The Drowning Girls

by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson, and Daniela Vlaskalic

November 12-28, 2020 At Tbaytel, we believe the arts enhance quality of life and are a key part of building more vibrant communities. Supporting you is our way of helping to make our neighbourhood a better place for everyone. Thank you, Magnus Theatre, for all of the good work you do. We’re in it together CAST HANNA LAAKSONEN Bessie SARAH MENDEK Margaret OLIVIA McINNIS Alice

CREATIVE TEAM THOM CURRIE Director

GILLIAN JONES Stage Manager NICHOLAS PALINKA Set Design MERVI AGOMBAR Costume Design TIM STEPHENSON Sound Design HANNA LAAKSONEN Props DAVID A BROWN Plumbing LIAM BEAULNE Production Assistant

The Drowning Girls received its world premiere at the PlayRites Festival, Alberta Theatre Projects, 2008

The Drowning Girls is staged by arrangement with Ian Arnold, Catalyst TCM Inc. www.catalysttcm.com

Any photographing, videotaping or other video/audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

There will be no intermission during this show. Approximate run time: 90 minutes.

Song: “Nearer My God to Thee” (words by Sarah Adams, 1841, music by Lowell Mason, 1856) Magnus Theatre COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures

The health and safety of our community remains our foremost concern. We have planned our return to the stage carefully and instituted extensive measures designed to protect all those who enter the theatre complex. Below is a summary of Magnus Theatre’s protocols. Click here for more detailed info https://magnustheatre.com/covid-19-update/.

Patron Screening: Do not enter the theatre if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have travelled outside of Canada within the past 14 days, and/or have been in close contact with someone currently COVID-19 positive.

Mask Protocols: Please keep your mask on at all times while in the theatre. All Magnus staff and volunteers will be wearing masks at all times.

Physical Distancing Measures: Please remain in your assigned seat for the duration of the show. The seating pattern ensures compliance with provincial physical distancing guidelines. Assigned seats have been equipped with removable seat covers.

Regular entrance and exit corridors have been altered to help maintain physical distancing. Please take note of signage and markers. Magnus staff will be situated throughout the theatre to provide guidance.

If there is an emergency, all exits will be open.

Washrooms: If queuing to enter a washroom, please maintain a 2-metre buffer from others. The number of patrons concurrently allowed in washrooms will be regulated by Magnus staff.

Use of air dryers in washrooms will be prohibited. Please use disposal towels as provided.

Cleaning: All hard surfaces on seats and all high touch areas are cleaned and disinfected with approved COVID sanitizing cleaners between performances.

Seat back covers are removed, washed and disinfected between each show performance.

Hand sanitizer is available at multiple locations throughout the theatre.

Please sanitize your hands before proceeding to the theatre auditorium.

Please use receptacles located outside the theatre auditorium to dispose of any waste.

Magnus Theatre acknowledges that it stands on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe people of Fort William First Nation and other nations of the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850, lands which hosted an early settlement of Métis people as well.

A note from Thom

Welcome back to Magnus Theatre.

In September, we produced an open-air production of A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline in our backyard, with audiences, actors and band all observing strict Covid-19 protocols. The show completely sold out. Many of our patrons approached me following the performance with a heartfelt “thank you” and a simple question: “when can we come back to the theatre?”

We began to consider the options: more outdoor programming, or a new kind of Magnus Theatre indoors, with every attempt to maintain a safe and healthy environment in which to tell our stories? With the northern climate starting to threaten snow, we decided to bring the show back indoors. We have converted the Magnus Theatre auditorium to a traverse stage, with the audience split to both sides, in order to facilitate social distancing without sacrificing the intimacy of the performance, and we are instituting a series of Covid-19 protocols for the safety of the artists, staff and patrons. Check them out on page 4 of this program.

The Drowning Girls was always going to be a part of Magnus Theatre’s 2020-2021 Mainstage Season. It is a gripping true crime story that has taken the world by storm since it premiered in 2008. As I was searching for a play to resume indoor productions, The Drowning Girls kept coming back to me; it could logically be staged respecting social distancing, it involves a small number of actors and it can be riveting on a traverse stage.

I hope you enjoy the play and this trio of powerful Thunder Bay women making their professional theatre debuts.

Welcome back. Please stay safe.

Thom Currie Artistic Director The Playwrights

Daniela Vlaskalic, Charlie Tomlinson, and Beth Graham met at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Together, they created The Drowning Girls, a play which has had a long and surprising life. Since premiering at Alberta Theatre Projects’ Playrites Beth Graham Festival in 2008, The Drowning Girls has been performed in professional theatres, high schools, community halls, and found spaces across Canada. It has also been published by Playwrights Canada Press and produced internationally in the United States, the UK, New Zealand and Australia. The play has received Sterling, Betty Charlie Tomlinson Mitchell and SATA awards, as well as the Gwen Pharis Ringwood Literary Award and a Dora nomination. Daniela now lives in Toronto, Charlie in St. John’s, and Beth in Edmonton.

No Scents Makes Sense!

Due to the number of people with allergies, Magnus Theatre strives to be a scent-free theatre. Please avoid Daniela Vlaskalic using perfumes, colognes or other scented products prior to the show.

autohomepaints.com The Cast Hanna Laaksonen (Bessie) Hanna is beyond thrilled to be back on the Magnus Theatre stage. Previously seen (briefly) in 2018’sThe River, she is delighted to be back with such a talented cast. Also seen in numerous Cambrian Players productions including Anastasia, Pericles, and The Merchant of Venice. She has also been involved with the 10x10 showcase and play readings. Special thanks to her family for their ongoing support, and to the incredible team at Magnus Theatre for such an exceptional, collaborative experience.

Olivia McInnis (Alice) Olivia is over the moon to be a part of this beautiful company of The Drowning Girls at Magnus Theatre. Coming straight off of graduating from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York this April, she is so honoured to have had her first professional gig right here in her hometown. Some of her credits include Gina in The Wild Duck (AADA), Mary Stuart in Mary of Scotland (AADA), Telephone Girl in Machinal (AADA), Penny in When We Were Young and Unafraid (AADA), Leading Player in Pippin (AADA),The Witch in Into the Woods (Paramount Live), Doralee Rhodes in 9 To 5 (Paramount Live). Thank you to her beautiful family and friends, who are her most favourite part of everyday. She would like to extend her deepest gratitude to Thom and this beautiful company; your ability to adapt to change and provide creative opportunities during this unprecedented time is unmatched. Thank you. Enjoy, and indulge!

Sarah Mendek (Margaret) this is Sarah’s first production with Magnus Theatre. She has lived in Thunder Bay all her life. She has a Dramatic Arts Degree from Brock University. Over the years, she has been involved with Community Theatre in Thunder Bay. She is very excited to be a part of The Drowning Girls cast. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her in pursuing theatre. Backstage

Thom Currie (Director) is an award- winning director, playwright, dramaturg, actor and producer. He has worked in theatres across Canada, including Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, Sudbury Theatre Centre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Stage West (Calgary and Mississauga), Deer Park Theatre, The Georgian Theatre Festival, The Showboat Festival Theatre and Magnus Theatre. His work has also been seen internationally, having directed and performed in cities such as Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Brussels. Thom’s directing credits include over 90 productions, including We Will Rock You, The Rocky Horror Show, The River, Bed and Breakfast, Bang Bang, Monty Python’s SPAMalot, Of Human Bondage, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Back In 59, They’re Playing Our Song, Mending Fences, 2 Across, Mama’s Country Record Collection, Peter Pan, Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks, Sexy Laundry, Urinetown, Crazy For You, A Bench In The Sun, Looking, and Sitting Pretty. Thom has served as Artistic Director at several professional theatres across Canada, and is currently Artistic Director of Magnus Theatre. Prior to moving to Thunder Bay, Thom was Artistic Director of the Stephenville Theatre Festival (NL), Managing Artistic Director at The Showboat Festival Theatre In The Round (ON), Artistic Director of The Georgian Theatre Festival (ON) and Founding Artistic Director of ReallyLittleTheatre (INTL). Everything Thom does, he does for Amy. Please enjoy the show, wash your hands, wear a mask and stay healthy.

Mervi Agombar (Costume Designer) Mervi was born and raised in Finland. She graduated from a 3 year program from Vaatetusalan Ammattikoulu as a seamstress and pattern maker. She worked in the fashion industry for several years before immigrating to Canada in 1991. Mervi has always had a passion for costume design and loves her work as production seamstress here at Magnus Theatre with all her wonderful co-workers; she says “it is a dream come true.” Mervi would like to thank her wonderful husband Bob, and two great children for being so consistently supportive, without all these girls she couldn’t get done all costumes in a couple of weeks . Mervi would like to thank everyone for thinking of Magnus and donating their vintage clothing to the wardrobe department. chroniclejournal.com/digital The Chronicle-Journal Digital Edition of

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Gillian Jones (Stage Manager) This is my bio all about how, my life got flipped turned upside down and I’d like to take a moment before the show starts to tell you how I became involved in the live arts. In North Thunder Bay, I was born and raised. On a playground is where I spent most of my days. Chillin out max and relaxin all cool, but never shootin’ B-ball outside of the school. When a couple of folks who were up to some good, started a rehearsal in my neighbourhood. I worked on one little show and my boss was eager to offer me a job here at Magnus Theatre.

Nicholas Palinka (Production Manager) This is Nicholas’ 3rd season as Magnus Theatre’s Production Manager, 5th in total. He is very excited to be back working with all the Magnus Team. Nicholas is a graduate of Brock University’s Theatre Program, which lead him to work in the Vancouver and Winnipeg Theatre scenes before returning to Thunder Bay. He would like to thank all his volunteers for the past seasons, as well as the patrons for helping keep Magnus a vibrant fixture in our community.

Tim Stephenson (Technical Director/ Sound) Now in his third season as Technical Director at Magnus, Tim is a production award winning graduate from the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology. In the eight years since graduation he has worked as an Audio Technician at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium setting up some of the biggest shows to come to Thunder Bay. David A. Brown (Head Carpenter/Plumber) Dave joined Magnus last season as the head carpenter after working as the canoe builder /shipwright at Old Fort William for 40 years. Canoe and boat building were his main jobs but Dave wore many hats while at the Fort and has been involved in many movie and television productions. From an “I- Max” production in the early 1980’s to many commercials and print productions. Appearing in National Geographic and the National Enquirer in the same year. He was heavily involved in “Haunted Fort” building many props, animatronic effects and enjoys lighting things up as a “licensed pyrotechnician.” Dave enjoys the new challenges at Magnus and is getting used to building square and level, he would still like everything to be curved like a canoe or boat.

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Injury Lawyers in our Neck of the Woods Call 344 1000 • tbayinjurylaw.com MANAGEMENT Artistic Director – Thom Currie General Manager – Peter Boyle

THEATRE IN EDUCATION Theatre in Education Director – Danielle Chandler Theatre in Education Instructor – Jordan Blaxill

PRODUCTION TEAM Production Manager – Nicholas Palinka Technical Director – Tim Stephenson Head Carpenter – David Brown Head of Properties – Hanna Laaksonen Head of Wardrobe – Mervi Agombar

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Financial Officer –Shaveh Moores Box Office Representative – Sandra Snider Box Office Assistant – Devon Phillips Front of House Manager/Volunteer Coordinator – Jerron Fuchihara Facilities – Larry Heney Concessions/Bartender – Kelly Mehagan Winters

MARKETING & PUBLICITY TEAM Marketing Director – Scott Hobbs Publicity & Development Coordinator – Natalia Halec

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive President – Katy Commisso Past President – Susan Aris 1st Vice President – Warren Mouck 2nd Vice President – Nadia LaRussa Treasurer – Ernie Epp Secretary – Cathy Ridley

Directors Elliott Cromarty Meaghan Ellis Myrna Holman Kim Callaghan Magnus Theatre is the only professional theatre company between Winnipeg and Sudbury.

Artists engaged in Magnus Theatre productions are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, a national association representing artists working in theatre, opera and dance from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Equity’s membership includes performers, directors, choreographers, fight directors and stage managers. Magnus Theatre is a proud member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres. PACT is a member- driven organization of professional Canadian theatres which serves as the collective voice of its members for the betterment of Canadian professional theatre.

Associated Designers of Canada is a national, professional non-profit arts service organization dedicated to representing the interests of set, costume, lighting, projection and sound designers working in the live performing arts in Canada.

SOCAN is a performing rights society that licenses the public performance and communication of the world’s repertoire of copyright-protected musical works in Canada and then distributes royalties to its members and affiliated international societies.

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