Waawaashkeshiwag Wabuno
Experience a behind the scenes peak into the creative process with this open rehearsal. Are you interested in how plays are developed? This is a unique opportunity to watch a movement rehearsal in process as the creative team explores this wonderful story rooted in Anishnaabe knowledge.
In many of our traditional stories, animals embody lessons, concepts, and beliefs. In many
creation stories across Turtle Island, animals came before humans and conducted
themselves as humans do now. With council discussions on how to manage resources and
solve problems. In many of our stories the animals speak.
In this play, we are drawn into two young Waawaashkeshiwag (Deer) world during the rut.
One is gendered as the female known as Noozhe, the other gendered as the male counter-
part known as Kiskaw. We follow the young deer and explore their roles within the confines
of a society that has innate ways of being. Both protagonists examine the concept of
survival and how offerings are used within the Indigenous scope of reciprocity.
CONTENT CONSIDERATION: Sexual and mature content.
Playwright
Nova Courchene
Nova Courchene, Assistant Director of Native Youth Theatre, is an Anishinaabemowin Language Learner, Visual Artist, Playwright, Writer, and Outreach Drama Educator. Her murals are featured in Westdale School, Ralph Maybank School, Anish Healing Centre, and Kildonan Park. Nova provides theatre outreach workshops to Indigenous communities, incorporating oral histories and traditional knowledge, often concluding with youth performances in communities like Norway House Cree Nation and Wasagamack First Nation.Her writing projects include the play Waawaashkeshiwag Wabano, a commissioned short play for Boca Del Lupo’s Plays2Perform, credits for APTN’s Michif Country Season 4, and Niin Anishinaabekwe.
Choreographer
Waawaate Fobister
Waawaate Fobister – an actor, dancer, playwright, choreographer, producer and an instructor in theatre. A proud 2S Anishinaabe storyteller from Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows). A recipient of two Dora awards and the Mark S. Bonham Centre award from University of Toronto for advocacy and public knowledge in sexual diversity. Waawaate has performed in many major theatre companies across Canada and has worked in Japan, UK, US, and many coasts across Turtle Island. Recently, Waawaate established the first ever LGBTQ2S+ Advisory Council for the Grand Council Treaty #3 – a major leap forward acknowledging and honouring 2S voices making a pathway for Governance Revitalization.
Performer
Rayna Masterton
rayna is an (Métis/Scottish) actor, writer, director and arts administrator from Winnipeg. She
graduated from the University of Winnipeg’s Theatre Performance program and trained at
Humber College’s Devised and Physical Theatre program. They have continued to train and work
with companies across the country, such as The Banff Centre, Prairie Theatre Exchange,
Persephone Theatre, Green Kids Inc., Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Manitoba Opera,
Theatre Projects Manitoba, Prime Mover Theatre Company, and the Royal Manitoba Theatre
Centre.
Performer
Eric Plamendon
Multidisciplinary artist Eric Plamondon has been cultivating art in the land of the Muddy Waters for over a decade. As part of Eric's theatre practice, he partook in the 2023 Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Indigenous writing collective Pimootayowin where he wrote Differential Colours Waking in Darkness. Last year, Eric participated in the Lights On the Exchange festival with an ephemeral public art disruption titled Redaction. In a continued spirit of embracing artistic opportunities, Eric will next be seen in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's production of Jekyll and Hyde.
Follow him on his socials @plameric
Photo credit : Skye Spence
Performer
Madyson Richard
Mady Richard graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Manitoba. She trained as a competitive dancer with Ken Peter Dance Express and is currently teaching tap and musical theatre at Genesis School of Dance. She has trained with the Village Conservatory and worked as a resident artist with One Trunk Theatre. Recently, Mady was the choreographer for A Work In Progress (Crosswalk Productions) and performed in How To Live Forever (Hypothetical Projects) and The Ethan in the Room (Stark Raving Productions).
