Homes Program

season sponsor

Great theatre lives here.

Artwork: Leah Dorion

We are proud to support the Grand Theatre and the artists who have been captivating audiences with exciting, innovative, and entertaining productions.

BMO is proud to sponsor the Grand Theatre’s 2022/23 season.

PHOTO BY DAHLIA KATZ

WELCOME It was in her classroom in Edmonton, Alberta, when Winnie Yeung first heard Abu Bakr’s story. Because of a language barrier, the retelling was fragmented.

Yet, Winnie immediately realized that she was in the presence of someone remarkable, who had a story – a deep, complex, inspiring story – that craved to be documented and widely shared. And this is how the novel Homes: A Refugee Story was born.

I will never forget reading this book and being so completely engrossed that, as soon as I finished it, I immediately reached out to Winnie. Six months later, I was having lunch with this extraordinary teacher – and internationally-recognized author – in Edmonton and humbly suggesting that this would make a very powerful play.

So here we are, three years later, watching this World Premiere stage adaptation emerge. With Winnie and the impressive Haysam Kadri at the helm, this dynamic duo has carefully and thoughtfully brought Abu Bakr’s story to life in a way that will tug at your heartstrings, set your imagination ablaze, and reframe the way you think about home.

Spending time with Abu Bakr and the Al Rabeeah family is an incredible opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of what it means to come to Canada as a newcomer. It is also is a chance to experience what potential young people have in enduring, but also in adapting.

I am in awe of Abu Bakr, and I have a feeling you will be too.

Welcome. dennis garnhum artistic director

the installation of feathers in our lobby represents the lives lost in canada’s residential school system. photo by dahlia katz.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT We are thrilled to welcome you back to the Grand Theatre, where we operate on the traditional lands of the Attawandaron (also known as Neutral) peoples and territories associated with various treaties of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapewak. The Attawandaron peoples once settled this region alongside the Algonquin and Haudenosaunee peoples and used this land as their traditional beaver hunting grounds.

In London, our treaties include the 1796 London Township Treaty and the 1822 Longwoods Treaty. The London Township Treaty was a regional treaty signed by diplomats representing all parties living on the land, which today we know as southwestern Ontario. The Longwoods Treaty was signed by representatives of the Crown and the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and covers approximately 580,000 acres in the area.

Locally, there are three First Nations Communities. They are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Munsee Delaware Nation. We would also like to recognize the growing Indigenous urban population, comprised of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people.

We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations, and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (also known as North America), and acknowledge the traditional lands upon which we operate.

auburn developments Stage, february 21 to march 5, 2023 Opening Night february 24

World Premiere

homes a refugee story

Written by Winnie Yeung & Haysam Kadri

Adapted from the book by Abu Bakr Al Rabeeah & Winnie Yeung

Homes: A Refugee Story was originally commissioned and developed by the Grand Theatre, London, Canada, as part of the COMPASS New Play Development Program.

The play runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission.

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

government funders

season sponsor

title sponsors Grand Ghosts

Elf: The Musical

Rubaboo

Controlled Damage

East Coast Kitchen Party

East Coast Kitchen Party Guest Artist Sponsors

high school project Title Sponsor

Make a Difference Youth Programs Sponsor

Boom X

Program Sponsors

Picture Technicians, Artists, and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada, and the London Musicians’ Association Local 209.

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

T H E SPR IET STAGE IS GEN EROUSLY SPONSOR ED BY H ELEN & A N DY SPR IET.

jeans 'n classics presenting sponsor

grand gala presenting sponsor

student club

compass new play development Grand Ghosts

community partners Hotel

Apparel

Framing

Catering

Vehicles

Florist

Printing

CAST & CREDITS Cast Abu Bakr

NABIL TR ABOULSI

creative team Co-Playwright

WINNIE YEUNG

Co-Playwright/Director

HAYSAM K ADRI

Assistant Director

ALEX RIZKALLAH

Projection/Set Designer

CORWIN FERGUSON*

Costume Designer

LISA WRIGHT

Lighting Designer

SIOBHAN SLEATH*

Sound Designer Stage Manager Apprentice Stage Manager

JORDAN LLOYD WATKINS SUZANNE MCARTHUR CAITLIN MEARS

The Grand Theatre is an active member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional artists who are members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. The Grand Theatre acknowledges with thanks the co-operation of Locals 105 and 828 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists, and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada, and The London Musicians’ Association Local 279. *Indicated designers on this production are represented by the Associated Designers of Canada, IATSE Local ADC659.

IA

DIRECTOR'S NOTES When Dennis Garnhum asked me to thankfully few of us here in Canada read the book Homes: A Refugee Story, will ever experience. Through the it coincidentally came at time where magic of real, painful, eye-opening, my family had been supplementary humane, and ever-hopeful storytellsupporters of a group of sponsors for ing, we hope this play helps humana Syrian refugee family. The story of ize an issue that is often treated as Abu Bakr and the Al Rabeeah famipolitical or abstract. ly's harrowing journey from Iraq to It’s often said that the best solo Syria to Canada was an immediate shows are those written with passion page turner. I could not put it down. and care, and I could not have asked I felt an overwhelming sense of for a better partner on this journey appreciation for this extraordinary than Winnie Yeung. Winnie saw account because, although I had courage and enthusiasm shining direct insight into the challenges from this young man and was the faced by refugees, I did not expect to catalyst to a new path of storytelling, relate to the story on so many levels. which led to a book, a graphic novel, Having the opportunity to co-write and now a play. and direct this World Premiere stage I send my deepest gratitude to adaptation has been inspiring and Dennis Garnhum for his unwaverhumbling. Like the book, the play ing support, Nabil Traboulsi for his narrows its focus through the lens care and attention, Alex Rizkallah of Abu Bakr. This was crucial when for her invaluable insight, and the developing the structure of the play crew, stage management and crebecause the genesis of the story is ative teams for their support. Lastly, born from the recounting and cona big thank you to Abu Bakr for juring of his personal experiences. being an inspiration, and for gifting Abu Bakr’s perspective offers an immediate visceral, captivating, and intense insight and new depth of gratitude for a firsthand account story. This journey comes from the understanding and knowledge of a world and circumstance that

us this beautiful story. haysam kadri

What is it like to live through a civil war?

Based on the award-winning novel by the same name, Homes: A Refugee Story tells the remarkable true story of the Al Rabeeah family and their harrowing journey in finding a safe place to call home. From Iraq, to Syria, to Canada, in this heart-wrenching solo performance, audiences will join the young Abu Bakr Al Rabeeah as he recounts his years in Syria and the juxtapositions of growing up in a war zone: horrific, unimaginable events punctuated by soccer, cousins, video games, and the love of friends and family.

When I first read this novel, I was mesmerized. I was uplifted by this young boy’s resilience, horrified at the violence he navigated, and deeply grateful for his honesty and reflection. I can’t stop thinking about this powerful story, and believe that you too will feel the same after experiencing this illuminating world premiere. – DENNIs IN-PERSON VIDEO

Learn more about the road to Homes with co-writer, Winnie Yeung

PLAYWRIGHT'S NOTES “This young man – our first Syrian refugee student – is a gift to us.”

Those were the astonishing, prophetic words my principal, Brad Burns, used to describe a new student I would be teaching. Brad could see Abu Bakr Al Rabeeah’s potential and light and though neither of us knew the extent then, Bakr truly would become a gift to so many lives, especially mine.

Weeks after that conversation, I met my new Grade Nine ESL student. Now, there was no Writer-Muse meet-cute here: we didn’t bond instantly. In fact, Abu Bakr was painfully shy! I laid out breadcrumbs of language and laughter to coax him out of his shell but, as many new language learners are, he was too self-conscious to speak much to me. So, imagine my surprise when Abu Bakr told me he wanted to share his story.

Years later, Bakr confessed that even though those words just tumbled out, in that same breath he knew he could trust me.

Abu Bakr’s trust was his gift. His story was his offering. With his permission and participation, I wrote Homes in order to honour a life beautifully-lived despite the casual horrors of growing up in a war zone. Based on my interviews with Abu Bakr and his family, the book chronicles the strange twists of fate that led them from Iraq, to Syria, and finally Canada. But the universe and Dennis

WINNIE YEUNG, ABU BAKR

Garnham brought another gift to our journey: Haysam Kadri. With Haysam’s intuitive, quietly-brilliant skills, we teased out more gems of joy and resilience in adapting Homes for the stage.

But through all this, Abu Bakr shares his life with you, not because he wants to highlight the violence, but because he feels like it can “move people to love each other” more. For this is the magic of art: it doesn’t just feed our imaginations, art builds bridges of understanding and compassion. In sharing his life, Bakr felt less like a lonely outsider. The relationship of sharing, receiving, and honouring each other is the true gift of storytelling – something I am so grateful to be a partner in. I hope Abu Bakr’s story feeds your soul the way it fed mine in writing it. winnie yeung

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Photography: Jackie Noble

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ARTISTS

nabil traboulsi

winnie yeung

Nabil Traboulsi Abu Bakr

For The Grand Theatre: Debut.

Theatre Credits (Selected): Martyr (ARC); Entre Deux Mondes (Théâtre La Tangente); Gloria (ARC, Crow’s Theatre); A Tonic For Desperate Times (Theatre Gargantua); Towards Rebirth (Shakespeare in the Ruff); Oil (ARC); La Seconde Surprise de l’Amour, Le Menteur, Les Zinspirés 6 (Théâtre Français de Toronto). film and tv Credits (Selected): Borje (Viaplay); Accused (Fox); The Boys (Amazon); Titans (Netflix). other: 2 Dora awards and 2 nominations across the performance, writing and music composition categories. www.nabiltraboulsi.com.

Winnie Yeung Co-Playwright

Abu Bakr's story has been a wellspring of many literary firsts for Winnie! Although she has been an English teacher for over fifteen years, Homes: A Refugee Story is Winnie's first book, play, and graphic novel. The book has been inducted into the Library of Parliament in Ottawa and received extensive critical acclaim. It was shortlisted for both the Governor General’s Literary Award for Nonfiction and the Writers’ Trust Shaughnessy Cohen Award for Political Writing. Homes was also a finalist on CBC’s Canada Reads 2019.

Homes was awarded the Wilfrid Eggleston Award for Nonfiction and named the Alberta Book Publisher 2019 Non-Fiction Book of the Year. Winnie was also awarded the University of Alberta Alumni Award of Excellence for her contribution to the literary community in 2019.

When she is not teaching, writing, or reading, Winnie likes to spend her days cooking, baking, and hiking with her black pug, Zoe. Edmonton, Canada is her permanent home, but her writing

Haysam kadri

Alex RIZKALLAH

retreat/tiny home (named, The Mini Winnie, of course) is on Vancouver Island.

Haysam Kadri Co-Playwright/Director

For the Grand Theatre: A Thousand Splendid Suns, A Street Car Named Desire, Einstein’s Gift. theatre Credits (Selected): Clue, Nero Wolfe: Might As Well Be Dead (Vertigo Theatre); In Wonderland (ATP); A Thousand Splendid Suns (Arts Club, MTC); The Shoplifters, Romeo and Juliet (Theatre Calgary); Three Musketeers, Titus Andronicus, Hamlet (The Shakespeare Company); Prairie Boys Winter, A Mid-Summer Night's Dream, Dracula (Mount Royal University); Metamorphoses (U of C); Dracula (Red Deer College). film and tv Credits (Selected): Last of Us, The Revenant, Hell on Wheels.

OTHER: Haysam is the Artistic Producer of The Shakespeare Company in Calgary. shakespearecompany.com

Alex Rizkallah Assistant Director

For the Grand Theatre: Debut.

Theatre Credits (Selected): Upcoming: Sticky Fingers: A Musical (OKTC, World Premiere). Hopscotch (Festival Of Original Theatre); Boundaries (London Fringe Festival); Bring it On: The Musical (Theatre Western); Hopscotch, Boundaries (Mississauga MultiLingual Fringe Festival); A Little Big Thing (Black Swan Production Company). Love’s Labour’s Lost (Stratford Festival, Dir. Peter Pasyk). other: Western University. Stratford Festival Post-Secondary Intensive.

Instagram: @alexandra.riz_

ARTISTS

Corwin Ferguson

Lisa Wright

Corwin Ferguson Projection/Set Designer

For The Grand Theatre: Debut.

Theatre Credits (Selected): Brigadoon (Shaw Festival); Sweat, Steel City Gangster (Theatre Aquarius); Nobody’s Children, Hansel & Gretel, Robin Hood (Yellow Door Theatre Project); Driving Miss Daisy, Miracle on 34th St, Enemy of the People, Wizard of Oz, The Great Gatsby, 1984 (Saint John Theatre Company); Rinaldo (Pacific Opera Victoria); Julius Caesar, Richard III (The Shakespeare Company); Playing with Fire, Buyer & Cellar, You Will Remember Me (Alberta Theater Projects). other: Graduate of the BPA Program at Capilano University, Studio 58 Acting Graduate, Okanagan University College Animation Certificate. www.corwinferguson.com

Lisa Wright Costume Designer

For The Grand Theatre: Head of Wardrobe 2008 to present. High School Projects: Into the Woods, Titanic, Prom Queen, Evita, Les Misérables School Edition, Hello, Dolly!, The Addams Family: A New Musical, Legally Blonde, My Fair Lady, Footloose, Anything Goes, Grease. Other: Art, The Mountaintop, Fly Me to the Moon, Hair. Assistant Head of Wardrobe for 7 seasons; came to the Grand Theatre as a tailor in 1989. theatre credits (Selected): The Stratford Festival, Livent, Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Banff Theatre Centre.

Siobhan Sleath

jordan lloyd watkins

Siobhan Sleath Lighting Designer

For the Grand Theatre: Debut. theatre Credits (Selected): Snow White (YPT); Come From Away: The Concert (Marquis Productions); Ring of Fire, Steel City Gangster and On a First Name Basis (Theatre Aquarius); The Hobbit (Adirondack Theater Festival); Ephemeral Artifacts: Travis Knights (Anandam Dancetheatre); The Great Divide (Harold Green Jewish Theatre); Ann (Arkansas Rep Theatre); The Horse and His Boy, Wilde Tales (Shaw Festival); Figaro’s Wedding (Against the Grain); Miracle on 34th Street, A Year with Frog and Toad, Shrek, The Addams Family (Neptune Theatre).

OTHER: www.siobhansleathdesign.com

Jordan Lloyd Watkins Sound Designer

For the Grand Theatre: Debut.

Theatre Credits (Selected): Le Voyage (Flip the Switch); Oh What a Beautiful Morning (Fight With a Stick); Nomadic Tempest (Caravan Stage Company); Inside the Seed (Upintheair Theatre). other: jordanlloydwatkins.com

ARTISTS

Suzanne mcarthur

Caitlin Mears

Suzanne McArthur Stage Manager

For The Grand Theatre: 13th season.

Theatre Credits (Selected): Hamlet-911, Hosanna, The Tempest (Stratford Festival); The Birds and the Bees, Aladdin: The Panto, Snow White: The Panto, Weekend Comedy, Perfect Wedding (Drayton Entertainment); The Fixer-Upper, It’s Your Funeral, Lunenburg, Buying the Farm, Birds of a Feather, Storm Warning, Wrong for Each Other, Knickers! A Brief Comedy (Port Stanley Festival Theatre); The Normal Heart (Studio 180/Buddies in Bad TimesTheatre); Forests (Tarragon Theatre); Beauty and the Beast (Silver Mist Productions). upcoming: Les Belles-Soeurs (Stratford Festival). other: Love to Phil, Michael and Charlie.

Caitlin Mears Apprentice Stage Manager

For The Grand Theatre: Home for the Holidays. theatre credits (Selected): Chicago, The Miser, Three Tall Women (Stratford Festival); The Tender Land (University of Toronto Opera); Angel, The Resurrection, Don Giovanni (Opera Atelier); Cinderella: The Panto (Capitol Theatre); August: Osage County (Soulpepper); rochdale (SummerWorks); Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (a Company of Fools). other: Graduate of the BFA Theatre Production Program at York University. Caitlin would like to thank her friends, family, and mentors for their help and support over the years.

MARCH 7 TO 25

title sponsor

RUBABOO Written by Andrea Menard Music by Andrea Menard and Robert Walsh Co-Produced with Arts Club Theatre Company

artwork by leah dorion

A MÉTIS CABARET with ANDREA MENARD

GRANDTHEATRE

GRANDTHEATRE.COM BOX OFFICE: 519.672.8800

season sponsor

A beautiful dream lives on. A hundred years of silence is broken today.

Derived from the Michif word for “leftovers stew” or “big pot,” Rubaboo will take audiences on an intimate, moving, and joyous musical journey – guided by powerhouse, Métis performer, Andrea Menard. An award-winning singer-songwriter and actor, Andrea’s lyrical voice and masterful storytelling will envelop you into the beauty of Métis culture.

Featuring the sounds of drums and guitar, this grand musical feast will include songs of reconciliation, unity, love, frustration, and resilience.

Expect your hearts to fill and your spirits to soar as Andrea Menard uses her wisdom, warmth, and formidable voice to take us all on a very personal journey in the world premiere of Rubaboo. It's a real honour to have Andrea here with us. – DENNIS IN-PERSON VIDEO

Get to know more about the WORLD PREMIERE of Rubaboo from writer and creator, Andrea Menard

LEAH DORION ART With the blazing heart of a storyteller, Leah Marie Dorion believes in utilizing various forms of artistic expression to share stories. Art is a spiritual expression for the notable Métis writer and artist.

Thus, her paintings are influenced by traditional cultural teachings, such as the medicine wheel and the sacred circle of life. Balance and harmony, along with the four sacred elements of life, are foundational aspects of her work - as represented in Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

How do we have hope in the face of new beginnings?

My first day of school nervous but excited new place, new friends playing, eating, dancing together kicking soccer balls, laughing we spend our days joyfully then everything changes How do we have hope in the face of war?

Fear strikes like lightning conflict and confrontation burning like fire people are asking for help, running homes are destroyed families torn, scared cities full of pain peace taken from people left crying left dying left wondering “why is this happening?”

How do we have hope in the face of loss? it feels like the world is ending missing memories, old homes as families leave for other countries suffering, drowning, burning like birds we fly to other countries to find safety How do we have hope in the face of leaving? living in camps trying to make home in a place that isn’t home starting this new life is like a dead flower growing again it is being born again after lots of struggle but it is sadness again, we begin to realize our dreams but racist screams stand in our faces telling us to go back home will we return to our homes and die with dignity? but then, a call a phone ringing with hope and the promise of a new home How do we have hope in the face of the unknown?

Sent to Canada but we did not know what Canada was afraid, worried, sad would it be a bad place? but we are welcomed and we begin to rebuild with joy, safety, love new language, new life needing to find ourselves needing to find each other building our futures, again first day of school, again butterflies swirling nerves and sadness excitement and happiness school is like a river, always changing different languages, cultures, people different ways people look at me something in our hearts is broken but we try to stay strong we have dreams to follow so, we never give up Together in the face of all of this we still have hope

WE STILL HAVE HOPE We Still Have Hope is a mural that tells a story about home, about the fragility of home,

the rebuilding of home and the yearning for home. It tells a story of war, displacement, migration, and land. 31 highschool newcomer youth volunteering with the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration (MRCSSI) created the mural with social artist Melanie Schambach in 2019.

The youth then worked with local poet and educator, Holly Painter, to write a collective poem giving voice to the story of loss, pain, struggle, and possibility. In late February 2020, the youth unveiled the mural in a celebration with their families and friends at Pillar Non-Profit. Due to the pandemic, other plans to share in community had to be cancelled. It is exciting that it will be exhibited at the Grand Theatre for Londoners to see.

This mural was made possible by funds received from the City of London, the London Arts Council and the Laidlaw Foundation.

National Arts Centre, Vita Brevis Arts, Canadian Stage Company, Neptune Theatre, Grand Theatre Production

Stage adaptation by Hannah Moscovitch and Alisa Palmer Co-Created & Written by Hannah Moscovitch Co-Created & Directed by Alisa Palmer Production Dramaturgy by Mel Hague Based on the Novel by Ann-Marie MacDonald

A story told in two parts!

Part 1: Family Tree Part 2: The Diary

mar 29 to apr 2 | spriet STAGE

GRANDTHEATRE

GRANDTHEATRE.COM BOX OFFICE: 519.672.8800

season sponsor

Behind-the-scenes in the

DEVELOPERS REHEARSAL HALL

NABIL TRABOULSI, HAYSAM KADRI

NABIL TRABOULSI

From the cast and crew meet and greet until the team moves to its final rehearsals on the Spriet Stage, the magic of theatre comes alive in the rehearsal hall.

NABIL TRABOULSI, HAYSAM KADRI

SUZANNE MCARTHUR, CAITLIN MEARS, NABIL TRABOULSI

We are grateful for the financial support provided by the following companies whose contributions assisted in the refurbishment of our main rehearsal hall – now aptly named: The Developers Rehearsal Hall.

STAFF & BOARD ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Dennis Garnhum

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Evan Klassen

ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION PRODUCER

Lyndee Hansen COMPANY MANAGER

Christine Gruenbauer

MARKETING PROJECT MANAGER

Allison Birs

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Caitlin Core

fund DEVELOPMENT

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR INTERN DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND Lennette Randall EVENTS EDUCATION MANAGER

Sarah Hilton

ADMINISTRATION

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Breanne Ritchie IT DIRECTOR

Barb Whang

TESSITURA ADMINISTRATOR

Britt Duncan

operations BUILDING MANAGER

Mike MacDonald

ASSISTANT BUILDING MANAGER

Aaron Simmons HoUSEKEEPing

Luke Morrison Patricia Sexsmith Ben Storie SECURITY

Shannon Goneau Marty Petersons Gaurav Thukral John Whitty

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Ansel Tempral FINANCE ASSOCIATE

Judy Risser

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

Kelly Fraleigh

marketing & digital strategy DIRECTOR

Jacob Wiley

AUDIENCE SERVICES FRONT OF HOUSE

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

HEAD OF PROPS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PROPS BUILDER/ BUYER

George Kerhoulas

Natalie Tsang

PROPS APPRENTICE

Kassidy Noble WARDROBE

HEAD OF WARDROBE

Lisa Wright

ASSISTANT HEAD OF WARDROBE/ACCESSORIES BUILDER

Elaine Ball CUTTER

Kathryn Sherwin WARDROBE APPRENTICE

Meghan Choma*

Ali Samuel

Scenic carpentry

ASSISTANT FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

Craig Pearson

BAR & BEVERAGE

Tom Stewart

Haley Helm

HEAD SCENIC CARPENTER

FIRST CARPENTER

Mackenzie Bishop Melissa Cameron Laura Gallant Amelia Hilton Ben Kennes Sabrina Sa Sabrina Stewart Hannah VanAlphen-Fyfe Landon Wright

SECOND CARPENTER

box office

AUDIENCE SERVICES SUPERVISOR

Denise Hay

REPRESENTATIVES

Rory Leydier SCENIC ART

VICE-PRESIDENT

Matt Parr

PAST PRESIDENT

Anita Shah

TREASURER

Bill Assini

SECRETARY

Anne Toal

DIRECTORS

Christopher Alleyne Nicole Blanchette Jamie Campbell Blair Fantillo Alexis Gordon Jennifer Ho Ron Koudys Amira Moussa Jane Scholes Jennifer Slay Dr. Robert Sokol

THE GRAND THEATRE FOUNDATION BOARD PRESIDENT

Ron Koudys

SENIOR SCENIC ARTIST

Jamie Crich

SPRIET STAGE

David Brebner

Steve West

George Kerhoulas

HEAD OF AUDIO

Tom Burnett Dianne Cunningham Elizabeth Drewlo Chris Jackman Peter Markvoort Bob Schram Tom Tillmann Judy White

Craig Guthrie

HEAD STAGE CARPENTER

Aaron Ouellette HEAD OF LIGHTING

Liam Arbogast HEAD OF FLYS

Jared Whitty

PRODUCTION

AUBURN STAGE

DIRECTOR

Steve Allen

Paul Fujimoto-Pihl

PRESIDENT

HEAD SCENIC ARTIST

Richard Lawler

Caitlin Cahill Trinity Harrison Karen McDonald Cheryl Willison

HEAD STAGE WARDROBE

Sarah Tracy

VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY

HEAD TECHNICIAN

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Lia Karidas

Brayden Crawford

DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIST

ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Rana Bajandooh

Natalie Kearns

PROPERTIES

Sonja Niedermaier

PRODUCTION DRIVER

Jim Doucette

*Supported by The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation

AfterWORDS On Wednesday evenings immediately after the performance, remain in the Auburn Lounge for a brief guided discussion with artists, creative team members, and Grand staff!

Enhance your theatre experience with this informal chance to dive deeper into the show’s content while mingling with fellow patrons and artists. Please visit our website or social media channels for special guest announcements and schedules.

PHOTO BY DAHLIA KATZ

Pull up a chair and join us – the Auburn Lounge Bar will be open!

MORE THAN EVER BEFORE

YOUR GIFT IMPACT WILL HAVE

As we continue to build back audiences after two years of shutdown due to COVID19, we need your support more than ever before!

Your donation will ensure we are able to continue to deliver on our mission of creating transformative experiences on our stages, through our stories, to connect with and inspire our communities.

Donations of any and all amounts are valued by our Grand theatre family and come with a range of benefits. Thank you for your generous support.

GRAND Visionaries $5,000–20,000+

Directors’ Circle / Ambassadors’ Circle / Patrons’ Circle

Pace-setting support at this elite level will, in turn, provide you with the most exclusive and personalized benefits, designed to bring you up close and personal with the staff and artists working at our theatre, as well as the Artistic and Executive Directors. Benefit highlights include: complimentary hosting opportunities, curated events, Opening Night subscriptions and more.

GRAND Champions $2,500–4,999 LONDON PROUD CLUB

Donors at this level will directly assist your fellow Londoners who may not be able to afford access to the Grand through programs like Student Club, Holiday Wish for Kids and the CANOO program welcoming new Canadians to London. As a Grand Champion, you will attend specially designed events with like-minded supporters that will unlock the backstage experience of productions. Added benefits include: exclusive behind the scenes events including invitation to sneak peeks of coming seasons and a full season of posters!

GRAND Supporters $10–2,499 Partners / Members / Friends / Associates

Your support will enable the Grand to expand and enhance programming. Benefits highlights include: recognition in our house programs, complimentary beverage tickets, a season poster collection and more!

A complete list of donor benefits is available on our website at grandtheatre.com.

Any comments, questions, or suggestions can be directed to our Development Coordinator, Jacob Wiley, at jwiley@grandtheatre.com or 519.672.9030, ext. 245

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS Please note this donor list contains all donations received within the past 18 months

GRAND VISIONARIES DIRECTORS’ CIRCLE $20,000+

Lynn Davis • Elizabeth & Allan Drewlo • Caroline & Rodney Hancock • Nicole Le Riche & John Howard • Ron & Deb Koudys • Linda & Cecil Rorabeck • Debbie & Bob Schram • Helen & Andy Spriet • Carol Stephenson • Marty & Susanne Thrasher • Judy White • 1 Anonymous Donor

patron's CIRCLE $10,000–19,999 Lynne Cram • Noreen De Shane • Alison Hannay • Susan & Ron Holliday • Jacqueline Crosby & George Kerhoulas • Diane & Michael Smith • Anne Toal & Paul Brisson

AMBASSDOR'S CIRCLE $5,000–9,999 Jane & Justin Amann • Heidi Bayley & Jamie Crich • Sharon Bryan • Allan & Susan Edwards • Suzanne Lanthier • Harry Joosten & Kathleen Murphy • Peter Markvoort • Deanie Markvoort • Jackie & John Porter • Alison & Doug Ross • Anita & Amit Shah • Susan Smith-Goddard • Roberta & Dr. Robert Sokol • Nicole Spriet & Sandy Mikalachki • Zelinka Family

GRAND CHAMPIONS LONDON PROUD CLUB $2,500–4,999 Ahria Consulting Anne & Bruce Barran Chris Alleyne & Chris Costello Jim Cressman Deb Harvey Jennifer Ho Lily & Grant Hopcroft

Joan & Glenn Johnson Evan Klassen Lesley MacAskill & Chris Jackman Sandra & Don Letton Mike Meddaoui Amira Moussa North Moore Catering

Jenny, Matt & Finn Parr Carey & Holden Rhodes Eleanor Schnall Jennifer Slay Elaine Stalker & Jack Norman Domenico Strano Debbie & Dave Tennant Jane & Tom Tillmann

Sarah Tattersall & Kevin Endo K L Turner Rick Verrette & George Jolink Peter & Beth Whatmore Mark Wilton

GRAND SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATES $1,000–2,499 Linda Frosst Adams & Stephen N. Adams QC Jill & Brian Allen Yvonne & Dr. Ross Archibald Rachael Berta Brenda & Kerry Benson David & Terianne Brebner Susan Carlyle & David Southen Diana & Charles Coates Dr Paul E Cooper & Mr David J Hiebert Dianne Cunningham Jan & Guy De Rose Danna DeJong Chandlee Dickey & Larry Panych Emma Donoghue & Chris Roulston

Jennifer Duncan Glen & Marg Gagan Dennis Garnhum & Bruce Sellery Mary Gillett & Thomas Burnett Jo-Anne & Richard Hammond Barbara & Paul Hebert Eleanore Huang & Jack Jung Sandy Jamieson Elana Johnson & Christopher Collins Michael Johnson Kirsten Knight & Craig Emptage Mary Margaret & Gary Koreen Ruth Laidlaw

Diana Bennett & Spencer Lanthier Sharon & Brian Lessard London Foods Ltd. Liz & David Macdonald Mary-Jane & Rick Mann Darlene & Larry Marsh Libby & Earl McMillan Teresa & Ron McRae Cydna Mercer Michael and Valerie Milde Ina Pakkert Dawn & Franco Paron Paul Butler and Chris Black Foundation Sandra & Robert Pearson Dr Janet Pope Deborah & Ronald Purdy Glenda Robinson

Mina Samuels Pam Samuels Georgina & Ralph Schinkel Heather & Peter Scott Liisa Sheldrick Kim Shuit Elaine & Ian Simpson Joanne & Jack Smit Erin & Dave Stimac Diane Baird & Jurgen Tietz The United Church of Canada Foundation-The Mary and Norman Warner Fund Margo Visser-DeVuono John Zubick Limited Anonymous Donor (1)

GRAND SUPPORTERS FRIENDS

$500–999 Sharon & Harold Arbuckle Doreen & Mike Bartlett Beverly & David Bell Maureen Boland Carolyn & Colin Botten C Chamberlain & C Bell Moira Burke Janet & James Caskey Grace Coutinho Jennifer & Peter Day Midge & Phil Dean Eileen Dobell Marilyn & Art Fidler Paul Fujimoto-Pihl Joyce Garnett Kathryn Glasgow Rhonda Hallberg Najet & Hanny Hassan Margaret & John Hewitt Ms Patricia Hoffer Nitzan Holzberg Brenda & Morrison Hurley Jenna Hutchison Alicia Jeffery Ann & John Judson Marty Kolls Schram & Dave Schram Steve Kopp Ruta & William Lawrence Michael Leopold Dianne Lesperance Catharine & Trev Luke Jennifer Matthews Scott McKowen & Christina Poddubiuk Kate Milner & Andrew Petrasiunas Julie Nicholson Bekki Ollson Deborah & Joe Owens John Peebles Lili Rechnitzer Linda & Scott Ritchie Judith & Wilson Rodger Sabrina Sater & Dave Schram Mr. Bob Schram Andrea M. Scott Carolyn & Jack Scott Celia & Rod Silverson Anne Souter & William Dawson Jacqueline & Erich Specht Linda E. Staudt Norma Stokes Maureen & Michael Tilson Judy & Gerry Wheaton

Faye & Rod Willis Jacki Yellowlees Dr. Betty Anne Younker Anonymous Donors (5)

supporters $100–499

Judy & Jack Abell Susan Agranove Henry J. Albers Carole Alton Mary Arrand Reg Ash Karen & Eric Auzins Ruby Bantock Sister Simone Batte Alice Beddoe Pat & Rodney Bell Jane & Don Benson Helene Berman Ingrid & Monica Betz Patricia Black & Bryan Burwash Sherri and Brandon Bocchini Joan & Robert Boyce Lorena & Jack Brown Sharon & Bill Burns Linda & Larry Burt Pamela Cameron Madeline Campbell Paul & Sandi Caplan Lesley Carmichael James Cassidy Judy & Peter Castle Jacklyn Chang-Cardoso Donna Chute-Dolan Eileen & Hugh John Cook Jane Corbett Ada & Henry Cornelissen Catharine Cornhill Larry Cornies Aindrea Cramp Cecilia & William Davies Noreen Davis Bonnie Dawe Alfred Day Barry Deathe & Susan Brown Eileen Dobell Joanne Dow & Harry Homer Dorothy Downs & Thomas Sobut Vicki & Gord Drimmie Joseph Driskill Mary Dryden Phil Dwyer & Christen Shoesmith Frances Dyson Jeanette & Stuart Eberhard Penny Eizenga Doris England Betty Escaf

Liz & Jim Etherington Kim Eyre Laurie Farquharson Rudy & Lorna Fast Barb & Bruce Fearnall Linda & Louis Ferraro Pat Fewster Andrew First Ann & Bill Fleming Chuck and Valerie Ford Lorie Forwell & William Clark Elizabeth Fowler Suzanne Fratschko Elliott Rhonda & David Freeman Barbara Froats Kim Gadsdon Aaron Garber Nathan Garber Haley & Ryan Gauss Rigmor & Gary Glen David Gliddon Basil and Belinda Gracious Sheila & Al Green Deb Greenfield Jane Hair Bea & Gavin Hamilton Leah Hamilton Pauline & Peter Hart Manfred and Judith Harth Muhammad Hassan Margaret & Bruce Hastings Denise Hay Glenn and Lois Hayter Maureen & Ian Herrick Jennifer Hiltz Mark Hodgkinson Gail & Rick Hoevenaars David Hoff Kathleen Holland Nancy & Martin Holmes Cheryl Hooper Nicole Le Riche & John Howard Louisa Howerow Marian Hundt Heather & Paul Huston Susan & Howard Isaacs Allan Johnson Terry & Evelyn Julian Mabel & Elton Kane Michelle Kaplansky Maureen & Shayne Kasiurak Heather & David Keast Tanis Kelly Jordan Kilfoy Marianne & Paul Kippax M. E. Kirk Rose & William Klein Sheila & Stan Kogon Susan & John Koval Margaret E Laird Jennifer & Wayne Lawrence

William & Shirley Lawrence Cheryl and Doug Lester Marie Liddell Karen Lilley Susan and Mike Liska Frank and Bonnie Littell Dennis and Sharon Lunau Suzanne Majhanovich Mary Lynn & Paul Mansell Lynn Marshall Cheryl Masson Janine & Jeff Mathyssen Judith McBride Sheila McBride Gwen McBurney Jamie and Cheryl McCallum Joan McCarthy Ms Mary Ellen McDermott Nancy & Ian McDowell Ann McEwan-Castellan Ken McGuffin Sheilanne Lindsay Dianne & Ian McIntosh Ann & Hugh McIntosh Jason McIntyre Nancy & Bill McKeough Luella Barath & Paul McKnight Marilynne McNeil Robert Mepham Louise Milligan Beverley & Paul Mills Shirley Mitchell Michelle Mylemans Larry and Nancy Needham Celia Nichols & Cam Johnston Colleen O'Brien Sandra O'Brien Helen & Gordon Olmstead John and Norine Opper Dorothy & John Palmer Maura Pare Steven Parfeniuk Elizabeth Parmeter & William Horne Susie & Larry Patrick Cam Pettinger & Tracey Watters Ann Pinchin Norma & Jim Poel Blair Poetschke Mary Possmayer Wesley & Wilma Prescod Claire A. Prins Karen & Rick Pritchett Lisa Putman & Bruce Reed Nancy Quinn & Jeff DeLuzio Gail & Gary Rains Susan Wallace & James Reaney Bonnie & Peter Regier

Linda Rempel Eleanore Reynolds Sharon Rich Kathleen & Douglas Richards Doris & Frank Robak William & Barbara Robins Garrett Rodman Karen & Paul Romanson Trudy Roth Walker & Lloyd Walker Elizabeth & Ralph Rudy Dianne & Rick Rumney Lynda & Howard Rundle Peggy Sattler Denise & Gordon Saylor Alan G. Sellery Catherine & Gordon Sellery Ms Julia Sert Todd Shaddick Valerie & John Sharpe

Kathryn Sherwin Jennifer Shields Margaret & Robert Shirley Lynne Sinclair-Ifill Judy and Kevin Smith Judith & Robert Southcott Mr. and Mrs. Nancy and Jerry Springer Helena Steinmetz & Bruce Hewitt Susan Steven Shonagh Stevenson-Ramsay Sarah Stewart Karen Stone Janice & Paul Strickland Bill & Sheila Strybosch Joan & Ken Sumnall Anne Sutton Janet Szilagyi Anne & Don Thede Diane Thrasher

Gerard Tillmann Jane Tillmann Jody Timmerman Anne Toal & Paul Brission Joan & Ross Totten Shannon Twynstra Dr. Jane Upfold Christine & Jake Van Dyk Jan Vanesch Catherine Vermue Jennifer and Keith Vincent David Wake Judith Walker Janis Wallace Beth-Anne & Alex Wasko Susan Waugh Alice Wehlau Margaret & Mark Whitley Sandra-Pat Willis Cheryl & Mark Willison Joe Wilson

Ian & Mary Wilton Pam & Paul Wilton Ailene Wittstein Sharon Wright-Evans Richard Yake Elizabeth Yurkiw Beverley Zaifman Anonymous Donors (6)

ENDOWMENTS & GIFTS THROUGH the LONDON COMMUNITY Foundation The Barbara & John Cronyn Fund • The Grant & Lily Hopcroft Fund • The Larry & Susan Agranove Family Fund • The Megan Holliday Memorial Fund • The Verna D. Davis Endowment for the Arts • The William and Katharine Kostuk Family Fund • Crawford MacLeod Foundation

In Memoriam Thank you to those who gave in memory of Shirley Brown, Mary Loncke, Pam Samuels, and Lister Waugh, cherished friends of the Grand who are dearly missed.

PROSCENIUM SOCIETY We are deeply grateful to the compassionate individuals who have made the important and thoughtful decision to make a planned gift to the Grand Theatre. We honour them through their membership in the Proscenium Society.

Barbara Belbeck Lynn Davis Cathy & James Dunlop Dr. Nicole le Riche & Dr. John Howard EJ Lamb Mary & Roger Lilliman

Susan Nickle Diane & Gary Alan Price Glenda Robinson Judy White Michael Wojtak Karen Killeen

Membership to the Proscenium Society is available to those who have chosen to make a planned gift in one or more of the following ways: • Bequests (donations through your will) • Listed Securites • Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation • Charitable Remainder Trust and gifts of Residual Interest • Charitable Gift Annuities • Life Insurance Policies, RRSP, RRIF

We remember the following members of the Grand Theatre family who have made a bequest to the theatre. Their legacy will help ensure that the Grand continues to flourish.

Hazel E. Bell • Marista Ateena Brooks (Mikolaski) • Robert Crawford • Buck A. M. Cuddy • Theresa Cutler • Helen Ann Day • Walter R. (Wally) Duffield • Innis Hammond • Barbara Horne • Beryl Ivey • Elizabeth Ann Jones • Myrtle McCallum • Douglas McCullough • Mary Eleanor Miller • Maureen Elizabeth Ryan • Joseph Samuels • Donald Smith • Doris Spence • Elizabeth Stratton

We would also like to thank the members of our community who have welcomed visiting artists into their homes as Artist Housing Partners for this season: Lesley Beagley • Ross & Cathy Burgar • Jill Ellis-Worthington • Anna Grigg • Christine Hoover • Denise Jung • Beth Leibovitz • Pam Mandich • Cam Quinn • Patricia Reilly • Wendy Sanderson-Culley • Anita & Amit Shah • Lene Stentoft • Allan Stichbury • Mark Uhre • Peter & Jan Vogel • Bob Ward & Susan Yerema • Megan Watson • Doug & Connie Weir

support our grand theatre

dining partners The past few years have impacted many businesses and industries in our city.

Please take note of and support the Grand Theatre Dining Partners listed below.

Try out a new dining experience before or after your performance!

6-show Spriet Stage subscribers can enjoy 15% off their meal at participating dining program restaurants

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS RESTAURANT RANGE

DINING STYLE

PRICE

Armouries Grille 325 Dundas Street, London 519-640-5030 www.marriott.com/yxudl

Premium Casual

$$$

The Church Key Bistro Pub 476 Richmond Street 519-936-0960 thechurchkey.ca

Casual Fine Dining

$$$

Che Resto Bar 225 Dundas Street 519-601-7999 cherestobar.ca

Casual Dining

$$$

RESTAURANT

DINING STYLE

PRICE RANGE

Fellini Koolini’s 155 Albert Street 519-642-2300 fellinikoolinis.com

Casual Fine Dining

$$$

Garlic’s of London 481 Richmond Street 519-432-4092 garlicsoflondon.com

Upscale Rustic Cuisine

$$$

Gnosh Dining & Cocktails 125 Dundas Place 519-601-8050 gnoshdining.com

Casual Fine Dining

$$$$

Farm-to-Table Fine Dining

$$$$

Grace Restaurant 215 Dundas Street (at Clarence) 226-667-4822 gracelondon.ca Joe Kool’s 595 Richmond Street 519-663-5665 joekools.ca

Casual

$$

Casual Fine Dining

$$$

Premium Casual

$$$

Toboggan Brewing Company 585 Richmond Street 519-433-2337 tobogganbrewing.com

Brew Pub

$$$

Villa Cornelia Restaurant 142 Kent Street 226-234-6267 villacorneliarestaurant.com

Continental Fine Dining

$$

Casual Dining Pub

$$

Marienbad Restaurant 122 Carling Street 519-679-9940 marienbad.ca Moxie’s Grill & Bar 441 Richmond Street 519-936-0745 moxies.com

Winks Eatery 551 Richmond Street (on Albert) 519-936-5079 winkseatery.com

NEW ARRIVALS!

SPRING SUMMER

2023

Stop by Channer’s for the latest styles and ideas for your Spring & Summer wardrobe.

581 Wonderland Rd. S (519) 472.3470 channers.com Monday – Friday: 9am – 6pm Saturday: 9am – 5:30pm Sunday: 12pm - 5pm