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Photo by Mike Bickerton, featuring Sharron Matthews.

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We are so pleased to welcome you to the first show of our new season!

Our theme this year: exploring how to just be yourself.

There are so many ways to be, so many opportunities to develop a personal style – or code – and so many places to discover where you might uniquely fit. But there are many pressures too. Sometimes it seems like people want to tell you how to look, act, feel or be. All young people (and all adults too) have to balance the dreams they have for themselves against the heavy expectations of others.

Our season plays this year – opening with Unapologetically Me by Sharron Matthews – are chosen to help with this balancing act.

So thanks for coming to find yourself at YPT.

ALLEN MACINNISArtistic Director

NANCY J. WEBSTERExecutive Director

A Message from the Artistic and Executive Directors

YPT is situated on lands and waterways that have known human activity for more than 15,000 years. We would like to acknowledge the ancestral lands

of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee of Six Nations, the Mississaugas of New Credit, the Wendat, Huron and any other Nation, recorded or

unrecorded. Miigwetch/thank you for letting us gather here.

This facility is supported through Toronto Arts Council Strategic Funding.

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YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATREPRESENT S

The performance will run approximately 50 minutes.

Photography, videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Created and Performed by Sharron MatthewsProduced by Sharron Matthews

MUSICIANSGuitar

Percussion & Band LeaderJason ChesworthJamie Drake

Unapologetically Me: Sharron’s Cabaret for Kids was commissioned by Young People’s Theatre.

Dramaturgy by Stephen Colella and Allen MacInnis

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Bios

JASON CHESWORTH GUITAR

Jason previously played guitar in Sharron Matthews’ performances of Girl Crush and Full Dark. Selected theatre credits for Jason include: The Pigeon King, Stag & Doe, Dear

Johnny Deere (4 seasons with Blyth Festival), 5 seasons with The Shaw Festival (1997-2001), The Bricklin (Theatre New Brunswick), The Shape Of Things (Manitoba Theatre Centre),

JAMIE DRAKE PERCUSSION & BAND LEADER

Sharron is Canada’s premiere cabaret artist, and her works have been hailed around the globe. Named "Best of the Fest" in Edinburgh and “#1 Cabaret in New York City”, Sharron was awarded

“Best Cabaret Performer” by Now Magazine and in 2016, Sharron’s Full Dark was “Best Cabaret Performance” by BroadwayWorld. Sharron's new cabaret Girl Crush, which sold out numerous times during its 25-show run at Calgary's Lunchbox Theatre, has had its New York City premiere on May 26th, 2017 at 54 Below/Feinstein’s, the city’s most prestigious cabaret venue. Sharron has headlined at comedy and variety festivals from Edinburgh, Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa. She has starred on television shows for both Global TV and Slice TV and was in the movies Cinderella Man and Hairspray. But you may recognize her from Tina Fey's Mean Girls in which she played Joan the Secretary, which inspired a number of memes which have been shared around the world MILLIONS of times...for which no one knows her name... and ALSO for which she gets no money...ah, the internet. www.sharronmatthews.com

SHARRON MATTHEWS CREATOR & PERFORMER

Jamie is thrilled to be back at YPT, playing drums and percussion for two shows this season! Selected theatre credits include: Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Seussical (YPT),

Life After, London Road (Canadian Stage), Matilda (Mirvish), Uncovered Concerts (The Musical Stage Co.), Assassins (TIFT/Birdland), Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde, Nine, Little Women (RAPA), Sweeney Todd, Atlantis/CMTP (Sheridan College). Television credits include: Canada's Smartest Person (percussion consultant/composer/performer, CBC). Upcoming for Jamie is: Beauty and the Beast (YPT), Candide (TIFT), Fun Home (Mirvish/The Musical Stage Co). Jamie is a member of TorQ Percussion Quartet, which has performed for over 130,000 students, been featured soloists with the Toronto Symphony and Buffalo Philharmonic, and has toured across Canada and the USA. He is also the percussionist-in-residence for the Hamilton Children's Choir with whom he has toured to South Korea, the USA and the Bahamas. He has recorded music for theatre composer Andrew Lippa, the Shaw Festival, and many others. He has a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has completed Doctor of Musical Arts coursework at the University of Toronto. He released his debut solo album, Night in 2014. Other than playing music, his favourite things are riding bicycles, reading and spending time with his wife and their orange cat Joe. www.jamiedrake.ca.

YOUNGPEOPLESTHEATRE.CA

The Buddy Holly Story (Drayton), and Red Fightin' Blue (Talk Is Free). Jason’s discography includes: Buy Low, Sell High and Presenting... (EP's as Jason Chesworth), Saturday Night at Morley Gibson's (w/ The Pocket Co.), and The Bricklin (Original Cast Recording).

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JAMIE DRAKE PERCUSSION & BAND LEADER

• Sharron said she used to feel anxious. Why do you think she might have felt anxious?

For Discussion After the Show

• Sharron says that music is her “Magic Power.” What does she mean by that? Is it really “magic”?

• What is your “Magic Power”? Why?

• Did you feel like you could relate to Sharron? If so, what part of her story could you relate to?

• In Sharron’s opening song, she says that she’s learned that “a word is not a name.” What does she mean by that? How has she overcome being called hurtful names?

Visit our website to see the Study Guide we have created for this production:youngpeoplestheatre.ca/schools/study-guides/unapologetically-sharrons-cabaret-kids-study-guide/

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YPT Staff

Allen MacInnis artistic director

Nancy J. Webster executive director

Craig Morash director of administration

ADMINISTRATION & ARTISTICEdgar Chua director of operations

Stephen Colella associate artistic director & dramaturg

Odelia Lee accounting assistant

Katherine Sanders associate producer

Nick Tracey associate general manager

Nora Hassaan front of house manager

Mike Petersen assistant front of house manager

Camille Wilson assistant front of house manager

Ester Ayala part-time custodian

Lourdes Mendoza custodian

ushers: Gillian ArnoldDaniel BellAmelia BlaineIvy ChangTarah HamiltonAndy HaywardLindsay Ivans

Guy LegaultJesse LewisTom McHaleRobin MunroKaren RiveraQuinton SamuelJahvane StewartJulie ThompsonBilly VillacisLesley Wilkinson

EDUCATION & PARTICIPATIONKaren Gilodo associate artistic director, education

Jill Ward education & participation administrative director

Aimee Bouchard member schools & educationmanager

Terry Cade e&p assistant

Marjie Chud interim community volunteer manager

Amber Ebert school & community programs manager

Norah O’Donnell (on leave) community volunteer manager

Liz Pounsett drama school director

Breanne Ritchie drama school coordinator

Jin Shin drama school assistant

co-op students

Hailey-Joley CaiccoKatherine Carvalho

resident artist educators:

Audrey DwyerNicola ElbroMarina GomesCarrie HageJeff Ho Andrea HoussinRimah JabrMark Kreder Darwin LyonsAndy MassinghamErica MayLeslie McCueReem MorsiSabryn Rock Claire RouleauZorana SadiqNoah Spitzer

MARKETING & SALESMarilyn Hamilton director of marketing

Shawn McCarthy associate director of marketing

Avery Brennan sales coordinator/ box office supervisor

Josée Duranleau, Duranleau Communications media relations

Clare Hill digital content coordinator

Mariya Morosovska graphic designer/webmaster

Ali Sultani marketing & promotions assistant

Cara Vandermey ticketing administrator

sales associates: Gaby GriceMaryana ParfenyukMatt PilipiakKsenia Sabouloua Sarah Thorpe

FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENTAllan Penning director of development

Elizabeth Sheffield associate director of development

Kristina Majnarich development coordinator

PATRON SERVICES

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Chris Pitts, chair

David Scandiffio, past chair

Colin BohmRoger Cattell Carol ChiuHolly Coll-BlackCouncillor Gary CrawfordRod DaviesShauna Emerson-O’NeillAnshu GroverMathew HarrisonJenine KrauseShannan Levere

Neil Macdonald Les MallinsCouncillor Mary-Margaret McMahon Alayne MetrickSeanna MillarPeter OliveJulie Soloway Carl SpitzerWill StewartBob Tam

Board of Directors

YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE (YPT) is the oldest professional theatre company in Toronto and is a national producer and presenter of theatre for young audiences - the first and largest of its kind in Canada. Over the past 52 years YPT has staged many of the most important plays that form the canon of work for youth in our country. YPT continues to develop new work and create partnerships with theatre companies across the country and around the world.

But that’s not all. The enriched learning experiences of YPT’s Education & Participation Department provide young people with opportunities to develop their whole being. Through our workshops in community shelters and agencies, educational initiatives in Toronto classrooms, Drama School programs in four locations throughout the City, and training and apprenticeship opportunities, we place learning at the centre of everything we do.

At YPT we strive for a positive and lasting impact on the emotional, social and intellectual development of young people - giving them the chance to grow into the unique and wonderful people they were born to be.

About Young People’s Theatre

*Stage Employees of YPT are represented by Local 58 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

YPT Production StaffRick Banville director of production

Shanna Miller technical director

Jay Blencowe* stage carpenter

Ilana Harendorf head of wardrobe

Nida Haroon production & operations intern

Matt Jordan* studio technician

Mattea Kennedy head scenic artist

Lindy Kinoshameg production management intern

Lokki Ma (on leave) head of props

Josh McGill* head electrician

Aiden Nagle* head of audio

Ryan Wilson head scenic carpenter

Jaclyn Zaltz interim head of props

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Our Generous SupportersWe asked children in our Summer Drama School Camps to use their imaginations

to help us rename our donor giving levels. YPT is pleased to use some of their creative ideas here, as we thank and recognize our generous supporters.

Unicorns: $20,000+

Giants: $10,000+

AnonymousBMOCIBCHolly Coll-Black*, Rupert Duchesne & FamilyThe George Cedric Metcalf Charitable FoundationGreat West Life, London Life and Canada LifeRBC

RBC FoundationDavid Scandiffio* & FamilyScotiabankSun Life FinancialTD Bank GroupTippet Foundation

AnonymousBarrick Gold CorporationBlake, Cassels & Graydon LLPSheila Brown*** & Doug Guzman, Davis & JuliaCIBC Children's FoundationDavid Dal Bello*** & Dr. Michele FarrugiaThe Dalglish Family FoundationErnst & Young LLPJDL Development LimitedKPMG

Lily Street FoundationLimen GroupAlayne Metrick*National Bank FinancialPenwest Revenue Corp.PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPRBC Financial GroupRBC Investor Treasury ServicesTD SecuritiesNancy Webster**

Ada Slaight Education Centre at YPT $500,000+The Slaight Family Foundation

Wizards: $5,000+Aimia Canada Inc.BIMMBurgundy Asset ManagementBarbara Dick***, Malcolm Burrows & FamilyDream Asset Mgmt CorporationEdwards Charitable FoundationEnercare Home & Commercial Services LPDavid Futterer***Joan & Clifford Hatch FoundationLoyalty One

Allen MacInnis** & Arin MurrayThe Mary-Margaret Webb FoundationMorneau Shepell Craig Morash**Aine O'Flynn*** & Steve BraunPayworks Inc.SalesforceStreetcar Developments Inc.TAS Design Build

Dragons: $2,500+Bill & Wendy Volk Family FoundationBMO Capital MarketsCarrier Enterprise CanadaCharles Street Video Carol Chiu*Rod Davies*Michael GibbensGoodman Company Canada

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage EmployeesEllen Jarmain & Michael JohnsonChristopher Jones*** & Christine WilliamsThe Leonard FoundationLexus on the ParkNeil Macdonald*Mackenzie InvestmentsManulife Asset Management

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Amazon Web ServicesAnco Contracting IncAPC by Schneider ElectricCanadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)Kathy ChanRoyce G. Charles-DunneColliers InternationalPeter*** & Christine CorolisJustin CreallyEllen & John CurtisElly DanielsMarie DunSeith***Shauna Emerson-O'Neill*Environics CommunicationsFundservChris GaffneyGoogleThe Grover FamilyMarilyn Hamilton**David HeiszInternational Financial Data ServicesInvestment and Technological Management Corp.Investor EconomicsAli KizilbashJenine Krause*Shannan Levere*

Les Mallins*Marc Anthony Cosmetics Ltd.Mawer InvestmentsJohn NgJoanne O'Hea***Peter Olive*Onyx Mechanical LimitedDiane Osak & Steve HurowitzParkbridge Lifestyle CommunitiesPCL Constructors Canada Inc.Redden Media ServicesDerrick RossPhil SchmittBarbara Shum & Manos VourkoutiotisRobin SilverDavid Skurka***Smart & Biggar / FetherstonhaughStarting Gate Holdings Inc. Stikeman Elliot LLPSymtech Innovations Ltd.Unifor Social Justice FundPeter VankesselVenture Metal Works Inc.Jennifer WalshLois Wilson

Mermaids: $1,000+

Genies: $500+AnonymousVictoria BassettComputershareCynthia EnnsTimothy & Caroline GordonMathew Harrison*The Henry and Berenice Kaufmann FoundationSusan Langley***Kin-Man Lee

Robert NicholsonAllan Penning** & Ian MitchellChanrouti RamnarineGreg SpottiswoodTelusNick Tracey**David Williams***York Catholic Teachers

Elves: $250+AnonymousLois AdamsonRobert BarnardDavid BradyCanadian Contemporary Dance TheatreTara D'Andrea, in memory of Dr. Anne D'AndreaBenjamin Kaasa & Alwin Kong

Cherry KarpyshinRobert MarkusPaul NicolettiScheffler's Delicatessen & CheeseServocraft LimitedJean Wilson

Sam Marinucci Seanna Millar*The Muttart FoundationThe Norman & Margaret Jewison Charitable

FoundationEdita & Graeme PageSusan Payne***Chris Pitts* & Patricia Tavares

Polar Asset ManagementRBC Capital MarketsRedpoll FoundationThe S. M. Blair Family FoundationShum Vourkoutiosis Fund at the Toronto Community

FoundationCarl Spitzer*

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Sprites: $100+

The above donations were made from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017. If we have incorrectly recognized you, please contact Kristina in the Development Office at 416.363.5131 x248.

*Board Member **Staff Member ***Board Alumni

YPT is a Registered Charitable Organization #11930 7254 RR0001

Gift In-Kind Supporters:

2017/18BEVERAGE PARTNER

2017/18MEDIA PARTNER

2017/18SNACK PARTNER

Anonymous (4)Nicholas AdamsonBrian BeirneAimee Bouchard**George BradyAlexis Buset Stephen Colella** & Rebecca HarrisonAmber Ebert**Rodney C. EllisEmmanuel EvdemonKaren Gilodo**Robert Gontier & Ned LoachBrenda GrahamJoanne Grodzinski

Ellen GuttermanCarole Guzman, in honour of

Sheila Brown's contribution to YPT

Lyn HarrisonKathryn Heller-McRobertsFrances HoggElizabeth HowsonIBMMatthew JocelynColin & Ellen JohnsonOdelia Lee ** & Jim YauRobert Martin MazinAndrew McKayCory Mogk

Malcolm & Myrna MorashNiloufer Pasha Liz Sheffield**Ivor & Renee SimmonsKent StainesLarry SwartzPeter TaySteve ThomasCarlene TungPeggy TungJill Ward**Douglas WeirAnthea Windsor

SCHEFFLER'S DELI AND CHEESEShop locally at your City Market - a Toronto tradition that continues through the generations!

Celebrating 208 years | stlawrencemarket.com

See more discussion questions and exercises in our Study Guide. http://www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca/schools/study-guides/

Young People’s Theatre is very grateful to all of the individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies who contribute to our continued growth and success.Education is vital to all children but not all learning takes place in the classroom. The dynamic and exciting theatre experiences that YPT has to offer promote creativity, critical thinking and confidence in young people.

Our donors enrich the lives of children and youth by giving them access to the magic of theatre and exceptional programming. The generosity of donors keeps YPT accessible for all young people and their families.

To help us achieve our mission please contact: Kristina Majnarich, Development Coordinator at 416.363.5131 x248 or majnarich@youngpeoplestheatre.ca

ONE TIME MONTH LY

$

GIFTDONATE BUY TICKETS

MONTHLY GIVE ONLINEHOW YOU CAN SUPPORT YPT!

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The above donations were made from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017. If we have incorrectly recognized you, please contact Kristina in the Development Office at 416.363.5131 x248.

THE SLAIGHT FAMILY FOUNDATIONTHE ADA SLAIGHT EDUCATION CENTRE AT YPT

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

ARTS IMPACT

SEATS FOR EVERY KID

ACCESSIBILITY PARTNER

EMERGING ARTISTS

YPT IS GRATEFUL FOR THE OUTSTANDING AND GENEROUS SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

SEASON PRESENTING PARTNER

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT

THE ADA SLAIGHT EDUCATION CENTRE AT YPT

CHECK OUT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR TO REMAIN UP-TO-DATE ON ALL YPT EVENTS.

YOUNGPEOPLESTHEATRE.CA/EVENTS

• Register for Fall/Winter/Spring Drama School classes now! Classes are selling out quickly! Register online.

• YPT is running full-day workshops on PA Days in the TDSB/TCDSB for children in Grades 1-3 and 4-6. The first PA Day "Play in a Day" programs of the year are Oct. 6, Nov. 17 and Dec. 1!

• YPT is looking for four young writers aged 13-17 with a passion for writing and interest in building their skills to be a part of an international playwriting collaboration, Three Up. Applications for Three Up are due on November 6th. Please contact Amber Ebert, School & Community Programs Manager at 416.363.5131 x230 or email aebert@youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

• We are offering family workshops in connection with Bello on Oct. 15, and Beauty and the Beast on Dec. 3. Space is limited.

• YPT’s Member Schools program aims to create a deeper relationship between participating schools and the theatre through a three-year partnership specifically tailored to the aims and needs of each school. Interested in learning how you can become a YPT Member School? Contact Member Schools & Education Manager Aimee Bouchard at abouchard@youngpeoplestheatre.ca or by calling 416.363.5131 x216.

• We are delighted to announce Dennis Gupa as the second recipient of the Ada Slaight Drama in Education Award.

• Explore At the Centre, YPT’s arts education blog - a resource for artists, teachers, artist educators and theatre practitioners to explore the many connections between arts and learning.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL THE BOX OFFICE FOR DETAILS AND TO REGISTER: 416.862.2222 x2 | YOUNGPEOPLESTHEATRE.CA/TASEC/