April 2021 Newsletter
/SPRING IS UPON US!
"A year older and a year wiser.” Well, in theory, anyway...
Pivot, Adapt, Reimagine - keywords that created a foundation for the Arts this year. Axis focussed on the question: what we CAN do within our bubble, amidst uncertainty and physical limitations? As it turns out, we impressed ourselves; we can DO quite a lot, although, we desperately miss playing for a live audience. Until then...we are making other plans...
PIVOT
In April 2021, we are more than excited to be releasing TH’OWXIYA: The Hungry Feast Dish - THE FILM, our Jessie Award winning production by Kwantlen playwright, Joseph A. Dandurand. Making this film meant overcoming intense obstacles. Due to the public health orders, the Kwantlen First Nation community was closed to visitors indefinitely, which prevented us from shooting the film in their Cultural Centre. Then one of our performers, our beloved Sqeweqs (Raven) - Taran “Standing Sunrise'' Kootenhayoo passed away suddenly on December 31st, 2020. We took the time to grieve and pay our respects before recasting and restarting. So the palatable anticipation we feel in completing this film project and sharing it with the world has required intense patience and acceptance. We are so very proud of the talent and hard work the staff, cast and crew shared during this year-long process and the result is going to be fabulous! Really, really fabulous.
If you are interested in licensing TH’OWXIYA: The Hungry Feast Dish - THE FILM for your local schools or community, please be in touch with our Tour Coordinator - tours@axistheatre.com.
ADAPT
We have completed two full workshops of CRY, HEART, BUT NEVER BREAK with our co-creation partners Mortal Coil. It is a puppet play, of course! The work was invigorating as we watched the characters come to life. Original composition filled the studio and a plethora of set and costume design ideas swirled through the heads and hands of our design team.
Coming May 2021, another book adaptation will be workshopped with a talented team of artists, FROG BELLY RAT BONE, written by Timothy B. Ering, adapted and directed by Chris McGregor. In a world amidst a devastating climate change crisis, Frog Belly, a charming monster plants the idea in a young child that with some strategy, good communication and teamwork, one can grow wondrous riches and change the world.
RE-IMAGINE
Playwright Joseph A. Dandurand has written a new play for Axis Theatre to explore: KWI’AH: The Girl Who Heals. A young Kwantlen girl desperate to save her village from a ravaging pandemic, enlists the magical healing powers from Sasquatch. Using mask, puppetry, and storytelling the play requires the audience to play a traditional “bone game”. This project is being developed with the support of the Coast Salish Arts & Culture Society and will be filmed on the Kwantlen lands in the fall of 2021.
Finally...
Help support the ARTS! Watch for the Axis Fundraiser on all our social media platforms this June 2021.
With deepest gratitude,
Chris McGregor - Artistic Director
Daune Campbell - General Manager
Petrice Brett - Tour Coordinator
Cassandra Bourchier - Artistic Associate
