playsmelter.ca Pat the Dog Theatre Creation provides transformative support for playwrights and theatre creators. This laboratory for new voices and new ideas collaborates with theatre creators to develop their work in a supportive yet rigorous environment that encourages the creative process and creates innovative new works of Canadian theatre.

Without an audience, there is no theatre. PTD is unique in its efforts to integrate audiences into the creative process from its initial stages. We recognize the kinetic energy that is shared by those who create plays and those who receive them, so PTD encourages a diverse community to observe and participate in our work. We engage people of all ages in the process of making theatre because we see it as a model for community cooperation and problem solving.

Pat the Dog Theatre Creation has been serving emerging and established playwrights in Ontario since 2006. It is the only playwright development centre in Ontario open to theatre creators at all stages of their career. A registered charitable institution, Pat the Dog is a member of the Playwrights’ Development Centres of Canada, the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and the Playwrights Guild of Canada.

Lisa O’Connell Matthew Heiti Artistic Director Artistic Associate

Pat the Dog Theatre Creation and the PlaySmelter Festival would like to acknowledging that we are in Robinson-Huron Treaty territory and the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnaabeg. Sarah Dennison Communications/Social Media Sarah Dennison is a playwright, props builder and designer based in Cambridge, ON. After graduating from the University of Guelph’s theatre program, she spent three seasons with the Thousand Islands Playhouse and built props for over thirty productions. During that time she also worked FESTIVAL STAFF as a freelance props builder for St. Lawrence Lisa O’Connell writes things and directs things, and in 2016, College and Theatre Kingston. In 2013 she Artistic Director she founded sonderlust, a theatre collective was a member of the Playhouse’s inaugural Dramaturg Lisa dedicated to the creation of original work Playwright’s Unit (directed by Charlotte Gowdy) O’Connell is Artistic and the staging of women’s stories. Nicole’s and in 2015 was director, designer and co- Director of Pat the work, both with and apart from Sonderlust, has creator of Finding Temperance (The Muddy Dog Theatre Creation, been supported by the Metcalf Foundation, Mary Project). Sarah is the commissioned producers of the the Ontario Arts Council, Carousel Players, playwright for Sonderlust’s debut project “Wives www.foto.re PlaySmelter Festival. Mammalian Diving Reflex, Canadian Stage and Tales,” which through process, has become O’Connell is a Caucus Chair at the Professional the Shaw Festival. In collaboration with PTD’s Wild Swans. Association of Canadian Theatres. She is Lisa O’Connell, Nicole facilitates The Women’s double recipient of a Special Jury Award from Room – the first and only female Playwrights Arts Awards Waterloo and has delivered the Unit in the Waterloo Region. She’s thrilled to closing Keynote address at the Canadian be involved in PlaySmelter for a second time, Association of Theatre Researchers Conference. and is constantly inspired by Lisa, Matt, and O’Connell has been published in Canadian the amazing festival they have built. Theatre Review, The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, among others. Karen Thistle Producer/PlaySmelter Matthew Heiti Festival Artistic Associate Karen Thistle was born Matthew Heiti is a and raised in Sudbury writer, theatre creator where she grew up and teacher, living, with both literary and loving and working in imaginary friends. A Sudbury, North Ontario. playwright with an Honours B.A. in English and He has written a novel, Women’s Studies from Laurentian University The City Still Breathing (Coach House Books) and a M.A. in Journalism from the University of and a play, Black Dog: 4 vs the wrld (Playwrights’ Western Ontario, she has worked with public Canada Press). His most recent play, Receiver libraries and non-profit arts organizations. As a of Wreck, was performed at PlaySmelter 2017, playwright she participated in the 2nd annual and he explores new work in strange places STC Playwrights’ Junction (2012) where her with Crestfallen (crestfallentheatre.com). In play “The Intermediaries” was first drafted and his spare time, he is usually working. later included in the Public Reading Series of the 2nd annual PlaySmelter festival (2014). Nicole Smith In 2017 she participated in the festival’s Producer/Pat the Dog inaugural Producer’s Unit which lead to her Theatre Creation joining PlaySmelter in 2018. She continues Nicole Smith is (very to meet and work with fellow playwrights in proud to be) Pat the the Sudbury Writers Guild’s Inklings group. Dog Theatre Creation’s Producer. She also exercise and air, so she can recuperate from Talk Is Free…, and recently originated the role Christ Superstar, Javert what he calls a “temporary nervous depression of Marc Hall in the world premiere production of in Les Miserable, Will in – a slight hysterical tendency”, a diagnosis Prom Queen the musical at the Segal Centre American Idiot, Edna common to women in that period. The story in Montreal for which he was nominated for a Turnblad in Hairspray details the descent of a young woman into META award for Best Leading Performance. (YES Theatre), madness and her increasingly relationship with Alessandro was nominated for the John Herschel Mephistopheles in the yellow wallpaper that grows on her wall. Directors award (2014) and the K.M Hunter Faust: A New Musical award (2017) by the Ontario Arts Council. His Adaptation (Theatre Hannah Church work with YES includes the creation of the By The Bay), Seymon in The Suicide, Cecil Playwright YES Theatre Orchestra and From the Ground Graham in Lady Windermere’s Fan, Amintor Hannah is currently Up, a new works in The Maid’s Tragedy (George Brown Theatre playing Sophie commission program School), and Five in Black Dog: 4 vs. The Sheridan in Mamma that has launched World (Sudbury Theatre School). Mia at the Aurora the development of Theatre, in Atlanta, three new musicals April Perrin GA. She has worked over the next 2 Jennie internationally in 11 countries and all over the years. This August April is very excited United States. The Yellow Wallpaper is her YES will launch a to be working on The favorite labor of love she has ever created. summer repertory Yellow Wallpaper at the Thank you to Julia Appleton for being the best festival which PlaySmelter festival. In friend and collaborator on the planet, Francois includes Merrily 2016, Goudreault, and Lisa O’Connell! Training: BFA We Roll Along, and April graduated from a in Musical Theatre from Rockford University Violet. triple threat training program from St. Lawrence and 2014 Horizon Theatre Resident Playwright. College. She is a THE YELLOW WALLPAPER For more information, please visit www. currently a company member with YES theatre yestheatre.com and has been performing with them since 2012. A New Musical-in-Workshop with YES Theatre Julie Appleton Her most notable role with the company would Music and Lyrics Stephan Ermel have been staring as Tracy Turnblad in their sold MUSIC & LYRICS: JULIA APPLETON A lifelong songwriter, Musical Director out run of Hairspray! Born and raised in Sudbury, BOOK: HANNAH CHURCH Julia Appleton is now NO BIO April is very fortunate to come back home to April 30th: 8pm Mainstage bringing her impressive be working on this wonderful new musical. Adapted from “The Yellow Wallpaper. A Story” catalog spanning Ruthie Nkut “Enjoy the Show!” @aprilp777 by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. country, soul and pop TheWoman to musical theatre Ruthie is an actor/ Jenna Daypuck Pat the Dog Theatre Creation is delighted productions like The Yellow Wallpaper. She musician from Sudbury, Charlotte to present a development workshop of this lives and works in Kitchener, Ontario having Ontario and is very Jenna has spent 6 exciting new musical. transplanted from Nashville, Tennessee in excited to be making seasons with YES 2017. Julia and playwright Hannah Church are her Play Smelter Theatre on a number A haunting New Musical-In-Development childhood best friends, thrilled to be presenting debut after working as of different projects! workshop with YES! Theatre about a young The Yellow Wallpaper to a new generation in a producer last summer. She has recently She is very fortunate mother at the turn of the last century, her new a time when its message is more relevant graduated from George Brown Theatre School to joining them again baby and the room where she rests. than ever. in Toronto. Favourite George Brown credits with the first Summer Festival, in Violet. In include Eliza (Pygmalion), Emma/Tucamon the fall, Jenna will be entering her fourth year A remarkable contemporary/relevant tale, Alessandro Costantini (Candide), The Shadow of the World (Fear of the Biochemistry program at Laurentian The Yellow Wallpaper, first published in 1892, Director and Misery of the Third Reich). She will be University. For YES Theatre: Jesus Christ is regarded as an important early work of Alessandro Costantini is appearing in YES theatre’s Merrily We Roll Superstar (Ensemble), In the Heights (Piragua Women’s literature, illustrating attitudes in an Actor, producer and Along and Violet in August! Ruthie would like Girl), Les Misérables (Ensemble), Fiddler on the 19th century toward women’s health, both director born and raised to thank her family and friends for all their the Roof (Chava), Hairspray (Shelley) physical and mental. in Sudbury. He is the love and support. Artistic Director of YES Following the birth of their first child, a young Theatre, now entering Jake Deeth women’s husband believes it is in her best it’s 9th which has become one of Northern John interest to take a prolonged “rest cure”. Forgoing Ontarios leading artistic institutions. As an actor Jake Deeth was born and raised in Sudbury, other rooms in the house, the couple moves Alessandro has worked with Young Peoples Ontario, and currently resides in Toronto as of playsmelter.ca into the upstairs nursery. As a form of treatment, Theatre, Theatre NewBrunswick, Harold Green 2013. Jake studied at George Brown Theatre the unnamed woman is forbidden from working, Jewish Theatre, The Sudbury Theatre Centre, School. Select theatre credits: Herod in Jesus and is encouraged to eat well and get plenty of Laurentian University, in their francophone voices within the theatre space as up and Theatre program. coming actors and future theatre creators. Acutely aware of the power of theatre as a Dainel Aubin space of Story Telling and reclamation of Translation Dramaturge human rights, Gartshore seeks to use the Greater Sudbury’s medium as a catalyst for community building second-ever Poet in marginalized communities and her work Laureate, Daniel Aubin reflects this. Currently Gartshore is serving writes and performs as Pat The Dog Theatre Creation’s Playwright poetry in both English in Residence and developing POW!, a script and French, often switching back and forth that will make its home within a broad reaching between the two. His books of poems, Plasticité project that highlights our Indigenous youths (2004) and Néologirouettes (2012), are published invaluable contributions to this time of Truth by Sudbury’s own Éditions Prise de parole. telling. Having studied theatre at Laurentian University, it’s no surprise that Daniel enjoys reading his Jenny Hazelton poems aloud and thusly crafts them with an ear Woman for the musicality of the strung along words. Jenny is an instructor He writes an original poem every week for Le of Acting and Mime Voyageur newspaper in a column he’s titled and Phyical Theatre at PARMI LES ÉCLATS assistant to the director and management Primordialogues. As an actor, he most recently Laurentian University English Translation SOPHIE DUCHARME // scenography PATRICK appeared as Abraham in Encore Theatre’s in Sudbury. She HARROP // screening RADHA CHADDAH 2015 production of Abraham Lincoln Goes has trained at Ecole BY MIRIAM CUSSON, ROBERT DICKSON, // soundscape DANIEL BÉDARD // lighting to the Theatre. International de Theatre Jacques Lecoq, in BRIGITTE HAENTJENS IVAN PITRE // costumes MIRIAM CUSSON ensemble creation, physical theatre and mime; May 1st: 8pm Mainstage // artistic advisers GENEVIÈVE PINEAULT, France Huot as well as at the Mime Centrum Berlin in Berlin, MARIE-PIERRE PROULX, JOEL BEDDOWS, Woman Germany, training in Meyerhold’s system of Direct from the March 2018 Premiere production DENISE TRUAX. Born in French River, Biomechanics. For the last several years, at Le Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, Pat the France holds a BA from she has continued her training in Clown and Dog Theatre Creation is thrilled to present a Miriam Cusson Laurentian University’s Bouffon training with John Turner of Canada’s Fresh-Off-The-Pages development workshop Playwright and Director Art d’expression horror clown duo Mump and Smoot at the of the English translation of Parmi Les Éclats. English Translation program. Currently, she Manitoulin Conservatory for Creation and Woman is a graduate student in Performance. Recently, Jenny has traveled A searingly beautiful work of feminine genius, Miriam Cusson is the Theatre Theory and Dramaturgy program at extensively to work with both Canadian and Parmi Les Éclats asks how can you regain a director, actor, the University of Ottawa working on completing international students in several intercultural your sense of wellbeing, when he leaves playwright and her masters on the “Pochinko” clown as taught educational theatre exchanges. She is also and you lose sight of yourself. How can you designer. She has by John Turner at the Manitoulin Conservatory an actor, director, designer, puppeteer, and a put the pieces back together again, find your founded or co-founded several local theatre for Creation and Performance. As a performer, theatre technician having worked on various way through the chaos and deal with that loss companies, notably le Collectif FFF (2003 France works in both English and French. projects with groups such as the Sudbury daily? Based on Brigitte Haentjens’ poetic - 05), les Productions Roches brûlées Recent credits include Survivance (Sarah Theatre Centre, Encore Theatre Company, tale d’éclats de peines, Miriam Cusson seeks (2009 - 14) and le Théâtre aux quatre vents Gartshore), Brokedowntown, (Crestfallen/ Carrefour Francophone, CFOF Sudbury, Salon answers to those questions with the help of (a community/university theatre company Mathiew Heiti), Le sac d’école (reading/TNO/ du Livres, Musagetes, Crestfallen Theatre Robert Dickson’s poems, as well as the poet dedicated to exploration and emerging artists). Miriam Cusson), Nowhere du Nord (Musagete/ Cabal, and Pat the Dog Theatre Creation. himself. Because sooner or later, we’ll have Her multidisciplinary theatre productions include Miriam Cusson), and Alphonse (Encore Theatre to figure out where we came from. several repertoire adaptations, contemporary Company/Jenny Hazelton). poetry as well as original work. A number Translation by MIRIAM CUSSON. Translation of her works explore Sudbury and northern Sarah Gartshore dramaturgy by DANIEL AUBIN. Authors Ontario as a theme. These include Le Parcours Woman MIRIAM CUSSON, ROBERT DICKSON, littéraire (a travelling multi-site piece exploring Sarah Gartshore is a BRIGITTE HAENTJENS // Director and Original 100 years of Franco-Sudburian literature), playwright, director, Concept MIRIAM CUSSON Sudbury Blues (presented at Montreal’s Festival actor and teacher who international de la littérature) and Nowhere du makes her home in Original Production featured MIRIAM CUSSON, Nord (created while artist-in-residence at the Sudbury Ontario. In FRANCE HUOT, MANON ST-JULES and Musagetes Foundation). In 2017, Miriam was all of Sarah’s work her STÉPHANIE KYM TOUGAS. awarded the OAC’s prestigious John Hirsch intention is to, not only offer a platform for award for directing. Miriam also teaches at voices from the margins, but nurture those Ontario in 2004. MT Space is a professional Pam Patel theatre company dedicated to cultural diversity. Rachel His most recent directing credits include The As an actor and artistic Last 15 seconds and Body 13. Majdi is also associate of MT Space, the Artistic Director of IMPACT, a biennial Pam Patel has toured international theatre festival in the Waterloo nationally to cities Region. Majdi was recognized with a Queen including Montreal, Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, Toronto, Edmonton, and a Waterloo Region Arts Award in the Vancouver, and Victoria, and overseas to Performing Arts category in 2013. perform in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Selected credits include Paradise, The Last 15 Seconds Aldrin Bundoc and Body 13. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier Khalil University’s music program, Pam has acquired Aldrin is a theatre a special focus in improvisation, both music and television actor, and physical theatre. She has attended the originally from The Vancouver Creative Music Institute and was Philippines. He is part of the Stratford Summer Music Festival. a graduate of the Pam played the lead role in Shakespeare’s George Brown Theatre Romeo and Juliet with the Royal Manitoba Conservatory and continuously endeavours Theatre Centre and directed the play with to support and strengthen the presence of Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Theatre. Pam is Filipino artists in the media. Aldrin had leading currently Artistic Director of MT Space. PARADISE Playwright roles in the Dora-nominated productions “Body Patti Flather is an BY PATTI FLATHER Politic” (Buddies In Bad Times co-produced Michael Peng Anglo-settler theatre DIRECTED BY MAJDI BOU-MATAR by LemonTreeCreations), and “Meet Cute” George artist from the West May 3: 8PM MainStage (Opening with Artist (Roseneath Theatre). Other credits include: Michael is an Edmonton Coast who now calls Talkback) Twelfth Night, All’s Well that Ends Well (St. based actor, director, Whitehorse home. Her May 4: 9PM MainStage Lawrence Shakespeare Festival); American producer and university plays include Sixty May 5: May 5: 8 PM MainStage (Closing) Buffalo, Julius Caesar (Unit102 Theatre); Lord instructor who works in Below (with Leonard Sword (Inter-Arts-Matrix); Flashpoint (CTV); The theatres at the Regional Linklater), West Edmonton Mall, Where the “Paradise: what you get when you cross a Firm (NBC); Private Eyes (Global). Aldrin is a and Independent level River Meets the Sea, Street Signs, Paradise skilled, veteran playwright with a vibrant, member of Canadian Actors Equity Association. in Alberta, BC and Ontario. He has an MFA in and devised creations Go Angel Girlfriends, movement-based theatre company. Patti Flather Directing from the University of Alberta and Tell Me More… and Map of the Land, Map and the MT Space have come together to Nicholas Cumming is the founder and Co-Artistic Director of the of the Stars. Paradise was published with produce a show that is as beautiful as it is Wally acclaimed indie company, wishbone theatre. Playwrights Canada Press in 2017. Patti co- unsettling, linking stories of peaches, snakes, Nicholas Cumming Michael has also toured internationally and founded Gwaandak Theatre, where she’s Artistic dogs, limericks, and ordinary people under is a theatre artist and trained with Ghost River Theatre, Soulpepper, Director, to develop and share Indigenous and stress.” – Ric Knowles, Professor of Theatre graphic designer. He and the National Voice Intensive, among others. Northern stories. She has an MFA in Creative Studies, University of Guelph is a founding company For over 20 years he has taught classes and Writing from the University of B.C. She’s a member and artistic workshops for many theatre organizations, and recipient of the Yukon Arts Builder Award An unemployed logger, a young man accused associate of MT Space directs and teaches in Drama at Concordia and past winner of Theatre B.C.’s national of terrorism, a family doctor and his daughter, (Multicultural Theatre Space) 2004-present. University in Edmonton. He has been good playwriting competition. are all searching for their humanity inside the friends with the creative souls at MT Space for systems that cage us all. This play explores As actor [selected – upcoming & in nearly 20 years, and is happy to be working Majdi Bou-Matar human rights, mental illness and addictions, development]: King Lear: The Puppet (Cosmic with the company again on Paradise. Enjoy! Director and our own personal complicity in such urgent Fishing Theatre Co.), Wrong Way / Alley Project Michael is a member of Canadian Actors Majdi Bou-Matar is issues that surround us on daily basis. A poetic, (Pins & Needles Fabric Co.); [selected]: Occupy Equity Association. a theatre maker who complex and challenging work, Paradise is a Spring, Paradise, Exit Strategy, Yes or No!, immigrated to Canada beautiful marriage of the text and imagery of Seasons of Immigration, and Three Legged Zac Gungl from Lebanon in 2003. Patti Flather with the distinct physical style Horse (MT Space); Psy Co.’s Cross, Copy Stage Manager He holds an MA degree of MT Space. Protection (playwright / performer, W!T Prod.). Zac is a graduate in Drama from the of the Theatre & University of Guelph with research focus on Paradise premiered at the Yukon Arts Centre in Nicholas was nominated for a Waterloo Region Performance and Canadian intercultural theatre. Majdi directed Whitehorse, Yukon in 2015 and was showcased Arts Award for Performing Arts in 2010. Speech Communication several productions in his native Beirut before at IMPACT 15 in Kitchener, Ontario. Program at the he founded MT Space in Kitchener-Waterloo, Patti Flather University of Waterloo. Past credits with MT Space include: Occupy With a passion for the world. Our stories reflective of the people 2017, Adrenaline, Seasons of Immigration, and experimental music and question, honour, who live in the area. IMPACT 17 (Assistant Production Manager). sound design, the ability and celebrate. They The MT Space strives Zac is looking to continue their studies in to play and compose explore themes around to develop forms and Theatre and Communication with emphasis on several instruments decolonization, cultural practices that speak to, on intercultural queer discourse. as well as proficiency identity, social justice, draw upon, reflect, and and experience in the underrepresented constitute Canadian Brent Clements recording studio, he has voices and human contemporary Technical Director maintained a career with much flexibility and rights. We tour to both tiny communities and community. The MT Space was founded in Brent came into variety. He has produced/engineered over 50 major centres, and provide comprehensive 2004 by Artistic Director Majdi Bou-Matar. technical theatre via records and worked on an equal number of study guides for secondary schools and The company has toured to Hamilton, London, his involvement in films, theatre and contemporary dance pieces. colleges. Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal QC, Saint John community theatre, and and Fredericton NB, Victoria and Vancouver has been involved in a Jennifer Jimenez Gwaandak Theatre develops, produces BC, within Canada and to Jordan, Syria and number of productions Lighting Design and tours plays for both youth and adults. Lebanon internationally. The company has with KWLT, Flush Ink Jennifer Jimenez’s Our programming also includes new play garnered several awards and rave reviews. The Productions, and MT Space. He has seen lighting design credits workshops, readings and training for theatre MT Space also offers educational programs many sides of a theatre production, from include: The President artists. and professional development workshops, and acting to stage management and directing. (Shaw Festival), Judith provides mentoring and assistance to local He also has experience in live sound mixing Thompson’s Body and Gwaandak Theatre, the Yukon’s only artists. The MT Space continues to promote and staging for live bands. Soul (VANOC 2010), Indigenous-centered theatre company, was the cultural richness of our community by Seasons of Immigration founded in Whitehorse in 1999 by theatre providing a space for meaningful interaction. Brent’s first taste of lighting design came while (MT Space), My Name is Rachel Corrie, To artists Leonard Linklater and Patti Flather. functioning as stage manager for KWLT’s The Ends of the Earth, and resident lighting production of The Turn Of The Screw. He designer (Tottering Biped Theatre. Selected MT Space provided the lighting design for the recent UK lighting design/devised credits include: Waterloo Region’s first and only multicultural touring production of Honour: Confessions of a Virus Circus (Circus Space), Infusion (Fiasco theatre company continues to fulfill its mandate Mumbai Courtesan for MT Space. Brent also tv), and Headstone (Arcola Theatre). Jennifer by creating, producing and presenting high works part time in a larger theatre facility in is a co-founder of Aiding Dramatic Change in quality artistic performances and cultural events both technical and F0H capacities (Humanities Development (www.adcid.org). She has a BFA Theatre, UW). in Theatre Production and Design, a BEd from York University, an MA in Devised Theatre from David Skelton the Central School of Speech and Drama, Set & Properties Design UK, and is the recipient of a Chalmers Award. David Skelton received his Masters Melaina Sheldon of Fine Arts degree in Costume Design Theatre Design from Melaina Sheldon is an the University of Alberta Inland Tlingit costume in 1987. Since then he designer and performer has designed, directed and written theatre, from Teslin, Yukon. She throughout western and central Canada, achieved her first acting including The Citadel Theatre, Workshop and design debut in West, Northern Light Theatre, Theatre Network, 2010 with Patti Flather’s, Me and the Girls Theatre of the New Heart, Catalyst Theatre, and went on to costume design for Leonard Persephone, Modern Times Theatre, The Linklater’s play Justice (2012). Melaina is very Theatre Centre 4th Line Theatre, Independent passionate about First Nation culture, heritage, Aunties. governance and art and she looks forward to a lifetime of working for and on behalf of David recently finished 10 years as Nakai Indigenous peoples nationally & internationally. Theatre’s Artistic Director in Whitehorse. She is currently Manager of the Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship Program. Gunałchèesh! Jordy Walker Sound Design and Composition Gwaandak Theatre Jordy Walker is a musician, composer, sound Gwaandak Theatre’s vision is to illuminate designer, recording engineer and sound mixer. Indigenous and Northern stories around PLAYSMELTER 2018 - SCHEDULE

DATE IN THE REHEARSAL HALL IN THE CABARET SPACE ON THE MAINSTAGE ELSEWHERE

8pm - 10pm MONDAY YELLOW WALLPAPER APRIL 30TH

1pm - 3pm TUESDAY 5pm - 7pm Making Our Work: 8pm - 10pm MAY 1ST SPARROWS OVER SLAG A Conversation with Women PARMI LES ÉCLATS Creators Special Guest Nicole Rousseau

5pm - 7pm 8pm - 9:30pm WEDNESDAY 7pm (outside STC) THE NICKEL NOTES OF THOMAS STRUCK (Opening) MAY 2ND OPENING NIGHT BBQ ALVA EDISON

11am - 1pm 4pm STRUCK (student matinee) THURSDAY Project Bookmark MAY 3RD Matthew Heiti 8pm - 10pm Townehouse Tavern PARADISE (Opening)

10am-12pm 7pm - 8:30pm Canada Council for the Arts STRUCK (Closing) Artist information session 4pm - 6pm FRIDAY Playwright Reading: MAY 4TH 9pm - 11pm 1pm-3pm Patti Flather reads from Ontario Arts Council Paradise PARADISE Artist information session

10pm - til the 8pm- 10pm SATURDAY 11am - 1pm Greyhound leaves PARADISE (Closing) MAY 5TH STORYTOLD STRIKES BURT NORTHBURN

For schedule updates visit playsmelter.ca STC HONOURS

JOIN US IN CONGRATULATING AN UNSUNG HERO! JUDI STRAUGHAN 31 MAY @7PM No one in our community is more deserving of TICKETS OR 2 FOR recognition for unwavering passion and volunteerism $50 $75 than Judi Straughan. Highlights include her work with Sudbury Theatre Centre, Sudbury Arts Council, the Mayor’s Celebration for the Arts, Maison McCulloch Hospice, CKLU Radio, Eastlink Television, teaching and PAST RECIPIENTS directing in Sudbury Secondary School’s Performing 2014 Mark Palumbo Arts Program and Thornloe Theatre Department. Join 2015 Helen Ghent us in an enjoyable evening of celebration including 2016 Denise Vitali entertainment and light refreshments.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS call the STC DiBrina Box Office 705 674 8381 705 674 8381 on line at sudburytheatre.ca sudburytheatre.ca or email [email protected] Lisa O’Connell theatre projects. He Dramaturg is involved in his Dramaturg Lisa beautiful francophone O’Connell is Artistic artistic community of Director of Pat the Sudbury. You can see Dog Theatre Creation, more of him soon in his producers of the band Les Gauchistes, a PlaySmelter Festival. French emerging rock O’Connell is a Caucus Chair at the Professional group or as a theatre clown in Zipi et Savon. Association of Canadian Theatres. She is This isn’t his first time in Play Smelter. He double recipient of a Special Jury Award from has acted in new works thanks to Pat the Arts Awards Waterloo and has delivered the Dog Theatre Creation. This will be Eric’s first closing Keynote address at the Canadian one man show! Association of Theatre Researchers Conference. O’Connell has been published in Canadian Theatre Review, The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, among others.

Matthew Heiti Dramaturg STRUCK! Matthew Heiti is a An honest and true Made In Sudbury tale. writer, theatre creator BY ERIC ROSE and teacher, living, May 2: 8 PM MainStage (Opening with Artist Eric Rose loving and working in Talkback and VIP pre-show BBQ for Festival Director and Creator Sudbury, North Ontario. Pass Holders) He has written a novel, May 3: 11 AM Student Matinee (LIMITED The City Still Breathing Availability. Contact Nicole Smith for (Coach House Books) and a play, Black Dog: information) 4 vs the wrld (Playwrights’ Canada Press). May 4: 7 PM (Closing with Artist Talkback) His most recent play, Receiver of Wreck, was performed at PlaySmelter 2017, and I can see clearly into the tent. It’s Illuminated. he explores new work in strange places with Warren cross-legged grasping a tent zipper. Shannon Lea Doyle Crestfallen (crestfallentheatre.com). In his Me on my back hanging above my slept-in Designer spare time, he is usually working. sleeping bag a 3 prong electrical cord wired Shannon Lea Doyle is to my eye socket. I can hear the crackle of a performance designer Elizabeth Kenny electricity surging through every filament of from Toronto. Shannon Stage Manager my body. I hang in an arc, mid-air, burning. holds a BFA in Sculpture Elizabeth is thrilled to - Eric Rose STRUCK! and Installation from be back in Sudbury for OCAD University and STRUCK. Favourite What would you do in that moment? The is a graduate of the Soulpepper Theatre credits include ASM moment after? The moment-moment months, Academy. In 2017 she won a Dora Mavor for Annieand Beauty even years after? How does this change you? Moore award for her set design of John, was and the Beastwith the A riveting, startling, literally electric exploration nominated for the Pauline McGibbon Award LOT; ASM for Jesus Christ Superstar and of one man’s actual experience being struck and a Prix Rideau Award for her set design In the Heights with YES Theatre; ASM for A by lightning and living to tell the tale. of The Last Wife at GCTC. Design credits Christmas Carol and The Romeo Initiative with include: Girls Like That (Tarragon Theatre), STC; SM for Blind Nickel Pig and Receiver Native son Eric Rose, returns to his childhood John (Company Theatre), The Last Wife (The of Wreck with Pat the Dog Theatre Creation; home 15 years after to explore in this fantastic Belfry Theatre / GCTC), Boy In The Moon, SM for Serpent People with Aanmitaagzi; and solo show the day he was literally struck Breath In Between (Crows Theatre), La Bête, SM for Material Witness with Aanmitaagzi and patthedog.org by lightning while at camp with friends. Vimy, The Just, The Heidi Chronicles, The Spiderwoman Theater. Happenstance, magic and what it means to Anger of Ernest and Ernestine, The Dybbuk, grow up and come home again are all part of (Soulpepper Theatre); I’m Doing This For Eric Lapalme this dynamic exploration. A proud graduate of You (Hayley McGee, Directed by Mitchell After receiving his University diploma with Sudbury Secondary, Eric is the artistic director of Cushman), Billy Elliot, Hairspray, Fiddler on honors with Le programme de théâtre, Eric nationally award-winning Ghost River Theatre. The Roof (YES Theatre) Lapalme, is always very excited for new We are very happy to welcome him home. SPARROWS OVER SLAG Sarah Gartshore Canada Press). His most recent play, Receiver at the lab’s conclusion where he performed Ellie of Wreck, was performed at PlaySmelter 2017, a solo adaptation based on Saint-Exupéry’s Sarah Gartshore is a and he explores new work in strange places Le Petit Prince. He has worked to generate BY KIM FAHNER playwright, director, with Crestfallen (crestfallentheatre.com). In original stories on multiple occasions. With May 1st: 5 PM BackSpace (Artist Talkback) actor and teacher who his spare time, he is usually working. Calgary’s Ghost River Theatre, he participated Kim Fahner’s Sparrows Over Slag speaks to makes her home in in two workshops developing Something to Do how women grow up and into themselves over Sudbury Ontario. In STORYTOLD STRIKES With Death (2008). As a creator/performer, for time. It’s also a play that deals with notions of all of Sarah’s work her that project, he helped to devise a theatrical how creativity and depression may sometimes intention is to, not only offer a platform for BY RICK DUTHIE presentation that unearthed and staged a dovetail, how love isn’t always simple, and voices from the margins, but nurture those May 5th: 11 AM BackSpace (Artist Talkback) mythic story using Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti how one life can be made up of many parts voices within the theatre space as up and Western aesthetic. and prisms—so that the person you imagine coming actors and future theatre creators. Sudbury Strike Stories is a site-specific you are might shapeshift before your very Acutely aware of the power of theatre as a historical play that focusses on the postwar He is always writing creatively with a mind eyes. Poignant, but with comedic undertones, space of Story Telling and reclamation of incidences of strikes in Sudbury, Ontario. It is for addressing social issues. Most recently, Sparrows Over Slag is Fahner’s first play. human rights, Gartshore seeks to use the early in its development and is currently told he co-wrote #thewatertower (2016), a play medium as a catalyst for community building episodically, as a transgenerational memory commissioned by the Sudbury Theatre Centre Kim Fahner in marginalized communities and her work play, through multiple points of view. Put for young audiences that addressed the growing Playwright reflects this. Currently Gartshore is serving simply, the story is told through exchanges dilemma of cyberbullying. Rick is also interested Kim Fahner was the as Pat The Dog Theatre Creation’s Playwright of memories, chronologically in time, beginning in using theatre as a means of exploring the fourth poet laureate in Residence and developing POW!, a script in the Great Depression and ending in 2018. past. To that end, he wrote What Struck in 58,’ of the City of Greater that will make its home within a broad reaching We are enlisted in this journey back in time a staged reading about a devastating strike Sudbury (2016-18), and project that highlights our Indigenous youths with the help of a young girl. Laurie vividly for “PlaySmelter,” and presented by ‘Pat The also the first woman to invaluable contributions to this time of Truth remembers the 1958 strike. She eavesdrops, Dog’ in 2013. He continues to research and be appointed to the role. telling. listening in on the heated exchanges occurring write with a mind towards staging the past. Kim has published four volumes of poetry, at her kitchen table, while she should really be A major component of his PhD project titled: including: You Must Imagine the Cold Here Morgan St.Onge in bed. Her memories invoke the stories of her Sudbury Strike Stories, will be a play that will (Scrivener Press, 1997), braille on water Liz family and friends as we move forward in time. soon be produced for a local audience. (Penumbra Press, 2001), The Narcoleptic Morgan is a Sudbury Often conflicting experiences striking, working Madonna (Penumbra Press, 2012), and Some born actor and activist and living in Sudbury interrupt and disturb her Matthew Heiti Other Sky (Black Moss Press, 2017). Kim’s first based in Toronto. Select version of these events. She tries to sort it all Dramaturg novel, The Donoghue Girl, is a piece of historical credits: Black Dog:4 out, a tangled mess of memories that change Matthew Heiti is a writer, fiction set in the Northern Ontario mining town vs the Wrld (Sudbury and shift as she grows older. She blinks and theatre creator and of Creighton. She is a member of the League of Theatre Centre), finds herself accompanying her husband on teacher, living, loving Canadian Poets, the Writers’ Union of Canada, Muskeg & Money (North Road Theatre), Plague: that picket line in the late 70s. Her father is and working in Sudbury, and PEN Canada. She blogs at The Republic a sic love story (2017 Toronto Fringe Festival; long gone, and all the old timers are retired. North Ontario. He has of Poetry at kimfahner.wordpress.com. Her awarded the ‘Patron’s Pick’), and Far From What remains consistent is this kitchen table, written a novel, The City website is www.kimfahner.com the Heart (Sheatre), a forum theatre play that a pivotal location for these exchanges. When Still Breathing (Coach House Books) and a toured across Ontario and challenged teens later we see these events staged, what does play, Black Dog: 4 vs the wrld (Playwrights’ Lisa O’Connell to start conversations about consent. She will it all mean? What does she hold on to? What Canada Press). His most recent play, Receiver Dramaturg be reprising her role in October 2018. can she let go? of Wreck, was performed at PlaySmelter 2017, Dramaturg Lisa This will be Morgan’s 5th year working with and he explores new work in strange places O’Connell is Artistic Pat the Dog, and it’s been a joy to see the Rick Duthie with Crestfallen (crestfallentheatre.com). In Director of Pat PlaySmelter Festival grow stronger with each Director/Playwright his spare time, he is usually working. the Dog Theatre year. Rick is an actor and Creation, producers playwright who is Greg Tremblay of the PlaySmelter Matthew Heiti currently a third-year Mother/Rose, Father/ Festival. O’Connell is a Caucus Chair at Man PhD candidate studying Billy, Mom, Gerard, the Professional Association of Canadian Matthew Heiti is a public history at Laurie Theatres. She is double recipient of a Special writer, theatre creator Carleton University. He Greg is a film actor and Jury Award from Arts Awards Waterloo and has and teacher, living, is thrilled once again to be part of “PlaySmelter” writer, every once in delivered the closing Keynote address at the loving and working with ‘Pat the Dog Theatre Creation.’ a while joining up with local theater creation Canadian Association of Theatre Researchers in Sudbury, North processes. Conference. O’Connell has been published in Ontario. He has He had the good fortune to train with Calgary Canadian Theatre Review, The Toronto Star, written a novel, The based performance company One Yellow Rabbit The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, among others. City Still Breathing (Coach House Books) and as part of its Summer Lab intensive in 2004. His a play, Black Dog: 4 vs the wrld (Playwrights’ first foray into authentic storytelling occurred Jenny Hazelton Witness an unlikely and rarely discussed side soon). Adric has been hard at work on a be reprising her role in October 2018. Laurie, Rose, Ben, of Thomas Edison in his private moments with documentary series about the development Narrator, Albert, Larry, his beloved wife, Mina Miller Edison and see of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory and This will be Morgan’s 5th year working with Jerry a masterful manipulator use and schmooze is the owner and sole proprietor of Cloud Pat the Dog, and it’s been a joy to see the Jenny is an instructor the people of the city of Sudbury in an effort Surfer Studios and the owner and operator PlaySmelter Festival grow stronger with each of Acting and Mime to create a brighter and more vibrant future of PennyLess Productions Inc, a not for profit year. and Phyical Theatre at for the world. corporation dedicated to the development of Laurentian University in more high quality documentaries. Linus Closs Sudbury. She has trained at Ecole International Progress is not easily won, and as Edison Mayor Ryan/Miner/ de Theatre Jacques Lecoq, in ensemble and Ford move forward with their scheme, With this latest work, he has challenged himself Randolph creation, physical theatre and mime; as well Edison is visited by a series of private and to write in an unfamiliar genre, with a dialect Linus Closs has been as at the Mime Centrum Berlin in Berlin, personal disasters. As time ticks down and from centuries ago and weave a complex performing in Sudbury Germany, training in Meyerhold’s system of the duo struggle to bring the Electric Carriage narrative into real moments of history to tell for all his life. He is a Biomechanics. For the last several years, to the masses, tensions raise and enemies the almost impossible story of Edison’s visit recent graduate of she has continued her training in Clown and lurk just out of sight. Industrial espionage and to Sudbury, the discovery of Falconbridge, the the BFA in Theatre Bouffon training with John Turner of Canada’s international intrigue collide with Edison’s founding of I.N.C.O and the development of the Performance at Thorneloe University at horror clown duo Mump and Smoot at the manufactured media frenzy and everything Edison Electric Carriage. He hopes that you Laurentian, and has appeared in eight Manitoulin Conservatory for Creation and comes to a head with a challenge from Edison enjoy this look back at a time not too unlike mainstage productions, most the lead in Ian Performance. Recently, Jenny has traveled to a most unlikely and unexpected, irrepressible the present, where titans of industry fought in Maclennan’s final production of Macbeth. Linus extensively to work with both Canadian and and nearly invincible adversary: The First secret for control of the future of locomotion has also performed in two productions with international students in several intercultural Billionaire in American history. The fallout and energy. YES Theatre and overseas with Providence educational theatre exchanges. She is also from these events linger over the proceedings University in Taiwan. This is Linus’ first time an actor, director, designer, puppeteer, and a leading to an unconventional, bitter-sweet Matthew Heiti performing with PlaySmelter, and he is excited theatre technician having worked on various ending that cuts to the essential truth of who Dramaturg for this opportunity to be a part of new and projects with groups such as the Sudbury Thomas Edison always was: a man, a monster, Matthew Heiti is a writer, local theatre! Theatre Centre, Encore Theatre Company, a myth and a maker. theatre creator and Carrefour Francophone, CFOF Sudbury, Salon teacher, living, loving Rick Duthie du Livres, Musagetes, Crestfallen Theatre Adric Cluff and working in Sudbury, Jackson/Ritchie/Henry Cabal, and Pat the Dog Theatre Creation. Playwright North Ontario. He has Ford Adric Cluff is proud written a novel, The City Rick is an actor and THE NICKEL NOTES OF to present his latest Still Breathing (Coach House Books) and a playwright who is original play, a historical play, Black Dog: 4 vs the wrld (Playwrights’ currently a third- THOMAS ALVA EDISON fiction set at the turn of Canada Press). His most recent play, Receiver year PhD candidate the century, centered on of Wreck, was performed at PlaySmelter 2017, studying public history BY ADRIC CLUFF the events related to and he explores new work in strange places at Carleton University. He is thrilled once again May 2: 5 PM BackSpace (Artist Talkback) the astonishing true story of a visit to Sudbury with Crestfallen (crestfallentheatre.com). In to be part of “PlaySmelter” with ‘Pat the Dog The Nickel Notes of Thomas Alva Edison is a by none other than Thomas Alva Edison. his spare time, he is usually working. Theatre Creation.’ historical epic chronicling a decade in the life This is the fourth original play he has had an of Thomas Edison, the Wizard of Menlo Park. opportunity to showcase and, as a historical He had the good fortune to train with Calgary Centered on the events during and following epic spanning nearly a decade, is without a Alec Peroff based performance company One Yellow Rabbit Mr. Edison’s visit to Sudbury, a few years after doubt the most ambitious play he has written to Edison as part of its Summer Lab intensive in 2004. His the turn of the century. What begins as a mining date. and he is thrilled to be part of this years first foray into authentic storytelling occurred and exploration venture to discover nickel PlaySmelter, having been a member of the Morgan St.Onge at the lab’s conclusion where he performed for use in his revolutionary battery process, Producer’s Unit the year prior. His work has Man/Miner/Dodge a solo adaptation based on Saint-Exupéry’s transforms into a complex and well concealed frequently examined themes of perception, Morgan is a Sudbury Le Petit Prince. He has worked to generate operation to develop the first electric car, in deception and misdirection with a focus on born actor and activist original stories on multiple occasions. With total secrecy with an old friend turned confidant how these machinations inform the human based in Toronto. Select Calgary’s Ghost River Theatre, he participated and ally, Henry Ford. condition and, with this most recent work, it’s credits: Black Dog:4 in two workshops developing Something to Do relation to the historical experience. vs the Wrld (Sudbury With Death (2008). As a creator/performer, for A host of colourful characters populate a rich Theatre Centre), that project, he helped to devise a theatrical and vivid backdrop of post-industrial Sudbury, Cluff has also been a presence both in front of Muskeg & Money (North Road Theatre), Plague: presentation that unearthed and staged a including Andrew Ryan, the Mayor of what was the camera: as a background actor on many a sic love story (2017 Toronto Fringe Festival; mythic story using Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti practically a pioneer town, Samuel Ritche, the movies and TV shows shot in Sudbury (including awarded the ‘Patron’s Pick’), and Far From Western aesthetic. mind behind the Canadian Copper Company, the sensational hit Letterkenny), and behind the Heart (Sheatre), a forum theatre play that and several local Sudburians who, from time to the camera: as a producer of the psychedelic, toured across Ontario and challenged teens He is always writing creatively with a mind time, offer testimonials of the Wizard himself. romantic horror-comedy THC Positive (coming to start conversations about consent. She will for addressing social issues. Most recently, he co-wrote #thewatertower (2016), a play boxcars and mineshafts, learning the stories MAKING OUR WORK: A MEET THE FUNDERS commissioned by the Sudbury Theatre Centre of the common folk. While logging north of May 4: 10AM - 12PM STC for young audiences that addressed the growing Chapleau, lightning struck an oak tree Burt CONVERSATION WITH dilemma of cyberbullying. Rick is also interested was climbing. He survived to carve his first WOMEN CREATORS Canada Council for the Arts – Information in using theatre as a means of exploring the guitar from the still smouldering trunk. He had May 1: 1 - 3PM Cabaret Space Session past. To that end, he wrote What Struck in 58,’ dreams of going west but only made it as far a staged reading about a devastating strike as the crossroads at Wawa, before arthritis Special Guest Nicole Rousseau: Nicole Open to all Sudbury-area Theatre Artists and for “PlaySmelter,” and presented by ‘Pat The in his thumb put a hitch in his hitching. It was Rousseau is the Artistic Animateur for RCA Theatre Companies (both Francophone and Dog’ in 2013. He continues to research and inside the famed Maple Key Hotel that Burt Theatre Company (RCAT) in St. John’s, NL. Anglophone): write with a mind towards staging the past. found himself 5 cents shy of a pint of Northern. RCAT focuses on new play development A major component of his PhD project titled: Lucky for him, a shadowy stranger offered to in Newfoundland and Labrador, and has Matthew Tiffin, Program Officer from the Explore Sudbury Strike Stories, will be a play that will pay for his drink in exchange for a song. Four commissioned, presented or produced over and Create program at Canada Council for the soon be produced for a local audience. sets and several pitchers later, Burt and the 150 new plays since its inception in 1979, and Arts, will be holding an information session stranger were scrawling out a record contract contributed to the development of hundreds 10am to Noon on Friday May 4 at the Sudbury on a napkin. The stranger was none other BURT NORTHBURN more. Through her work with RCA Theatre, Theatre Centre. The session can be given in than a certain department store impresario, Nicole is a founding member of The Women’s both official languages and will be followed Burt Northburn was born in a trapper’s cabin and Burt dedicated his first major hit to him: Work Festival (WWF), an international festival by a Q&A period. in South Muskrat, weaned on birch syrup and “The Ballad of Nickelman.” The rest, as they focused on development of new plays by women beaver milk. He spent his formative years in say, is misery. (self-identified). WWF has a history of success May 4: 1 - 3PM STC in helping to launch playwrights from the page to the stage. In its first 10 years, there were 21 Christina Akrong, Northern Arts Program officer professional productions of 17 WWF plays from at Ontario Arts Council, as well as Associate DEVISED THEATRE CREATION to be able to provide this opportunity at our new, emerging, and established playwrights. Arts Education officer, will be holding an PlaySmelter Festival. Nicole has directed and performed with many PlaySmelter always has lots and lots and lots information session on May 4th, 2018. companies in Newfoundland and Labrador, of special professional development events and List of Participants and has created independently with other artist opportunities for Northern ON artists. Reason Christina will talk about two programs in collaborators in her community. She has a BFA being, that our Festival is, at heart, about our particular, Northern Arts Projects and Artists Josh Bainbridge in Performance from Memorial University NL community, our people and our storytellers. in Communities and Schools Projects. She will Adric Cluff (Grenfell Campus) and is a past winner of the Master Classes in Creation, skill-sharing and also discuss making an application at OAC, Linus Cunningham Rhonda Payne Award in Theatre from ArtsNL. simply providing a forum and place to gather is how your application is assessed and tips on Rick Duthie She lives in St. John’s with her spouse and 7 the bedrock of what we do and why we do it. making a strong application. The session will Angela Ferreira year old daughter, recently moving from the be followed by a Q&A. Joël Giroux heart of downtown to centre city. This year we were able to offer something Matthew Heiti very special. From April 23-April 26, for the Ashley Legedza first time in Northern ON, Eric Rose, artistic Gabriëlle Noel de Tilly director of Calgary’s Ghost River Theatre led a Kristin Shepherd A special thank you to: 4-day workshop on Devised Theatre Creation Nicole Smith for twelve participants. Over the course of the Morgan St. Onge Bob Derrenbacker and Thorneloe University, The Learning Initiative, John McHenry, Katherine workshop, participants were led through a series Smith, Ben Whiteman and the staff of STC, Judi Straughan, Linda Cartier and the Sudbury of devising theatre exercises based on the Arts Council, Clarion Hotel, Copper Kettle Guest House, Diane McLean and David Wood, unique artistic practices of Ghost River Theatre. Helen Ghent, Jo-Anne Thistle, Douglas Thistle, Wallace Thistle, Louise Visneskie, Heather This rigorous hands-on workshop is designed Campbell, Jennifer Kelly, Alison Sivers, Morgan St. Onge, Melissa Rotella, Dana Irvine, Tanya to inspire the collaborative imagination. Taylor, Lara Bradley, Monica Smith, Brian Cote and Sudbury Secondary School, Line Roberge. Participants came away from the workshop with new theatrical techniques and exercises Jessica Lovelace and Our Crater, Rebecca Nobrega and CTV, Heidi Ulrichsen and that can be utilized both for the creation and Sudbury.com, Markus Schwabe and CBC Radio, Laura Stradiotto, Sudbury Star. development of new performance. Topics included: collaborative creation dynamics, visual approaches to storytelling, non-traditional text Posters/Programs/Web Design MARK WALTON generation and the key principles of healthy Videography GREG TREMBLAY creation practices. Festival Image by JORGE CUETO HERRERA

This very special opportunity was being provided at no cost to our participating artists.

Pat the Dog Theatre Creation is delighted An agency of the Government of Ontario Un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario