a Catalyst Theatre Production
Presented by
National Arts Centre English Theatre’s
Grand Acts of Theatre
Marking this Moment
breath.
it begins and ends our lives,
and in-between, it sustains us,
as we reach out to connect –
to touch, and be touched, by others.
but what happens in the face of a virus that isolates us,
deprives us of touch,
and threatens to steal our breath away?
in this pause between inhalation and exhalation –
afloat between what was and what will be –
how do we take our next breath?
how do we live?
how do we thrive?
50 performers join Catalyst Theatre on a musical journey that invites audience members to breathe through fear and uncertainty and dance into the beautiful unknown.
“Grand Acts of Theatre will offer new, large-scale works by fantastically inventive artists to capture the public’s imagination with artistic statements on a grand scale, inspired by these current times. The artists are excited to engage with live audiences again, are ready to practice their craft with safety in mind, and looking forward to going even further, connecting with online audiences through digital technology. We cannot wait to see what these incredible companies will create.”
– Jillian Keiley, NAC English Theatre Artistic Director
As the performing arts sector continues to face unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Arts Centre has responded with Grand Acts of Theatre, an initiative to bring Canadian artists and audiences together. Eleven of Canada’s most innovative theatre companies have been engaged to create and perform large-scale, new works in response to these times, which will be performed outdoors in front of live audiences in various Canadian locations, filmed, and later shared online. For more information on Grand Acts of Theatre and the companies involved please visit the NAC’s website.
The National Arts Centre Foundation wishes to thank RBC Foundation as Presenting Partner of Grand Acts of Theatre.
Grand Acts of Theatre is made possible thanks to the support from The Jenepher Hooper Fund for Theatre at the National Arts Centre Foundation, established as a result of a generous gift from the estate of Jenepher Margaret Hooper.
This event took place live on October 4, 2020 and followed all AHS health and safety protocols surrounding COVID-19.
Scroll down for the production video.
Now Streaming
- “Thank you for a truly moving experience. I have renewed hope for the future.”- Karin Lauderdale, FB
- “Thank you for letting us experience this. I was overwhelmed at how much I have missed seeing live events, theater art, and just being with people experiencing something amazing! Thank you, my soul truly needed this.”- Cathy Haavaldsrud Morse, FB
Creative Team
Direction, Book, Music & Lyrics - Jonathan Christenson
Production Designer - Bretta Gerecke
Choreographer - Laura Krewski
Sound Designer & Music Producer - Matthew Skopyk
Design Associate - Megan Koshka
Music Director - Stephanie Urquhart
Stage Manager - John Raymond
Assistant Stage Manager - Andrea Handal Rivera
Production Manager - Anne Wenschlag
Associate Director - Braydon Dowler-Coltman
Featuring Text and Performance by - Patricia Darbasie
Principal Actor/Singers - Chris Dodd, Jolanta Lapiak, Kristi Hansen, Shannon Blanchet
Singers - Jameela McNeil, Clinton Carew, Damon Pitcher, Elena Porter, Kendra Connor, Kieran Martin Murphy
Actors - Asia Weinkauf-Bowman, Bob Rasko, Brooke Leifso, Chelo Ledesma, Christina Nguyen, Daniela Fernandez, David Madawo, Graham Mothersill, Helen Belay, Michele Fleiger, Michelle Todd, Morgan Yamada, Natércia Napoleão, Niuboi, Patricia Cerra, Patrick Howarth, Paul Morgan Donald, Sue Goberdhan
Dancers - Camille Ensminger, Christine Bandelow, Corben Kushneryk, Gianna Vacirca, James Velasco, Julia Zanon, June Chen, Leah Paterson, Maya Baker, Michael Long, Rebecca Sadowski, Vance Avery, Wendy Gervais
Musicians - Stephanie Urquhart (Keyboards), Biboye Onanuga (Percussion), Brett Hansen (Bass), Murray Wood (Guitar), Sylvia Chow (Violin 1) , Raphaelle Erdman (Violin 2), Yitian Fan (Viola), Nicholas Yee (Cello)
ASL Interpreters - Diane de Andrade, Tanya Adler, Alicia Ponciano
Production Assistant - Steven Sobolewski
Company Manager - Erin Valentine
- “… the Catalyst team of creators … have always gravitated to the highly theatrical intersection where bold visuals, music, and physicality meet for the purposes of storytelling. And until the next breath plays with the metaphor of breath and breathing in inventive ways.”- Liz Nicholls