the university and wondering if the inexorable drive wheels of literary theory were going to crush my brain like a patty, I remembered those things I’d learned at the lake and decided that I would go and live there. I didn’t feel like I was running away, or escaping. It was the opposite.

Lake country seemed to offer more in terms of real education than anything I’d encountered in the city.

I bought a canoe and moved to a raffish little community in northwestern Ontario called Minaki, where I built a ramshackle houseboat, earned april/may 2019

money as a fishing guide and substitute teacher, and worked tirelessly on a never-ending “novel” – a massive pile of hand-scribbled dog-eared foolscap similar to Jack Nicholson’s magnum opus in The Shining (All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…). The village of Minaki was full of young people like me, fugitives from normalcy with their own daring plans, all of whom believed that restarting their lives in this little cottage community on the edge of the Canadian wilderness would allow them to become better versions of themselves. Randall, the heroine of The Cottage, is similarly convinced, and her private scheme to escape the banality of city life and move full-time to the lake is one of the comic and suspenseful issues of The Cottage.

Randall is clever and energetic, but she sometimes overlooks the obvious.

And I might share that with her, in the sense that only now do I realize that her plot and mine have a lot in common. Like Randall, I once tried to escape to cottage country, and like her I eventually came face to face with some hard truths about compromise and adulthood.

Movie scripts, stage plays, novels and other stories all start with an idea.

Many years ago, I wrote an article for a magazine called Cottage Life.

My task was to profile a family and their cottage. To set the stage, I had to capture the appearance and feel of the old place, its tattered carpet,

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THE COTTAGE antique china, stone fireplace and creaky floors. Once the setting was established, I figured I could walk the characters into the story, one by one, and build the story. After abandoning several entryways to the article, I decided to actually introduce the old cottage as a real-life stage setting, i.e. “No one has ever written a Canadian play called The Cottage, but if they did, the opening scene would probably look like…”

After filing the story, I thought about that. Why not? Why hasn’t anyone ever written a play called The Cottage? Our back-and-forth relationship with lake country is such a unique element of Canadian culture. No other nation in the world automatically goes “to the lake” on the weekends. I took a chance and coldcalled Steven Schipper, whom I barely knew, who nevertheless agreed – with what I came to know as characteristic

patience – to meet me for lunch. I guess he and I had been having pretty much the same thoughts. Before I got halfway through my pitch he held up his hand and said, “Stop, go home and start writing.”

So where do plays come from? They come from Steven Schipper, that’s where.

And from Laurie Lam, Krista Jackson and Trish Cooper. From director Robbie Paterson and designer Brian Perchaluk.

They come from my partner Petra and daughter Caitlin, and from the many actors and designers who helped nail together this play from the ground up, from its rambling tear-down of a first draft, through four years, 14 rewrites, numerous workshops and rehearsals, to the drama you’re watching tonight.

And not least, from my parents, who came up with the best gift you can ever give a kid, a cottage.

Jake MacDonald’s cottage

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G U I D I N G THE EXECUTOR ASSISTING EXECUTORS AND GUIDING THE ESTATE THROUGH PROBATE OR ADMINISTRATION Is probate required?

What are the duties of executors?

Why is re-sealing required for Ontario cottages?

Read our informative articles on our website www.raymondoakes.ca for answers to these & other questions.

Raymond P. Oakes, B.A., LL.B.

BD OAKES

JARDINE KANESKI UNRUH LLP

Over 35 Years of Legal Experience Licenced for Manitoba and Ontario 387 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V5 Phone: 204 957 1717 (Toll Free): 1 800 204 4080

A country & western cabaret

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TOMSON HIGHWAY Krystle Pederson Lancelot Knight, Junior Clarke, Liam Allen, Nathan Halcrow, Andrina Turenne songsinthekeyofcree.ca

June 13, 2019 8:00 pm Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre Tickets $25 available at

https://songsinthekeyofcree.brownpapertickets.com

THE COTTAGE

Some of Jake’s favourite places in Lake Country Duck Mountain Provincial Park

DUCK MOUNTAIN PROVINCIAL PARK – Few Manitobans are familiar with the Ducks, or could find them on a map.

It’s a wild area, with dense forest, rugged ridges rising over 2,500 feet, and pure, deep lakes full of trout. Wellman Lake Lodge rents boats, canoes, cabins and fishing gear.

PARK THEATRE, RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK –

The only log theatre in North America. It has great ambience, good popcorn and first-run movies. How often do you get to see a movie in a log cabin?

KRIS’ FISH AND CHIPS, GIMLI – You can always count on Kris’ Fish and Chips

serious fish and chips at Kris’. Fresh walleye from the lake, lightly battered and perfectly cooked. The place is small, packed and noisy. It’s all about the food.

GIMLI FILM FESTIVAL – Every summer it screens over 100 films from around the world. The five-day festival at the end of July has free evening films on a large screen set in the water of Lake Winnipeg, with the audience sitting on blankets and chairs on the beach.

CYCLING ALONG LAKE WINNIPEG – A quiet, country

Gimli Film Festival

road (PTH 232) through Matlock, Whytewold and Dunnottar, with antique shops, restaurants, century-old cottages, and an occasional pier along the lake.

Whiteshell Fish Hatchery

WHITESHELL FISH HATCHERY – Free interpretive tours

show how the hatchery grows fish from eggs to fingerlings, for eventual release into Manitoba lakes.

WEST HAWK MUSEUM – A log building dedicated to the

area’s ancient history and geology, including the early gold mines and the explosive meteorite that created the lake.

Lake of the Woods Museum

YE OLDE CHIP TRUCK, DOWNTOWN KENORA – Who needs restaurants? That’ll be a large, please, with salt and vinegar and a Coke to go.

LAKE OF THE WOODS MUSEUM, KENORA – One of the

biggest small museums in Canada. Lots of exhibits and spooky artefacts – like a hockey stick from the game in which Kenora won the 1907 Stanley Cup. 10

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You can’t park any closer.

Guarantee your spot.

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Steven Schipper, Artistic Director • Camilla Holland, Executive Director PRESENTS

The cottage

By Jake MacDonald April 25 – May 18, 2019 preview April 24

Director....................................................................................Robb Paterson Set & Costume Designer................................................Brian Perchaluk† Lighting Designer.............................................................Scott Henderson Sound Designer....................................................................Michael Wright Choreographer............................................................. Catherine Wreford Fight Directors..................................... Jacqueline Loewen, Rick Skene Dramaturg................................................................................. Tricia Cooper Assistant Director....................................................................Simon Miron* Apprentice Set & Costume Designer...............................Megumi Hari Apprentice Lighting Designer..................................Hayley Mummery* Stage Manager.......................................................................Karyn Kumhyr Assistant Stage Manager.....................................Christopher Brackett Apprentice Stage Manager................................................Katie Schmidt THE CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Eleanor......................................................................................... Jane Burpee Brad...............................................................................................Adam Hurtig Matty.............................................................................................. Tom Keenan Randall........................................................................................Jennifer Lyon Fob.............................................................................................. Doug McKeag Bennet.................................................................................... Chris Sigurdson Kris / Young Eleanor................................................................ RobYn Slade Brucester / Joe........................................................................... Cory Wojcik Voices of offstage children – Cooper Vint and Isaac Vint The Cottage is performed without an intermission.

We would like to acknowledge the actors who took part in readings and workshops of this play: Jane Burpee, Nancy Drake, Paul Essiembre, Adam Hurtig, Tom Keenan, Jennifer Lyon, Megan McArton, Doug McKeag, Ross McMillan, Ellen Peterson, Paula Potosky, Chris Sigurdson, Jan Skene, RobYn Slade, Ray Strachan, Gordon Tanner, Karl Thordarson and Cory Wojcik.

Special thanks: Manitoba Association of Playwrights, Dr. Eric Vickar.

Production photography by Dylan Hewlett.

Royal MTC acknowledges that our two venues are on Treaty 1 territory and that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. *Position funded through the Jean Murray - Moray Sinclair Theatre Apprenticeship Program †Past Jean Murray - Moray Sinclair Scholarship award winner

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THE COTTAGE Jane Burpee

Tom Keenan

Eleanor

Matty

ROYAL MTC The Humans, Humble Boy, Pride and Prejudice.

OTHER THEATRE Hedda Gabler (IbsenFest); Mary Barnes, Tartuffe (Black Hole Theatre); Oedipus, Slag, Eleemosynary, Suddenly, Last Summer, A Phoenix Too Frequent (Winnipeg Fringe Festival); Fen (Sarasvàti); The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (BrechtFest); Mary Rose (Snakeskin Jacket); The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare in the Park); Durang Durang (Scattergood Theatre); Nellie McLung (Equal Voice).

FILM Alternating Current, Unsolved Mysteries, The Diviners.

ET CETERA Jane is delighted to spend time at the cottage with her wonderful “family”. What great company!

Adam Hurtig Brad

ROYAL MTC First appearance.

OTHER THEATRE Coolatully.

FILM/TV Select credits include: Cult of

Chucky, Supernatural (TV), Trench 11, Snowmance.

ET CETERA Adam has two ACTRA Award nominations for best actor and an award for best supporting actor at the Irish International Theatre Festival. Adam would like to thank his friends and family for their continued support. Much love to Mom, Dad, Katie, Steve, Lucas, Elena and fam, and to his favourite Aunt.

ROYAL MTC Selected: Sense and Sensibility, The Humans, Shakespeare in Love (with Citadel), Sarah Ballenden, Hand to God, Unnecessary Farce, The Seagull, Gone With the Wind, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, A Christmas Carol.

OTHER THEATRE Selected: Hedda Gabler (Echo Theatre); Am I Not King?

The Last Concert of Richard II, Three Sisters (zone41); The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble (PTE); Dear Johnny Deere (Persephone); Ring of Fire (Rainbow); The Power of Harriet T, New Canadian Kid (MTYP); White Rabbit Red Rabbit, The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz (TPM); One Man, Two Guvnors (TC); The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, Henry IV (SIR).

FILM/TV Selected: Burden of Truth, Men with Brooms (CBC); Love, of Course (Hallmark); Channel Zero (NBC/Universal); Nomis (PalmStar); The Pinkertons (Buffalo Gal/Rosetta Media); The Exorcism of Molly Hartley (20th Century Fox); Bunks!

(Disney); Zooey and Adam (Bedbugs Films); Less Than Kind (HBO Canada); House Party (Comedy Network); Something Beneath (Peace Arch); The Crooked E (CBS).

ET CETERA Find his music at tomkeenanmusic.com and heavybellmusic.com.

For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

april/may 2019

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THE COTTAGE Jennifer Lyon Randall

(TNB); Comet in Moominland (MTYP, YPT, Montreal, NYC); 19 shows at Rainbow Stage (Wall of Fame inductee); Camelot, Man of La Mancha (Stratford); The Who’s Tommy (Mirvish).

Doug McKeag

ROYAL MTC A Doll’s House, It’s a Wonderful

Life: The Radio Play, Myth of the Ostrich, Billy Elliot the Musical, The Secret Annex, A Christmas Story, The Penelopiad, Next to Normal, White Christmas, Pride and Prejudice, Guys and Dolls (with TC/Citadel), My Fair Lady, A Christmas Carol – The Musical, Steel Magnolias (1993). Assistant Director: The Fighting Days.

OTHER THEATRE Selected: Little Thing, Big Thing (PTE); Spamalot (TA/Drayton); The Drowsy Chaperone (Globe); Darling of the Day, The Wakowski Brothers, Guys and Dolls (TiFT); The Road to Hell, Communicating Doors (Persephone); My Fair Lady (Arts Club); The Comedy of Errors (SIR); The Father (WJT); Skylight

Fob

ROYAL MTC Chimerica (with CS), Late Company, True West, Evita (with TC), Little Shop of Horrors (with TC).

OTHER THEATRE Blow Wind, High Water, The Secret Garden, Twelfth Night, God of Carnage, One Man, Two Guvnors, Enron, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (TC); Arcadia, The Optimists, Glengarry Glen Ross (Theatre Junction); Toad of Toad Hall (ATP); A Man of No Importance, Follies (Dry Cold); Bloodless:

TONIGHT’S WAITING Join us before or after the show for a delicious cocktail and mouthwatering steak. Reservations are available.

St. James 2553 Portage Ave 204.885.5275

Garry Street 115 Garry St 204.942.7619

Southside 2034 McGillivray Blvd 204.477.5300

THE COTTAGE The Trial of Burke and Hare (White Rabbit); Footloose (Rainbow); The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Little Mercy’s First Murder (Vertigo Theatre); Into the Woods (Citadel).

ET CETERA Doug won a Betty Mitchell Award for his portrayal of an early-onset Parkinson’s patient in The Alan Parkinson’s Project. He produces concerts for Young Symphony Audiences that appear around the globe.

ET CETERA RobYn is a member of musical

improv company Outside Joke (experience it at the 2019 Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival) and the voice of Tayo, the Little Bus on Netflix.

Cory Wojcik Brucester / Joe

Chris Sigurdson Bennet

ROYAL MTC It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, Over the Tavern, The Tempest, A Christmas Carol, My Fair Lady, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Threepenny Opera, Waiting for Godot, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).

OTHER THEATRE Lumière in Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, How it Works, Chimera.

TV Burden of Truth, The Pinkertons, Cashing In.

RobYn Slade Kris / Young Eleanor

ROYAL MTC Actor: A Doll’s House, Once (with Grand), Kill Me Now (with NAC), Black Coffee, Hand to God, Billy Elliot the Musical, Late Company, Harvey, Miracle on South Division Street, August: Osage County. Assistant Director: Morning After Grace.

OTHER THEATRE Actor: Butcher (PTE); Beauty and the Beast, The Producers, The Wizard of Oz (Rainbow); The Jungle Book, Jabber, The Big League (MTYP); Another Way Home (WJT); Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare (White Rabbit Productions). Director: Mr. Burns (DTC); various productions with Celebrations Dinner Theatre and Winnipeg Fringe.

FILM/TV Actor: Breakthrough, NOMIS, A Dog’s Purpose, Radius and The Pinkertons.

ET CETERA Watch for Cory this summer in Strike: The Musical with Rainbow Stage and in a Winnipeg Fringe show he is writing and performing called Mix Tapes From My Mom.

ROYAL MTC Steel Magnolias, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (understudy).

OTHER THEATRE Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (The Keep Theatre); MunschBusters!, The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble, The Brink, How It Works (PTE); New Canadian Kid, IMPROVident (MTYP); 204FM (One Trunk Theatre); Evil Dead: The Musical (Wasteland Productions); The Big Comfy Couch, Franklin’s Family Christmas Concert (KOBA).

For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

april/may 2019

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THE COTTAGE Jake MacDonald Playwright

Jake MacDonald works in a variety of literary media, including fiction, journalism and documentary film. He has written 10 books, including the award-winning non-fiction memoir Houseboat Chronicles – which recounts his formative years living in the backwoods of northern Ontario – and many short stories and articles examining our relationship to the natural world.

He and his partner Petra live in Winnipeg and maintain hideouts in Mexico and Minaki. The Cottage is his first stage play.

Robb Paterson Director

ROYAL MTC This is Robb’s 85th produc-

tion at Royal MTC. Director: (selected) Next to Normal, Our Town, Guys and Dolls (with Citadel/TC), Trying, My Fair Lady, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, White Christmas, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Woman in Black, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Retreat from Moscow, Steel Magnolias, Fully Committed. Actor: (selected) Clarence, Uncle Billy in It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play, Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Reverend Peters in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime, Billy Bishop, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol – The Musical and many others.

OTHER THEATRE Director: Men’s Room (Crow’s Theatre); Crazy for You, 42nd Street, Big The Musical, The King and I, Beauty and the Beast (twice) (Rainbow);

Rick: The Rick Hansen Story, Seussical the Musical, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang (MTYP); Oliver! (Centaur); The Affections of May (Sudbury Theatre Centre). Recent acting: Prairie Nurse, The Birds and the Bees (PTE); Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors (Rainbow).

ET CETERA Robb was the Associate Artistic Director at Royal MTC from 2003 to 2015. Love to Heather, Alex and Tara.

Brian Perchaluk Set & Costume Designer

ROYAL MTC Recent and favourites: John, A Doll’s House, The Humans, Di and Viv and Rose, Once (with Grand), Sarah Ballenden, Black Coffee, Billy Elliot the Musical, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, A Christmas Story, Harvey, August: Osage County, The Boys in the Photograph (with Mirvish), The Lonesome West, Patience, Picasso at the Lapin Agile (with NAC), M. Butterfly (with NAC).

OTHER THEATRE Brian’s work has been featured at theatres across the country, including two seasons each at the Shaw and Stratford festivals. Selected recent credits include: Falsettos (WJT/Dry Cold); The Whipping Man (WJT); Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables (Rainbow); The Drowsy Chaperone (Globe); Vimy (NAC/GCTC); New Magic Valley Fun Town, Prairie Nurse, Gracie, The Flats (PTE); A Little Night Music (Dry Cold); King Lear, Fidelio (Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada); Proud (TPM).

TRAINING Graduate of U of W and NTS. ET CETERA Recipient of Gemini, Jessie Richardson, Prix Rideau and Evie Awards.

For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

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T I M E L E S S LY T R U E

Exceptional taste comes with age.

Alberta Prime and aged for at least 28 days, every steak served becomes the perfectly prepared centrepiece of the Hy’s experience.

H Y’S ST E AKHO USE WINNIPEG 1 LOMBARD PLACE | MAIN FL. RICHARDSON BLDG. 204.942.1 0 0 0 | H YSST EAKHO US E.C O M

THE COTTAGE Scott Henderson

Michael Wright

Lighting Designer

Sound Designer

ROYAL MTC Over 50 productions since 1995, including John, Sense and Sensibility, Morning After Grace, A Christmas Carol (2017, 2005), Shakespeare in Love (with Citadel), Sarah Ballenden, Bittergirl: The Musical, Black Coffee, The Audience (with Mirvish), Billy Elliot the Musical, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (with Mirvish), Next to Normal, Red (with Belfry), The Seagull, Top Girls.

OTHER THEATRE Scott has designed lighting for opera, dance and theatre companies in Winnipeg and across Canada, including the Shaw and Stratford festivals.

TRAINING Scott is a graduate of Ryerson Theatre School and is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada.

ET CETERA Special thanks to Karen, Sean and Alex for love and support.

ROYAL MTC Over 20 productions including A Doll’s House, Part 2, Sense and Sensibility, Morning After Grace, The Humans, Bittergirl: The Musical, Black Coffee, Million Dollar Quartet, Billy Elliot the Musical, Seminar (with Mirvish), Late Company, Private Lives, The Secret Annex, The Seagull, Venus in Fur, The Penelopiad, August: Osage County, Romeo and Juliet, The Seafarer, Top Girls, Rope’s End, Fully Committed, The Last Five Years, Cherry Docs.

OTHER THEATRE I Dream of Diesel, North Main Gothic, The Monster Trilogy, The Elmwood Visitation, Age of Arousal (TPM); Everything is Coming Up Roses (Gearshifting Performance Works); Something Drastic, Puppet Munsch (PTE); Macbeth (SIR); Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Winnipeg Fringe); Hedwig and the Angry Inch Atrocity Tour 2004 (Rose Tinted Productions, UK).

FILM The Last Harvest, Métis, Métis Not, Dead Mothers Kitchen Floors, Dust.

ET CETERA Michael is active in the music world with over two dozen album credits and is a member of IATSE 63.

Winnipeg’s Most Popular Bubble Tea

Pembina 2999 PEMBINA HWY . McPhillips 1041 MCPHILLIPS ST

THE COTTAGE Catherine Wreford

Jacqueline Loewen

Choreographer

Fight Director

ROYAL MTC Choreographer: A Doll’s House, It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play, Heisenberg. Assistant Director: Million Dollar Quartet.

OTHER THEATRE Selected acting credits: West Side Story (Stratford); Annie Get Your Gun, 42nd Street (US Broadway Tour); 42nd Street, Oklahoma! (Broadway); The Music Man (Pittsburgh CLO); The Sound of Music, The Music Man, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Beauty and the Beast (Rainbow); A Chorus Line (WSO/ Rainbow); Romeo and Juliet (RWB).

ET CETERA Catherine is originally from Winnipeg and was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award. In the summer of 2013, Catherine was diagnosed with brain cancer. She had an awake craniotomy, radiation, four kinds of chemotherapy for a year and was given two to six years to live.

She is happy to be home and doing what she loves best. She has two amazing kids and an awesome husband.

ROYAL MTC Fight Director: Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical (with Arts Club/ Citadel), Vietgone, Black Coffee, Hand to God, 23.5 Hours, Unnecessary Farce, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, Private Lives, A Christmas Story, Gone With the Wind, August: Osage County, Romeo and Juliet, The Seafarer. Actor: Alice Through the Looking-Glass, Top Girls.

Assistant Director: Other People’s Money.

OTHER THEATRE Selected fight directing: Macbeth (Bard on the Beach); Indigenous Playwrights New Works Workshop (Playwrights Theatre Centre – Vancouver); Beauty and the Beast (Rainbow); The Flood Thereafter (CS); Don Giovanni (Manitoba Opera); Macbeth, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Taming of the Shrew (SIR); Prairie Nurse (PTE).

TEACHING Jacqueline has taught at the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, Trinity Western University and Simon Fraser University.

ET CETERA Jacqueline would like to thank her mother, who always reads this section of the program and always comments that she never gets thanked. Thanks, Mom.

Design with community in mind.

Engineering, Architecture, Environmental Services, Project Management

University of Manitoba Stanley Pauley Engineering Building | stantec.com

THE COTTAGE Tricia Cooper Dramaturg

ROYAL MTC Actor: Myth of the Ostrich, Miracle on South Division Street.

OTHER THEATRE Playwright: Social Studies (produced at PTE, Centaur, Firehall Theatre). Dramaturg: Lame Is (Sick + Twisted Theatre). Upcoming – Dramaturgy and directing Cory Wojcik’s Mix Tapes From My Mom at the 2019 Fringe. As an actor, she has performed at PTE, WJT and TPM and done several Fringe shows including anything with the sketch comedy troupe the Royal Liechtenstein Theatre Company.

FILM/TV Actor: The Perfect Match, Barbara Blackwood Story, A Fable About Beauty, Book of Vaudeville, Less Than Kind. Writer and actor: WindCity.

TRAINING University of Winnipeg, Honours Theatre.

ET CETERA Thank you to Krista Jackson and Steven Schipper for inviting me along on this ride and to Jake MacDonald for being such a gracious and generous writer.

Love to my awesome family!

Simon Miron Assistant Director

ROYAL MTC The Dresser.

OTHER THEATRE Director: Pippin,

American Idiot, Young Frankenstein (ViC/ WST); Freestyle Fantastique, Songs for a New World (White Rabbit Productions); The Last 48 (ArtLaunch); 7 Stories (TBTR).

Acting: The House at Pooh Corner, James and the Giant Peach, Honk! (MTYP);

Butcher, Le Père, Heyderabad (Cercle Molière); Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Shrek The Musical, Les Misérables, The Little Mermaid, The Producers, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, Forever Plaid, The Buddy Holly Story, The Sound of Music (Rainbow).

TRAINING/TEACHING Simon is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

He is also a founder of the Village Conservatory for Music Theatre.

ET CETERA Special thanks to Robbie and Karyn for their mentorship.

Megumi Hari Apprentice Set & Costume Designer

ROYAL MTC John.

OTHER THEATRE Megumi has been a

Scenic Artist for the past seven years and painted well over 50 productions for theatres across Ontario including Thousand Islands Playhouse, Sudbury Theatre Centre, Théâtre Français de Toronto, Second City, Shaw, Capitol Theatre Port Hope, Harold Green Jewish Theatre, Canadian Stage, etc. She is a proud member of IATSE Local 828.

TRAINING Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Technology from St. Clair College (Windsor, ON); Cobalt Studios (White Lake, NY); MFA Design/Technical student at University of Calgary (Calgary, AB).

ET CETERA Pauline McGibbon Award nominee for Craftsperson category (2016).

Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council and the Chalmers Family Fund who made this apprenticeship opportunity possible. A very BIG thank you to Brian Perchaluk for being a wonderful mentor and human.

For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

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THE COTTAGE Hayley Mummery Apprentice Lighting Designer

ROYAL MTC First engagement.

OTHER THEATRE Resident Stage

Manager of ART HOLM Series; Winnipeg Theatre Awards; The Threepenny Opera; Middletown.

TRAINING The University of Winnipeg’s theatrical production and design program.

ET CETERA Hayley is a local lighting technician/designer and Stage Manager.

They’re incredibly pleased to be assisting Scott Henderson on The Cottage to finish off the Royal MTC season!

Karyn Kumhyr Stage Manager

ROYAL MTC Heisenberg, A Christmas Carol, Sarah Ballenden, Chimerica (with CS), The Woman in Black, A Christmas Story, Ed’s Garage, Next to Normal, The Shunning, Steel Magnolias, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, Bleeding Hearts, Pride and Prejudice, Fiddler on the Roof, Our Town, The Tempest, Driving Miss Daisy, The History of Manitoba from the Beginning of Time to the Present in 45 Minutes. Assistant Stage Manager: A Christmas Carol, The Foreigner, Doc. Crew: My Name is Asher Lev, The Gin Game, Thimblerig, A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Tempest, Side by Side by Sondheim.

OTHER THEATRE Pippin (ViC/WST); Beauty and the Beast (Rainbow); The 39 Steps (Harbourfront, PEI); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Grand); Anne

& Gilbert (The Guild, PEI); The Jungle Book, James and the Giant Peach (MTYP); Rick: The Rick Hansen Story (MTYP, Arts Club, Citadel); Happy Place, Small Things, The Secret Mask (PTE); Molière, The Beauty Queen of Leenane (ATP); The Gin Game (Valley Summer Theatre); Bump, Snow Dance (Ship’s Company Theatre); The Addams Family, Urinetown (Dry Cold); The Drawer Boy (ATF).

FILM/TV JT (The JT Leroy Story), Burden of Truth (CBC TV series), Into Invisible Light (Frantic Films).

Christopher Brackett Assistant Stage Manager ROYAL MTC Apprentice Stage Manager: Sense and Sensibility.

OTHER THEATRE Dear Evan Hansen (Mirvish); Jukebox Hero (Mirvish/Annerin Productions); The Hockey Sweater (Segal/ NAC); Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, A Musical (Disney Cruise Line); Othello, Richard III (Shakespeare BASH’d); A Christmas Carol (Soulpepper); The Virgin Trial, Romeo and Juliet (Stratford); Matilda The Musical (1st US National Tour/ Mirvish); Rufus Does Judy, Contemporary Color, If I Loved You: Gentlemen Prefer Broadway (Luminato). Other credits include work with Disney Theatrical Group, the Toronto International Film Festival and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

TRAINING Graduate of Ryerson Theatre School.

ET CETERA As always, much love to mom and dad.

For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

april/may 2019

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THE COTTAGE Katie Schmidt Apprentice Stage Manager

ROYAL MTC Apprentice Stage Manager: A Doll’s House, Sense and Sensibility.

Apprentice Costumer: Sarah Ballenden.

OTHER THEATRE Stage Manager: Fem Fest Bake-Off and Cabaret (Sarasvàti).

Costumer: Mary’s Wedding (TPM). Props and Set Coordinator: Timon of Athens (SIR).

TRAINING University of Winnipeg Theatre and Film.

ET CETERA Katie is excited to be working on another Royal MTC production. Thanks and love to Mom, Dad, Raya and Moosie.

She hopes you enjoy the show!

HAVING THE CONVERSATION FOR DISCUSSIONS ON SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR COTTAGE PROPERTIES IN MANITOBA & ONTARIO Gifting or Selling the cottage to the kids Capital Gains Considerations Co-Ownership Agreements Family Trusts Estate Planning

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387 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V5 Phone: 204 957 1717 (Toll Free): 1 800 204 4080

THE COTTAGE

Spending time at the lake makes for wonderful moments. Some of the cast share their favourite cottage memories: “Food is always tastier when shared on the cottage deck at the lake!”

– Jane Burpee (Eleanor) “My earliest and fondest memories of the cottage/cabin was when my family would rent one at Victoria Beach. From there it evolved into renting cabins with friends and then eventually building a family one ourselves. To pick one memory that stands out above the rest is too tall a task. So I’ll just say that time at the cottage has defined me in many ways – and I have all the scars to prove it.” – Adam Hurtig (Brad) “I have too many good memories to count. Some off the top of my head are: my dad gloating over Trivial Pursuit (he always gets the easy ones), my mum taking 15 minutes to go down the ladder into the lake (“I’m up to my waist now!”), my elder brother catching and cataloguing insects, my other brother tirelessly reading Trivial Pursuit questions in an unintelligible accent, my cat chasing a bear up a tree, my dog chasing everything else, and a family friend playing the bagpipes on the dock at sunset (the only acceptable venue, in my opinion).” – Tom Keenan (Matty) “My favourite memories at the lake are of me and my family – mom, dad and four siblings, playing cards (rummy and cribbage) in the cottage living room in the evening. Bonfires down at the beach, dad throwing us over his shoulders into the lake, sitting in my comfy chair and reading National Geo’s from 1972, stargazing with neighbours on the beach at night, tent forts, tree forts, making homemade lemonade with mom, finding frogs and snakes, body surfing on windy days. I could go on....” – Jennifer Lyon (Randall) “I am WAY more of a sunset guy then a sunrise guy, so, well, that is my favourite thing.

We have a southwest facing dock, and the best part of all is the afterglow – hours of slowly mutating colours. Then, the stars…” – Doug McKeag (Fob) “Ripple chips. French onion dip. Rainstorms. Balderdash. The Star Wars soundtrack, on vinyl, full blast.” – RobYn Slade (Kris / Young Eleanor) “I was floating out on the lake and my two boys gleefully came running into the water to greet me. It was a simple moment, but I took that picture in my mind to cherish for when I get older.” – Cory Wojcik (Brucester / Joe) april/may 2019

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EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

EXPLORE MORE the cottage Explore More Jake macdonald

Houseboat Chronicles: Notes from a Life in Shield Country. Part memoir, part reportage, this book reflects MacDonald’s lifelong fascination with the Canadian Shield, and the people and wild creatures who live there. 917.1 MACD Raised by the River. After inheriting a rundown tourist lodge, a consultant from Toronto encounters mobsters, shady deals and an endless series of natural disasters while trying to find his one true love. FICTION MACD The Lake: An Illustrated History of Manitobans’ Cottage Country edited

by Jake MacDonald. Combining beautiful photography with hundreds of rarely-seen archival photographs, this illustrated history looks at the roots of our watery obsession. A range of authors contribute poignant vignettes of what “going to the lake” means to them.

971.27009692 LAK Explore More: Family Bonds

Cabin Lessons: A Nail-by-Nail Tale

by Spike Carlsen. A carpenter, his wife and their recently blended family build a cabin on the north shore of Lake Superior. Learning as they go, they discover that they’ve built a strong family as well as a sturdy cabin.

690.8092 CARLSEN 2015

Viola is forced to move in with her eldest son, the Turner children are called back to decide the house’s fate in this examination of the price we pay for our dreams, and the ways in which our families bring us home. FICTION FLOURNOY The Past by Tessa Hadley. Four siblings meet at their grandparents’ country home for their annual holiday.

The beloved house is full of childhood memories but they may have to sell it.

And under the idyllic pastoral surface, there are tensions… FICTION HADLEY Explore More: Lake Country

Barefoot at the Lake by Brian Fogle.

Every year, Bruce and his family go to the lake for the summer. At first, the summer of 1954 seems like any other; but family dynamics are shifting, and both the harshness of the adult world and the patterns of nature reveal themselves. B FOGLE 2015 Cabin Porn: Inspiration for Your Quiet Place Somewhere. This illustrated book lives up to its name, with alluring photos of uniquely beautiful handmade homes in the backcountry of North America and all over the world. An invitation to slow down and feel the serenity that a simple shelter in nature can create.

728.73 CAB 2015

The Turner House by Angela Flournoy.

The Turner house has seen 13 children grown and gone. Now, as ailing matriarch There are 1.4 million books, movies, audiobooks, eBooks, and more at the Winnipeg Public Library, and all you need to borrow them is your library card. There are 20 locations throughout the city, and there’s an online catalogue for requesting items for pick-up at your library of convenience. An online e-Library has thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks and more! All free to use with your library card. Visit us online at winnipeg.ca/library.

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EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Student matinee of It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play.

PHOTO BY ELENA ANCIRO

Enriching Students’ Lives THROUGH THE POWER OF THEATRE Thanks to the generosity of Canada Life, Royal MTC welcomed youth from all over Manitoba and beyond to experience our 18/19 season.

• 3,958 students joined us for studentonly matinees of Sense and Sensibility, Vietgone, It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play, A Doll’s House, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, Made in Italy and BOOM X. • So far this season, 3,066 students and teachers joined us for other matinees and evening performances.

What teachers are saying: “Brilliant performance of Sense and Sensibility! Very meaningful and accessible to my students.”

“Thank you for showing a play that is complex and idea-driven, it gives students a lot to think about.”

What students are saying: “This was my first experience with a professionally done musical and it blew my mind.”

“This was hands down one of the best plays I’ve seen. Even though I’m a teenager who hasn’t gone through marriage myself, I could relate so much to my life…

I had a great time seeing A Doll’s House, Part 2!”

WANT TO BRING YOUR CLASS TO THE THEATRE?

Contact Thomas Urish, Sales Manager, 204 954 6413 or turish@royalmtc.ca

• 2,567 young people attended evening and weekend performances on their own thanks to discounted individual ticket prices for youth.

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THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SPONSOR

april/may 2019

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Backstage Pass Backstage Pass is a free program for grade 11 and 12 students who are passionate and/ or curious about the world of theatre. Students see every Mainstage production and experience six workshops led by local, professional artists. So far this year, they delved into the art of the audition, voice and diction, playwriting and design. Here are some of their reactions to time spent in these areas: “It was really fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes stuff. I was so overwhelmed with joy the entire time.”

“The instructor was super knowledgeable and made the auditioning process seem less scary. Super cool.”

“After learning about playwriting, I am inspired to one day write a play.”

“It was pretty cool being able to see behind the scenes of what it takes to create set, costume and lights. It made me really realize how much I do like to create and design concepts.”

“Really enjoyed it and brought me out of my comfort zone.”

“I made friends!”

BACKSTAGE PASS SPONSORS A PRIVATE BENEFACTOR

PHOTOS BY ELENA ANCIRO

P R O U D LY S P O N S O R E D BY

THEATRE FOR FANS UNDER 30 Looking for a great night out that’s easy on your wallet?

TD Theatre Under 30 members, aged 18 – 29, have exclusive access to world-class theatre for just $20 a seat!

SIGN UP TODAY AT ROYALMTC.CA/UNDER30 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ELENA ANCIRO AT UNDER30�ROYALMTC.CA RICK MILLER IN BOOM X. PHOTO BY IRINA LITVINENKO.

PHOTO BY MANUEL SOUSA

Steven Schipper Celebrating 30 years

the 30-year mountain range that has been his career here.

We all know about Steven Schipper’s administrative accomplishments – the endowment fund, the record-setting 50th anniversary season, the Master Playwright Festival – which more than justify his many prizes and honourary degrees. Yet any artistic director is, as the title implies, primarily an artist, and the accolades in this final year of his tenure must also pay tribute to the artistic impact Steven has had on our city. I offer here a glimpse of what Steven sees as the aesthetic peaks in

When he was appointed as AD, Steven took seriously the concerns of the acting community: there had been little local casting simply because out-of-town directors didn’t know the actors. Steven began asking directors to audition here first and he also started hiring more local directors, policies that helped Manitoba actors get more work. A hockey metaphor might be that the shift demonstrates the bench strength of the artists, but credit must also be given to Steven for his wise coaching.

He also championed local playwright Maureen Hunter, offering her commissions and productions, and her plays remain highlights of his tenure. In fact, when Steven is pressed for a kind of six-play highlight reel, Maureen Hunter’s Atlantis is there, its intimacy in contrast to the sweep of Gone With the Wind,

“Plays are the most effective way we know to create a more loving, peaceful world. Plays only happen when artists and audiences come together in a theatre to share in the act of imagining.” — STEVEN SCHIPPER 28

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STEVEN SCHIPPER: CELEBRATING 30 YEARS and the swift comic angularity of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Three musicals—Fiddler on the Roof, Billy Elliot, and The Drowsy Chaperone—round out the list, all testifying to the love he has for the genre and its breadth.

But one itches to expand that list, and why stop at six? Two premieres come to mind: The History of Manitoba From the Beginning of Time to the Present in 45 Minutes (conceived by Steven and written by Ross McMillan), and Bruce McManus’ adaptation of A Christmas Carol. The former won the Prix Manitoba Award and has been revived many times for audiences young and old (and most notably perhaps for Prince Edward), while the recent revival of the latter proved again how well McManus captured Dicken’s theme of compassion overcoming cruelty. If a company is remembered for the new plays it generates over its life, then these two, along with Hunter’s best, will always be associated with Steven Schipper and MTC.

wide-ranging thoughtfulness he brought to the planning of each season.

Steven Schipper has been the ultimate team player, a leader less comfortable in the limelight than in the shared collegiality between artist and audience. He never imposed his vision on our city, instead quietly building us all up into a cohesive, collaborative whole. He reminded us that we are all, as he has been, stewards of this company and of the art that animates our stages.

RORY RUNNELLS

Then there’s his direction of Oleanna, Lost in Yonkers, Camelot, The Glass Menagerie, and Little Red Riding Hood, a delightful Soviet-era children’s play he produced with the Aboriginal Arts Training and Mentorship program.

What does this list demonstrate? Even a casual viewer will see an eclectic, balanced, disciplined attention to the theatre art, a microcosm of the Honour Steven’s vision by preserving his legacy with a gift to the Royal MTC Endowment Fund Endowment Fund in in Honour Honourof ofArtistic Artistic Director Steven Steven Schipper.

Schipper.For Formore moreinforinformation or to donate, call Kate Supleve, Development Manager Manager,atat204 204954 9546412.

6412.

Development Robb Paterson and Steven Schipper.

april/may 2019

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INDIVIDUAL GIVING The cast of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. PHOTO BY DYLAN HEWLETT

PHOTO BY LEIF NORMAN

Heather Russell, Natalie Viebrock and Julie Lumsden in Sense and Sensibility.

The cast of It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play. PHOTO BY DYLAN HEWLETT

“ Thanks, and Thanks; and ever thanks” — WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, TWELFTH NIGHT

As another remarkable season of theatre draws to a close, we say “Thank You” to our community of donors who make so much of what we do possible. Without you, theatre is not possible.

As you probably know, tickets cover only half the cost of what you see on stage.

Your donations are what get us to the second act. Because of you we swooned as the Dashwood sisters found love in Sense and Sensibility; our hearts swelled as George Bailey proclaimed “Merry Christmas, Bedford Falls!” in It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play; we burst with pride when Matilda found her voice 30

and a place to call home in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. The second act is all thanks to you.

We know we can count on you. Your steadfast support is what allows us to bring these moments to life. Your desire to help put incredible theatre on the stage inspires us to give you the heartpounding, awe-inspiring and swoonworthy moments you deserve.

So, thank you. For inspiring us, helping us, supporting us, and, most of all, believing in us. Without you, we wouldn’t be here.

Have a spectacular summer – we’ll see you at the Fringe.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact Kate Supleve, Development Manager, at 204 954 6412 or ksupleve@royalmtc.ca.

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REGIONAL TOUR

Royal MTC celebrated its 50th regional tour and its 41st consecutive tour with the new Canadian play Buying the Farm. In just 39 days, we travelled more than 6,000 kilometres, and played to 3,661 patrons in 24 communities across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.

Produced in partnership with Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay, the tour concluded with a run at their venue.

The touring company included Tristan Carlucci (Brad), Olivia Ulrich (Esme), Sandy Winsby (Magnus), Ali Fulmyk (Company Stage Manager), Zahra Larche (Assistant Stage Manager), Ian Kirk (Tour Technical Director) and Brian Britton (Assistant Tour Technical Director). The creative team included Thom Currie (Director), Adam Parboosingh (Set & Costume Designer) and Chris Brett (Sound Designer).

From frigid temperatures to piles of precipitation, we saw it all. On February 24, the presenter in Altona let us know they were experiencing horrible conditions with church services cancelled, stores closed and power outages. We agreed to cancel the performance for safety’s sake. This is our first cancellation since 2008 which, coincidentally, was in the same community.

Council and the Canada Council for the Arts. From everyone at Royal MTC, we thank our partners for their role in bringing first-class theatre to enthusiastic rural audiences. Huge thanks also to the presenters and volunteers who welcomed us to their towns and venues.

“Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is proud to support the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre as presenting sponsor of the 2019 Regional Tour. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is a long-standing supporter of the performing arts in our province and is honoured to play a role in bringing this comedy to such a broad range of communities,” said CEO Peter Hak. The Royal MTC regional tour visited the following communities: Atikokan, ON Brandon, MB Carman, MB Crystal City, MB Deloraine, MB Dryden, ON Flin Flon, MB Gimli, MB Kenora, ON MacGregor, MB Minnedosa, MB Morris, MB

Neepawa, MB Pinawa, MB Portage la Prairie, MB Red Lake, ON Sioux Lookout, ON Snow Lake, MB Souris, MB Steinbach, MB Strathclair, MB Thompson, MB Thunder Bay, ON Virden, MB

The Regional Tour is generously presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, and sponsored by Wawanesa, Winnipeg Airport Authority, Gardewine / Winnipeg Moving and MacDon Industries. The tour also receives appreciated support from the Manitoba Arts 32

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THEATRE FANS,

SAVE THE

DATE!

JULY 17 – 28

Comedy, drama, improv and everything in between!

FREQUENT FRINGERS ON SALE Buy online or at the Royal MTC Box Office.

WINNIPEGFRINGE.COM PRESENTED BY

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY MBLL

PHOTO BY LEIF NORMAN

SUPPORTERS Many thanks to our donors who made a gift between Feb 1, 2018 and Mar 29, 2019.

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $10,000+ Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson Susan Glass & Arni Thorsteinson Debbie Gray June & Bob Jackson Memorial Fund for the Performing Arts – The Winnipeg Foundation $6,500-9,999 Leslie John Taylor Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Kingfisher Foundation

$4,000-6,499 Pauline Braun – in memory of Duane Braun‡ David Christianson & Vera Steinberger Elizabeth Marr & Nick Slonosky Gerry & Barb Price Hartley & Heather Richardson

$2,000-3,999 Dr. J Baluta & Ms. O. Kandia Craig McIntosh & Lorraine Beck Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Leah Bjarnarson & Robert Malech Gus* & Diane Campbell David & Lianne Carefoot Dr. Bonnie Cham & Dr. Lorne Bellan Terri Cherniack & Steven Schipper, CM†‡ Dave* & Barb Christie Kerry Dangerfield*‡ Tony* & Jennifer Fletcher‡ John F. (Jack) Fraser* Patrick Green* & Shayla Harapiak Green Sylvia Guertin-Riley Rita Gunn & Greg Mason Ahava Halpern & Frank Lavitt‡ Linda Hamilton & Grange Morrow‡ Camilla Holland† & Colin Viebrock‡ Ms. Maureen E. Jay Andrew & Wendy Jensen Derek & Mary Johannson David & Diane Johnston Kevin & Els Kavanagh John Kearsey*‡ Dr. Terry Klassen & Grace Dueck Dr. P. Kmet & Mr. B. Roslycky Bill & Shirley Loewen Jim* & Penny McLandress‡

Leigh Murphy – in memory of Liam Murphy‡ Vivienne Nickerson Cam & Carole Osler Drs. Bill Pope & Elizabeth Tippett Pope Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Sanford & Deborah Riley Bill & Laurie* Speers Maitland & Pat Sundmark Helga Van Iderstine* Marcel Van Woensel Scott & Sonya Wright Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Anonymous

$1,200-1,999 Marjorie Blankstein CM, OM, LLD & the late Morley Blankstein Todd Bourcier Sheldon & Penny Bowles Doneta, OC* & Harry Brotchie‡ Haderra & Mark Chisick Heather Clarke* Andrew Drinnan†‡ Lawrence & Brenda Ellerby Paulo Fernandes*‡ Katherine Fox*‡ Susan* & Ab Freig‡ Sandy Gousseau*‡ Mintie & Al Grienke John* & Nicola Guttormson‡ Dawn & Brian Hanson – in memory of Kristin Hanson Shawn Hughes* & Bruno Koehn‡ Katie Inverarity†‡ Jason Kasper* Gordon Keatch*‡ Serena Helen Kraayeveld Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation James & Teresa Kraemer Brenda & Trevor Kriss‡ David* & Ellen Kroft‡ Katarina Kupca‡ Donna & Dave* Lalama J. Lamothe Rick Lee & Laurie Shapiro Gail Loewen Christine Skene & Nick Logan Reginald & Judy Low Mark & Gloria Mancini‡ Virginia Martin & the late Robert Martin Carol & Barry McArton Terri & Jim McKerchar‡ Grant Mitchell & Cat Lambeth Jeffrey* & Mary Morton Dr. & Mrs. Kieran O’Keeffe Kris Olafson‡ M. Plett-Lyle Mr. & Mrs. Lawrie & Fran Pollard K. Heather Power & Harold Klause‡

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

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Lawrence Prout* & Lisa Gardewine‡ Margaret Redmond* & Greg Gillis‡ Brad Regehr* & Nalini Reddy Murray & Cindy Reimer Mrs. Shirley Richardson Barbara & Derek* Rolstone‡ Cheryl & Lorne Sharfe Ken & Susan Skinner* Kevin Hines & Shelly Smith-Hines†‡ Joan Stephens – in memory of Annice Stephens‡ Shelley† & Mark Stroski‡ Jim & Jan Tennant Albert & Sindee Wilhelmer Richard L. Yaffe* & John A. Statham

COMPANY CIRCLE $600-1,199 Robert & Ina Abra Family Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Margaret & Jim Astwood Ryan Bernier Helga & Gerhard Bock Cathie & Brian Bowerman Susan Brownstone Brock & Thomas Brock Pam & Andrew Cooke Ben & Shari Diamond Sharron & Joel Dudeck Robert & Florence Eastwood Ernest & Ruth Epp Gordon Hannon Gregg & Mary Hanson Dr. Ted & Gail Hechter Hon. Justice William Johnston Ian Kirk†‡ Eileen & George Klassen Kevin & Deneen Klippenstein The Honourable Guy J. Kroft & Hester Kroft* Brent Kvern Pat & Jim Ludwig Peter & Maureen Macdonald Mr. G. Markham Gerry Matte & Lydia Surasky-Matte Shelley Neel‡ Tracey Novak Richard & Bonnie Olfert Linda & Wayne Paquin Donna Plant Henriette Ricou & Jure Manfreda Andrea & Michael Robertson‡ Diane Shapiro Margaret & Paul Shuckett Carol & Ron Slater Fund – Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Debbie Spracklin Donald & Lorraine Swanson Dr. Peter Triggs‡ Grant Tweed

†Current Royal MTC staff

‡Monthly donors

april/may 2019

SUPPORTERS Carol & Hugo Unruh Strang/van Ineveld Family Vicki Verville‡ Margaret Wollner

$250-599 Pat & Bob Adamson Dr. Liz Adkins Brian Adolph†‡ Philip Akin Jay & Judy Anderson Joy & Robert Antenbring Dr. Ignatius Anyadike Archie & Jo-Anne Arnott Elaine Arsenault-Schultz Sheena Baird†‡ Jorslaw & Mary Barwinsky Larry Beeston & Anna Sikora Trish Bergal Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Bergbusch Ron Blicq Lilian Bonin Dr. Elizabeth Boustcha Bruce & Karen Boyd Billy Brodovsky & Libby Yager‡ Miriam Bronstein George & Ellen Bruce MacDonald/Cageorge Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Shelley Chochinov Kenneth Clark & Pamela Lockman Mrs. Aynsley Cockshott Dr. & Mrs. James Dalton Ms. Linda Daniels Chris Darazsi‡ J. Davidson‡ J. Dawson James Dugan & Mary Bawden Helene Dyck H. Dyck Glen* & Joan Dyrda Mr. & Mrs. William Easton Debra Evaniuk Beverley & Ronald John Fitzpatrick Marcia Fleisher Arnold Frieman Felicia & Trevor Frost Colleen & Dan Furlan‡ Ben & Serky Goldberg Dr. & Mrs. Andrew Gomori Jeremy & Maureen Gordon‡ Sylvia & Doug Hannah Mr. Kyle Hendin Rodney Hick & Tracey Jackson Vivian Hilder-Skwark & David Skwark‡ Dennis & Betty-lynn Hodgkinson Tanis & Bernd Hohne Michael & Crystal Hollas‡ N & L Holliday Carol Holmes & Brian Duff Dan & Karen Ilchyna Marlis & David Jacobson

Sylvia Jansen Cliff Jeffers Margaret Jeffries Claire & Gerald Jewers Dr. Danielle & Mr. Brendan Roddy Robert & Karen Johnston Lisa Johnston‡ Marilyn & Sheldon Joyal Sheryl Kapitz & Aaron London Edgar Kellett Edward & Stella Kennedy Robert Kennedy & Claudette Leclerc Peter Kingsley Betty Klassen Myron & Marion Klysh Julie Ann Kniskern John & Kathryn Knowles Donna L. Korban & Family David & Denise Koss Carol Campbell & Andy Krentz Howard & Jane Kroeger Randie & Jan Kushnier Glad & Lloyd Lamont Barbara Latocki Desiree Lavallee†‡ Dr. G. H. Lawler John & Heather Lea Wendell & Eleanor Lind Charles & Diane Littman David & Marie Loewen Dr. Sora Ludwig & Dr. Brent Schacter Harriet & Ted Lyons Brian & Christie Lysack Dr. Donald McInnes Marlene & Ian McKay Greg & Gloria McLaren Barb Melnychuk Dr. Jonathan Gabor & Tia Metaxas Albert & Judith Metcalfe‡ Susie Miclash Irene Miller & the late Claire Miller Dr. Catherine Moltzan & Paul Brault Margaret & Fred Mooibroek Sagan Morrow*‡ Suzanne & Kenneth Munroe Brad Nance Helen Orestes Cam Mackie & Doris Mae Oulton Jeff Palamar Murray Palay & Ivy Kopstein Heather & Harry Panaschuk Dr. Philip & Joanne Pass Chris Pearce & Ruth Magnuson Brian & Deborah Pekarchuk Peter & Anita Pelech Maryam & Izzy Peltz Fund – Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Gina O’Connor & John C. Petersmeyer* Calvin & Jen Polet Beth Pollard Keith Powls

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

april/may 2019

Ovation

Maureen Prendiville & Paul Jensen Ms. Judith Putter Tammy Rabkin Vivian E. Rachlis Carole Rankin‡ Iris Reimer Wayne Rempel David & Joan Rew Sandra Sadler Cathy & Paul Samyn Barbara Scheuneman Renate & Bill Schulz Harald & Vicki Schulz Gary & Darcia Senft Melanie Sexton† & Ian Walsh‡ Jewish Foundation of Manitoba – in memory of Sybil Shack for the benefiit of MTC Sharon Shaydak Shayna & Merrill Shulman Jeff Sisler & Cathy Rippin-Sisler Ms. Judy Nichol & Dr. Jim Skinner Sandra & Cliff Skrabek Chad Smith‡ Mrs. Lorraine Smith Al* & Virginia Snyder Evelyn Stephen Eleanor Suderman MaryAnn Supleve Mr. & Mrs. Paul Swart Shayne & Kathryn Taback Ross & Bette-Jayne Taylor Leah R. Janzen & Ian R. Thomson Gord & Lorena Trann B. Baydock & W. Tretiak Dr. Stephen Tritt & Dr. Sharon Goszer-Tritt Fran & Bob Vannevel‡ Dr. & Mrs. M. B. Vodrey Ed & Jesse Vorst Dorothy Walker Stirling Walkes Donald Wardrop Lois & Henry Wedel Mary Agnes Welch Florence & Donald Whitmore Catherine Wilkie – in memory of C. Noreen Wilkie R. & A. Winstone Dr. David Wiseman & Merilyn Kraut Harry & Evelyn Wray Dr. Dorothy Y. Young 13 Anonymous

$150-249 Elena Anciro†‡ Dawn Andersen Bernice Antoniuk Elizabeth B. Armytage Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Lynne Arnason Peter Attwood

†Current Royal MTC staff

‡Monthly donors

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SUPPORTERS Ian Backus Richard & Nancy Ball Robert Bamburak Lynley Baranyk June & Ted Bartman Dianne J. Beaven James & Dawn-Lynne Bedford Holly Beirnes-Burt Susan & George Benias Bruce & Joyce Berry Trust Beta Edwin M. Bethune Joan Blight Marnie & Keith Bolland Denise Bonner Carol Ann Borody-Siemens Tim & Shelly Borys Lee & Karen Bowman Morva Bowman & Alan Pollard Jackie & Steve Broda-Milian Brian Brown Gerald R. Brown Carol Budnick Sean & Melanie Bueckert G. Burge & K. England John Burrows Karen Buss Donna Byrne Kelly & Judy Caughlin Merv & Jan Cavers Douglas Chapman Ron & Carol Chapman Rosemary Chapman Lorraine Chatel Farouk & Laila Chebib Duane Cheskey‡ Bobbi Chomiak Glen & Lorna Clark Katherine Cobor & Gordon Steindel Lawrence & Reesa Cohen Agnes & John K. Collins Donna Collins Melonee Collins Diane M. Connelly Philip Coulter Roy & Marie Craig Gary & Fiona Crow Ellen Curtis‡ J. Dale G. L. Damphousse

Maureen Danzinger Diane de Rocquigny Andrea Hector & Kirk Dellebuur Carl & Wilma Doerksen Beverley Doern Sheila Domke & Stephen Ross Dennis Doyle Rob Dryden John & Ada Ducas Craig & Claudette Dunn Sonya Dyck-Ledochowski David & Barbara Ediger‡ Greg Edmond & Irene Groot-Koerkamp E.N. Egan Dr. Michael Eleff & Ms. Chan Thau Don & Elfie Elias Dan & Lilianne Erickson Michael & Brenda Evans Jemara Fay‡ Marion Fellinger Nelma Fetterman Douglas Finkbeiner Gayle Fischer Lawrence Foster‡ Linda Freed & Leezan Freed-Lobchuk Chris Freeman Janice French Menno H. & Jolanda Friesen Anne Friesen Pamela & Kevin Friesen Dianne Frost Paul Daeninck & Monica Furer Daniel Gagnon Gloria & Rick Gallant Frank Filbert & Judy Garwood-Filbert Lynne & Lindsay Gauld‡ Denise & Ron George Trish Gibson Rick & Patti Gilhuly Ms. Heather Gillander Sharon & Arnold Glass Morris Glimcher Barbara & David Goldenberg Alicyn Goodman‡ Michele Goossen‡ Shawn & Bill Gould Linda Graham Rosa Graveline Karen H. Guenther

Kari Hagness†‡ Rhonda & Glen Haight Sharon Hamilton‡ Gregory & Heather Hammond Bruce & Judy Harris Joanne Harris Kathryn & Wayne Harrison Ken & Ruth Hayes Evelyn Hecht Frank & Sue Hechter Mary Heindle Coral Hetherington David & Mary Hickling Cathy & Ted Hlynsky Gwen Hoare Rob & Jen Hochkievich‡ John & Lenore Hodge Tom & Dianne Hodgson Gary Hook & Charmine Lyons Keith Horn Ken Houssin Mr. & Mrs. Richard & Karen Howell Dr. Frank & Donna Hruska Carol & Ian Hughes G. C. Irwin-Kilfoyle Krista† Jackson & Matthew Handscombe‡ Brenda Jenkyns Lynne Jentsch Dave & Lesia Johns James Tam & Katherine Jordan Marilyn Juvonen Loretta Kampeas & John Gartner Brian & Renee Kaplan Penny & Brian Kelly Paula Klan Orah & Soody Kleiman L. Knodel Paul & Tamara Kochan Peter & Valerie Kohut Lisa Koss & Alex Vecherya Richard & Janice Kostelnyk‡ Jacki & Sheldon Koven Lorraine Kraichy‡ Paula Kristjanson Hasiuk Jonathan & Cara Kroft Leonard & Helen La Rue Teena Laird Pam Lawrence Bob Leggett

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SUPPORTERS Tim & Kate Letkemann‡ Carol & Clifford Levi Dr. Jack Lipkin & Debbie Szternfeld Lipkin Linda Loewen Dianne & Laurie Logan Nora Losey Carole Lupkowski Tom Lussier Enid Lyons Daphne MacMillan† Tamara Mares Elaine & Neil Margolis Agatha Massey Cheryl & Eric Matheson Linda Matheson Bob & Betty McCamis Gordon McKee Dr. Liz McKenzie John & Carolynne McLure Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Barry McNabb‡ Donald G. McNabb Jim & Karren Middagh Andrew & Pat Miles Bill Muir Don Munro Betty Nesbitt & Peter Chambers Robert Nickel Sheila Norrie Tom Nowicki Gary Oko Joanne Olchowecki Gloria & Robert Olynyk S. Joy Ooto Cynthia Orris Theresa Oye – in memory of Diane Stefanson B. Peterson & S. Slonosky Rick Pinchin Carolyn Porhownik Brett Porth Jocelyne Prefontaine Elizabeth Prudhomme W. John Rae Dr. R. & Audrey Ramchandar Angeline Ramkissoon Linda Ratynski Vance & Bev Rehill Cheryl Reid Mr. & Mrs. William Reynolds Mr. Louis Ricciuto Dr. & Mrs. J. Richtik Jean Riggall Kent Ringler Marilyn Robbins Celia Rodd M. Rogalsky Gail MacAulay & Kevin Rollason Renee Roseman Mary Anne Rosenbloom D. Ross & Rita Romsa-Ross

Ms. Debbie Roy Olga A. Runnalls‡ Elizabeth & Laurence Russin – in memory of Patrick Brown Michael T. Ruta Barbara Ryan Sudhir Sandhu Shona Scappaticci‡ Carolyn Schellenberg Hans & Gabriele Schneider Werner & Mary Schulz Ms. Faye Scott Jim & Susan Shaw Dr. & Mrs. A.M. Shojania Debbie Shymko Jennifer Skelly & Family‡ Lillian Smith Caterina & George Sotiriadis Peter & Geri Spencer Adrienne Stach Lisa & Daniel Stiver Heidi Struck‡ Tom & Shirley Strutt Ross & Bette-Jayne Taylor Mary-Lou K Taylor Aurora Tetrault Mary E. Tibbs‡ Sharon Timson‡ Malcolm & Shirley Tinsley Terry Tully Mr. Charles R. Vandekerkhove Helmut & Gwen Waedt Bob & Sherry Ward Veralyn Warkentin Peter & Joan Washchyshyn Walter & Shirley Watts Tamara & John Wells Al & Pat Wherrett‡ Murray & Nancy Wiegand C. E. Wilmot Leslie Wilson Dennis & Gustine Wilton Dennis & Janet Woodford Grant & Sheila Woods Adele & Arthur Wortzman Raymond & Louise Wyant Landice Yestrau Brad Zander‡ Ken & Pat Zealand Gary Zimak Dr. & Mrs. A. Zimmer Mr. & Mrs. Roman Zubach 21 Anonymous

april/may 2019

$25,000+ Johnston Group Inc. Richardson Foundation

$10,000-24,999 Qualico

$5,000-9,999 Cambrian Credit Union

Terracon Development Ltd.

The Asper Foundation The Gail Asper Family Foundation Assiniboine Credit Union Banville & Jones Wine Co Bell MTS Canada Life

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CORPORATE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

$3,000-4,999

SPONSOR

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

Canada One Travel CN Culligan Water Dycom Direct Mail Services Esdale Printing Co. Ltd. Fillmore Riley LLP Freeman Audio Visual Canada Friesens Corporation Gardewine/Winnipeg Moving & Storage The Gates on Roblin Greystone Managed Investments Inc. Hermanos South American Steakhouse HUB International IG Wealth Management Lawton Partners MacDon Industries Ltd. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries McDiarmid Flowers McNally Robinson Booksellers Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg MMP Architects/ Hippo CMMS Peak of the Market Pizza Hotline PwC RBC Convention Centre RBC Royal Bank Relish New Brand Experience Sleeman Breweries Ltd. Stantec Consulting Ltd. Stewart-Renouf Group Subway Franchise World Headquarters, LLC TD Bank Group University of Manitoba Wawanesa Insurance Winnipeg Airports Authority The Winnipeg Free Press

$1,200-2,999 Bison Transport, Don Strueber BRR Logistics Ltd, Judy & Michael Wakefield Deloitte Foundation Canada

†Current Royal MTC staff

‡Monthly donors

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SUPPORTERS Fillmore Riley LLP Manitoba Blue Cross Manitoba’s Credit Unions Maple Leaf Construction Ltd. Maxim Truck & Trailer Mile Road Productions Inc., Laurie Lam† & Larry Desrochers Ruth & Ted Northam PRA Inc. Regal Tours Safeway & Sobeys Winmar Property Restoration

CORPORATE COMPANY CIRCLE $600-1,199 Astroid Management Ltd. Party Stuff/U-Rent-It Premier Printing Ltd.

$300-599 MCW/AGE Consulting Professional Engineers Mid West Packaging Limited

$150-299 Funseekers Ladies Travel Intergroup Consultants Ltd. Patill/St. James Insurance Welcome to Winnipeg Inc., Karen Tereck

FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE Wayne & Lee Anderson Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* Zdzislaw (Zaz) Bajon & Patricia Hunter Marjorie & Morley§ Blankstein Duane§ & Pauline Braun Doneta, OC* & Harry Brotchie David & Lianne Carefoot Len & Heather Cariou Terri Cherniack & Steven Schipper, CM† Jennifer Cheslock & George Buri David Christianson & Vera Steinberger David* & Barbara Christie Gerry* & Chris Couture Hugh B. Cowan Kerry Dangerfield* Laurie Lam† & Larry Desrochers Glen* & Joan Dyrda Robert & Florence Eastwood Don & Elfie Elias Bill* & Gayle Fischer Anthony* & Jennifer Fletcher Jack Fraser James Gibbs§

Sandy* & Rheal Gousseau John* & Nicola Guttormson Ahava Halpern & Frank Lavitt Linda Hamilton & Grange Morrow Gary Hannaford* & Cathy Rushton Ted & Gail Hechter June§ & Bob Jackson Fund for the Performing Arts Maureen E. Jay Andrew & Wendy Jensen David & Diane Johnston Dr. Leonard & Hope§ Kahane Janis Kaminsky Jason Kasper* John Kearsey* Gordon* & Anne§ Keatch Rob Kennedy & Claudette Leclerc Serena Helen Kraayeveld Leona J. MacDonald Mark & Gloria Mancini Peggy Barker & Ron McKinnon Jim* & Penny McLandress Barb Melnychuk Bob & Pat Migliore Jeffrey Morton* Ken & Sharon Mould Dr. Liam Murphy§ Robb & Heather Paterson Chris Pearce Gina & John C. Petersmeyer Drs. Bill Pope & Elizabeth Tippett-Pope K. Heather Power & Harold Klause Margaret Redmond & Greg Gillis Edward Fisher & Lyse Rémillard Joan D. Richardson Michelle Rowan Sharon Ryman Susan Skinner* Kevin Hines & Shelly Smith-Hines† Bill & Laurie* Speers Joan Stephens Suzanne Ullyot Richard L. Yaffe* & John A. Statham Brenda Zaporzan§ 2 Anonymous

TRIBUTE GIFTS In memory of Judith Hendry Brian Stein In memory of Anita Cormier Sheila Stanley In honour of the Anniversary of Maureen & Fred Robinson Sandra Caplan

ENDOWMENT FUND Many thanks to the generosity of our Endowment Fund donors who gave a gift or fulfilled a pledge payment between Feb 1, 2018 and Mar 29, 2019. Amounts are cumulative. $5,000,000+ Government of Canada/ Gouvernement du Canada Canadian Heritage/Patrimoine canadien

$250,000-499,999 Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson

$100,000-249,999 Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Volunteer Corps of Ushers Henriette Ricou & Jure Manfreda

$50,000-99,999 James Gibbs§

$25,000-49,999 Susan Glass & Arni Thorsteinson J.K. May Investments Ltd. Elizabeth Marr & Nick Slonosky Cam & Carole Osler Maureen & Bill Watchorn

$10,000-24,999 The Bowles Family Gus* & Diane Campbell John F. (Jack) Fraser* The Estate of Gordon P. Linney Norma Anne Padilla Lawrie & Fran Pollard Terracon Development Ltd. Wearing Williams Limited – Don & Sheila Katz

$5,000-9,999 Margaret Caie Dr. Ted & Gail Hechter Susan & Keith Knox John Maguire & Susan Collison Gina O’Connor & John C. Petersmeyer* Heather Pullan & Tom Frohlinger Faye Warren Dr. Dorothy Y. Young

$2,500-4,999 Pam & Andrew Cooke

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

†Current Royal MTC staff ‡Monthly donors If you have remembered Royal MTC in your will, please let us know.

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Ovation

§ Fondly Remembered

april/may 2019

SUPPORTERS Esther & Hy Dashevsky* Helene Dyck John & Margaret Graham Peter & Maureen Macdonald Irene & the late Claire Miller Cheryl Ogaranko Ruth Simkin Jim & Jan Tennant Anonymous

$1,000-2,499 Joan & Ed Alexander Jack Armstrong & Doris Quinn Jean Bissett Don & Cheryl Breakey Dave* & Barb Christie Jan* & Kevin Coates Agnes & John K. Collins Michael & Lynn Evans Brent & Debbie Gilbert David & Ewhenia Gnutel Teresa A. Hay Marilyn & Helios Hernandez Vera Moroz Paul & Elaine Neelon Jean & Lisa Neron Myron Pawlowsky & Susan Boulter Bill & Norma Rennie Marc & Sherri Rittinger Deborah & Neil Rostkowski Pat & Michelle Rowan Susan Sammons

Miss Debbie Spracklin Joan Stephens Margaret & Paul Wright 2 Anonymous

$500-999 Peggy Bainard Acheson – in memory of Judy Acheson Helga & Gerhard Bock Nan Carson Doug & Patty Christie Dorothy Davidson Nelma Fetterman Christine Fleetwood Chris Freeman Linda Hamilton & Grange Morrow Martha Henry Shawn Hughes* & Bruno Koehn Jordan Janisse & Teresa Cooper Jason Kasper* Mr. & Mrs. Fred Kisil Barbara Latocki Estelle Meyers Marlene Milne Marcel & Louise Mollot Cam Mackie & Doris Mae Oulton Edna Poulter Ivor & Lorna Schledewitz Jim & Susan Shaw David P. Silcox & Linda Intaschi Howie & Sue Simpson Anonymous

UP TO $499 Helen M. Arkos Marge & Ted Avent Ms. June Bari Laura Butler Howard Cherniack Lawrence Cherniack M. Alyce Ellis Brenda & Michael Evans John & Clara Fjeldsted Susan* & Ab Freig Allan & Evelyn Hardy Dr. & Mrs. James C. Jamieson Mr. Timothy & Dr. Carol Kurbis Donna & Dave* Lalama Nancy Latocki Frances Lemieux Kathleen Mico & Stefan Fischer Keith Powls Jack & Regina Schipper Marsha Schwartzman Bryce & Jenna Simes Brian Stein Lesley Thomson Elaine Walker Eleanor Wiebe R. & A. Winstone Myra Wolch & the late Saul Cherniack Graham & Vicki Young 5 Anonymous

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FINAL BOW The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre honours the passing of those dear to our theatre – people who’ve made a lasting contribution to this ephemeral art form.

Evelyne Anderson Evelyne Anderson’s legacy includes more performances at Royal MTC (52) and Rainbow Stage (25) than any actor to date. “Don’t forget three children,” she said in a 2010 interview. “I had it all.”

Anderson’s career took her across the country, but she preferred performing at home in Winnipeg. “She really set the bar,” says Artistic Director Steven Schipper, “for being both a consummate professional actor and a simply beautiful, decent human being.” In 2018, the Winnipeg Theatre Awards were renamed the Evies after she received their first Lifetime Achievement Award.

Edward Evanko Born with a special talent for music, Edward Evanko began his career at Rainbow Stage and Royal MTC before venturing off to Broadway, film and TV. “You could not ask for a warmer, more generous colleague,” says Larry Desrochers, who worked on Tsymbaly – Evanko’s last production at MTC. “He simply lit up the room when he walked in.” Evanko played Father Horetchko – perhaps a pivotal role. In 2001, Evanko, became a priest, and served the Ukrainian Catholic Church until his retirement.

Gordon Gregg Gordon Gregg worked as a Stage Hand and Carpenter on stages across Manitoba, including MTC from 1993 to 2009, and was inducted into Rainbow Stage’s Wall of Fame in 2017. Offstage, his best days were spent with his family, friends and pets, and he had a passion april/may 2019

for building authentic miniature war model airplanes, ships and tanks. Louis Gagné, Brent Letain and Chris Seida in MTC’s Carpentry Shop remember Gregg as “a gentleman stage hand” with a haberdasher’s sense of style and the ability to impersonate everyone from Mick Jagger to Hogan’s Heroes.

Myles Patrick McCarthy Myles Patrick McCarthy worked as MTC’s Scenic Artist from 1976-1979, and came back in 1989 to work with MTC’s current Head Scenic Artist Sue Groff. “He was an inspiring fellow to work under,” remembers Groff. “He was a master scenic artist who effortlessly produced extremely complex solutions to design requirements.” He loved travel and was generous to those he met along the way.

McCarthy stayed in touch with MTC staff, sending postcards from around the world.

He particularly loved Mamallapuram in South India, where his family said he felt more at home than in Canada.

Douglas Rain Douglas Rain was a pivotal figure on our Mainstage in the early years. “He was one of a kind,” says Steven Schipper. “When he led the National Theatre School, he inspired all of us students with his fierce intelligence, discipline and playfulness.”

Rain performed across the globe including Broadway (where he was nominated for a Tony), 32 seasons at the Stratford Festival, and as the voice of HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Long before Winnipeg had its own professional actors, six-year-old Rain began elocution lessons and, by the age of eight, performed at the Kiwanis Annual Ladies Night.

Ovation

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LEGACY GIVING

Your seat awaits.

Will you consider a gift to Royal MTC in your will?

Is Royal MTC already named in your will?

We’d love to honour you as a member of the Royal MTC Founders’ Circle.

For more on the Legacy Giving Campaign contact: Kate Supleve 204 954 6412 or ksupleve@royalmtc.ca

Founders’ Circle There comes a time when we all need to plan for the future. It is an opportunity to reflect on what has meant the most to us and consider a gift to our favourite charity. Designating a portion of your estate or leaving a gift to Royal MTC in your will is a thoughtful tribute that helps ensure the longevity and success of a place that brought you so much joy over the years.

Through the years the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre has been honoured to be the beneficiary of many planned

42

gifts from loyal supporters and lovers of the theatre. Become a member today to enjoy benefits and experiences that bring you closer to the theatre you love.

Have you chosen to honour Royal MTC in your estate plans? Please let us know so we can thank you and recognize you as a member of our esteemed Founders’ Circle.

For more information, please contact Kate Supleve, Development Manager, at 204 954 6412 or ksupleve@royalmtc.ca.

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april/may 2019

Groups of 10 or more

save!

Proud to support the Theatre Under 30 program.

to book group tickets contact: Thomas Urish, Sales Manager P 204 954 6413 e turish@royalmtc.ca

We are working with Royal MTC to make theatre accessible for all.

ÂŽ

The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

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SUPPORTING PARTNERS CORE FUNDERS

SEASON PARTNERS

TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE SEASON SPONSOR

EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTION SUPPORTER

JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION SPONSOR

TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE PRODUCTION SPONSOR

JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCE SPONSORS

YOUTH PROGRAMS

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES

TD THEATRE UNDER 30

REGIONAL TOUR

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april/may 2019

SUPPORTING PARTNERS BLACK & WHITE BALL PREMIER SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

SILENT AUCTION SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSOR

STEWART-RENOUF SCOTIA WEALTH MANAGEMENT

LAWYERS PLAY

DESIGN SPONSOR

CAPITAL ASSISTANCE

SEASON MEDIA SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

WINNIPEG FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL

MASTER PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL

april/may 2019

Ovation

45

BEHIND THE SCENES Front of House

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Kim Cossette, Front of House Manager, Tom Hendry Warehouse Belinda Uings, Front of House Manager, John Hirsch Mainstage Front of House Staff: Rylen de Vries, Stacy Ducharme, Nick Fletcher, Deanna Goring, Elife Harvey, Marissa Kellet, Breanne Korban, Tia Levine, Kimmy Martin, Daniel MacPherson, Declan Moulden, Graeme Olson, Hannah Schneider, Lisa Stefanson, Daniel Tompkins, Rita Vande Vyvere

Honorary Members

Her Honour, Lt. Governor Janice C. Filmon The Honourable Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba His Worship, Mayor Brian Bowman Executive Officers

David Christie, Chair Anthony C. Fletcher, Past Chair Patrick Green, Treasurer Katherine Fox, Secretary Heather Clarke, Organizational Performance Chair Sandy Gousseau, Audience Development Chair John Guttormson, Governance & Strategic Planning Chair Jason Kasper, Resource Development Chair Trustees

Jan Coates Paulo Fernandes Susan Freig Shawn Hughes John Kearsey Advisory Council

Jim McLandress, Chair Gail Asper Doneta Brotchie Angus Campbell Gerry Couture Kerry Dangerfield Hy Dashevsky Glen Dyrda, FCA John F. Fraser Jean Giguere

Maintenance

Andrew Drinnan, Building Superintendent Chris Fletcher, Assistant Building Superintendent Marketing & Communications

David Kroft David Lalama Linda Mcgarva-Cohen Sagan Morrow Bradley D. Regehr

Derek Rolstone Laurie A. Speers Helga D. Van Iderstine Judy Wakefield Richard L. Yaffe

Charron Hamilton Gary Hannaford, FCA Yude Henteleff Ken Houssin Gordon Keatch Colin R. MacArthur, QC Patrick J. Matthews Jeffrey Morton, FCA Hon. Jack Murta Lillian Neaman

Shelley Nimchonok James Pappas John Petersmeyer Lawrence Prout Jeff Quinton Patricia Rabson Margaret Redmond Susan Skinner Al Snyder Maureen Watchorn

Susan Groff, Head Scenic Artist Carla Schroeder, Head Scenic Artist Melissa Smigelski, Scenic Artist Production

Christine Corthey, Production Associate Chris Coyne, Technical Director, John Hirsch Mainstage Ian Kirk, Assistant Technical Director Rick MacPherson, Technical Director, Tom Hendry Warehouse Russell Martin, Director of Production Properties

Kari Hagness, Head of Properties Jamie Plummer, Properties Builder (on leave) Lawrence Van Went, Master Builder Joan Lees-Miller, Head of Wardrobe Gary Plouffe, House Stage Hand Claude Robert, Head Electrician Chris Thomson, Head Carpenter Michael Wright, Head of Sound

Accounting/Finance

Sharon Burden, Payroll Administrator Yvonne O’Connor, Accounts Payable Administrator Melanie Sexton, Payroll Administrator (on leave) Shelley Stroski, Controller

Tom Hendry Warehouse

Administration

Brian Adolph, IT Manager Brooklyne Alexander, Special Projects Manager Elena Anciro, Education & Community Engagement Manager Seraph-Eden Boroditsky, Indigenous Arts Leadership Fellow Devan Graham, Director of Human Resources Camilla Holland, Executive Director Daphne MacMillan, Administrative Assistant Kathrin Moncaster, Senior Developer & Systems Administrator Artistic

Chris Brett, Head of Sound Randy Zyla Harder, Head Electrician Rick MacPherson, Technical Director Rudy Wall, Head Carpenter Wardrobe

Thora Lamont, Cutter Lorraine O’Leary, Head of Wardrobe / Cutter Jackie Van Winkle, Head Buyer & Accessories Coordinator Wigs

Beverly Covert, Wigs & Makeup Supervisor

Casey Challes, Assistant to the Producer Krista Jackson, Associate Artistic Director Jeff Kennedy, Literary Coordinator Laurie Lam, Producer Paige Lewis, Artistic Coordinator Steven Schipper, CM, Artistic Director

Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival & Master Playwright Festival

Chuck McEwen, Executive Producer Tori Popp, Interim Festival Manager Honorary Staff

Zaz Bajon, General Manager Emeritus

Box Office

Sheena Baird, Director of Patron Services Olaolu Fayokun, Patron Services Coordinator Julie Gregorchuk, Box Office Manager Box Office Representatives: Jennifer Bahniuk, Melissa Langdon, Robyn Pooley, Joshua Robertson, Katie Schmidt, Katie Spring, Lisa Stefanson, Daniel Tompkins Carpentry (John Hirsch Mainstage)

Louis Gagné, Layout Carpenter Brent Letain, Master Carpenter Chris Seida, Scenic Carpenter

Michael Joyal, Development Data Manager Melissa Novecosky, Sponsorship Fulfillment & Events Manager Shelly Smith-Hines, Director of Development Kate Supleve, Development Manager

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Paint

Stage Crew

STAFF

Development

Sue Caughlin, Marketing & Communications Manager Kathleen Cerrer, Publicist & Online Media Coordinator Katie Inverarity, Director of Marketing & Communications Desiree La Vallee, Ticketing Application Specialist Savannah Lillies, Publications Coordinator Thomas Urish, Sales Manager

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF The Cottage

Linda Beech, Scenic Painter Jane Buttner, Scenic Painter Chris Hadley, Carpenter Penny Hanford, Seamstress Amanda Isaak, First Hand Zane Kirk, Hairstylist c/o Urban Crush Salon Van McLean, Carpenter Farrah Okolita, Scenic Painter Tiffany Taylor, Scenic Painter Joy Willis, Seamstress

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april/may 2019

Imagine Our Future.

The possibilities are endless.

Donate to Royal MTC today and together we’ll put magic on our stage.

To make a gift or for information on becoming a donor, contact Kate Supleve, Development Manager.

204 954 6412 I ksupleve@royalmtc.ca

WHAT’S IN A NAME? AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE.

GFL Environmental is proud to support the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Arts. Our diverse service offerings include solid waste management, recycling services, and hazardous waste collection.

Green Today. Green For Life.

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