A Co-Production with NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE INDIGENOUS THEATRE
Great theatre lives here.
We are pleased to support the Grand Theatre and the performers captivating audiences with exciting, innovative and entertaining productions. BMO is proud to be the Grand Theatre’s 2024/25 Season Sponsor – The Secret to Good Tea.
What makes a great play? Many people say to me that inside their love for spectacle and music and all the magical things large-scale theatre can offer, what they want at the end of the day is a really great play - something that takes them on a journey and invites them into a world and a story that was otherwise unknown to them. Theatre is experiencing life through someone else’s eyes and living the emotional reality of that alternate existence. To live a story that is not your own but that opens your eyes, mind, and heart to a new perspective on the world. When I first read Rosanna Deerchild’s The Secret to Good Tea, I realized she had written exactly that.
I know Rosanna Deerchild’s work from my family’s deep connection to CBC Radio and her role as host of CBC’s Unreserved. In her own words, Unreserved has become the radio space for fearless Indigenous voices” and with Rosanna at the helm it is a space for humour, heart, and bold conversation. It is no surprise therefore that her play would encompass exactly that - a bold, fearless, funny exploration of a relationship between a mother and daughter in which they recognize the need to address their past in order to clear space for the future.
I grew up learning about the traditional customs and lifestyles of the Indigenous Nations of Treaty 4 territory where I
was raised. However, I was well into adulthood before I heard of residential schools. Residential schools that were still operating at that time - the last residential school in Saskatchewan closed in 1997. To think of that ignorance now brings me deep shame but also anger at a system that hid its own actions away under a false sense of cultural sharing. As Rosanna says in her season video for the show, this is not only the history of Indigenous people but “it is the history of Canada.” But she adds, “this is a dark piece of our history but it is not a piece of our history that we can’t heal from.”
Thank you for being here. Sharing stories relies on the care and love of both parties to come together, bringing their full self to the experience. This is a great play, and I am endlessly thankful to Rosanna for sharing her story with us, to these artists for bringing so much of themselves to this production, to Royal MTC for developing the script through its original production, and to our partners at the NAC Indigenous Theatre for their support through the process.
Enjoy the journey.
RACHEL PEAKE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Pictured: Mural a rtist Mike cywink & r achel Peake. Photo by lia k aridas.
Welcome to the Grand Theatre
We’re so glad you’re here.
The Grand Theatre acknowledges that we are located on the traditional territories of the Original storytellers and caretakers of this land, and of the Nations, both settler and Indigenous, who continue to uphold the various treaties of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapéewak.
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, and affirm our commitment to welcoming these communities to the Grand Theatre, while working to remove barriers to access and participation.
We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations, and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (colonially known as North America), and acknowledge the traditional lands upon which we live, work, share, and tell stories together.
Designed by Katie Wilhelm
THANK YOU
to all our Sponsors and Supporters
PUBLIC FUNDERS
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TITLE SPONSORS
AS YOU LIKE IT THE SOUND OF MUSIC
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HEIST
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TEA TALK MATINEE PRESENTINg SPONSOR
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COMMUNITY PARTNERS
HOTEL APPAREL vEHICLES
National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre is honoured to partner with the Grand as co-producer of The Secret to Good Tea.
Our stories are medicine: The Indigenous Theatre Department at the National Arts Centre (NAC) nurtures, develops, and showcases Indigenous stories on our stages and in communities all over Canada. Our mission is to honour our storytellers, thereby aiding in the retention, resurgence, and resilience of the diverse Indigenous cultures of this land.
Learn more about NAC Indigenous Theatre and view our 2024-25 season at: nac-cna.ca/indigenoustheatre
LEARN
- Research the territory you were born on and live on
- Know your ancestry and what that means to you
- Read books by Indigenous authors (Unsettling Canada, Peace Pipe Dreams)
- Understand vital documents (TRC Report, MMIWG Findings,UNDRIP The Indian Act)
EXPERIENCE
- Check if local Bands or Nations offer education opportunities
- Attend Indigenous events (MOA National Indigenous People’s Day)
- Take a decolonization workshop (indigenousrelationsconsultation.com; decolonizingpractices.org)
TALK
- Question assumptions: start a conversation
- Connect with and listen to Indigenous folks (Elders, activists, leaders)
- Follow Indigenous folks on social media and amplify their voices!
- Share your knowledge with family, friends, colleagues, neighbours
DO
- Donate to Indigenous Nations or causes
- Support Indigenous protests
- Volunteer
- Refuse to buy property on stolen land
- Hold your government accountable
Map of south western ontario, marking three Indigenous nations close to london, on.
ORIGINAL Graphic by Alley Theatre.
Spriet Stage, February 18 TO March 8, 2025
Opening Night february 21, 2025
a co-production with national arts centre indigenous theatre
THE SECRET TO GOOD TEA by Rosanna Deerchild
THE SECRET TO GOOD TEA runs 150 minutes, which includes a 20 minute intermission.
audience a dviSory
This production includes unflinching discussion of the residential school system, including separation of children from parents, death of children, and sexual assault.
Produced by permission of the Playwright & Marquis Literary (Colin Rivers) www.MQlit.ca and The Secret to Good Tea was developed by the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre through the Pimootayowin Creators Circle, and originally produced in 2023 by the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director, Camilla Holland, Executive Director).
Photography and video/audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
CAST
gWYNN STARR MICHELLE BARDACH
NICKI KELSEY KANATAN WAVEY
MAggIE MOOSWA MARSHA KNIGHT
MR. BIg CHIEF
JEREMY PROULX
MICHAEL JAMES DALLAS SMITH
CROW EMILY SOLSTICE TAIT
CREATIVE TEAM
DIRECTOR RENAE MORRISEAU
COSTUME DESIgNER YOLONDA SKELTON
APPRENTICE COSTUME DESIgNER CLAIRE ALDRIDGE
LIgHTINg DESIgNER TIM RODRIGUES *
SOUND DESIgNER OLIVIA WHEELER *
v IDEO / PROJECTION DESIgNER CANDE ANDRADE
CHOREOgRAPHER MONTANA SUMMERS
CREE LANgUAgE CONSULTANT MICHAEL LAWRENCHUK
INDIgENOUS CULTURAL CONSULTANT JANET ANTONE
FIgHT DIRECTOR ANITA NITTOLY
STAgE MANAgER SUZANNE MCARTHUR
ASSISTANT STAgE MANAgER JESSICA CAMPBELL-MARACLE
STAgE MANAgEMENT STUDENT KAELA SAITO
RESEARCH STUDENT SAMANTHA MCCUE
A DDITIONAL vIDEO CONTENT NIGHTMARE SHORT FILMS
* All indicated designers are represented by the Associated Designers of Canada, IATSE Local ADC659.
The Grand Theatre is an active member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT). The Grand Theatre also acknowledges, with thanks, the co-operation of the Local 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.
Director's Note
In 1990, I learned about residential schools when Chief Phil Fontaine, from the Sagkeeng First Nation, publicly spoke of his experience attending a residential school in Manitoba. His story went international, a stark contrast to the silence of this history on Canadian streets and the silence in my home.
I’d like to believe that by telling our stories, Canadians can see that we’ve been reconciling for a long time within our communities, especially with our families, on the impact of Canada’s policies towards my people. When we can find the words to share this story, worlds move.
I grew up with stories about fantastical creatures, how my great Auntie Alda became blind and that we go to the stars when we die. The oral stories within my family paint a beautiful, sometimes scary, but certainly
spiritual construct that brings meaning to my life today.
Rosanna has given us a window into her family's reconciliation journey. As an intergenerational survivor and thriver, Rosanna can speak of these things and the legacy they leave to the next generation.
I love theatre because it's the closest thing to those oral stories. The Residential School story on Canadian stages exists because we are at a precipice of understanding the relational accountability between Canadians and First Nations. As a society, we still have a long way to go, but conversations about this dark history are happening.
When we activate relational accountability, we are in ceremony. Our stories tell us how we are all connected because we have the same Mother—this beautiful Earth. Our ceremonial way is knowing our ancestors are with us, that our breath can become a song, and having bannock and tea is the healing gesture where all things can align for actionable hope for our future together.
Thank you, Rosanna, for trusting me with your story.
RENAE MORRISEAU DIRECTOR
The company of The SecreT To Good Tea.
Behind-the-scenes in the
DEVELOPERS REHEARSAL HALL
From the cast and crew meet-and-greet until the team moves to its final dress rehearsals on the Spriet Stage, the magic of theatre comes alive in the rehearsal hall.
The joy of making theatre exists long before a company takes its bow at the end of the first performance. From day one of a new project to staging, sitzprobe, and more, the process of creating a new production means turning an idea into reality through creativity, craft, and collaboration in the Developers Rehearsal Hall.
PhotograPhy by Preston Free CooPer
Marsha Knight & Michelle Bardach.
Emily SolSticE tait & marSha Knight
EMILY SOLSTICE TAIT, RENAE MORRISEAU, MARSHA KNIGHT
EMILY SOLSTICE TAIT & MArShA KnIghT.
Playwright's Note
over tea from calling down the sky, by Rosanna
Deerchild
*
mama drinks red rose tea with carnation and splenda
water boiled on stove in soup pot
three bags steeped for hours of refills
just like back home over tea people talk relatives births deaths marriages and bingo all witnessed
over tea
mama stirs her cup slow measured
tic tic tic of spoon
over fills silence
mama lost her talk in residential school
she sips up memories the heat burns her tongue
My mother, Edna, is a residential school survivor. At barely 5 years old she was taken - first to Sturgeon Landing and then to Guy Hill Indian Residential Schools - both impossibly far from home. There the nuns and priests did their best to fulfil the federal government's aim to “take the Indian out of the child.” Her hair was cut and her language and culture beaten out of her. By the time she went home, she and the place she was born, were unrecognizable.
I wouldn’t know her story for over 30 years. It was not something she talked about. Not to anyone. But the truth can’t stay buried forever. Over the course of many years, many tears and many conversations over tea, my mother finally shared her painful memories with me.
Together, we turned that pain into poetry. ‘calling down the sky,’ was a collaborative collection I wrote with my mother. For her and for all survivors.
The Secret to Good Tea honours our reconciliation journey and my mother’s strength as a survivor. But I also wrote it for more personal reasons. As the daughter of a survivor, I wanted to have a larger conversation about what intergenerational trauma looks like and how we reconcile that within our own families.
I still had things I wanted to say to my mother and questions I wanted to ask us as Indigenous people. How do we carry these stories from our mothers and fathers? Do we lay them gently down so they can rest or do we wave them around like a banner? Just as Maggie's question to the audience at the end, ultimately I want to know - now that we know these hard truths, what will we do with it?
ROSANNA DEERCHILD PLAYWRIGHT
* with acknowledgment to Rita Joe
ARTISTS
Michelle
Bardach (SHE/HER)
Gwynn Starr
F OR T HE gRAND T HEATRE: Elf: The Musical.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Something Rotten, The Diviners (Stratford Festival); Pollyanna, Maggie (Theatre Aquarius); Tell Tale Harbour, Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival); Mamma Mia!, Beauty and the Beast (Arts Club); Children of God (Citadel/Segal Centre/WCT).
FILM & T v C REDITS (SELECTED) : Motherland: Fort Salem (Freeform); Dancing Through Christmas (Lifetime).
vOICE Ov ER (SELECTED): Spirit Rangers (Netflix); Barbie web shorts (Mattel).
OTHER: Bachelor of Performing Arts from Capilano University. Vocalist for Indigenous music group, M'Girl. IG: @ michyb123. www.michellebardach.com.
Kelsey Kanatan Wavey (T HEY/THEM)
Nicki
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Acting: Women of the Fur Trade (NAC/GCTC), Sunrise Betties (Itsazoo), The Secret to Good Tea, The Rez Sisters (RMTC), In My Day (Zeezee Theatre), The Mixolydian, The Mystics (Greenthumb Theatre), Skyborn (Savage Society), The Hours that Remain (Theatre by the River), The Unnatural and Accidental Women (NAC). Directing: Eyes of the Beast: Climate Disaster Stories (Neworld Theatre), Cerulean Blue (Studio 58).
FILM & T v C REDITS (SELECTED) : KIN (Sewing Circle Productions).
Marsha Knight
Maggie
F OR THE gRAND THEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): The Comeback (RMTC); Rise Red River (Theatre Cercle Moliere/Article 11/PTE); Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun (TNW); Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare in the Ruins); Crees in the Caribbean (Magnus); Rez Sister (PTE, TNW, Magnus).
FILM & T v C REDITS (SELECTED) : Acting Good Season 2 & 3 (CTV Comedy); D dot H (APTN Lumi); Little Bird (APTN Crave); Burden of Truth (CBC).
OTHER: Instructor University of Winnipeg Intro Theatre - Indigenous Performance; Producer/Writer/Director "Winnipeg's North End: A Food Desert" (NSI/APTN/CBC - avaialble on CBC Gem).
Jeremy Proulx
Mr. Big Chief
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): The Secret To Good Tea (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Feather Gardens (Hudson Village Theatre); Sixty Below (CIT / Tarragon Theatre); Honour Beat (New West Theatre); Owl Calling (Root Sky Theatre); King Lear (NAC); Only Drunks and Children Tell The Truth (Magnus Theatre).
FILM & T v C REDITS (SELECTED) : In The Beginning Was Water and Sky (Heart Shaped Movies); Chasing Lear (Through and Thru Films); Along The Wabash (PBS).
OTHER: Graduate of the BFA Program at York University. Graduate of Indigenous Theatre School - Full-Time Conservatory. www. jeremy-proulx.com
MICHELLE BARDACH KELSEY KANATAN
WAv E Y
MARSHA KNIg HT JEREMY PROULX
Harmen Spoelstra and Jessica Jazey-Spoelstra, Owners
ARTISTS
James Dallas Smith
Michael
F OR T HE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Almighty Voice & His Wife (Dora Nomination for Outstanding Performance); Where Blood Mixes, King Lear, Our Town (Soulpepper); Hamlet (Canadian Stage); The Secret to Good Tea (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); The Donelly's Trilogy, Cottagers & Indians, The Berlin Blues, Ipperwash (Blyth); MacBeth (Great Southwest Shakespear); Proof, The Drawer Boy (Centaur); Hard Times for These Times (NAC).
OTHER: From Oshweken and proud Mohawk of the Six Nations Grand River (Turtle Clan).
Emily Solstice Tait
Crow
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): The War Being Waged, The Improvised Musical (Prairie Exchange); The Secret To Good Tea (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Laurier (Theatre New Brunswick/Confederation Centre of the Arts).
F ILM & T v C REDITS (SELECTED): Ciš E t (Cameron Fraser-Monroe); The_Place (CBC Arts); Best of You (Rayannah).
OTHER: Confluence (Raven Spirit Dance); Actualize (Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers); Rite of Spring (Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra).
JAMES DALLAS SMITH
ARTISTS
Rosanna Deerchild (SHE/HER)
Playwright
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): The Secret to Good Tea (RMTC).
F ILM & T v C REDITS: Acting Good (CTV Comedy/CRAVE).
O THER : Rosanna is Cree, from O-PiponNa-Piwan Cree Nation. Her first play, with RMTC’s Pimootayowin Creators Circle, The Secret to Good Tea was the first Indigenouswritten play to debut on their mainstage for their 22/23 season. As the host of Unreserved (CBC Radio One) Rosanna shares Indigenous community, culture and conversation. She has written three collections of poetry: this is a small northern town, calling down the sky, and she falls again.
Renae Morriseau
Director
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Women In The Fur Trade, The Secret To Good Tea (NAC); White Noise (Firehall Arts Centre); Single Room Occupancy (Urban Ink); Mary of Patunak (Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre).
F ILM & T v C REDITS: Building Respectful Relationships in COVID Times (PSA, Northern BC First Nations); Quest Out West, Down2Earth (APTN); Angel's Shadow (Visjuelles).
OTHER: Renae is a multifaceted artist in theatre, film, television and music with a focus on Indigenous story creation. Renae teaches Indigenous Media Studies at Capilano University. She is currently writing new songs, working on her feature film and hoping her grandson Brylin is looking after her aging cat, Ginger.
Yolonda Skelton Costume Design
F OR T HE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Beautiful Scars (Theater Aquarius); The Secret to Good Tea (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre).
F ILM & Tv C REDITS: Lay Down Your Heart (NFB); Bones of Crows; WaaPaKe (NFB); Angela’s Shadow.
OTHER: www.sugiitlukxsdesigns.com
Tim Rodrigues
Lighting Design
F OR THE gRAND THEATRE: Debut.
THEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): SakuraAfter Chekov (Centaur Theatre), Selma Burke (Theatre Calgary/Alberta Theatre Projects), Dominoes at the Crossroads (Infinithéâtre), The Flood (Imago Theatre), Paint Me This House of Love (Tarragon Theatre), English (Soulpepper/ Segal Centre), Serving Elizabeth (Theatre Aquarius), From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea (Geordie Theatre), Pipeline (Black Theatre Workshop), Marjorie Prime (Segal Thatre), The River (Magnus Theatre).
O THER : Graduate of the Contemporary Dance Department at Concordia University and Production Design and Technical Arts Program at the National Theatre School of Canada.
ROSANNA DEERCHILD
R ENAE MORRISEAU YOLONDA SKELTON
TIM RODRIgUES
ARTISTS
Cande Andrade
Video / Projection Design
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer (NAC INdigenous Theatre/ Savage Belfry), Women of the Fur Trade (NAC Indigenous Theatre/Native Earth GCTC), Empty- Handed (Biting School), In the Eyes of the Beast (Neworld Theatre/UVIC), You Used to Call Me Marie (NAC Indigenous Theatre/ Savage Society), Julius Ceasar (Bard on the Beach).
O THER : www.candeandrade.com
Olivia Wheeler
Sound Design
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Aligator Pie, De Profundis: Oscar Wilde In Jail, The Walk-Up (Soulpepper); The Bidding War (Crows); Playing Shylock (Canadian Stage); Infinite Life (Coal Mine); Cymbeline (Stratford); The Fixing Girl (YPT); Mad Madge (Nightwood); Here Lies Henry, Armadillos (Factory Theatre); Between A Wok and a Hot Pot (Cahoots); ECHO (Next Stage); A Sapphic Affair (Stages Theatre Festival). Associate Sound Design: A Wrinkle In Time (Stratford); Three Women of Swatow (Tarragon Theatre). Assistant Sound Design: Mahabharata (Why Not); Every Little Nookie, Hamlet-911, 1939 (Stratford); The Wedding Party (Alberta Theatre Projects).
O THER : www.oliviawheeler.com
Montana Summers
Choreographer
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Love Songs for the Thunderbirds.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Conditions to Strike (Montana Summers); The Honouring, The Mush Hole, Sken:nen (Kaha:wi Dance Theatre); Canoe (Unsettled Score); Compost-Recomposing Relations, Dancing with Billy, Becoming Garden (Sweet Labour Art Collective); The Other Side of the River (Backyard Theatre); I Lost My Talk, Louis Riel Opera (National Arts Centre).
F ILM & T v C REDITS: Withdrawals (Semiah); Shame (Ombiigizi); Kan^stote (Dusk Dances).
AWARDS: Dora Awards- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble: Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s The Mush Hole (YPT).
Janet Antone Indigenous Cultural Consultant
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Debut.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Stage Manager: Waawaate Fobister’s Medicine Boy (Summerworks).
OTHER: Janet Antone is from Oneida Nation of the Thames. Graduate of Fanshawe College’s Music Industry Arts program and Trebas Institue’s Artist Management program. Administrator at Native Earth Performing Arts for 3 years. She now works on her reserve at the Oneida Language and Cultural Centre as the Audio technician and Admin Assistant, helping to preserve the Oneida language through audio and visual mediums. She is grateful for the opportunity to be the Community Cultural Consultant for the Grand Theatre’s 2024/25 season supported by the London Arts Council.
A small-town girl faces big changes. Are pies her way out?
Jenna lives a small slice of life, in a small town – baking punny pies at work and trying not to think about her troubled marriage at home. Caught off guard by another type of bun in the oven, a thrilling affair, and nowhere else to turn, Jenna wonders if her pie-making talents are her ticket to finding a soft place to land.
With music baked-to-perfection by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles (“She Used to be Mine”, “When He Sees Me”), a story based on the indie cult-classic film starring Keri Russell, and the presence of a pretty cute OB/GYN, Waitress is a musical that has charmed its way across Broadway, the United States, the United Kingdom, and will be brought to life on the Grand Theatre Spriet Stage by Artistic Director, Rachel Peake.
ARTISTS
UZANNE MC A RTHUR
J ESSICA C AMPBELL-M ARACLE
Anita Nittoly Fight Director
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: The Sound of Music, As You Like It, The Phantom of the Opera, Kim’s Convenience, Fall on Your Knees, Fences.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Midsummer Night’s Dream (Perchance); Bad Roads Prodigal (Crow’s); Roberto Zucco, Angels in America (Buddies in Bad Times); The Retreat (Imago); Truth (YPT); Jesus Christ Superstar (Here for Now); WildWoman (Soulpepper); Hamlet (The Rose, Shakespeare in High Park); Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (TIP); Counter Offence (Segal Centre); Fairview (CanStage); Trojan Girls and The Outhouse of Ateus (Outside the March/Factory Theatre); Our Place (Cahoots/TPM); The Last Wife, The 39 Stepps, Successions (Centaur Theatre); Whole World (Carousel Players).
OTHER: www. anitanittoly.com
Suzanne McArthur (SHE/HER) Stage Manager
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: 16th season.
T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): 6 seasons with the Stratford Festival, 5 seasons with Drayton Entertainment, “A Huron Country Christmas Carol” (Blyth Festival); 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 FixerUpper, 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 Times Theatre); Forests (Tarragon Theatre); Beauty and the Beast (Silver Mist Productions).
OTHER: Love to Michael and Charlie!
Jessica Campbell-Maracle Assistant Stage Manager
F OR THE gRAND T HEATRE: Honour Beat. T HEATRE C REDITS (SELECTED): Come From Away (Mirvish & National Arts Centre), You Used To Call Me Marie (Savage Society & National Arts Centre), Niizh (Native Earth Performing Arts), The Breathing Hole / Aglu (National Arts Centre).
OTHER: Graduate of New Pathways Production Design School and Technical Arts Program at The National Theatre School of Canada.
S
A NITA N ITTOLY
The Secret to Humour and Healing:
by Maria Siabato
The making and inspiration behind The Secret to Good Tea. Every family has a story that shapes its identity.
Reflecting on life often raises questions about how our past shapes our present and future. From personality and habits to interests and values, our upbringing plays a pivotal role in defining who we become, often leading us to recognize the significant influence of our parents.
From 2008 to 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission journeyed across Canada to listen to the stories of residential school survivors and their families, documenting the untold stories of their experiences.
"[My mother] wasn’t allowed in the circle. There were just so many people who wanted to share their stories," explained Rosanna Deerchild playwright of The Secret to Good Tea, in an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press. "So that prompted me to take her aside and say, ‘I’ll tell your story, and then nobody will tell you there’s no room for you.’ That was our sacred promise to each other."
Because of that intimate moment, Deerchild wrote calling down the sky, a book of poetry followed by The Secret to Good Tea, both inspired by the promise to share her mother’s story.
Rosanna Deerchild is an award-winning Cree poet, from the community of O-Pipon-Na-Piwan Cree Nation. For over 20 years, she has been a storyteller working in various mediums, including journalism, broadcasting, poetry, and, more recently, playwriting. Deerchild has also been hosting CBC Unreserved for over 10 years, a radio program about issues faced by Indigenous communities, culture, and conversations.
“As Indigenous people, we really need to start telling our own stories and reclaim those spaces,” explains Deerchild, who, in 2021, was invited to participate in the Pimootayowin Creator Circle, a playwright’s group. She accepted the invitation and in 2023 The Secret to Good Tea had its world premiere in the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. “Despite its seemingly serious and somber subject matter, the play is actually quite humorous, because Indigenous people are funny.”
Indigenous cultures have long flourished through the tradition of storytelling. For Rosanna, poetry became a way to reconnect with her roots. She shared in her Winnipeg Free Press interview, ‘For me, poetry has always felt like a ceremony. As someone who didn’t grow up learning my language, it felt as though my ancestors were saying, “This is the language we’re gifting you.”’ For a span of five years, Rosanna and her mother, Edna, sat down with a warm cup of tea and discussed Edna’s life growing up Cree. With each experience, a poem was written.
When asked about the play and what she hopes the audience will take away, Rosanna responded with a smile, “I would like people to walk away with hope, knowing that it is possible to heal these relationships.” She also expressed hope that the story would not only spark new conversations but encourage healing. “I want them to leave with a deeper understanding that while this is a dark chapter of our history, it’s not one we can’t heal from.”
shots from inside the rehearsal hall.
Photos by Preston Free Cooper
By Steve Ross
Driven by the Arts
Desi
VanBeek-Paterson
GRAND Connection: High School Project alumni
The Phantom of the Opera (2023) and Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical (2024).
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Desi
VanBeek-Paterson
Experiencing live theatre and the arts has had a massive impact on my life as I want to go into musical theatre and performing as a career. Having the opportunity to watch professionals perform is so creatively fulfilling and inspiring and it reinforces my passion every time.
A highlight of my time at the Student Club had to be meeting up with all of my friends and getting to enjoy something we love. Especially for me, as I live in Woodstock I don’t get to see my London friends a lot. So, having a night where we can all get together and catch up really means a lot to me.
To any student out there hoping to join the Student Club, I would say that it is an amazing experience that you won’t regret. You have the chance to see unforgettable shows and connect with some of the actors in them, which is why Student Club is so great.
In the next 5 years I hope to continue improving and sharing my talents with the people around me and communities I perform in to the best of my ability. I also hope to attend Sheridan college for Musical theatre performance to continue to chase my dream of performing.
Mackenna Vanmassenhoven & Desi VanBeek-Paterson in MATILDA The Musical. Director: Megan Watson. Music Director: Sarah Richardson. Choreographer: Stephen Cota. Set Designer: Scott Penner. Costume Designer: Lisa Wright. Lighting Designer: Jareth Li. Sound Designer: Aaron Ouellette. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
A heartfelt thank you to the following volunteers who have generously given their time during the 2024/25 season. Assel
Deborah
Karen
For more information contact Heather Siskind-Levite, Director of Development at HSISKIND-LEVITE@GRANDTHEATRE.COM
Curated Events with Executive & Artistic Leadership
Concierge Ticketing Service
Invitation to Early Rehearsal EVENT
Free Access to Reception Space
(Once per season)
Opening Night pre-receptions
Opening Night Subscription
(Subscription for two, with Drink Tickets)
Season Secrets event
Holiday Sneak Peek event
An 11x17 Show Poster
(one per season, upon request)
Exclusive Grand Theatre Swag
How The Magic Happens EVENT
Two Complimentary Drink Tickets
Single Tickets at 15% Discount
Recognition in House Programs
Unlimited Ticket Exchanges
Recognition in Annual Report
AGM Invitation & Voting Rights
Tax Receipt
As a charitable organization, we depend on donors, like you, to help us bring world class entertainment to the stage.
Please consider making a donation today to invest in the future of arts and culture in London.
Donor spotlight
Why do you choose to support the Grand?
I support the Grand theatre because I absolutely love live theatre. The Grand has the best plays and most elaborate sets of any theatre around! Having worked at the Grand for 5 decades, I have first-hand knowledge of how important our donors are to sustain the theatre.
How do you think the Grand elevates our City and Region?
I believe the Grand is a huge tourism draw to the city. Those attending the theatre from out of town bring customers to the surrounding restaurants and hotels. We are a winter theatre, when most, if not all of the surrounding theatres only operate in the late spring to early fall, so the Grand makes live professional theatre available year round.
What connects you to the Grand?
I have worked at the Theatre, starting in Oct 1974. When I started at the Grand, it was still the original building from the days of Ambrose Small. My children grew up going to the plays, sometimes coming to work with me on Saturdays. My eldest daughter also worked in the box office when she was a teenager. My aunt, sister, and mother-in-law also worked at the theatre back in 70’s - 80’s. For many years now, Mark has donated hand-crafted items for the Grand Gala, in support of the High School Project, and most recently my daughter’s family have become donors.
What is one of your most memorable experiences at the Grand Theatre?
There are so many…Before the box office had computers, we had a giant book to track all subscriber tickets and racks behind us for all the single tickets. Back then, we used to mix up an orange powder to sell at concession. In terms of plays, opening night of Equus in the 79-80 season was incredible. Meeting Leonard Nimoy, when he did a one night performance of Vincent, was quite thrilling. The first show I ever worked was the Fantasticks in the 74-75 season…it has been a long and fabulous experience at the Grand. - Cheryl willison
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Rachel Peake
EXECUTI v E DIRECTOR
Lyndee Hansen
ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION
PRODUCER
Christine Gruenbauer
A SSOCIATE PRODUCER & COMPANY MANAgER
Vanessa Spence
A PPRENTICE
A RTISTIC DIRECTOR
Deivan Steele *
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
DIRECTOR
Breanne Ritchie
ADMINISTRATION
IT DIRECTOR
Barb Whang
TESSITURA ADMIN
Britt Duncan
EXECUTI v E & ADMIN A SSISTANT
Ben Leibovitz
OPERATIONS
BUILDINg MANAgER
Mike MacDonald
ASST. BUILDINg MANAgER
Aaron Simmons
Housekeeping
Patricia Sexsmith
Ben Storie
Security
Ankit
Shannon Goneau
Marty Peterson
Luke Morrison
John Whitty
FINANCE
SENIOR MANAgER
Magdi Osman
FINANCE ASSOCIATE
Loraine Oluwadairo
Chrystine Robinson
FINANCE CONSULTANT
Ansel Tempral
MARKETING & DIGITAL STRATEGY
DIRECTOR
Lia Karidas
COMMUNICATIONS & P.R. MANAgER
Melissa Mae Shipley
Maria Siabato
DIgITAL MARKETINg
STRATEgIST
Rana Bajandooh
MARKETINg PROJECT MANAgER
Allison Birs
CONTENT MANAgER
Preston Free Cooper
BRAND AMBASSADORS
Chiedza Gondoza
Diegra Kambamba
Mya Matos
DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR
Heather Siskind-Levite
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEv ELOPMENT
Monica Coddington
BUSINESS DEv ELOPMENT & R ENTALS COORDINATOR
Jacob Wiley
INDI v IDUAL gI v INg COORDINATOR
Farrell Tremblay
PATRON services front of house MANAgER
Ali Samuel
ASST. MANAgER
Indrani Mahadeo
SHOW MANAgER
Haley Helm
BAR & BEv ERAgE
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
SUPERv ISOR
Denise Hay
REPRESENTATI v ES
Trinity Harrison
Brittney-Lee Lowey
Karen McDonald
Cheryl Willison
Production
DIRECTOR
Paul Fujimoto-Pihl
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR - SCENIC
Julia Callon
TECHNICAL DIRECTORSTAgE
Sonja Niedermaier
PRODUCTION DRI v ER
Jim Doucette
Properties
HEAD OF PROPS
Natalie Kearns
PROPS BUILDER/BUYER
Natalie Tsang
WARDROBE
HEAD OF WARDROBE
Lisa Wright
CUTTER
Elisabeth Mastrandrea
ASST. TO THE HEAD OF WARDROBE
Meghan Choma
WARDROBE A PPRENTICE
Courtney Fleming *
SCENIC CARPENTRY
HEAD SCENIC CARPENTER
John-Michael Plester
FIRST CARPENTER
Zac Barker
SECOND SCENIC
CARPENTER
Jonathan Tschirhart
SPRIET STAGE
HEAD STAgE CARPENTER
Rory Leydier
HEAD OF AUDIO
Aaron Ouellette
HEAD OF FLYS
Jared Whitty
HEAD OF LIgHTINg
Liam Arbogast
HEAD STAgE WARDROBE
Sarah Tracy
STAgEHAND
Mark Jovanovich
DRESSER
Sherry Williams
WARDROBE M AINTENANCE
Heather Sinclair
vIDEO OPERATOR
Alex Telfer
AUBURN STAGE
HEAD TECHNICIAN
Steve Allen
Grand Theatre Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Matt Parr
vICE-PRESIDENT
Nicole Blanchette
PAST PRESIDENT
George Kerhoulas
TREASURER
Jamie Campbell
SECRETARY
Anne Toal
DIRECTORS
Christopher Alleyne
Sukhveer Bains
Robert Bierbaum
Carl Cadogan
Blair Fantillo
Alexis Gordon
Ron Koudys
Jennie Kraehling
Tyler Reavell
Jane Scholes
Jennifer Slay
Dr. Robert Sokol
Grand Theatre Foundation Board
PRESIDENT
Ron Koudys
vICE-PRESIDENT
Jamie Crich
TREASURER
Bill Assini
SECRETARY
George Kerhoulas
DIRECTORS
Tom Burnett
Dianne Cunningham
Elizabeth Drewlo
Chris Jackman
Peter Markvoort
Matt Parr
Bob Schram
Anita Shah
Thank You TO OUR DONORS
Your gift makes a difference. Arts and culture invigorate and ignite a community in a way that is profound and uplifting and the Grand Theatre is proud to lead the way. By supporting the Grand you acknowledge, further, and champion arts in Southwestern Ontario.
This listing recognizes the much-appreciated gifts we received within the last twelve months. ($100+ donations from Jan 24, 2024 to Jan 24, 2025.) To inquire about your current giving level, please contact Farrell Tremblay, Individual Giving Coordinator, by phone at 519.672.8800 x245 or at ftremblay@grandtheatre.com
Director’s Circle ($20,000 +)
Lynn Davis
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Dr. Robert J. & Roberta Sokol
Helen & Andy Spriet
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Patron’s Circle ($10,000 - $19,999)
Donna & Robert Bourne
Lynne Cram
Shelly & Bob Siskind
Ambassador’s Circle
Zahra & Sumit Agrawal
Susan Allison
Burnett Okanski Dale
Financial Group
Emma Donoghue Ltd.
Alison & Michael Hannay
Harry Joosten & Kathleen Murphy
Christina Juszczynski & Maurice Bolden
Champion’s Circle
Chris Alleyne & Chris Costello
Jane & Justin Amann
Jen & Bryan Channer
The Conyngham Family
The Megan Holliday Memorial Fund
Michael & Diane Smith
($5,000 - $9,999)
Jacqueline Crosby & George Kerhoulas
Lois Leatham & Dr. T.R. Balakrishnan
Peter Markvoort
Sandra & Derek Panzer
Jenny, Matt & Finn Parr
Bill & Linda Ross
Susan Carlyle & David Southen
($2,500 - $4,999)
Nigel & Rhonda Gilby Foundation
The Grant and Lily Hopcroft Fund
Crawford MacLeod Foundation
Jim Cressman
Barbara & John Cronyn Fund
Dianne Cunningham
Rick Doerr
Elizabeth & Allan Drewlo
Phil Dwyer & Christen Shoesmith
Susan & Allan Edwards
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Anne Toal & Paul Brisson
Judith White
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Susan Smith-Goddard
Nicole Spriet & Sandy Mikalachki
Richard & Marianne Zelinka
Alison & Doug Ross
Eleanor Schnall
Anita & Amit Shah
Cathy Siskind-Kelly & Rob Kelly
Sportswood Printing
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Mark Wilton
Gold Supporters
($1,000 - $2,499)
Jill & Brian Allen
JoAnne & Kirk Baines
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Beckett Project
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Nicole Blanchette
Michael & Pat Botetzayas
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David & Terianne Brebner
Ellen Brown
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Catherine Butt
In Memory of Dr. Charles Coates
Ashley Conyngham
Dr. Paul E. Cooper & Mr. David J. Hiebert
Joanne & Thomas Cowan
The Cramp Family
Bruce Cuttell
Judy and Peter Devlin
Jennifer Duncan
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Ann & Bill Fleming
Mary Gillett & Thomas Burnett
Charles Graham
Andrew Gunn
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Nitzan Holzberg
Horizon Solutions
Sandy Jamieson
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Michael Johnson
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The William and Katharine Kostuk Family Fund
Suzanne Lanthier
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London Foods Ltd.
Mary-Jane & Rick Mann
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Silver Supporter ($500 - $999)
Larry and Susan Agranove Family Fund
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Family Fund
Eileen Dobell
Dunn Family Foundation
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Mina Fiorilli
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Charitable Trust
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Steve Kopp
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Western University Housing
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William Horne Charitable Account
Katie Wright 1 Anonymous
Rachel Macaulay
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Jason McIntyre
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Fanshawe Event-Planning Class 2024
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Deborah Pustai
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Kim & Sinclair Shuit
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Vicki Smith
Helena Steinmetz & Bruce Hewitt
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Bronze Supporters
Angela Abdallah
William J. Abel
Judy & Jack Abell
Shannon Ablitt
Ahria Consulting Inc.
Elizabeth Alves
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Marguerite Annen
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Rob Bain
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Tracy Baltessen
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Sarah Tattersall & Kevin Endo
Brian & Krys Teall
Maureen & Mike Tilson
Rochelle & Ian Underhill
JoAnn Van Engelen
Jackie & Peter Vettor
Diane Visser
($100 - $499)
April & Peter Choma
Gordon Clark
Evelyn & William Cockburn
Paul Cocker & Trish Fulton
Kayla Coddington
Myra & Gary Collins
Karen Connor
Hugh John Cook
Mary Louise & Bruce Cooper
John Copp & Beverly Ward
C J Cornhill
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Kenneth Cossoy
Grace Coutinho
Anne Crunican
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Paul David
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Don & Suzanne De Jong
Joanne Dow
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Tara Driver
Mary Dryden
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Phil Dwyer
Frances Dyson
Susan Easterbrook
Mary & Frank Eisan
Abigail B. Elliott
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Susan Bryant & Mike MacDonald
Budget Carpet & Tiles
In Memory of Ian Underhill
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Blaine Carter
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Mrs. Monique Wood
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4 Anonymous
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Jim Frederick
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Paul Fujimoto-Pihl
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Linda Hoover
Louisa Howerow
Michaela & Robert Huras
Brenda & Morrison Hurley
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Jenna Hutchison
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Barbara Hutton
Matthew Creighton
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Susan Isaacs
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Ann Judson
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Ann Pinchin
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Nancy Quinn & Jeff DeLuzio
Corrine Rahman
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Mark Rayner
Susan Wallace &
James Stewart Reaney
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Bonnie & Peter Regier
Anne Reuber
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Paul Richardson
Pat Rioux
David Roberts
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Apollonia Steele
Susan & David Steven
Ann Stewart
Sarah Stewart
Curtis Sullivan
Joan & Ken Sumnall
Kevin & Brenda Switzer
Janice Thielenhaus
Robert & Ann Thomas
Denise Thompson & Ron Kilgour
Diane & Steve Thompson
Jane & Tom Tillmann
Elizabeth A. Timmermans
Joanne & Brian Timney
Diane & Jonathan Townsend
Gerry Treble
Cathie Turner
Scott & Dawn Turner
Lisa Uptigrove
Mary Joan Vallis
Elizabeth Van Dongen
Christine & Jake Van Dyk
Alexis van Logtenstein
Mike Varanelli
Kathryn Varey
Catherine Vermue
Linda Vurma
David Wake
Judith Walker
Beth-Anne & Alex Wasko
Susan Waugh
Dorothy Weatherstone
Lynne Weaver
Marlaine Weber
Kelly & Paul Weber
Dennis Weir
Linda and Tim Wharton
Margaret & Mark Whitley
Lynn Williams
Faye & Rod Willis
Sandra-Pat Willis
Vanessa Willis
Cheryl & Mark Willison
Janet & Paul Willoughby
Ian & Mary Wilton
Patricia Wise
Ailene Wittstein
Mike Wojtak
Mark Wolforth
Stephen Woo
Andrew Wright
CORPORATE SPONSORS NorthMoore Catering • Horizon Solutions • Sportswood Printing
In Memoriam
Thank you to those who gave in memory of Noreen Davis, Eleanore Reynolds, Shirley Brown, Vivian Deleary, Mary Loncke, James A. Ross, Pam Samuels, Robert Swartman & Lister Waugh, Pamela & Joseph Samuels, cherished friends of the Grand who are dearly missed.
Housing Partners
Thank you to the following members of our community who welcomed visiting artists into their homes:
Barb MacDougall • Jill Ellis-Worthington • Bob Ward & Susan Yerema • Aaron & Josh Swan • Leon Melville • Peter Markvoort • Denise Hay • Cam Quinn • Brian Baillargeon • Delilah Cummings • Becca Beith • Denise Jung • Janet McAllister • Julie Ryan • Francine Rheault •
Wendy Sanderson-• Sergey Bornow • Ingrid Johnsrude • Songbird & Leaf • Preston Free Cooper • Cathy Page • Candace Banack • Bill & Maryanne McGrath • Bob Mitchell • Bonnie Delanghe • Jan & Peter Vogel • Anita Shah • Heather Heathcote • Lia Karidas
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:
Barbara Belbeck
Hazel E. Bell
Marista Ateena Brooks (Mikolaski)
Carson Bruce McIntosh
Robert Crawford
Buck A. M. Cuddy
Theresa Cutler
Lynn Davis
Helen Ann Day
Walter R. (Wally) Duffield
Cathy & James Dunlop
Innis Hammond
Barbara Horne
Dr. Nicole le Riche & Dr. John Howard
Beryl Ivey
Elizabeth Ann Jones
Karen Killeen
E.J. Lamb
Mary & Roger Lilliman
Myrtle McCallum
Douglas McCullough
Mary Eleanor Miller
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
Susan Nickle
Diane & Gary Alan Price
Glenda Robinson
Maureen Elizabeth Ryan
Joseph Samuels
Pam Samuels
Donald Smith
Doris Spence
Helen & Andy Spriet
Elizabeth Stratton
Judy White
Michael Wojtak
• Life Insurance Policies, RRSP, RRIF GRANDTHEATRE.COM/WAYS-TO-GIVE
RENO 2020 Supporters
In November 2021, the Grand Theatre unveiled its newly renovated spaces. We are ever-grateful to our supporters and private/corporate donors:
Department of Canadian Heritage Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
ELIZABETH & ALLEN DREWLO
KAREN & ERIC AUZINS
THE FAMILY OF JOAN & DON SMITH: LYNNE CRAM, MICHAEL & DIANE SMITH
YORK DEVELOPMENTS
SUMMIT PROPERTIES
BLUESTONE PROPERTIES
GOOD FOUNDATION INC.
WALTER J. BLACKBURN FOUNDATION
ESTATE OF RICHARD M. IVEY
WHAT TO WEAR IN 2025
From tailored suits to cozy knits, chic outerwear, and statement accessories, our 2025 collection has something for every wardrobe. Shop in-store now!
SUNDAY | 12:00 P.M. TO 5:00 P.M