Kim's Convenience Program

season sponsor

TITLE sponsor

Great theatre lives here.

We are pleased to support Grand Theatre and the performers captivating audiences with exciting, innovative and entertaining productions.

BMO is proud to be the Grand Theatre’s 2023/24 Season Sponsor – investing in a world of pure imagination!

WELCOME

What a joy it is for me to welcome you to this opening production of the 2023-24 season, my first season as the Artistic Director of the Grand Theatre! I could not be more thrilled that this season, programmed by my predecessor, the incredible Dennis Garnhum, begins with Kim’s Convenience by Ins Choi. I first experienced this show when it was already a hit - as a budget-conscious emerging artist I bought a “standing” ticket to see it at Soulpepper. The theatre was packed, and packed with people from so many different communities, age groups, and walks of life. The place crackled with excitement. The meaning of that moment was profound - a communal event, live performance, igniting so much in so many people.

There are many additional treats in this production, for the insider-in-the-know. The creator of the play, Ins Choi, originally debuted the role of Jung, the son of the family. Time passes and tonight you will get to witness his debut production as Appa, the father! Esther Jun, who originated the role of Janet, is now our intrepid director.

As art imitates life - while the family portrayed in Kim’s Convenience is experiencing the wonder of generational change, and the passing of the torch, so too are the artists involved.

Passing the torch. I feel honoured and humbled to be receiving the torch as the Artistic Director of the Grand Theatre. I grew up in a tiny town in southwestern Saskatchewan where a life in the theatre sounded absurd at best. But here I am. I am so thrilled to be at the beginning of my relationship with you, the Grand audience. I look forward to getting to know each of you in our ongoing shared love of this magical thing called theatre.

RACHEL PEAKE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

PHOTO BY MALLORY BROWN

Kim’sCONVENIENCE

Mr. Kim is a rst-generation Korean immigrant, a father of two, and the proud proprietor of Kim’s Convenience for the past 30 years. A relatable story for all families, Ins Choi’s award-winning play, also inspired the beloved hit TV show of the same name.

BlueStone is proud to be the Title Sponsor for the Grand Theatre’s production of this modern Canadian classic.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Welcome to the Grand Theatre. The Grand Theatre acknowledges that we are located 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 live, work, and tell stories together.

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

public funders

season sponsor

title sponsors

The Invisible Kim's Convenience

Clue Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

high school project

Title Sponsor High School Project Program Sponsors

High School Project 25th Anniversary Sponsor

jeans 'n classics presenting sponsor student club

grand gala presenting sponsor

community partners

Hotel Apparel Vehicles

Printing

Framing Catering

Florist

Telecommunications

THE SPRIET STAGE IS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY HELEN & ANDY SPRIET

how much is a pay-whatyou-can admission?

That’s up to you! We encourage you to pay as you are able. There is no minimum —or maximum—amount.

2 ways to buy

Same day only

1) Online - No waiting in line!

$5 increments only

2) In-Person - At the theatre beginning one hour prior to the start of the performance. seats you’ll receive You will receive the best seat available at the time of booking. visit grandtheatre.com or call the box office to learn more!

Spriet Stage, OCTOber 17 TO NOVEMBER 4, 2023

Opening Night OCTOBER 20

KIM'S CONVENIENCE

Written by and Starring INS CHOI

KIM’S CONVENIENCE was originally produced as part of the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival.

The premiere production of KIM’S CONVENIENCE was produced by Soulpepper Theatre Company, Toronto, ON.

“Kim's Convenience” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

www.concordtheatricals.com

The photographing and video/audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES

I have been involved with Kim’s Convenience in some shape or form for nearly 20 years. I don’t remember when Ins first approached me about playing Janet, but it was early in my career, and there were several (and I mean several) versions and workshops, of which only a few of them I was involved with. One fateful day, Ins called me and said “Hey! I won the New Play Contest at the Fringe. Do you want to do Kim’s Convenience?” Little did I realize how much this show would change my life and the lives of so many other people. This year, Ins called me again and said, "Hey! I'm thinking of playing Appa, will you direct me?" Of course I said yes. And again, little did I realize how much this show continues to change my life and deepen everytime I work on it.

I originated the role of Janet and played her in the Fringe production, the subsequent Soulpepper Production and Theatre Calgary tour. She is near and dear to my heart. She actually is a part of me, as my experiences as 2nd generation Korean are part of her. For so many young people, that’s what Kim’s Convenience is about. The struggle of immigrant children, one part of us trying to make it in the dominant culture, another trying to stay in contact with someplace very far away. However, now that I am on the other side of the table and also a mother to a very vivacious 10 year old girl, I see so much clearer how Kim’s Convenience is a love letter to our parents, in all their good, their bad and their ugly. Everything

Appa and Umma go through and question in this play hit so much deeper for me. How do we keep our kids safe but also give them space to be their own person? How much of myself can I sacrifice without losing who I am? What is my story- is it the story of my family?

As I direct this show for the second time, and with Ins being Appa, I am in awe of how this script keeps giving. It's because there is so much love and history in this story. It's about the lives of immigrantstheir journeys, their sacrifices and their victories. It shows how their actions reverberate through our country thanks to what they bring to their families and consequentially to their communities.

I think the simple genius of this play (and of any true classic) is that it will continue to resonate for different cultures, different ages and different times in people’s lives. It’s a true generational play with so much heart, truth and laughter. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. Welcome to the store, come in, grab some snacks and please come again...and again and again...

ESTHER JUN Director

CAST

Alex & Various Roles EMEKA AGADA

Appa INS CHOI

Umma VICKI KIM

Jung

LEON QIN

Janet KELLY J SEO

creative TEAM Director

ESTHER JUN

Set Designer JULIA KIM* based on the original design by CAROLYN RAPANOS

Costume Designer JULIA KIM*

Lighting Designer JARETH LI*

Sound Designer MADDIE BAUTISTA*

Assistant Director AMANDA LIN

Fight Director

ANITA NITTOLY

Stage Manager PETER JOTKUS

Assistant Stage Manager KELSEY RAE

Apprentice Stage Manager SYDNEY STOBO

Vocal Coach JANE GOODERHAM

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.

From grandparents to grandkids, multigenerational living is gaining momentum, redefining the modern family living dynamic.

PLAYWRIGHT'S NOTES

My kids call me 'appa.' They call their mom, 'mommy' and me 'appa.' I know, it’s kinda weird. Sometimes they call me ‘father’ in front of their friends at school as a joke, or ‘dad’ or ‘pa’, but I prefer being called 'appa.' The sound of that word, that name triggers memories of warmth, games, stories, fun, humour, kindness, imagination, gentleness and strength. I hope my kids’ll say the same one day. We’ll see.

My appa turns 88 this year. I love him so much. He grew up in what is now North Korea but at the time it was northern Korea under Japanese occupation. After world war two, Japan retreated off the Korean peninsula as the American and Russian forces entered it setting the stage for the Korean war (1950-1953).

During this time, my appa and his siblings walked south with thousands of others in search of freedom and a new start. My umma grew up in wartorn South Korea and met my appa in 1966. They arrived in Canada in 1975 with two hundred dollars, three kids and the God of hope. We lived with my uncle’s family in Toronto above their convenience store.

After a performance of Kim’s Convenience at the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival, my appa and umma hugged me and said, “We are very proud of you. Thank you.”

This play is a love letter to my appa and umma and to all first-generation immigrants who call Canada home.

INS CHOI

Playwright and Perfomer

(2)INS CHOI pho- tographed by Mai Tilson for the 2023 Grand Theatre production of Kim's Convenience

(1) INS CHOI as pictured in NOW Magazine for the 2011 Fringe pro- duction of Kim's Convenience.

GRAND GALA THANK YOU!

On June 22, 2023, the Grand Gala celebrated 25 years of the High School Project

Thanks to the Sponsors, Partners and Donors, the 46th Grand Gala raised $250,000 to support the High School Project.

An extra special thanks to the talented guest artists, special guests, honourees, performers, and presenters who joined us in the celebration:

Michael Shamata - former Artistic Director at the Grand Theatre and founder of the High School Project, Lennette Randall, Dennis Garnhum, Breanne Ritchie, Suzanne McArthur, Peter Markvoort, Marcy Gallant, Thomas Alderson, Eric Morin, Sarah Hilton, George Kerhoulas, Evan Klassen, and the many High School Project alumni over the past 25 years, plus company members of the 2023/24 HSP, The Phantom of the Opera.

Please join us in thanking our sponsors

Gala Committee

Chris Costello

Peter Markvoort

Sandra Panzer

Rachel Ross

Anita Shah

PHOTO BY MALLORY BROWN

Behind-the-scenes in the

DEVELOPERS REHEARSAL HALL

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.

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.

INS CHOI & EMEKA AGADA ESTHER JUN

KELLY J SEO

LEON QIN & EMEKA AGADA

London’s Best Sunday Brunch

Sunday October 22, 2023

Voted the Best Sunday Brunch 5 years in a row. Live Entertainment by Tom Taylor.

Sunday October 29, 2023

Enjoy Sunday Brunch with the London Knights and meet your favourite players. Kids 12 & under eat for free with a paid adult. Live entertainment by Jamie Baldwin. Halloween costumes are welcome.

Sunday November 05, 2023

Be sure to try out our famous eggs benedict bar, omelette station, kids buffet, smoked salmon, chocolate fountain and so much more. Live Entertainment by Jamie Scheir.

10:30am - 1:00pm

Reservations: deltaarmouries.com 519-640-5030

Harmen Spoelstra and Jessica Jazey-Spoelstra, Owners

Delta Hotels by Marriott London Armouries 325 Dundas Street. London, Ontario.

ARTISTS

Emeka Agada Alex & Various Roles

f or t he Grand t heatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (selected): We Could Be (Green Light Arts); Rise/Fall (Toronto Fringe.)

film & tv credits (selected): Reacher (Amazon); Nurses (Global)/NBC); Ruby and the Well (Shaftesbury); Ransom (CBS/eOne); Odd Squad (TVO/Sinking Ship).

other: Trained at the Guildford School of Acting. Received an ACTRA Award nomination in 2022 for his performance in Nurses.

Ins Choi Appa / Playwright

f or the Grand t heatre: Kim's Convenience (played Jung in 2013)

t heatre c redits (selected): Banana Boys, lady in a red dress (fu-gen); Hamlet, The Odyssey, The Taming of the Shrew, Alls Well That Ends Well (Stratford); Death of a Salesman, A Midsummer Night's Dream, You Can't Take It With You, Oh! What A Lovely War, Alligator Pie, re(birth): ee cummings in song, Window on Toronto (Soulpepper); 2000 Candles, The Big Picture (Brookstone).

film & tv credits (selected): Co-creator, writer and Executive Producer of the TV series Kim's Convenience (Thunderbird, CBC, Netflix).

Vicki Kim Umma she/h er

for the Grand theatre: Debut.

theatre credits (selected): Comfort (Native Earth Performing Arts.)

film & tv credits (selected): The Expanse, The Boys (Amazon Prime); Shadowhunters, Workin' Moms, Work It (Netflix); SkyMed (CBC); Out of My Mind (Disney Plus); Robyn Hood (Corus); Orphan Black Echoes (AMC).

other: Graduate of the BSc Psychology Program at the University of Toronto.

Leon Qin Jung

f or the Grand theatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (selected): Fatal Charade (Toronto Fringe Festival); Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night's Dream (RSDC); The Tempest (Stella Adler Studio).

film and tv credits: Fade In (Morehouse Human Rights Film Festival).

o ther: BFA Acting from New York University. www.leonqin.com

emeka aG ada

ins choi vicki kim leon Qin

ARTISTS

Kelly J Seo Janet

f or t he Grand t heatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (selected): Jenny's House of Joy (Foster Festival); Kim's Convenience (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Twelfth Night (St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival); Hannah Hashimoto The Sixth Violin (Thousand Islands Playhouse); You Can Ask Me How I'm Doing (Alumnae Theatre)

film & tv credits (selected): Age of Samurai, Lola, If I Should Die, "The Strangler", The Sanhok Tapes - PUBG Lore Drop.

commercials: Kelly’s face may be recognizable from her commercial work including but not limited to, Spotify, Fitbit, Sephora and most notably Cracker Barrel Cheese.

other: Graduate of the BFA Theatre Program at York University. www.kellyseo.com; @kellyjseo

Esther Jun Director sh e/h er

f or t he Grand t heatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (selected): Les BellesSoeurs, Little Women,I Am William (Stratford Festival); Between a Wok & Hotpot (Cahoots); The Great Leap (Cleveland Playhouse); Kim's Convenience (TIP); Planet Munsch (George Brown); Pal Joey, The Gamblers, Amadeus (Talk Is Free); The Promised Land (Soulpepper); The Omnibys Bill (Counterpoint Players); Theory, Girls Like That (Tarragon); The Private Life Cabaret (Theatre ARTaud); The Last Wife (The Belfry, GCTC); Rococo (Shaw Festival); Bremen Rock City (Song Trolley Productions); Cowboy Mouth, Trout Stanley (Heart in Hand); Yellow Face (Hart House).

other: www.theestherjun.com

Julia Kim Set & Costume Designer

f or the Grand t heatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (selected): The Supine Cobbler (GCTC); Steel Magnolias, Gaslight (Watermark Theatre); Okay, You Can Stop Now (Theatre Passe Muraille); Kim’s Convenience (TIP); Pass Over (Obsidian Theatre Company.) film & tv credits (selected): Heart of Gold (Noema Productions); Misfit M. (Paige Locke Production).

other : www.yeon.studio; @yeon._.studio

Jareth Li Lighting Designer he/him

f or the Grand t heatre: Controlled Damage

t heatre c redits (selected): Topdog/ Underdog (Canadian Stage); Prince Caspian (Shaw Festival); Jersey Boys, Ring of Fire (Citadel Theatre); Every Little Nookie (Stratford Festival); Peter's Final Flight (Ross Petty Productions); The Hours That Remain (Theatre Aquarius); Three Women of Swatow (Tarragon Theatre); Trojan Girls and the Outhouse of Atreus (Outside the March); The Home Project, The Wolves, Casimir and Caroline, Punk Rock (The Howland Company).

upcominG: Pollyanna (Theatre Aquarius).

other: Stagecraft instructor at York University, member of the Associated Designers of Canada IATSE 659. @jareth.li.

kelly J seo

esther J un J ulia kim Jareth li

Driven by the arts

student club

Student Spotlight: alyssa palma

HOW have you applied your exposure to theatre and love of the arts to other areas of your life?

I have always loved the arts, but theatre specifically has shaped what I hope to study in post-secondary and do after school. After my victory lap I hope to study the backstage side of theatre, either at UWO along with literature or at Sheridan College. I don’t know what exactly, but I know I want to work in the theatre industry in some way.

Tell us about the community aspects you experienced. Did you meet students from other schools?

The Student Club introduced me to so many like minded people and it, along with the High School Project, gave me an amazing group of friends who like theatre as much as I do!

What is a goal for you 5 years from now?

I hope to be finished post secondary either at UWO or Sheridan College, looking for or already have a job in the theatre industry and still loving the arts as much as I do now!

What would you say to another student who may be considering coming to student club?

Yes, definitely join the Student Club! It’s a great investment, an awesome way to meet new people, a way to see shows for fairly cheap and hear from the professionals who made that show happen!

Pictured: Alyssa Palma (She/Her)

Lexus of London is the proud sponsor of the Grand Theatre’s — a special discounted subscription for any student to experience a full season of live, professional theatre.

We make junk disappear.

The Phantom of the Opera - High School Project Proud supporters of The Grand Theatre.

September 19 – October 7, 2023

ARTISTS

Maddie Bautista Sound Designer

f or the Grand theatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (selected): Les Belles Soeurs, I Am William (Stratford Festival); The First Stone (GCTC, Buddies in Bad Times); Kim's Convenience (Thousand Islands Playhouse); White Girls in Moccasins (Buddies in Bad Times); Toka (Theatre Passe Muraille); 1184 (Phoenix Arts/Aga Khan Museum).

oriG inal works: Love You Wrong Time (Bad Muse Collective); 4inXchange (xLq).

o ther: Nominated 5 times for a Dora Mavor Moore Award. www.maddiebautista.com

Amanda

Lin Assistant Director

f or the Grand t heatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (p erformer) : Between a Wok and a Hot Pot (Cahoots); Like Mother Like Daughter (Why Not Theatre.)

t heatre c redits (director) : In This World (Theatre Count); Anon(ymous) (5th Company Lane); The Vic (Vagabond Theatre Company).

other : Program Director at Nightwood Theatre, XR Producer at Single Thread Theatre.

Anita

Nittoly Fight Director

f or the Grand theatre: The Phantom of the Opera, Fall On Your Knees.

t heatre c redits (selected): Fall On Your Knees (CanStage/NAC); Counter Offense (Segal Centre); Fairview (CanStage); Prodigal (Crows); Trojan Girls and The Outhouse Of Atreus (Outside The March/Factory Theatre); Our Place (Cahoots/TPM); 2019 Season (The Stratford Festival).

film & tv credits (selected): Star Trek: Discovery, SEE, Pretty Hard Cases, Titans, The Boys, Rabbit Hole, What We Do In The Shadows, and various Ubisoft motion capture performances.

o ther: A stage combat instructor and sexual choreograher at the National Theatre School.

Peter Jotkus Stage Manager

f or the Grand t heatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (selected): The Belfry; Pacific Opera; Arts Club, Vancouver Playhouse; Bard on the Beach; Electric Company; Aeriosa Dance; WCT; Banff Centre; ATP; The Citadel; Theatre Calgary; MTC; Stratford Festival; Shaw Festival; Canadian Stage; Opera Atelier; COC; National Arts Centre; Centaur; Charlottetown Festival. Touring: De Singel, Antwerp; BAM, New York; Edinburgh International Festival; Kammerspiel, Munich; American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco; Bushnell Center for the Arts, Hartford; Bergen Festival, Norway; Wellington Festival; Adelaide Festival; Barbican Theatre, London; World Stage Festival; Luminato, Toronto.

o ther: Graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada.

m addie bautista amanda lin anita nittoly p eter Jotkus

ARTISTS

Kelsey Rae Assistant Stage Manager

f or t he Grand t heatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (selected): Waiting For Godot (Stratford Festival); The Donnelly Trilogy (Blyth Festival); The Wizard of Oz Panto (Drayton); Bentboy (YPT); King Henry V, Rosalynde: A Musical, Midsummer Night's Dream (Driftwood Theatre); Paper Bag Princess, The In-Between - 2 Play Tour (Geordie Productions); Echoes of the Homesick Heart (Western Canada Theatre); Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Merry Wives of Windsor (Perchance Theatre).

other : Graduate of Mount Allison University

Sydney Stobo Apprentice Stage Manager sh e/h er

f or t he Grand t heatre: Debut.

t heatre c redits (selected): The Sound of Music(Thousand Islands Playhouse); Retold (Musical Stage Company); Let's Dance! (Terra Bruce Productions); 9 to 5: The Musical (Capital Theatre Port Hope); Harry Potter & The Cursed Child (Mirvish); First Drafts (Musical Stage Company/Theatre Sheridan).

k elsey rae sydney stobo

With thanks

to our 2023/24 WArdrobe supporting sponsor

reno 2020 supporters

In November 2021, the Grand Theatre unveiled its newly renovated spaces. We are ever grateful for our supporters and private/corporate donors:

Department of Canadian Heritage Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

ELIZABETH & ALLAN DREWLO

LYNNE CRAM, MICHAEL & DIANE SMITH - THE FAMILY OF JOAN & DON SMITH

KAREN & ERIC AUZINS

DEVELOPERS REHEARSAL HALL

WITH ADDED THANKS TO:

Good Foundation Inc.

Walter J. Blackburn Foundation

Estate of Richard M. Ivey

ROALDDAHL'S

ROALD DAHL'S

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Book by David Greig

Music By Marc Shaiman

Lyrics by Scott Wittman | Marc Shaiman

Based on the novel by ROALD DAHL

Songs from the Motion Picture by LESLIE BRICUSSE and ANTHONY NEWLEY

Nov 21 to dec 24 on the spriet stage

Editorial Text

HR Advisory

Assessment

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• Strategic and tactical HR advice

• HR policy and risk

• HR experts on demand management

• Workplace audits and investigations

• World class suite of assessment tools

• Experts in psychometric testing

• Organization, team and individual assessments

• Candidate search

• Creative sourcing strategies

• Best fit analysis

• Effective on-boarding support

Talent Development

• Customized talent development solutions

• Individual and team focus

• Outcome-oriented

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Coaching

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• Evidence-based coaching model

• Strategically aligned

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Career Transition

• On-site termination advice and support

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• Retirement planning

From Convenience Store to Centre Stage: Kim's Convenience and the Rise of Asian Representation in Theatre

The year was 1998, and Ins Choi, the celebrated Korean-Canadian playwright and actor, had just graduated from the acting program at York University, brimming with talent and promise. However, a significant obstacle loomed in his path: the glaring absence of roles for Asian actors. Fortunately, Choi was not alone in his sentiments. Enter: Nina Lee Aquino, an award-winning Filipino-Canadian director and dramaturg. After founding fu-GEN, the Asian Canadian Theatre Company, Aquino invited Choi to be a part of a new playwrighting unit. His first task: write a play about something you know. For Choi, the choice was obvious: a Korean family and their convenience store. Growing up, his own family had lived above a convenience store in Toronto when they first immigrated to Canada. With this vivid setting in his mind, Choi was inspired and instantly coined a title: Kim’s Convenience. He humorously quipped, “Kim is the most popular Korean last name, so I thought if every Kim in Toronto came to see the show, it might do okay.”

Coming from a family with two older sisters and five cousins all verbally jousting at every get together, Choi knew his play would revolve around humorous family dynamics. And so, a story was born about a first-generation Korean immigrant, a father of two, and the proud proprietor of Kim’s Convenience, who, after 30 years of building his empire from nothing, now grapples with his changing neighbourhood, and the growing chasm between him and his second-generation children.

Despite the undeniable relatability of the show’s content, it was a challenge for Choi to find a theatre to stage his new work.

On July 6, 2011, with Choi directing, producing, and portraying the role of Jung, Kim’s Convenience premiered in Toronto’s Fringe Festival - instantly becoming a sensation; selling out its seven-show run and winning best play at the Fringe. Those present witnessed the Asian Canadian community in Toronto enthusiastically come out to support this show, with lines around the theatre every day!

For Choi, it's a source of immense excitement that his play, featuring an Asian cast and creative team, will kick off the Grand's 2023/24 Season. After a lifetime of not witnessing Asian narratives and faces on stage, a real transformation is underway throughout Canada –including at the Grand. Choi eloquently states, "12 years ago, there was a desperate need for Asian artists to make new spaces for our stories to be heard because the main stream theatres weren't listening. Lots has changed. Things are different now. Could more progress be made? Absolutely. But, for now, this is something worth celebrating."

Photo Credits: Kim's Convenience Facebook page

The year is The year is TORONTO

and regent park

1960s-70s

Canada’s immigration policies change, and more BIPOC immigrant families move into Regent Park

1998

Ins Choi graduates from York University and joins Nina Lee Aquino-founded fu-GEN, Asian Canadian Theatre Company. He was tasked with writing a play about something he knows.

2005

City of Toronto approves Regent Park

Revitalization Project: tearing down and rebuilding large portions of neighbourhood.

1*

2*

Kim’s Convenience premiered in 2011, and takes place in the neighbourhood of Regent Park, Toronto, in the same year.

ASIAN AMERICAN REPRESENTATION AROUND 2011

THINGS THAT HAD NOT HAPPENED YET:

Stop Asian Hate movement (2020) Black Lives Matter movement (2013)

Squid Games (2021) “Gangnam Style” (2013) Crazy Rich Asians (2018) Parasite (2019) Shang Chi (2021)

2011 2021

2023

Kim’s Convenience

Ins Choi’s debut play: premieres at Toronto Fringe Festival. The events of

Kim’s Convenience

Asian-Canadian population doubles to 20% (compared to 10% just 20 years prior, in 2001).

Olivia Chow becomes Mayor of Toronto.

BTS (debuted in 2013) Ali Wong’s first Netflix Special (2016) take place in the same year - 2011.

Far East MovementScott Pilgrim vs. the WorldHarry Potter Series

Attention: STUDENTS!

ways involved

get

volunteer DYK? Volunteering at the Grand counts towards your 40 hours of community service!

student club

Join us for a Thursday preview performances and become an important part of our Grand community with other like-minded students from across the city, and enjoy pizza and six shows on the Spriet Stage for only $99!

STUDENT RUSH

Participate in the

high school project

You Are Welcome.

Same-day Student Rush tickets are available for all Grand Theatre Spriet Stage and Auburn Stage shows for $29.95 each!

An awesome opportunity for hands-on training and mentorship by professional artists and coaches in all departments of the Theatre. This program is open to any high school student from the London area and no costs are associated!

grandtheatre.com

We are building a community that future generations can be proud of. A community where everyone is welcome. A community where you can be yourself.

STAFF & BOARD

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Rachel Peake

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Evan Klassen

ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION

PRODUCER

Lyndee Hansen

COMPANY MANAGER

Christine Gruenbauer

ARTS ADMINISTRATION INTERN

Claire Meerkamper

EDUCATION MANAGER

Breanne Ritchie

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION INTERN

Danielle Dixon

ADMINISTRATION

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

Ankit

Shannon Goneau

Marty Peterson

Luke Morrison

John Whitty

FINANCE

DIRECTOR

Magdi Osman

FINANCE ASSOCIATE

Loraine Oluwadairo

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

Kelly Fraleigh

FINANCE CONSULTANT

Ansel Tempral

PAYROLL

Judy Risser

marketing & digital strategy

DIRECTOR

Lia Karidas

DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIST

Rana Bajandooh

MARKETING PROJECT MANAGER

Allison Birs

Preston Free Cooper

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Caitlin Core

fund DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Heather Siskind-Levite

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND EVENTS

Sarah Hilton

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Jacob Wiley

HOLIDAY WISH FOR KIDS CO-ORDINATOR

Kate Armstrong

DEVELOPMENT VOLUNTEER

Celia Silverson

AUDIENCE SERVICES

FRONT OF HOUSE

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

Ali Samuel

SHOW MANAGER

Haley Helm

BAR & BEVERAGE

Jordann Atha

Mackenzie Bishop

Gabriela Bortoleto

Amelia Hilton

Ben Kennes

Purushoth Megarajah

Sabrina Sa

Emma Semple

Sabrina Stewart

Hannah VanAlphen-Fyfe

Landon Wright

box office

AUDIENCE SERVICES

SUPERVISOR

Denise Hay

REPRESENTATIVES

Caitlin Cahill

Trinity Harrison

Brittney-Lee Lowey

Karen McDonald

Cheryl Willison

PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR

Paul Fujimoto-Pihl

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Brayden Crawford

ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Sonja Niedermaier

PRODUCTION DRIVER

Jim Doucette

PROPERTIES

HEAD OF PROPS

Natalie Kearns

PROPS NatalieBUILDER/BUYER Tsang

WARDROBE

HEAD OF WARDROBE

Lisa Wright

ASSISSTANT TO THE HEAD OF WARDROBE

Meghan Choma

SEWER

Lacie George

Scenic carpentry

HEAD SCENIC CARPENTER

Craig Pearson

FIRST CARPENTER

Rory Leydier

SCENIC CARPENTER

Chris Barker

SCENIC ART

HEAD SCENIC ARTIST

Richard Lawler

SENIOR SCENIC ARTIST

Craig Guthrie

SPRIET STAGE

HEAD STAGE CARPENTER

Steve West

HEAD OF AUDIO

Aaron Ouellette

HEAD OF LIGHTING

Liam Arbogast

HEAD OF FLYS

Jared Whitty

HEAD STAGE WARDROBE

Sarah Tracy

AUBURN STAGE

HEAD TECHNICIAN

Steve Allen

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT

George Kerhoulas

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

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamie Crich

TREASURER

Bill Assini

SECRETARY

George Kerhoulas

Tom Burnett

Dianne ElizabethCunningham

Drewlo

Peter Markvoort

Bob Schram

Tom Tillmann

make a grand gift

Did you know: creating live theatre is not possible on ticket sales alone? A sold-out house only covers a fraction of the costs that produce a season. The Grand proudly employs hundreds, attracts world-renowned talent, boosts the local economy, and creates transformative experiences that inspire. All of this wouldn't be possible without you, our donors and supporters.

curated events with the executive & artistic directors

free access to reception space once per season

meet & greet with cast & creative members

luncheon with new artistic director

early access to upcoming season's secrets

2 complimentary drink tickets per show

opening night preshow wine & cheese

opening night subscription for 2

invite to early rehearsal

invite to sneak peek event

exclusive grand theatre swag

invite to "how the magic happens" event

2 complimentary drink tickets

single tickets at 15% discount

invitiation to season launch party

voting rights at agm recognition in annual report recognition in house programs

unlimited ticket exchanges

tax receipt

$250 $20,000+

$50009999 $10,00019,999

Donor levels entitled to receive all benefits applicable from lower levels.

Your donation, at any level, not only supports putting productions on our stages, it also helps provide subsidies for Student Club, Student Matinees, Relaxed Performances, High School Project and funds tickets for children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a Grand show.

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS

This listing recognizes the much-appreciated gifts we have received within the last twelve months. The cut-off date to be recognized in this program was September 19, 2023. If you have any questions regarding these listings, or are looking for details on how to become a donor for the Grand Theatre, please contact Jacob Wiley, Development Coordinator at 519.672.9030 x245 or by email at jwiley@grandtheatre.com.

GRAND VISIONARIES DIRECTORS’ CIRCLE $20,000+

Auburn Developments Inc . • Karen & Eric Auzins • Caroline & Rodney Hancock • Dr. Nicole

Le Riche & Dr. John Howard • Ron & Deb Koudys • Debbie & Bob Schram • Helen & Andy

Spriet • Roberta & Dr. Robert Sokol

patron's CIRCLE $10,000 –19,999

Brisson Toal Foundation • Robert & Donna Bourne • Lynne Cram • Lynn Davis • Susan & Ron

Holliday • Shelly & Bob Siskind • Diane & Michael Smith

AMBASSDOR'S CIRCLE $5,000–9,999

Sumit Agrawal & Zahra Kassam • Burnett Okanski Dale Financial Group • The Jack & Barbara

Hay Foundation • Harry Joosten & Kathleen Murphy • George Kerhoulas & Jacqueline Crosby

• Peter Markvoort • Cecil & Linda Rorabeck • Eleanor Schnall • Susan Smith-Goddard •

Susan Carlyle & David Southen • Richard & Marianne Zelinka

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

Ahria Consulting Inc.

Ruthe Anne Conyngham

Crawford Macleod Foundation

Chris Alleyne & Chris

Costello

Jim Cressman

Barbara & John Cronyn Fund

Allan & Susan Edwards

Blair Fantillo & Alison Webb-

Fantillo

Bill & Ann Fleming

Alison & Michael Hannay

Deb Harvey

Chris Jackman & Lesley

MacAskill

Evan R. Klassen

Suzanne Lanthier

GRAND SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATES

Stephen Adams QC & Linda

Adams

Jill & Brian Allen

Jane & Justin Amann

Brent & Sheila Barr

Rachael Berta

Sharon Bryan

Doug & Dawn Bryce

Diana & Charles Coates

Joanne & Thomas Cowan

Dianne Cunningham

Peter & Jennifer Day

Noreen De Shane

Jennifer Duncan

Rhonda Hallberg

Michael Johnson

William & Katharine Kostuk

Family Fund

Alex Lau

Brian & Sharon Lessard

Sandra & Don Letton

The Verna D. Davis

William & Lynda McCauley

Amira Moussa & Mike

Meddaoui

Larry Myny

Sandra & Derek Panzer

Franco & Dawn Paron

John & Jackie Porter

Anita & Amit Shah

$1,000–2,499

Andrew Petrasiunas & Kate

Milner

Jennifer Slay

Peter & Beth Whatmore

Ian Wallace

Judith White

Mark Wilton

Endowment for the Arts

London Community Foundation

Jason Mandlowitz & Daryl

Fridenberg

Rick Mann

Jennifer Matthews

Kerry McKee

Teresa & Ron McRae

Michael & Valerie Milde

Jean Monteith

Vandana Nagpal-Shah & Piyush Shah

Ina Pakkert Migneron

Larry Panych & Chandlee

Dickey

Jennifer & Matt Parr

Robert & Sandra Pearson

Colleen Quigley

Bill & Linda Ross

Mina Samuels

Peter & Heather Scott

Ian & Elaine Simpson

Sarah Tattersall & Kevin Endo

Rick Verrette & George Jolink

Margo Visser-DeVuono

Mary Warner

GRAND SUPPORTERS

FRIENDS

$500–999

Larry & Susan Agranove

Family Fund

Harold & Sharon Arbuckle

Dr Ross & Yvonne Archibald

Architects Tillmann Ruth

Robinson

William & Joanne Assini

Mike & Doreen Bartlett

Allen & Judith Best

Nicole Blanchette

Maureen Boland

James & Janet Caskey

Phil & Midge Dean

Susan Dittmer & Family

Mr. & Mrs. W M Dobell

Marilyn & Art Fidler

Joan Finegan & Mel Goodale

Joseph & Gloria Gilbert

Mary Gillett & Thomas

Burnett

Kathryn Glasgow & Dave

Aziz

Gavin & Bea Hamilton

Patricia Hoffer

Peter & Leslie Johnson

Kirsten Knight & Craig

Emptage

Marty Kolls Schram & Mark

Schram

Steve Kopp

Gary & Mary Margaret

Koreen

David & Antje Laidler

Spencer Lanthier

Bill & Ruta Lawrence

Mike & Lisa Leopold

Deb Livingstone & Bob

Ripley

David & Elizabeth

Macdonald

Darlene & Larry Marshall

Ian & Nancy McDowell

Libby & Earl McMillan

Deborah & Joe Owens

Wendy Petersen

Norma & Jim Poel

Jerry Pribil

Maxine Pulbrook-Chiu

Deborah & Ronald Purdy

Lili Rechnitzer

Judith & Wilson Rodger

Tim Ruffilli

Jack & Carolyn Scott

Sandra Shaw

Kim Shuit

Celia & Rod Silverson

Jack & Joanne Smit

Helena Steinmetz & Bruce

Hewitt

Erin & Dave Stimac

Norma Stokes

Jurgen Tietz & Dianne Baird

Mike Tilson

Dr. Malcolm Wood & Mrs.

Monique Wood supporters

$100–499

Jack & Judy Abell

Shannon Ablitt

Jean Adams

Elena & John Aggelopoulos

Josanne Atley

Karen Bailey & Lynn Heinitz

Rob Bain

Caroline Barandowski

Beverly & David Bell

Pat & Rodney Bell

Shelley Bellyou

Helene Berman

Ingrid Betz

Julie Bevan

Joan & Robert Boyce

Teresa Brennan

Lorena & Jack Brown

Mitchell Brown

Sean Brown

Alice & Phillip Bruce

Susan Bryant & Michael

MacDonald

Moira Burke

Sharon & Bill Burns

Linda & Larry Burt

Lori & Chris Cahill

M. F. Caldwell

Madeline Campbell

Mary & James Campbell

Adam Caplan

Jesse Carlton

Ryan Carter

James Cassidy

Jacklyn Chang-Cardoso

Margo & Alex Christodoulou

Myra & Gary Collins

Hugh John Cook

Ada & Henry Cornelissen

Larry Cornies

Kenneth Cossoy

Grace Coutinho

Matthew Creighton

Lloyd Davenport

Rick Doerr

Emma Donoghue & Chris

Roulston

Joanne Dow

Dorothy Downs & Thomas

Sobut

Vicki & Gord Drimmie

Mary Dryden

Adam D'Silva

Frances Dyson

Penny Eizenga

Marilyn Elgie

Bruce & Joan Estabrooks

Liz & Jim Etherington

Kim Eyre

Doug & Laura Fairbairn

Laurie Farquharson

Barb & Bruce Fearnall

Linda & Louis Ferraro

Lynne & James Finn

Elizabeth Fowler

Suzanne Fratschko Elliott

Paul Fujimoto-Pihl

Pamela Gallagher

George Georgopoulos

Wendy Gilmour

Hillary Glass

Rigmor & Gary Glen

David Gliddon

Deb Greenfield

Pauline & Peter Hart

Najet and Hanny Hassan

Denise Hay

Lois & Glenn Hayter

Jesse Helmer

Jayna Hendren

Jennifer Ho

Gail & Rick Hoevenaars

David Hoff

Cheryl Hooper

Louisa Howerow

Brenda & Morrison Hurley

Paul & Heather Huston

Jenna Hutchison

Susan Isaacs

Kent James

Wayne Jamieson

Joanne Lubansky Johns & Dennis Johns

Allan Johnson

Ann Judson

Heather & David Keast

Jordan Kilfoy

Mary Ellen Kirk

Lorraine & Rob Klassen

Sheila & Stan Kogon

Susan & John Koval

Claire A. Lane

Jennifer & Wayne Lawrence

Mr. R Lawton & Mr. S

Chitovas

Trish Lee

Michael Leopold

Karen Lilley

Bernadette Lockhart

Murray MacKenzie

Suzanne Majhanovich

Patrick Malloy & Gayle

White-Malloy

Melissa Maloney

Stephanie Marentette

Jamie & Cheryl McCallum

Karen McDonald

Ann McEwan-Castellan

Ken McGuffin

Ian McIlraith & Sheilanne

Lindsay

Jason McIntyre

Nan McIntyre

Kandice McKee & Desi

Brownstone

Bill & Nancy McKeough

Paul & Luella McKnight

Heather McLean

Mark McLean & Lara

Yovetich

Brian McMillan

Marilynne McNeil

William & Katherine Meath

Robert Mepham

Janet Millar

Sharon Miller

John Mitchell & Debra

Jared

Iain Moggach

Brett Morritt

Eva Munoz

Museum London

New Era Grafix

Celia Nichols & Cam

Johnston

Colleen O'Brien

David O'Gorman

John & Norine Opper

Maura Pare

Catherine Patterson & James Ferguson

Melissa Pickering

Ann Pinchin

Mary Possmayer

Diane & Gary Price

Karen & Rick Pritchett

Tanya & Jason Prouty

Lisa Putman & Bruce Reed

Nancy Quinn & JD DeLuzio

Gary & Gail Rains

Hugh Rawling & Dorli

Herman

Peter & Bonnie Regier

Matthew Reid

Linda Rempel

Anne Reuber

Eleanore Reynolds

Douglas & Kathleen

Richards

Doris Robak

William & Barbara Robins

Garrett Rodman

Paul & Karen Romanson

Rick & Dianne Rumney

Howard & Lynda Rundle

Alan G. Sellery

Gordon & Catherine Sellery

Julia Sert

Todd & Elisabeth Shaddick

Douglas & Pirkko Sheldrick

Lisa Sheldrick

Kathryn Ann Sherwin

Robert & Margaret Shirley

Joe Silva

Randy & Mariann Southen

Jacqueline & Erich Specht

Jack & Elaine Norman

Michelle Stanton

Susan Steven

Ian Stone

Ken & Joan Sumnall

Anne Thede

Tom & Jane Tillmann

Joanne & Brian Timney

Anne Toal & Paul Brisson

Susan Toth

Ross & Joan Totten

Andrew Tribe

Shannon Twynstra

Lisa Uptigrove

Kathryn Varey

Catherine Vermue

Janis Wallace

Kirk Wallis

Alex & Beth-Anne Wasko

Ronald & Denise Wexler

Judy & Gerry Wheaton

Lynn Williams

Rod & Faye Willis

Sandra-Pat Willis

Ian & Mary Wilton

Christine Wood

Doug W. Woods

Andrew Wright

Richard Allan Yake

Anonymous

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

•

• Crawford MacLeod Foundation • Judith & Wilson Rodger • The McNee Family Fund

The William and Katharine Kostuk Family Fund

In Memoriam

Thank you to those who gave in memory of Noreen Davis, Eleanore Reynolds, Shirley Brown, Vivian Deleary, Mary Loncke, Pam Samuels, Robert Swartman & Lister Waugh cherished friends of the Grand who are dearly missed.

PROSCENIUM SOCIETY Planned giving

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. Their legacy will help ensure that the Grand continues to flourish.

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 Securities

• Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation

• Charitable Gift Annuities

• Life Insurance Policies, rrsp, rrif

Barbara Belbeck Hazel E. Bell Marista Ateena Brooks (Mikolaski) Robert Crawford Buck A. M. Cuddy

Cutler

Horne

• Lynn Davis

• Helen Ann Day

• Walter R. (Wally) Duffield

• Dr. Nicole le Riche & Dr. John Howard

Lilliman

• Myrtle McCallum

Glenda Robinson

• Beryl Ivey

• Douglas McCullough

• Maureen Elizabeth Ryan

Stratton Judy White

• Michael Wojtak

• Cathy & James Dunlop

• Elizabeth Ann Jones

• Mary Eleanor Miller

• Joseph Samuels

• Innis Hammond

• Karen Kileen

• Susan Nickle

• Pam Samuels

• EJ Lamb

Theresa

• Barbara

• Mary & Roger

• Diane & Gary Alan Price

• Donald Smith

• Doris Spence

•

• Elizabeth

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:

Brian Baillargeon • Becca Beith

Bill & Maryanne McGarth

• Ross & Cathy Burgar

• Leon Melville

Allan Stichbury • Mark Uhre

• Jill Ellis-Worthington

• Cam Quinn

• Peter & Jan Vogel

• Patricia Reilly

• Denise Jung

• Francine Rheault

• Bob Ward & Susan Yerema

• Mabel Kane

• Janet McAllister

• Julie Ryan• Anita & Amit Shah

• Megan Watson

• Doug & Connie Weir

•

•