CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
UNSETTLED
This documentary film captures the journey of artists Stephen Lytton, Sandra Pronteau, Caroline Hebert, and Kat Zucomul'wat Norris in the creation of Unsettled, an original theatrical piece exploring the theme of "disability." Produced in honour of the late Kat Norris, a respected Coast Salish Elder, cultural educator, and activist, the film reflects on the creative process, its impact on the artists, and the question, “What do we leave for future generations?”
The artists featured in Unsettled bring diverse lived experiences to the project:
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Stephen Lytton, an Nlaka’pamux poet, writer, and actor living with cerebral palsy, is a residential school survivor, recipient of the 2016 Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, and president of the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society.
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Sandra Pronteau, an artist and community worker born in The Pas, Manitoba, grew up in foster care as part of the Sixties Scoop. Born with partial hearing impairment, scoliosis, and limited mobility, Sandra brings a deeply personal perspective to her work.
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Caroline Hebert, a Deaf actor fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), and written French and English, contributes her unique voice and artistic vision.
Unsettled originated as a workshop at the 2018 Heart of the City Festival, was further developed with Theatre Terrific in 2019, and now lives on as a film and educational resource, created in collaboration with Lantern Films.
The film is available to watch online below, and an educational booklet for use in schools is available upon request.
Educators: connect with us to know how you can bring this work into your classroom!
The film premiered at the Heart of the City Festival on November 7th 2024 at the Carnegie Community Centre.
Image description: Indigenous artist, disability activist, and poet, Stephen Lytton, sits in a forested area, on a log, in front of a fire, wearing a long black leather jacket with two red bear paw designs sewn on the front.
TREE DRUM (RE-MOUNT IN DEVELOPMENT)
"TREE DRUM" is told by Bill Beauregarde (Cree/Enoch.) It explores the personal life story and experience of Indigenous theatre artist Bill Beauregarde, who was taken from his family at the age of three. Bill shared the story with long-time friend and theatre artist, Susanna Uchatius (Austrian/Eastern European), that at 9 years old, while in a group home, the crab apple tree in the backyard repeatedly called to him. It wanted to be a drum. So, Bill cut the tree down and made his first drum. This was the beginning of a remarkable journey - an intuitive discovery of who he is.
After sharing conversations over the past three years,the "TREE DRUM's" branches grew. The story of the journey stretched from the past represented by two youth, Clayton Shanoss (Nisga,Gitxsan) and Isaiah Harewood, and into the future, as acknowledged Elder, Bill Beauregarde, keeps the drum heartbeat alive.
Image Description: Tree Drum Poster: Indigenous drum with a drawing of a tree in the middle.
HARVEST 2024
Throughout the year, Theatre Terrific offers classes and workshops led by practicing professionals throughout the Lower Mainland, and beyond. The classes aim to professionally develop the artistic and theatre production skills of the members of our communities. In Spring every year, we invite the graduates of these classes and members of our communities (everybody is welcome) to audition for a new production. Then, by September, we present the show to the general public; It's simply the year's harvest!
The show is developed through a collaborative process with the artists; we start only with a general concept and then build characters and scripts through weekly creative workshops.
PROXIMITY: The Space Between Us
Amidst the improbability of connections forming around us, "Proximity: The Space Between Us" , co-created by an all-abilities cast, delves into the delicate balance of distance and connection.
Through a series of interconnected narratives that open into a realm of infinite possibility, this physical theatre piece embraces the emotional and physical complexities that define our shared humanity, inviting audiences to reflect on the threads that unite and separate us.
Key Themes: Connection, Distance, Fate, Relationship, Possibility
Co-directed by Laen Hershler and Susan Bertoia
Presented at Vancouver's Fringe Festival
Location: Sculpture Grove, Granville Island
Dates: September 6 & 13, 2024. @ 5:30pm
September 7, 8, 14, 15, 2024 @ 3:30pm
*ASL interpreted*
Accessible performance