Nextfest program guide 2017

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ConTENtS How to Nextfest................................. 4 Opening Night!.................................. 8 Nite Clubs........................................... 9 Dance............................................... 14 Theatre............................................. 20 Theatre Workshop Presentations..... 26 Play Readings................................... 28 Schedule........................................... 30 Map.................................................. 32 Showcases: Poetry, Film, Numusic, Opera, Comedy, iHuman, Clown, Music............... 39 Visual Art.......................................... 48 High School Theatre......................... 50 Credits.............................................. 58 Illustrations by Molly Little

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T S e F t X E N HOW To

Welcome to the Nextfest Emerging Arts Festival 2017. This program guide is your passport for the next eleven days of action-packed emerging art.

CHECK THE MAP

Check the map in this program guide and head out to our events all over Old Strathcona and Bonnie Doon: the Roxy on Gateway, the Yardbird Suite, La CitĂŠ Francophone, Roots on Whyte, Edmonton Public Library Strathcona Branch, the Paint Spot. Most of our venues are within walking distance, so get out into the sunshine and go find some art!

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JOIN IN

Add your name to the 2017 Nextfest Arts Company by volunteering or through Theatre Network’s Adopt-An-Artist campaign. For a $100 donation, you will get to pick an artist to adopt, you will be recognized as a sponsor of The Nextfest Arts Company, and you will receive a saucy charitable tax receipt.

GET EXPERIMENTAL Nextfest is programmed by a group of curators who believe in creating opportunities for emerging artists to experiment, grow and produce art without censorship. Embracing the experimental with us means you might see work that includes adult content, nudity and strong language.

DRESS TO IMPRESS

Nextfest welcomes two found space events to the festival this year, so if you are getting brave with theatre in unconventional spaces, headed out for our famous Visual Art Walk, or just walking between venues, wear comfortable shoes (and sunscreen) for adventuring. And speaking of adventurous: whether it’s trashy chic, future smut, monster masks or speakeasy style, our legendary Nite Clubs return this year with some great opportunities to dress to the nines!

LET’S TALK

This year Nextfest has a number of talkback events added to projects currently in the development phase of creation.

If you are checking out any one of our readings, workshop presentations or select dance performances, stay in your seat to chat, ask questions, and offer valuable feedback to Edmonton’s emerging artists.

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SHOW US YOURS

Share your Nextfest experiences on the interwebs and all of the social medias. Find us on Twitter and Instagram at @ NextfestArtsCo, on Facebook at The Nextfest Arts Company, or just hashtag us in all your zany posts, #nxtfst. We’ll throw you some sweet RTs.

TAKE A CHANCE

Some of our events are “onenight only” and other events have very small audience capacities. If you have something on your “must see” list, book early to avoid disappointment.

Missed out on something? Grab a program, check the schedule and take a chance on something else! Nextfest has over forty different events, performances, showcases and parties to take in.

You never know what will make you say “wow!”

CHECK IT OUT

Get a festival pass and see everything -- EVERY. SINGLE. THING. -- in the festival for $40.00. Forty dollars, people.

Individual tickets to events are $12.00. For tickets and passes call Theatre Network at (780) 453-2440 or purchase online at theatrenetwork.ca.

Our central box office at the Roxy on Gateway will open one hour prior to the first ticketed performance, and close at the start of the last performance that night. All other satellite box offices will be open thirty minutes prior to showtime for all ticketed events, and will close when the show goes in.

We wish you a happy Nextfest!

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Welcomes you to Nextfest 2017 Congratulations to all of the artists, volunteers and administrators who help to make this festival possible. Theatre Network would also like to extend a warm welcome to new Festival Director, Ellen Chorley.

Thank you for joining us in our celebration of Alberta’s most exciting emerging artists!

theatrenetwork.ca

@Theatre_Network

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OPENING NIGHT

OPENING NIGHT! The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Thursday, June 1 at 8:00pm Featuring Titans of Industry, Adrianne Salmon, Spectrums, Nadine Kellman.

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Help start Nextfest off with a BANG! Join us for this explosive opening night showcase including powerhouse performances, top secret surprises, and all-out celebration.

Sponsored by Syncrude

NITE CLUB The Donnas & The Orange Girls present

THE tRASH GaLA The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Friday, June 2 at 9:00pm Curated by Olivia Latta, DesirĂŠe Leverenz, Meagan Prus

Consider this your invite to a dinner party of the utmost extravagance. Prepare for a night of cocktails, fine-ish dining, and convoluted conversations.

Watch in awe as the family dynamic turns as sour as the wine, and the night becomes wild and weird. Dress code is Black Tie/Trash. 18+ event.

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NITE CLUB

FUTuRESMUt:

THE 10Th AnNUAL sMUT cAbaRET The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Saturday, June 3 at 9:00pm

Curated by Sam Jeffery

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What will Smut look like in 5, 25, 500 years? Bring out your robots, your sci-fi, your modern toys and show us what the future of sex holds.

FutureSmut is a multidisciplinary performance party

celebrating everything lewd, crude, risque, and sexual.

Costumes & lack thereof encouraged. 18+ event.

NITE CLUB

MASKs FOR moNsTERS:

VISUAL ARt PARTY

Tour: Meet at the Paint Spot | 10032 81 Ave at 6:30pm Party: The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd at 9:00pm Thursday, June 8 Curated by Steven Teeuwsen

Meaning is found in the viewer’s eyes. Make a mask and view things a little differently. Join the masquerade of monsters as we tour Nextfest’s Visual Art venues. Curious collaborations

between visual artists and the rest of Nextfest will be lurking around every corner.

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NITE CLUB

THE ROARING REBELLION The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Saturday, June 10 at 10pm

Curated by Elise Jason, Violette Coquette

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This is a rebellious reverie for the rule breakers and revolution makers, From gramophone to megaphone.

From prohibition speakeasy to punk rock anthem. From underground to common ground. This is the night we

celebrate Pride, with a retro nod to the rebel rousers and raucous makers and ruckus raisers and world changers who weren’t afraid to live out loud. 18+ event.

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

for 10 years & counting.

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DANCE

PIVot

La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Friday, June 2 at 8:00pm (talkback to follow) Saturday, June 3 at 7:00pm Sunday, June 4 at 5:00pm Curated by the Good Women Dance Collective Dance Mentors: Christine Fredrick, Ainsley Hillyard, Alison Kause, Alida Kendell, Aimee Rushton, Kate Stashko

CURB YOUR LADDER

PERFIDIOUS

A physical exploration of advancement and setbacks, progressing setbacks, hindering progress, etc…

Choreographer: Quincy Pipella Performers: Shaina Morin, Leyla Yasa, Georgia Quinlan, Ethan Myhre, Danika Duval

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Wanting to let go because you know what’s best for you, but feel trapped and “too in love” to do so. Believing everything you hear when you know you’re continuously being deceived. The vicious cycle never ends. So... do you want, need or deserve this? The answer, is no.

Choreographer: Katherine Semchuk in collaboration with Richelle Thoreson Performers: Katherine Semchuk, Richelle Thoreson

ACCIDENTAL EUPHORIA

Choreographer/Performer: Melissa Tuplin Music: Birds in Warped Time II

by Somei Satoh “The floor seemed wonderfully solid. It was comforting to know I had fallen and could fall no farther” – Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

IT’S BEEN A LONG DAY

Choreographer: Avery Aronyk-Schell Performers: Dan Tansy, Ella Coyes, Brendan McGrath, Yana Loo, Peter Aaron, Sasha Liebrand, Elijah Browning, Raechel Meindertsma, Ethan Tonack, Ross Nicoll, Arin Aronyk-Schel, Ryan Jackson, Robyn Learn, Deana Freitas Four, twenty somethings stumble through a typical day of hangovers, morning cuddles, school stress and anxiety with a live soundtrack reacting to their every move.

To our Dancefest rehearsal space sponsors,

Check out goodwomen.ca for details of Good Women Dance Collective’s exciting 2017/18 season, including a brand new work, residencies, local and international workshops and their annual works-in-progress event!

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DANCE

PERSPeCTIVE La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Thursday, June 8 at 6:30pm Saturday, June 10 at 8:00pm Sunday, June 11 at 1:00pm (talkback to follow) Curated by the Good Women Dance Collective Dance Mentors: Christine Fredrick, Ainsley Hillyard, Alison Kause, Alida Kendell, Aimee Rushton, Kate Stashko

E -. C --- DE.

Choreographer: Ryan Jackson Performers: Kirin Sequiera, Sydney Usselman, Alana Kovac, Julianna Bryson, Courtney Clark-Smith, Kalyna Howell-Matwichuk We are constantly sending out signals. Countless wires of thought connect us all, and through these empathetic strings are our own emotions and impulses electrified, bouncing back and forth in negative space, waiting to be decoded.

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THILLANA “TILANG” Choreographer: Jai Govinda Performer: Kiruthika Rathanaswami

In a bharata natyam recital the dancer concludes with a thillana, which is considered the best of all pure dance, or nritta.

The music is just one repetitive line. There are no words to the singing - only rhythmic syllables set to a tune and melody.

Brisk sequences of rhythm are followed by moments when the dancer freezes in a pose.

Raga: Tilang Tala: Adi

TIME

Choreographer: Kelsie Acton and the cast Performers: Alexis Hillyard, Brooke Leifso, Christopher Tuplin, Iris Dykes, Julie Heffel, Robert Jeffrey, Sara Campos Silvius, Sheena Moodie A group moving in unison, a precisely syncopated series of gestures, the endless suspension of a limb moving slowly through the air, the coordination of two bodies in contact. All these are examples of timing, a complex skill that dancers and their audiences take for granted. Together we try to undo our assumptions about time and timing.

THE SASH MAKER

Performers: Rebecca Sadowski, Naomi McIlwraith The Sash Maker depicts ideas about Métis identity and the revival of forgotten cultural memory. The piece connects dance, poetry, and weaving together, promoting healing through deeply rooted cultural ties. The lives of the Métis have been woven together from a variety of cultures, traditions, and beliefs. It is a composite. It is a mixture. It is Métis.

Thanks to: Gerry Morita, Christine Frederick, Matthew Hiltermann, Jonathan DeMong

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DANCE

PROpeL

CitĂŠ Francophone | 8627 91 St. Thursday, June 8 at 8:00pm Saturday, June 10 at 6:00pm Sunday, June 11 at 4:00pm (talkback to follow) Curated by the Good Women Dance Collective Dance Mentors: Christine Fredrick, Ainsley Hillyard, Alison Kause, Alida Kendell, Aimee Rushton, Kate Stashko

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HELP!

RUSH

Help! asks who needs help and who gives help. What do we presume about who needs help and why?

This is a dance about your body while you are being chased by a bear. This is also a dance about your body when someone really pretty walks into the room.

Your body’s just weird like that.

Choreographer: Kelsie Acton Composer: Tom Merklinger Performers: Iris Dykes, Jinny Hilliard, Kaylee Borgstrom

Choreographer: Robyn Learn Performers: Jerica Hoskins, Kira Senger, Lily Golightly, Emily Gwilt, and Emma Le.

THE POWER OF ALONEDOM

Choreographer: Richelle Thoreson Performers: Kira Senger, Robyn Learn, Jerica HoskinsTurenne, Daniel Palladino, Sydney Usselman, Kalyna Howell-Matwichuk, Courtney Clark-Smith, Skye Demas, Sofia Cabaj-Guerra, Alana Kovac, Nadia Funaro, Piper MacDonald, Ty Wilcox, Miranda Hack, Jessica Smith, Alexa Mevel, Kamren Aromin,

Diana Murgu, Hailey ChristieHoyle, Sian Godsmark, Emily Gwilt, Sophie Arab Poem: How To Be Alone by Tanya Davis The Power of Alonedom attempts to portray the play within power dynamics, the way that power shifts between individuals and within groups - how power is shared, taken, or given away and the impact that it has.

TIED TO NOTHING Choreographer: Melissa Robinson Performers: Erin MacNeil, Rya Martyn

Though the two only meet by chance while walking down the street one day, their experiences draw them together, and they eventually confide in one another.

THE LOWER DEPTHS at the

BY MAXIM GORKY

for the

FEBRUARY 8–17 AT 7:30 PM

2017/2018

THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL

Live Theatre shows

BY RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN

A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY

BY ANTHONY KUSHNER OCTOBER 12–21

A DOLL HOUSE

BY HENRIK IBSEN ADAPTED BY BEAU COLEMAN NOVEMBER 30–DECEMBER 9

MARCH 29–APRIL 7

EXIT THE KING

BY EUGENE IONESCO MAY 17–26

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO SEE ALL 5 SHOWS AT A DISCOUNTED RATE! FOR MORE INFO 780.492.2495 OR UASTUDIO@UALBERTA.CA

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THEATRE Dirt Buffet Theatre presents

CHARRED

The Roxy Green Room Theatre | 8529 Gateway Blvd Friday, June 2 at 6:30pm Sunday, June 4 at 2:00pm Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30pm Friday, June 9 at 7:00pm Saturday, June 10 at 4:00pm Sunday, June 11 at 2:00pm

Created and performed by Mat Simpson and Ben Gorodetsky Featuring Ben Gorodetsky, Mat Simpson, Caitlin Richards, Erin Birkenbergs, Jenna Turner

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Using original projected photographs of neighbourhoods and natural environments affected by the Fort McMurray wildfires of 2016 this multimedia, dance-theatre performance investigates the questions: How did the fire change the land? And whose story is that to tell? A provoca-

tive and playful mix of image, movement, storytelling, and improvisation. Developed with the support of the Edmonton Arts Council.

Mentorship from Gerry Morita, Heather Inglis, and Matt Schuurman

EDMONTON’S NEWS WEATHER TRAFFIC PEOPLE PLACES &STORIES HEAR IT ON EDMONTON

AM AM EDMONTON

WITH

WITH

MARK MARK CONNOLLY CONNOLLY

WEEKDAYS 5:30AM WEEKDAYS 5:30AM

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THEATRE In Arms Theatre Collective presents

NEST

The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Saturday, June 3 at noon Wednesday, June 7 at 5:00pm Saturday, June 10 at 2:00pm (talkback to follow) Sunday, June 11 at 3:30pm Created and performed

by Jake Blakely, Sydney Campbell, Sarah Culkin, Bradley DorĂŠ, Elise Jason, Stuart McDougall Mentorship by Kristine Nutting A celebration of an inquiry into queer bodies, spirit, community, and culture in the millennial age.

Developed with support from the Edmonton Community Foundation

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Wig Kickers present

gARniSH

The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Thursday, June 1 at 6:00pm Saturday, June 3 at 4:00pm Thursday, June 8 at 7:00pm Saturday, June 10 at noon Written and directed by Ashleigh Hicks Featuring Mike Anderson, Tyra Banda, Franco Correa, Brianna Kolybaba, Marguerite Lawler, Joanna Lee, Priya Narine Two friends dance around the subject of misplaced undies and the night sky while unexpected guests appear from various boxes.

THEATRE Mindhive Collective presents Bagumbayan Productions presents

NO ALlEGIaNces

The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Friday, June 2 at 5:00pm Sunday, June 4 at 4:00pm Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30pm Saturday, June 10 at 6:00pm Written by Marvic Adecer Directed by Simon Gorsak Featuring Marvic Adecer, Simon Gorsak, Neil Kuefler, Brandon Wynnychuk Comedian Mav Adecer immigrated to Canada at sixteen where he did a bunch of growing up in different parts of the country. As an adult, he went to China and got shanghaied.

In Shanghai. No Allegiances is Mav’s story of manhood, race, culture, kittens, and pirates.

the jaCKAl ANd HER ReflEcTIoN The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Saturday, June 3 at 1:30pm Sunday, June 4 at 6:00pm Tuesday, June 6 at 6:00pm Sunday, June 11 at 5:30pm Written by Camille Pavlenko Directed by Tonya Rae Chrystian Featuring Tonya Rae Chystian, Logan Van Horne, Piper Rempel, Nicholas Juba, Helen Belya, Sue Goberdhan, Zachary ParsonsLozinski, Michael Vetsch, Camille Pavlenko, Amanda Bergen Sometimes the king is a woman.

Pharaoh Hatsheput mysteriously vanishes and all her images are erased from Egypt. Why? An elixir of the ancient and the contemporary, Hatshepsut resurfaces in a burned-out brothel with an amazing story and a desperate desire to be restored to the throne.

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THEATRE Tiny Bear Jaws presents

EVeRYONE We Know WILl BE THeRE: A HOUSE PaRTY In ONE ACT FOUND SPACE LOCATION: Westridge House | 230 Westridge Road Thursday, June 1 at 7:00pm Friday, June 2 at 7:00pm and 9:00pm Saturday, June 3 at 7:00pm and 9:00pm Monday, June 5 at 7:00pm Tuesday, June 6 at 7:00pm Wednesday, June 7 at 7:00pm and 9:00pm Thursday, June 8 at 7:00pm Friday, June 9 at 7:00pm and 9:00pm Saturday, June 10 at 7:00pm and 9:00pm

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Written by Elena Belyea Directed by Andrew Ritchie Featuring Mohamed Ahmed, Sydney Campbell, Andrew Cormier, Sarah Culkin, Matt Dejanovic, Bradley Doré, Sarah Emslie, Eva Foote, Ashleigh Hicks, Todd Houseman, Kloee Huberdeau, Candace Job, Roland Meseck, Tori Morrison, Christina Nguyen, Gabriel Richardson, Diego Stredel, Hillary Warden, Malcom Vick

It’s Bradley Freeman’s 17th birthday and his parents are on a yacht 10,000 miles away. Cue the most orgiastic, booze-fuelled rager this town has ever seen. Follow one of five characters (The Outcast, Infiltrator, Deceiver, Archivist, and Host) in this deafening site-specific investigation of teenage sex, identity, queerness, consent, and the warm, wet lessons we can only learn in the dark.

If you have any mobility/access requirements, please let us know tinybearjaws@gmail.com.

Dress weather appropriately.

Support for Everyone We Know Will Be There was provided by Canada Council for the Arts, Playwrights Workshop Montreal, and Common Ground Arts Society.

The arts make our world limitless.

They captivate, amuse, provoke, inform and inspire.

That’s why we’re proud sponsors of arts and cultural programs, including the Syncrude Fort McMurray Artist Program at Nextfest 2017.

syncrude.ca

The Syncrude Project is a joint venture undertaking among Imperial Oil Resources Limited; Mocal Energy Limited; Nexen Oil Sands Partnership; Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership; and Suncor Energy Inc. (with the Suncor interest held by Canadian Oil Sands Partnership #1 and Suncor Energy Ventures Partnership, both wholly owned affiliates of Suncor Energy Inc.).

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THEATRE WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS NIUBOI presents

ANtIQUaTIOn La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St Friday, June 2 at 5:00 pm Created and performed by Julie Ferguson Featuring NIUBOI, burgerfinger, and the contents of Edmonton’s basements.

A room full of antiquated devices has taken control of two humans. Take a scroll down memory lane as they explore the wonders of obsolete technology. Leave your phone on loud and rewind. RSVP via fax.

A talkback with the playwright will follow after the performance.

Welcome to Ed’s room at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, the best place to drink, smoke, and live large. Go down the palliative lens into one man’s battle to be dead and the inability of his family to assist him. Would you pull the plug for someone?

Inspired by true events.

A talkback with the playwright will follow after the performance.

You Are Here Theatre presents

ASsiSt eD

La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Sunday, June 4 at 2:00pm Created and performed by Andrew Ritchie Directed by David Di Giovanni

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Developed with support from the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

THEATRE WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS Mavka Theatre presents

mOoNSHInE La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St Wednesday, June 7 at 5:00pm Written by Larissa Pohoreski Directed by Theodore Lakewood Featuring Larissa Pohoreski and Johnnie Samycia

Inspired by travels back to Ukraine and stories shared over shots of moonshine, this multidisciplinary performance explores the impact of knowing your roots. But what if you

don’t know your roots? What about the stories that stay hidden?

A talkback with the playwright will follow after the performance.

Mavka Theatre presents

befoRE THE RIVer

FOUND SPACE LOCATION - Meet at The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Sunday, June 11 at 5:00pm Written by Larissa Pohoreski Directed by Theodore Lakewood Featuring Liam Coady, Sydney Gross, Todd Houseman, Jameela McNeil

It is the Eve of Kupalo, and doorways to the spirit world swing wide open. Nature comes alive in beautiful and dangerous ways, as Lukash and Lada journey into the trees. Magic is heightened. The forest is calling…

Before the River is presented in partnership of Common Ground Arts Society’s Fresh AiR Program.

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PLAY READINGS

SUSPENSION

The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Sunday, June 4 at noon Written and directed by Hayley Moorhouse Featuring Alexandra Dawkins, Emma Houghton

A plane explodes overheard. Two strangers meet below. Somewhere in between, gravity stops working, and time seems to halt.

As they wait for the mysteriously delayed crash landing, the

strangers struggle with what it means to be a witness.

A talkback with the playwright will follow after the performance.

The Possum Belly Players present

BANCROFT’S VOYAGE The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Thursday, June 8 at 5:00pm Created and performed by Dustin J Allen, Jesse Harlton

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Two anachronistic vagabond actors struggle to perform their self-penned, epic, and allegorical melodrama after being abandoned by the rest of their troupe.

A talkback with the playwrights will follow after the performance.

PLAY READINGS Igneous Theatre Productions presents

ALMOST HEROES The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Friday, June 9 at 5:00pm Created by Matt Graham, Sue Goberdhan, Jessica Poole, Kaleb Romano Directed by Jessica Poole Featuring Mohammed Ahmed, Brian Christensen, Pippa Fyfe, Matt Graham, Sue

Goberdhan, Rachel Kent, Erin Leflar, Hunter Luth, Jeannine Nayobe, Conor Meadows, Jessica Poole, Emilie Rogers, Kaleb Romano, Kyle Simmers, Michael Vetsch, Evan Westfal, Christopher Weymouth

This is what happens when small town folks who join forces to defeat Plainsville’s local super villain.

A talkback with the playwrights will follow after the performance.

Pretentious Productions presents

SHADOWLANDS The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Sunday, June 11 at noon Created and performed by Savanna Harvey

Cells in a petri dish. A scientist.

A ghost. A laboratory mouse.

We are on a quest to see what can’t be seen. We are on a journey to find truth in the dark.

A talkback with the playwright will follow after the performance

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Noon

1

2

3

Thursday June 1

Saturday June 3 Sun June 4

Monday June 5 Tuesday June 6 Wednesday June 7 Thursday June 8 Friday June 9 Saturday June 10 Sunday June 11

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Visual Art Venues Open. Hours and locations on page 44. Map on page 32.

Friday June 2

NEST

THE JACKAL AND HER REFLECTION

THERAPY/ ACCIDENTAL CONSEQUENTIAL

PLUMS

SUSPENSION

CHARRED ASSIST ED

NITECLUB DANCE THEATRE

SHOWCASE

hIGH SChoOL HIGH SCHOOL PLAY READINGS

GARNISH

NEST

PAUSE. LOOK. PROCEED

LUNCH MONEY INCIDENT / MEMORY OF MOTHER

SHADOWLANDS

CHARRED PERSCEPTIVE

NEST

4

5

6

7

8

9

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE

GARNISH

OPENING CEREMONIES NO ALLEGIANCES

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE

ANTIQUATION

CHARRED

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE

PIVOT TRASH GALA

GARNISH

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE

KEY TO HEALING / GHOST BUMPED

PIVOT

FUTURESMUT

NO ALLEGIANCES

PIVOT

THE JACKAL AND HER REFLECTION

SPEAK

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE LUNCH MONEY INCIDENT THE JACKAL AND HER REFLECTION / MEMORY OF MOTHER EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE NEST MOONSHINE

THE TIES THAT BIND

PAUSE. LOOK. PROCEED

NU MUSIC

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE

CHARRED

NO ALLEGIANCES

SHOW AND TELL

LADIES OF THE NIGHT BANCROFT’S VOYAGE

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE

THERAPY/ ACCIDENTAL CONSEQUENTIAL

PERSCEPTIVE

KEEP IT REAL

PROPEL

GARNISH MASKS FOR MONSTERS

ALMOST HEROES

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE

PLUMS

CHARRED

CHARRED

NO ALLEGIANCES

KEY TO HEALING / GHOST BUMPED

PROPEL

FOOLS SPECTACLE!

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE DIVINA WINS A TALENT SHOW PERSCEPTIVE

EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE ROXY RAGER EVERYONE WE KNOW WILL BE THERE ROARING REBELLION

THE JACKAL AND HER REFLECTION PROPEL BEFORE THE RIVER

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8627 91 Street

3. The Yardbird Suite 10203 86 Avenue 4. The Roxy on Gateway 8529 103 Street

D

1

Westri d g e

Rd

69 Ave

r

n wa he c t ka Sas

Whitemud Dr

170 St

5. Strathcona Library 8331 104 Street 6. The Varscona Theatre 8135 102 St 7. Roots on Whyte 8135 102 St 8. The Paint Spot 10032 81 Ave

1. The Westridge House 230 Westridge Road 2. La Cité Francophone

92 St 88 Ave

87 Ave 86 Ave

86 Ave

6

83 Ave Whyte Ave 7

32

91 St

82 Ave

5

Gateway Blvd

84 Ave

99 St

4

102 St

3

8 81 Ave

2

OLD STRATHCONA

WELCOME TO NEXTFEST! READY TO SHOP, EAT AND ENJOY WHILE YOU'RE HERE? VISIT OLDSTRATHCONA.CA.

@OLDSTRATHCONA 33

POETRY SHOWCASE

SPEAK!

The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Sunday, June 4 at 8:00pm Curated by Nasra Adem, Liam Coady

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The way of the voice is a choice. Choose to soak in the notations, roars and songs of poets from the heart of Edmonton and beyond. These bodies of work - bodies at work - range from the honest to the

unapologetic, the witty to the weird, the new cuts to the old scars. Bear witness.

NUMUSIC SHOWCASE

NuMusic Showcase The Yardbird Suite | 10203 86 Ave Tuesday, June 6 at 9:00pm Curated by Mustafa Rafiq

BOBBITOPICKLES

XQUARTET

Nextfest NuMusic Showcase features a bouquet of emerging talent from Edmonton’s local music scene.

SISTER RAY

VARIED

PRESTON

KITSUNE

Bobbitopickles is an analog beatmaker making fresh tracks on his sp-404, made out of jello.

She watches while you stand in the back corner trying to sort the best time to buy them a drink or go for a cigarette or finally...

Preston is a three piece experimental jazz fusion, gothcore, millennial-anthem dream team

SOLE RHYTHM

Sole Rhythm is Jenna Werhun’s most recent artistic project that unites tap dancing and music within a band atmosphere.

xQuartet is a sextet of improvisers specializing in the audio-visual transformation of space.

Nefertiti to Howl: 20th Century Kids performing the thought process of a New York City taxi driver.

Her visual sets consist of a blend of projections, video feedback, and handmade video glitch synthesis.

COURTENEY MORIN C-Morin plays with distortion, liminality, and kinaesthetic responses.

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FILM SHOWCASE

thE TIeS tHAT BIND The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Tuesday, June 6 at 9:00pm Curated by Katrina Beatty A selection of short films from emerging Canadian talent.

LINDSAY MCINTYRE: HANDMADE FILM

LIFETIMES OF SNOW

FOUR FEET

by Aerlan Barrett

HOW TO LEARN ANYTHING

THE THINGS WE TAUGHT OUR DAUGHTERS

GOD’S ACRE

by Christina Ienna

by Coty Savard

MARAUDER

by Brendon Rathbone

by Dylan Howard

by Lindsay Robinson, Stephen Robinson

by Kelton Stepanowich

TIMESNEWROM

by Jamie McRae

UNDER THE ACORN TREE

by Justin Brunelle

THE SWITCHES PUSH/PULL

by Parker Thiessen

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OPERA SHOWCASE Opera Nuova presents

LADIES OF tHe NiGhT La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30pm Join the ladies of NUOVA (emerging artists from across Canada) for staged excerpts featuring some of the most beloved female operatic

roles: Carmen, Mimi, Violetta, Cunegonde to name a few.

These resounding voices will astound and inspire, as you enjoy some of the greatest music ever written for the operatic stage!

COMEDY SHOWCASE Underdog Comedy presents

sHOW + tElL The Roxy on Gateway Theatre | 8529 Gateway Blvd Wednesday, June 7 at 9:00pm Curated by Simon Gorsak, Pete Morley

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Underdog Comedy is the most cutting-edge stand-up Edmonton has to offer. Show & Tell is Underdog Comedy’s most engaging storytellers

paired with Edmonton’s most dynamic photographers to present an evening of audiovisual performances and side- splitting comedy.

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IHUMAN SHOWCASE

KEeP IT ReAL La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Thursday, June 8 at 9:30pm

Curated by iHuman Studios

Featuring the artists of iHuman Studios, Keep It Real is a multi-media, multi-disciplinary showcase of iHuman’s multi-talented fashionistas, micro-

phone-MC’s, b-boys & b-girls, cypher-stars, and visual artists, that keep it real, keep it cool, keep it going, keep it rolling.

CLOWN SHOWCASE

fOoL’S sPeCTAClE! La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Friday, June 9 at 8:00pm Curated by Bill Yong

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A celebration of the extraordinary clown, physical theatre and collaborations in Western Canada. With artists from Edmonton, Calgary, and Saskatoon, this showcase features clown turns,

acrobatics, masks, and clown short films. Come celebrate the absurd, the tragic, the hopeful, the human condition, come celebrate The Fool.

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MUSIC SHOWCASE

The ROXY rAGER The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Friday, June 9 at 9:30pm

Curated by Chris Martin

Nuela Charles

Nuela Charles continues to make a name for herself as a bold and soulful songwriter with huge potential. Nuela is a star.

Darla Daniels

Darla Daniels deftly blends her roots with the modern world

through fiddle playing that is wild, vibrant and fun.

Karimah

Karimah Ashanti Marshall has a voice. When you hear her sing she is undeniable. In the lyrical sense Karimah is a songwriter who will not be denied.

QUEER CABARET SHOWCASE

diVIna WiNS A TALEnT show The Roxy on Gateway | 8529 Gateway Blvd Saturday, June 10 at 7:30pm Curated by Divina Diefor

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Divina Diefor is a ruthless, title hungry, ambitious drag queen hellbent on winning a talent show held at a local theater.

Watch as she competes against local queer artists for a dollar

store tiara, $20 in dimes, and a KFC coupon. There will be drama, glitter, backstabbing, sabotage, drag, and possibly even bloodshed!

JULY 7 - 9, 2017

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VISUAL ART

Galleries

Curated by Steven Teeuwsen

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The galleries feature a diverse collection of new work from visual artists. All Visual Art venues will have audio tours available from What It Is Podcast. Ask the venue volunteer and toss it in your ear holes!

THE ROXY ON GATEWAY

8529 Gateway Blvd Monday - Friday, noon - last showtime, Saturday - Sunday, 1 hour before performances Tim Mikula

THE ROOTS ON WHYTE

8135 102 St Everyday, 7:30am - 9:30pm Matthew Cardinal Laura Grier

STRATHCONA LIBRARY

8331 104 St Monday - Thursday, 10am - 9pm Friday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm Sunday, 1pm - 5pm Rachel Rozanski Marzieh Mosavarzadeh Sora Park Kaitlyn Dirk Jana Brodkin Kelsey Vaughan

THE PAINT SPOT

10032 81 Ave Sunday, Noon - 5pm Monday - Saturday, 9am - 9pm Borys Tarasenko Giulliano Palladino

MurAl THE VARSCONA THEATRE 8135 102 St

Curated by Steven Teeuwsen Mural Mentor and artist: Luke Ramsey Mural artist: Wei Li

The Nextfest mural is a collaboration between an experienced mural mentor and a student painter to create a new work on a wall in Edmonton.

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HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

PAUSE. LOOK. PROCEED. La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Tuesday, June 6 at 7:00pm Saturday, June 10 at noon High School Mentors: Desirée Leverenz, Jennifer Peebles, Jessica Peverett, Ellen Chorley

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Written and directed by Lucie Zimmer Featuring Sam Bronson, Hali Scott Smith, Jayden Buchanan, Lucie Zimmer

Nick is a young man living within the constraints of his up bringing, in small town Alberta.

To cope with his inner boredom he turns to the outside world to perceive and interact with.

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HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

THERAPY + THE ACCIDENTAL CONSEQUENTIAL La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Saturday, June 3 at noon Thursday, June 8 at 5:00pm High School Mentors: Desirée Leverenz, Jennifer Peebles, Jessica Peverett, Ellen Chorley

THERAPY

Written and directed by Maria Besko Featuring Sydney Jinjoe, Brynne Kelley, Zackary Nay, Freida Wang Drama ensues in a therapist’s waiting area as patients battle to see who has the worst of problems. Will they overcome their issues or let tension rise as they fight their way to the spot of number one therapy patient?

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THE ACCIDENTAL CONSEQUENTIAL

Written and directed Anika Plitt Featuring Lauren Belter, Sam Bronson, Dorian Oliver-Lyons, Geraldine Schaer Three people each recount their own series’ of choices that lead to the tragic unfolding of their first and last collective meeting.

HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

THE KEY TO HEALING + GHOST BUMPED La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Saturday June 3 at 4:00pm Saturday June 10 at 4:00pm High School Mentors: Desirée Leverenz, Jennifer Peebles, Jessica Peverett, Ellen Chorley

THE KEY TO HEALING

Written and directed by Jordan Empson and Andrea Franko Featuring Fatima Ali, Johnathon Faulkner, Calista Fladager, Braedyn Hamaliuk, Elizabeth Isabelle, Lora Sliman Dr. Flemming has her first day at her new job as a therapist, but when she meets her patients, she realizes that she might be in for more than she bargained for…

GHOST BUMPED

Written and directed by Hannah Peters Featuring Hannah Peters, Emma Wutschke, Jake Larson, Madison McKay, K.M. Appleby, Grace Villeneuve What do an oblivious werewolf, an awkward vampire, an alien that’s trying too hard to fit in, a dumb ghost and a fan of a crappy supernatural tv show all have in common? Murder!

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HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

THE LUNCH MONEY INCIDENT + THE MEMORY OF A MOTHER La Cité Francophone | 8627 91 St. Tuesday, June 6 at 5:00pm Saturday, June 10 at 2:00pm High School Mentors: Desirée Leverenz, Jennifer Peebles, Jessica Peverett, Ellen Chorley

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THE LUNCH MONEY INCIDENT

THE MEMORY OF A MOTHER

It’s been a long time since sixth grade but the memory of the lunch money incident still haunts Jennifer. Perhaps the line between right and wrong is more ambiguous than she first thought?

An old woman recalls to her grandchildren the story of how she came to know the love of her life. Their house is suddenly filled with the light of a new romance. Little did they know, the story wasn’t what they expected.

Written and directed by Sian Godsmark Featuring Roxie Dutertre, Rachel Godsmark, Lily Gidych, Emily Levine, Kyle McIlwraith-Black, Erica O’Neill, Ryleigh Popjes, Tom Tunski, Gillian Wynn-Lawson

Written and directed by Taryn Foster Featuring Aaron Magnin, Andrew Wilson, Carmen Chamney, Eric McEown, Hannah Rasmussen, Jayden Hall, Mya McCarver, Natasha Maxwell

YOUR LOCAL SOURCE FOR:

CUSTOM BRANDED APPAREL, PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS + SO MUCH MORE! PRINT MACHINE IS HERE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE MORE FUN! FROM CUSTOM T-SHIRTS, HOODIES AND APPAREL TO COFFEE MUGS, CELLPHONE CASES, STICKERS, POSTERS, HOCKEY PUCKS, COASTERS,

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PROMOTIONAL

PRODUCTS PLUS SO MUCH MORE. WE DON’T LIMIT OURSELVES TO WHAT WE CAN PRINT OR DECORATE, SO WHY LIMIT YOURSELF TO THE STANDARD DESIGNS THOSE OTHER “CUSTOM” T-SHIRT AND BRANDING SHOPS CARRY? WE CAN EVEN PRINT ON PEOPLE WITH CUSTOM TEMPORARY TATTOOS!

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HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

PLUMS

La CitĂŠ Francophone | 8627 91 St. Saturday, June 3 at 2:00pm Friday, June 9 at 5:00pm Written and directed by Jacquelin Walters Featuring Arden Ann Phillips, Arvin Kraushar, Eric Miracle, Jacquelin Walters, Jadyn Buchanan, Liam Funnel, Neil Dungo

A young philosophy major goes on a walk through the suburbs in search of an idea that will put him on the map.

Upon meeting a young girl in a park he finds his idea, yet it is significantly less beautiful

than he would have hoped. He and the girl engage in a poetic and anecdotal debate, all the while being haunted by the spirit of a dead baby to whom the park is dedicated.

the art of beer

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HIGH SCHOOL PLAY READINGS

FLOATING, CONFESS + MY NAME? La CitĂŠ Francophone | 8627 91 St. Sunday, June 11 at 10:00 am

FLOATING

CONFESS

Written and directed by Emma Walker Featuring Sadie Bowling, Liam Hodder, Michael Long, Julie Sucie

Written and directed by Nathan Behnke Featuring Daniel Kovacs, Matthew Parsons and Cody Quinlan-Toope

Throughout struggles with her family and their numerous conflicts, Olive, a twelve year old girl, discovers a way to comfort herself in high stress situations. In a retelling of traumatic events within her family, Olive attempts to remain steadfast in her belief that everything will be alright in the end.

A grief stricken man recounts the events of his wife’s murder while dealing with his own guilt. Will the man redeem himself or will his inner demons consume him?

MY NAME?

Written and directed by Calley Symyrozum Featuring Sydney Cogangrahn, Shania Lehmann, Finn Smith, and James Zhang Millions of children all over the world are constantly being bought, sold, and having their childhood stolen from them.

A young girl enters what she thinks will be an ordinary family dinner only to learn this will be the last. Will she even be asked her name?

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NEXTFEST STAFF Festival Director: Ellen Chorley Festival Manager: Maggie Barton Baird Production Manager: Scott Peters Communications Manager & Artist Liaison: Talicia Dutchin Social Media Manager: Marielle TerHart Graphic Designer: Steven Teeuwsen

NEXTFEST CURATORS

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Dance Curators: Good Women Dance Collective (Ainsley Hillyard, Alida Kendall, Alison Kause, Kate Stashko) Theatre/High School Curator: Ellen Chorley Film Curator: Katrina Beatty NuMusic Curator: Mustafa Rafiq Comedy Curators: Simon Gorsak, Pete Morley Music Curator: Chris Martin Visual Art Curator: Steven Teeuwsen Poetry Curators: Nasra Adem, Liam Coady Clown Curator: Bill Yong Opera Curator: Opera Nuova (Kim Mattice-Wanat) iHuman Curator: iHuman Studios High School Assistant Curator: Jennifer Peebles Podcast: What It Is Podcast (Brian Bergum, Taylor Chadwick, Chris W. Cook) Nite Clubs: DesirĂŠe Leverenz, Olivia Latta, Meagan Prus, Sam Jeffery, Steven Teeuwsen, Sarah Jackson, Elise Jason, Markus Maniere Roxy Space Design: Elise Jason

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DANCE MENTORS

Christine Fredrick, Ainsley Hillyard, Alison Kause, Alida Kendell, Kate Stashko

THEATRE MENTORS

Amanda Bergen, Heather Inglis, Neil Kuefler, Gerry Morita, Kristine Nutting, Matt Schuurman, Mark Vetsch

THEATRE WORKSHOP MENTORS Taylor Chadwick, Ellen Chorley

HIGH SCHOOL MENTORS Desirée Leverenz, Jennifer Peebles, Jessica Peverett, Ellen Chorley

NEXTFEST TECHNICIANS

Trent Crosby, Chris Dela Cruz, Tyler Ferguson, Tyler Herman, Alana Rice

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THEATRE NETWORK STAFF

Artistic & Executive Director: Bradley Moss Production Manager: Scott Peters Operations Manager: Harley Morison Business Development Director: Jill Roszell Marketing & Publicity: Taylor Chadwick Bookkeeper: Shelley Martin Box Office Coordinator: Candice Stollery Distribution Officer: Marina Bryan Box Office: Neon Box Office: Vanessa Wilson Box Office/Front of House: Mark Stubbings Box Office/Front of House: Ashley Balisky Front of House: Jake Blakely Front of House: Maria Burkinshaw Front of House: Emma Ingen-Housz Front of House: Kate Quinn-Feehan Season Design: Overhaul Media

VOLUNTEERS Theresa Agnew Laurie Bahniuk Delia Barnett Rebecca Bissonnette Lee Boyes Loveth Bradley Valerie Braiden John Brisson Betti Brockman Larry Brockman Karen Brown Theresa Burbank Kassia Byrnes Nancy Byway Gloria Carr Mari Chartier Yilin Chen Ellen Chorley Janet Clark Joan Damkjar Celeste Dempster Alyson Dicey Andrew Dool Julie Ferguson Marie Fontaine Eva Foote Jessica Glover Cheryl Gillie Valerie Graham

Christine Grant Morgan Graumann Betty Grudnizki Sari Haas Erin Hayes Christopher Head Dana Hendricks Chantelle Hess Peter Jarvis Roger Jorgenson Pam Josey Shannon Joyes Walter Kehl Gail Kelly Rita Klasson Kathy Korchinsky Faye L’Hirondelle Greg Latham Marguerite Lawler Edanya Look Louise Mallory Susan May Ann McCluskey Emily McCourt Rebecca McCourt Stuart McDougall Deb McElrath Sandra McKinney Stephanie Medford

Rebecca Merkley Gina Moe Andrea Murphy Beatrice Nearey Alice Oscar Andrew Parkinson Joan Parsons Heather Patton Chris Pederson Ingrid Pederson Thaïs Polo Sue Quon Dana Rayment Mackenzie Reurink Elva Rice Bente Roed Katherine Sauve Jacquie Skeffington Rob Stack Sophia Stauffer Judy Stelck Hitomi Suzuta Diane Szoke Cathrine Wenschlag Patricia Wilson Dave Wolkowski Diane Wong Jody Wood Anna Zelensky

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Thank you to our 2017 supporters!

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SALUTES THE ARTISTS OF NEXTFEST!

BECOME A MEMBER! • AUDITIONS: JULY 22-23 CITADELTHEATRE.COM/ACADEMY/YOUNG-COMPANIES

Become a member of the Citadel Young Companies in acting, musical theatre, playwriting or theatre production!

For info on submissions and auditions go to www.citadeltheatre.com/academy/young-companies

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