≈ 1 hour · No intermission
Last updated: September 12, 2019
Message from the Artistic Director
This play is such a gem. For our first ever season of Indigenous Theatre, it was important for me to try to bring shows from coast to coast to coast to the NAC. Having the opportunity to catch this show in Toronto at Native Earth Performing Arts introduced me to two amazing East Coast artists, Aria Evans and Natalie Sappier. For Natalie, a visual artist, this play marks her theatre debut. Natalie’s narration leads us through her journey of resilience, discovery and empowerment as Aria’s movement and interaction with the ever evolving set reveal the transformative power of finding one’s voice in a broken world. Having toured New Brunswick and parts of Ontario, we are so excited to be presenting this work here as part of our Mòshkamo festival and our inaugural season of Indigenous Theatre. I hope you enjoy this debut work from an exciting up-and-coming playwright.
Playwright's Message
Woliwon/Thank you, to the inspiring Theatre New Brunswick team, a special thank you to Thomas Morgan Jones for his amazing mentorship and friendship. Woliwon, ArtsNB and the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in the development of Finding Wolastoq Voice, to my Momo, Meme, Sagatay, Imelda and Dave Perley, my community of negotuk, Maggie Paul, Judie Acquin, Angee Acquin, Kim and Wayne Brooks, Nate Miller and his beautiful parents. Woliwon, to my phenomenal artistic team Andy Moro, Aria Evans, and Mike Doherty. Woliwon, to my family and friends for their constant inspiration, motivation, love and support. To my mother, my teacher – you are one of the strongest and most beautiful spirits in my life. Woliwon and Koselmul always.
Finding Wolastoq Voice
Yut keti nomihtuweq amalhapomkahtimok sakihtaksik kisihtahatok Wolastoqi amalhocossawet naka tokec nutatkuhket Samaqani Cocahq (Natalie Sappier), Neqotkukew. ‘Takonutomon weckuwikitpon ‘cimaciw amsqahs pilsqehsisuwit naka letisuwit tokiw tuhkimit nikanapasihticik ‘kansuhs.
Wolastoqey translation by Opolahsomuwehs, 2019
Finding Wolastoq Voice is a powerful debut work from Indigenous artist-turned-playwright Samaqani Cocahq (Natalie Sappier) of Tobique First Nation, a leading voice in New Brunswick’s thriving Indigenous art scene.
Featuring the evocative choreography of dancer Aria Evans, this beautiful dance-theatre hybrid is the deeply personal coming-of-age story of a young Wolastoqiyik woman who is awakened by the voices of her ancestors. Evans draws on her experiences as a woman of mixed race (Mi’kmaq/Black/British) to beautifully convey feelings of sorrow, grace, and hope.
Andy Moro has created an organic, natural world that shifts and moves seamlessly, providing the foundation for this inspiring work.
Music Credits
All music (except Wolastoq Song) composed and arranged by Samaqani Cocahq.
Wolastoq Song written by Sagatay (Gwen Bear).
Wolastoq Song performed by Samaqani Cocahq, Judie and Angee Acquin.
Mother Earth Song performed by Maggie Paul.
Ancestor Voice performed by Imelda Perley.
Finding Wolastoq Voice was developed in part through support received from Arts NB.
Artists
Andy Moro is the artistic co-director of ARTICLE11 with Tara Beagan, upholding the 11th Article of the UN’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Current and recent work includes: The Unnatural & Accidental Women (NAC); Rise Red River (ARTICLE 11/Theatre Cercle Moliere/Prairie Theatre Exchange); PISUWIN (Atlantic Ballet); Sleuth, Extractionist, Gaslight (Vertigo Theatre); NOMADA (Diana Lopez Soto); F WORD (Downstage/Alberta Theatre Projects); Ministry of Grace, Reckoning, ROOM, Declaration, Deer Woman (ARTICLE11); Little Women, Honour Beat; (Theatre Calgary); Hookman (University of Calgar/Chromatic); The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time (NAC/Neptune Theatre); Post Mistress, Rez Sisters (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Blackhorse (Caravan Theatre); The Herd (Citadel Theatre/Tarragon Theatre); Frozen River (Manitoba Theatre for Young People); Third Colour, Spacegirl, War Being Waged (Prairie Theatre Exchange); Ministry of Grace, Time Stands Still, O’Kosi (MT7); Sky Dancers (A'nó:wara Dance Theatre); Minowin and Raven Mother (Dancers of Damelahamid); Finding Wolastoq Voice (Theatre New Brunswick); Blood Water Earth, Blood Tides, The Mush Hole (Kaha:wi Dance Theatre).
Film & Video: RECKONING (ARTICLE 11); Road to Hasalala Danxalax (Chan Ctr/Marion Newman). Upcoming: The Ring Cycle: Das Rheingold for Edmonton Opera.
Andy is of mixed Euro/Omushkegowuk descent, and is currently based in Calgary.
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees