2022/ 2023 Season - Ruby Slippers Theatre

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BENEVOLENCE

What a beautiful ride this has been! On behalf of everyone from RST and Team Benevolence, we deeply thank you for your overwhelming support, heart felt testimonials and emails, and for sharing this wildly poetic theatrical experience with us. Check out the rest of the RST season here.

With love and gratitude, Team Benevolence.

Top left to right: Beatrice Zeilinger, Diane Brown, Chris Lam, Nico Dicecco.

Bottom left to right: Stephanie Wong, Charlie Gallant, Paul Moniz de Sá.

An English language premiere production from Ruby Slippers Theatre of a Governor General’s award winning play.
by Fanny Britt – Translated by Leanna Brodie.

Directed by Diane Brown

Preview SEP 29, Shows SEP 30 – OCT 15, 2022 -Completed|
Pacific Theatre (1440 W 12^th Avenue)

Gilles Jean, big-time lawyer, returns to his hometown of Benevolence to try a troubling case involving the child of an old friend. But with the ghosts of his deceased brothers and father peering over his shoulder, and his mother asking after the state of his soul, homecoming is no easy thing. This pitch-black comedy (presented in a new English translation) offers a surreal reflection on our small cowardices and our great contradictions.

Play Video

Reviews

“What a smart play Benevolence is. Ruby Slippers’ production takes on serious ethical issues in a theatrically dynamic way. Crisp rhythmic direction from Diane Brown; the power of the character’s anguish feels almost at times visceral. First rate drama…and it’s funny too!”

Jerry Wasserman, Vancouver Plays

“Chris Lam’s Bruno is a jewel of a performance, the still centre around which everything revolves.”

Jerry Wasserman, Vancouver Plays

Benevolence: exuberance, compassion

“Director Diane Brown has embraced the vivacity of Britt’s storytelling and infused this production with stylistic exuberance.”

Colin Thomas

“A fantastical, sometimes paradoxical adult fairy tale.”

Colin Thomas

“Stephanie Wong, who’s playing Isabelle, the grieving mom, delivers the least stylized characterization — and one of the most effective.”

Colin Thomas

“Diane Brown wisely allows the actors to maintain the pace of the play while assuring that the playwright’s Quebecois sensibility remained intact.”

John Jane, Review Vancouver

Performance Schedule

Thursday Sept. 29, PREVIEW 8 pm
Friday Sept. 30, OPEN 8 pm
Saturday Oct. 1, 2 pm and 8 pm
Wednesday Oct. 5, 8 pm
Thursday Oct. 6, 8 pm
Friday Oct. 7, 8 pm
Saturday Oct. 8, 2 pm and 8 pm
Wednesday Oct. 12, 8 pm
Thursday Oct. 13, 8 pm
Friday Oct. 14, 8 pm
Saturday Oct. 15, 2 pm and 8 pm

Directed by Diane Brown. Featuring Charlie Gallant, Chris Lam, Paul Moniz de Sá, Stephanie Wong, and Beatrice Zeilinger. Sound Design by Rick Colhoun. Set and Lighting Design by John Webber. Costume Design by Jessica Oostergo. Properties by Monica Emme. Stage Management by Nico Dicecco. Apprentice Stage Manager Dayna Horn. Technical Direction by Daniel O’Shea.

English language translation commissioned by Ruby Slippers Theatre.

Featuring Charlie Gallant, Chris Lam, Paul Moniz de Sá, Stephanie Wong, and Beatrice Zeilinger; Photos by Moonrider Productions

Cast Bios

Charlie Gallant

This is my debut with Pacific Theatre & Ruby Slippers. Thank you for coming! I am grateful to live and work on the traditional, ancestral and unceded Territories of the Coast Salish People while I’m here.

Selected Theatre credits: Noises Off (Arts Club), Shakespeare In Love (Bard), The Scarlet Letter (Theatre Calgary), Long Days’ Journey Into Night (Stratford), The Winter’s Tale (Groundling, TO), Our Town (Shaw), Proud (Belfry), A Few Good Men (MTC/Citadel), Becky Shaw (Mitch & Murray), December Man (Greenthumb), Brief Encounters (Vancouver Playhouse), Snowman (Rumble).

Film/TV: Done/Undone, Good Witch, The Strain, Murdoch Mysteries, Fringe, Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief.

Graduate of Studio 58. Photography @charlie_byrd.

Chris Lam

Chris Lam is director and actor working on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Director: Dogfight (Awkward Stage Productions), The Nether (Redcurrant Collective/Firehall Arts Centre), I, Myself and Strange and Unusual (Studio 58), Frankenstein: Lost in Darkness (Pacific Theatre).
Actor: Marcellus in The Music Man (Gateway Theatre), Owen Meany in A Prayer for Owen Meany (Ensemble Theatre Company) and Quang in Vietgone (United Players) He is currently the associate artistic director of Ensemble Theatre Company, and founder of West Moon Theatre both based in Vancouver, BC.
Awards: Ray Michal Award for Emerging Director, Ovation award CTC for direction. Upcoming: Drewe and Stiles’ Three Little Pigs (Carousel Theatre). Follow him on IG and Twitter: @phildashil

Paul Moniz de Sá

Paul received Jessie awards for his performances in “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” (Pacific Theatre) and “The Overcoat” (Vancouver Playhouse) and Jessie nominations for his performance in “Driving Miss Daisy” (Pacific Theatre) and sound design for “One In A Million” (Green Thumb Theatre) and “The Prodigal Son” (Touchstone/Pacific Theatre). Other theatre credits include; Shakespeare in Love, 2 Gentlemen of Verona, and Taming of the Shrew at Bard on the Beach. Film credits include; The Good Doctor, The Unforgivable, The BFG, Shogun, and Motherland: Fort Salem. Paul is the Artistic Director of Theatre, Music and Film at Arts Umbrella and a graduate of Studio 58.

Stephanie Wong

Born in Hong Kong, Stephanie Wong is a director, creator, designer, and actor living on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ peoples. In addition to her creative practice, she is also the Associate Artistic Director at re:Naissance Opera. Since graduating Studio 58’s acting program, she’s had the pleasure of working for various Canadian companies, highlights including vAct, Buddies in Bad Times, The Arts Club, Theatre Replacement, Western Canada Theatre, Electric Company Theatre, and Gateway Theatre. Upcoming: The Apocrypha Chronicles (Director, re:Naissance Opera), The Addams Family (Designer, Crofton House Secondary), God Said This (Actor, Pacific Theatre).

Beatrice Zeilinger

Beatrice is excited to be a part of this production and perform at Pacific Theatre for the first time. She is a Vancouver-based actor working in film, t.v. and theatre. Past productions for Ruby Slippers include Patagonia, The Ruby Cabaret, MMM, The Waiting Room, 5 @50 and Les Belles Soeur. She’s a multiple nominee and three-time Jessie Award winner and graduate of Studio 58.

Completed!
Thank you to all who participated in our Advance Theatre Festival: Advancing the Radically Inclusive Stage

Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, All readings at 8 PM.

The Advance Theatre Festival 2023, produced by RST in association with the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Playwrights Guild of Canada, is curated by Yvonne Wallace. The festival showcases new works written and directed by female identifying and gender non conforming artists who also identify as IBPOC.

Week one are staged readings. Week two is a workshop production of an Advance Theatre offering from last season, Dil Ka by Lee Nisar, directed by Patricia Trinh.

Curated by Yvonne Wallace (Ucwalmicw), Artist In Residence 2021/22 and Advance Theatre Curator 2023

Tricia Trinh, Artist In Residence 2022/23 and Advance Theatre Curator 2024

The Readings

Sandra

Monday, January 30, 2023, at 8 pm.

Playwright: Laura Di Cicco
Directors: Agnes Tong & Laura Di Cicco

Inspired by a true story, Sandra is a contemporary, fantasy drama about a courageous woman, who seeks closure to the violence in her life, and to the relationship with her mother. She finds guidance through the spirit of a childhood acquaintance, who leads the woman to a place of peace.
At her elementary school, Monica encounters Sandra, who discloses a painful secret to Monica. While the two girls barely spoke in elementary school, Sandra’s experience created a deep impact on Monica for the rest of her life. Later in life, Monica loses her own mother, and struggles to reconcile her life and the complicated relationship the two of them shared. Through a series of flashbacks, we discover Monica’s own painful past with violence and rape. Guided by Sandra, Monica is able to move forward with her own life.

Content Warning: This play uses strong language and deals with child abuse and gender-based violence.

Resources
North Shore Women’s Centre for people suffering from child abuse and gender based violence: northshorewomen.ca
Women Against Violence Against Women wavaw.ca

Performers:
Chantal Gering: Sandra
Jesse Del Fierro: Young Monica
Evelyn Chew: Older Monica
Sharon Crandall: Mom/Buddy 1
Raugi Yu: Dad/Buddy 2/Mrs. Marlowe
Chris Lam: Richard
Dramaturgy: Sara Graefe

About the Playwright

Laura Di Cicco (She/her/hers)

Bio

Laura’s career as an actor, singer, writer, director and producer has spanned over 30 years. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BFA in Acting, and most recently graduated from UBC with an MFA in Directing. Her thesis show was Machinal which premiered at the Frederic Wood Theatre in December of 2021. Laura has worked in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.

Vancouver acting credits include work with theatre companies such as Green Thumb Theatre, Ruby Slippers, Theatre Conspiracy and Axis Theatre. Laura has also played the (in)famous Leni Riefenstahl in Mieko Ouchi’s The Blue Light. She also played the ultimate diva, Maria Callas, in Masterclass for Opera Mariposa. Laura was a co-recipient of a Jessie Richardson Award for a tour with Axis Theatre. Vancouver film and television credits include Saving Milly, The League of Lefties, Noah’s Arc and Traveler and the award-winning independent film entitled, Floating Away. In 2004 Laura founded Fugue Theatre, a theatre company dedicated to the commissioning and production of original Canadian operettas, musicals and plays with music. As an artist transitioning into directing, Laura hopes to continue expanding her craft through learning with as many diverse artists as possible in a spirit of respect, integrity, equity, and inclusion.

Sitting on the Edge

Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 8 pm.

Playwright and Director: Celeste Insell

After a long bout of “writer’s block” Clarisse is finally writing again, but she now finds herself writing a play that is semi-autobiographical. She is finding the play difficult to write because she is forced to revisit some very painful memories; and her train of thought is constantly being interrupted by her alter ego Mavis who prefers that she write a comedy.

Content Warning: This play uses some strong and offensive language; and deals with child abuse and gender-based violence.

Performers
Liza Huget: Clarisse
Nathalie Von Rotsburg: Mavis/Woman
Megan Danso: Young Clarisse
Tom Pickett: Ben Carter
Lili Robinson: Jaye Clark/Dee/Minnie/Psychologist/Radio Announcer
Dramaturgy: Lili Robinson

About the Playwright

Celeste Insell
(She/her)

Bio

I was born in the United States and immigrated to Canada in 1971. I attended TMU (then called Ryerson) Acting program (1971-1972) in Toronto; and later transferred to York University’s Drama Studies program. Throughout the late 70’s and 80’s I divided my time between Toronto, Vancouver, and New York. During the Summer of 1983, I studied at the HB Studio (NYC). I finally settled down in Vancouver in 1991; and it has been my home for about the last 30 years. I have written articles on Black Theatre History; and a couple of my plays were showcased at various theatre festivals in the 1990’s. “Sitting on the Edge” is my third play.

Parifam

Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 8 pm.

Playwright: Aki Yaghoubi
Director: Panthea Vatandoost

Detached from family and friends, Parifam Mana draws and paints in her private studio—a place where memory and inspiration are in a continuous battle. Parifam’s world is turned upside down when her childhood friend Ramak re-enters her life. Parifam and Ramak grapple with the hidden truths that linger in their past—soon to be revealed in an exhibition at a museum they built together.

Content Warning: This play deals with domestic violence and sexual assault.

Resources
Women Against Violence Against Women wavaw.ca

Performers
Evelyn Chew: Parifam
Sharon Crandall: Ramak
David Kaye: Kian
Pedro Chamale: Justin
Raugi Yu: Casra
Chris Lam: The Man/Prison Guard/TV Reporter/Voice of Mr. Mana

About the Playwright

Aki Yaghoubi
(she/her)

Bio

Aki Yaghoubi is a Canadian-Iranian award-winning film and theatre artist. She moved to Canada in 2009, bringing her love and passion for theatre. In 2017 she won the grant DémART-Mtl from the Conseil des arts de Montréal and another grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to write her first play in English Parifam. In 2019, she performed in the movie Sin la Habana and won the Outstanding Actress Award from the Reelworld Film Festival 21. In 2021 she won another grant from Canada Council for the Arts to write her second play in English, Tara’s Barrier.

ReZonance

Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 8 pm.

Playwright: Yvonne Wallace
Director: Renae Morrisseau

Mixy is invited to a meeting to plan an Indigenous retreat based on land pedagogy.
She was invited because of her previous language revitalization work. The problem wasn’t that she lacked skill or ability, the problem was her unwillingness to be treated anything less than equal. A mixed-race tragicomedy.

Performer
Yvonne Wallace

About the Playwright

Yvonne Wallace | Ucwalmicw

Bio

Yvonne Wallace (Ucwalmicw) is from the Lil’wat Nation. She graduated the Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree program at Capilano University and is currently working on her Master’s in Education Leadership at UBC. Her enthusiasm for theatre began while she worked at The Centre for Indigenous Theatre. Later, she graduated with honours from Humber College Theatre Acting program.She has written three plays: “Smothered Sweetly,” “The Last Dance,” and “ustzan (to make things better),” a play dealing with language reclamation and her first language fluency progression. Utszan premiered in Whistler, in 2019, Yvonne’s traditional Territory; and has toured to Dawson City, Whitehorse. She is looking forward to honouring her bookings that were scheduled as playwright and performer as soon as our current situation becomes safe. Yvonne can be found in N’quatqua working on her fourth play, “ReZonance.”

Surrender

Friday, February 3, 2023, at 8 pm.

Playwright: Jessie Liang
Director: Melissa Oei

A group of twenty-somethings navigate life, transitions, and friendship in the face of unimaginable loss. This witty and acerbic coming-of-age tale is an exploration of the different ways we deal with grief, together and apart.

Performers
Matheus Severo
Ray Koh
Sabrina Banks
Malina Fluckiger

Content Warning: This play deals with themes of suicide, depression and mental health. Adult language is used.

About the Playwright

Jessie Liang | 梁巧潔
(she/her)

Bio

Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Jessie Liang has appeared on the stage and screen including Netflix’s MAID, CW’s Supergirl, and the Arts Club’s touring production of Kim’s Convenience. Since graduating from Studio 58, she has also delved into playwriting, coaching actors, and leading the Business of Acting workshop at Studio 58 and Realwheels Academy. Coming up on July 15th, 2022, an excerpt of Jessie’s sophomore play, Canta Karaokê, will be presented by rice & bean’s DBLSPK program. Connect with her @jessieliang21 on social media for more!

Week 2

Workshop production

Dil Ka

Dramaturg & Playwright: Lee Nisar
Director: Patricia Trinh

The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
February 16 & 17, 2023 at 8pm

Dil Ka (Urdu for ‘of the Heart’) follows potential bride-to-be, Zahra, a 26-year old Pakistani woman who is attempting to make biryani to bring to a potential suitor’s house. While she fusses and delves into the dish, desperate to make a good impression and please her loving-but-traditional family, Zahra begins treating the kitchen (when her parents or siblings aren’t sneaking in and stealing bites of food) as a sort of confessional, coming to terms with what – and who – she really wants, and how it drastically differs from the desires she has been spoon-fed since birth.

About the Playwright

Lee Nisar (she/they)

Bio

Lee Nisar (she/they) is a 22-year old writer, director, and filmmaker, living and working in Toronto, Canada. Lee’s work explores issues of place-based trauma, identity, and the intersections of queerness and race (particularly within the context of colonialism). Lee graduated from the University of Guelph with a BA in Theatre Studies and Geography, where she had the opportunity to direct various plays under her school’s play festivals, including Wanderlust (2018), Respect for the Dead (2019), and Shakespeare in the Park(ing lot) (2020). Their other interests include singing karaoke with friends, annoying their cat, and bugging the people around her to participate in photoshoots. Lee is currently an MFA Candidate in Documentary Media at X University. Dil Ka is their first full-length play.

Creative Team

Directed by Patricia Trinh
Stage manager Karen Chiang
Set design John Webber
Lighting design John Webber
Sound design Sally Zori
Costume designer Rachel Macadam
Technical Director Debbie Courchene
Props Designer Monica Emme
Video Design Claire Brown

Performed by

Zahra – Anjalica Solomon
Mama – Zara Durrani
Baba – Charles Singh
Aisha – Rami Kahlon
Sania – Mehr Chahine

Advance Theatre Festival is proudly supported by:

Photo by David Ward

ūtszan (to make better)

Written and performed by Yvonne Wallace

MAY 5–13 – Completed
Vancity Culture Lab, The Cultch

útszan (to make better)

“útszan's simple storytelling carries powerful emotional impact”

Emma Jeffrey, Stir

“an earnest and engaging tale”

Emma Jeffrey, Stir

“Wallace wins viewers’ hearts with her immersive storytelling and complex characters, whom she embodies with equal parts humour and vulnerability.”

Emma Jeffrey, Stir

“útszan soars in its simplicity; there’s no need for frivolous theatrics. Wallace is a masterful storyteller who elicits laughter and tears in her audience.”

Emma Jeffrey, Stir

“Humble in its presentation, útszan is a captivating and intimate experience that speaks to the importance of language revitalization and the journey of healing that comes with it.”

Emma Jeffrey, Stir

“A powerful piece of theatre that every Canadian should see”

Christine Pilgrim, Vancouver Presents

“a cross between an informative language lesson, a prime example of great storytelling and a powerful piece of relevant theatre that every Canadian should see.”

Christine Pilgrim, Vancouver Presents

“Wallace treats every aspect of her story with respect and tenderness… Each rounded person is beautifully observed and convincing, and the transition from one to another is seamless.”

Christine Pilgrim, Vancouver Presents

ūtszan (to make better) is a one-woman show performed by the playwright/actor Yvonne Wallace about first language reconnection and reclamation. Auntie Celia is at the end of her days. She has suffered from a heart attack and realizes that she has very little time left in this world. She makes a decision to have others accommodate her by refusing to speak English. Margaret, her niece, is about to discover that a lifelong path is starting to unfold. Taken to task, Margaret learns how to think and speak in her Ancestral first language, Ucwalmícwts. Love will give her the strength she needs to let go as she realizes that the language is easy and it’s the life that is hard.

Sponsorship for útszan (to make better) provided by

Yvvone Wallace performs ūtszan (to make better). Photos by Emily Cooper.

Cast Bio

Yvonne Wallace (Ucwalmicw) is from the Lil’wat Nation. She graduated the Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree program at Capilano University and is currently working on her Master’s in Education Leadership at UBC. Her enthusiasm for theatre began while she worked at The Centre for Indigenous Theatre. Later, she graduated with honours from Humber College Theatre Acting program.She has written three plays: “Smothered Sweetly,” “The Last Dance,” and “ustzan (to make things better),” a play dealing with language reclamation and her first language fluency progression. ūtszan premiered in Whistler, in 2019, Yvonne’s traditional Territory; and has toured to Dawson City, Whitehorse. She is looking forward to honouring her bookings that were scheduled as playwright and performer as soon as our current situation becomes safe. Yvonne can be found in N’quatqua working on her fourth play, “ReZonance.”

Creative Team

Playwright and performer Yvonne Wallace
Directed by Marisa Smith and Yvonne Wallace
Set Design by Kimira Reddy
Lighting Design by Itai Erdal
Sound design by Rick Colhoun and Russel Wallace
Projection Design by Andie Lloyd and Yvonne Wallace

Props by Monica Emme
Stage Manager Emma Hammond
Technical Director Debbie Courchene

This show is a Vancouver Premiere