Ottawa, ON. March 14, 2013 – When do you put down the camera and tell the real story?
While on assignment in the far north, Angeline, a Métis reporter, stumbles upon a story that is so haunting, she is unable to erase the images, and it compels her to question the role of reporters as witnesses and the accepted notions of the strength and spirit of Aboriginal peoples. Along the way she challenges Edward Curtis, the iconic turn of the century photographer who created a photographic record of “the vanishing race of the North American Indian”. Poetic and visually stunning, her journey is brought to life through video, photography, music and choreography.
 

The brainchild of Métis/Dené playwright Marie Clements, she invited photojournalist Rita Leistner to create a parallel photographic investigation of Edward Curtis’ work – to question the practice of documentary photography with the very medium under scrutiny. Clements and Leistner went on a three-year journey of discovery, retracing Curtis’ footsteps and traveling to First Nations communities throughout North America in crafting this multi-disciplinary work. The Edward Curtis Project Exhibit by Rita Leistner will be on display in the Lorraine ‘Fritzi’ Yale Gallery, upper lobby of GCTC.
 

The original production of The Edward Curtis Project was part of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad in Vancouver and was nominated for eight Jesse Richardson Awards.

This co-production marks the second collaboration between the National Arts Centre English Theatre and Great Canadian Theatre Company. Please Note: All performances of The Edward Curtis Project play at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, home of GCTC.

The Edward Curtis Project
Featuring: Kathleen Duborg, Todd Duckworth, Kevin Loring, and Quelemia Sparrow.

Working with Playwright/Director Marie Clements on this production are: Set Designer Ivo Valentik; Costume Designer Barbara Clayden; Lighting Designer John Webber; Composer and Sound Designer Bruce Ruddell; Projection Designer Jamie Griffiths; Projection Designer and Production Photographer Tim Matheson; Props Designer Andreas Kahre; Singer and Songwriter Leela Gilday; Dramaturg Paula Danckert; Assistant Director Sarah McVie; Assistant to the Set Designer John Doucet; Sound Consultant Troy Slocum; Stage Manager Jan Hodgson; and Apprentice Stage Manager Jessica Preece.

Previews:                       Tuesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 3
Opening for reviewers:   Thursday, April 4
PWYC:                            Sunday, April 7 at 2:00pm
 

Media Video Photo Op:
Thursday, March 28^th – 1:30pm – details to follow in separate release.

Tickets are $36-$45
Groups of 10+ receive great discounts! For more information contact grp@nac-cna.ca or
visit our webpage.

Tickets are available:

• Online through GCTC’s website: gctc.ca
• In person at the GCTC Box Office, 613 236-5196
• Online through the NAC’s website: nac-cna.ca
• In person at the NAC Box Office*
• At all Ticketmaster outlets*
• By telephone 1-888-991-2787
  *A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.

The Edward Curtis Project Exhibit by Rita Leistner
One of Canada’s foremost documentary photographers, Rita Leistner’s exquisite photographs created during the fieldwork of The Edward Curtis Project will be on display in the Lorraine ‘Fritzi’ Yale Gallery, upper lobby of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre beginning April 2.

The View From In Here
The Great Canadian Theatre Company and the National Arts Centre partnered with the Urban Aboriginal Alternative High School and their students on a photography project and exhibit called The View From In Here. The photography exhibit was created by and for the aboriginal students. This project served as a traditional teaching tool for value and community-based learning.

Students were given a camera, and each were asked to go into the community and to answer the question “What does being an Aboriginal, First Nation, Inuit or Métis, look like to you?” The students were challenged to think creatively and give thought to what defines them and how to capture it in photographs. This is a project that inspires pride in community and the student’s personal accomplishments and may spark a lifelong interest and career in photography.

The exhibit will be open to the public from March 27 until April 21 in the Studio foyer of the NAC. 

Find out more about NAC English Theatre and GCTC on Facebook and YouTube. To discover some fascinating facts about The Edward Curtis Project click www.nac-cna.ca/en/theatre and learn more through the NAC English Theatre’s new online study guides.

This production is eligible for the Rush ticket program. NAC Live Rush members are directed to the GCTC student rush program:
Beginning at noon the day of each performance, Rush tickets can be purchased in-person at the GCTC Box Office. Student Rush tickets are $13 with valid student identification and Adult Rush tickets are $25. Available seating only.

Telus is a proud Production Partner of the Great Canadian Theatre Company.

The Edward Curtis Project is made possible in part by Ridley Terminals Inc.

 

The NAC Playwrights in Residence program is generously supported by an Anonymous Donor.
 

 

 

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For any information, please call:
Sean Fitzpatrick, Communications Officer, National Arts Centre English Theatre
613-947-7000 ext. 389; e-mail: sean.fitzpatrick@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca

Sheilagh D'Arcy McGee, Media Relations, Great Canadian Theatre Company
Phone: 613-236-5192 ext 239
Email: media@gctc.ca

or visit the GCTC website at www.gctc.ca