NAC INDIGENOUS THEATRE INVITES AUDIENCES TO BE INSPIRED BY STORIES, CULTURES AND LANGUAGES
NAC INDIGENOUS THEATRE INVITES AUDIENCES TO BE INSPIRED BY STORIES, CULTURES AND LANGUAGES
Artists and stories are at the heart of new season of Indigenous Theatre for 2021-2022
August 19, 2021 – OTTAWA (Canada) – Highlighting the distinct natures of Indigenous artists’ perspectives, territories, cultures and languages, NAC Indigenous Theatre announces the fall lineup of its 2021-2022 season, inviting audiences to experience the vibrancy and diversity of Indigenous stories and culture. Indigenous Theatre creates the opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences to witness and participate in the work to build new relationships of trust and possibilities; to promote healing, mutual understanding and respect.
“Our stories are an act of inspiration that has survived through retelling, revitalization, and reimagining through personal experience,” says Kevin Loring, NAC Indigenous Theatre Artistic Director. “Our stories are medicine. We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it. We can move forward in a spirit of openness, generosity, and healing, to honour those who have come before and empower the future.
Beginning the season in September, Indigenous Theatre presents two powerful productions in partnership with Zones Théâtrales. Jocelyn Sioui's Mononk Jules, a work Inspired by the life of Sioul’s great-uncle, Jules Sioui, one of the greatest Indigenous heroes of the 20th century, the story paints a portrait of a fascinating man and, through him, of an Indigenous history obscured by white memory. This is followed by Émilie Monnet’s stunning original work, Okinum. The play, an intimate reflection on the notion of inner barriers, will bridge the gap between three languages, French, English and the language of the land: Anishinaabemowin. Following that, an extraordinary dance piece: Red Sky Performance’s production of TRACE. Co-presented with NAC Dance, this highly kinetic contemporary work is inspired by Indigenous (Anishinaabe) sky and star stories, offering a glimpse into our origin as well as our future evolution. In December, Indigenous Theatre will host a one-night celebration to honour the 70th birthday of an iconic artist, TOMSON HIGHWAY: KISAAGEETIN **(I love you/Je t'aime) with an evening of tribute and music, both live and virtual, and visits from special guests.
In addition to these powerful productions, Indigenous Theatre will host in-person and online free events throughout the fall. On September 27 - 30, in honour of National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Indigenous Theatre will host online events, activities, workshops, and panels. Later in the fall, the Indigenous Women’s Art Market will return, offering the spectacular work of Indigenous artists, including beading, clothing, artwork and performances. Continuing online programming will include such events as Powwow Workouts and an Indigenous Children’s Book Club.
“We are deeply grateful for the support our first season received, and for the support of the digital engagement we have been able to offer during the pandemic. Through engagement with incredible Indigenous artists and communities, and in collaboration with our colleagues and the Board of Directors at the NAC, we are honoured to have provided programming that continued our commitment to artists and audiences across the land,” remarks Indigenous Theatre Managing Director Lori Marchand. “As we return to the stage, we look back on the success of our inaugural season and the strong response to our offer of the $15 All My Relations ticket. We are honoured to be able to continue this offer to the Indigenous community in the upcoming season, extending it to programming from all disciplines at the NAC.”
Winter 2021-22 season programming for Indigenous Theatre will be announced later this fall. Tickets for performances scheduled September 10 to November 30, go on sale this morning.
INDIGENOUS CITIES
On June 3, 2021, NAC Indigenous Theatre launched a new annual theatrical adventure titled Indigenous Cities, an audio-based experience that take audiences on a unique and personal journey through city landscapes. Indigenous Cities is a series of place-based aural offerings, gifted from the memories of Indigenous community members and interpreted by Indigenous artists, each recounting a history, a moment or a feeling connected to a specific place.
For this inaugural year, audiences can listen to work offered by artists based in Vancouver, Saskatoon and Ottawa-Gatineau, with a total of 15 stories available free online through Indigenouscities.ca. Listeners from across the country can choose to follow as many stories as they wish on their journey, using their personal listening devices. Local audiences can experience offerings on location in each city, if provincial restrictions allow, or join national audiences in experiencing the stories in the comfort of their own home using virtual maps online.
#RECONCILE THIS - NAC INDIGENOUS THEATRE AND FACEBOOK PARTNERSHIP
On June 23, 2021, the National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre and Facebook Canada announced the creation of #ReconcileThis – Indigenous Voices Online, a four-year initiative that provides hundreds of transformative Indigenous Voices with funding, production equipment, and training to share their stories, history, and to celebrate culture online.
#ReconcileThis will also create four, one-year Associate Producer positions at NAC Indigenous Theatre, providing emerging Indigenous leaders the opportunity to shape the national program.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
Indigenous Theatre and Programming at Canada’s National Arts Centre is made possible through the generous support of individuals and corporations from across the country. The National Arts Centre Foundation wishes to acknowledge the leadership support of Mohammed A. Faris, Kenneth and Margaret Torrance Endowment for Indigenous Theatre and an Anonymous Donor. Thank you to Indigenous Theatre Season Sponsor BMO Financial Group, Official Hotel Partner Embassy Hotel & Suites, and Official Rail Partner VIA Rail. Thank you also to TD Bank Group and the Slaight Family Foundation, Major Sponsors of Indigenous Programming at the National Arts Centre, and Presenting Partner of #ReconcileThis Facebook Canada. We also express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts for their longstanding support of the NAC and the arts in Canada.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE
The National Arts Centre is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts. The NAC presents, creates, produces, and co-produces performing arts programming in various streams — the NAC Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre in collaboration with Black Theatre Workshop, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, and Popular Music and Variety — and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada. The NAC is located in the National Capital Region on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Sean Fitzpatrick
Communications Officer
NAC Indigenous Theatre
613 899-9737
sean.fitzpatrick@nac-cna.ca