www.ryerson.ca/theatreschoolbox office 416-979-5118email rtsinfo@ryerson.ca

ryersoN theatre school PreseNts:

Unity (1918)by Kevin Kerr

DirecteD By stewart arNottassociate DirectioN By Marie JoNes

Sound Design and Original Music by Andrew ClemensSet Design by Natalie CooperCostume Design by Eva Kuo

Lighting Design by Mikael Kangas

octoBer 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 30 aNDNoveMBer 3, 5, 9, 11, 13 at 8 P.M.MatiNÉe: octoBer 30 at 2 P.M.

ABRAMS STUDIO THEATRE46 Gerrard Street East

Director’s Notes

A war to end all wars was drawing fitfully to a close. While countless dreams of hopeful love and peaceful lives had been smashed over four unimaginable years, there were yet more dreams, some blissful, some anxious, that were waiting for fulfillment. And then came a plague...

When Kevin Kerr finished Unity (1918) in 2001, he knew that the Spanish Flu pandemic had been largely forgotten. This unfortunately timed footnote in the World’s history claimed 50 million lives worldwide, 50 thousand of them in Canada alone. He wrote this dark, funny, heart-breaking play with the thought that the “plague” which drives through his story was merely a potent metaphor for the numerous powers – both natural and man-made – that can without discrimination, it would seem, change our lives in profound ways.

Of course since then, SARS and H1N1 have risen up, and we now have a much keener sense of how such crises can indeed instill crippling fear and destructive hysteria, as well as inspire selfless acts and remarkable courage. Perhaps life imitating art...? I leave that to you to decide after witnessing this beautiful play.

Director stewart arNott

Stewart has been a theatre artist for over 30 years.

He has directed at many theatres across Canada, including the Great Canadian Theatre Co. (Ottawa), Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton), Prairie Theatre Exchange (Winnipeg) and Theatre Antigonish (Nova Scotia). Last year he directed the world premiere of Paula Wing’s Pobby & Dingan (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People) and Munsch Crunch at George Brown Theatre School. Upcoming: Vincent River (Cart Horse Theatre) at the Tarragon Extra Space in January, 2011.

Recent acting credits include the workshop presentation of Liza Balkan’s Out the Window (Crow’s Theatre), playing “Pozzo” in the award-winning production of Waiting for Godot (Modern Times) as well as Hallaj (Modern Times) and Lady in the Red Dress (fu-GEN). Upcoming television appearances include “Murdoch Mysteries” and “The Kennedys” miniseries.

Playwright KeviN Kerr

Kevin Kerr is a founding member of Vancouver’s Electric Company Theatre with whom he’s been creating original theatre for the past 14 years including such plays as Brilliant! The Blinding Enlightenment of Nikola Tesla, The Wake, The Score, Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands, Flop, The Fall, and most recently Tear the Curtain! Other plays include Skydive and Spine (both for Realwheels Theatre), The Remittance Man, and an adaptation of Pierre Berton’s children’s classic The Secret World of Og. His play Studies in Motion is being toured by Electric Company this season to Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre and Canadian Stage in Toronto. From 2007 to 2010 he was the Lee Playwright in Residence at the University of Alberta. In 2002 he received the Governor General’s Literary Award for Unity (1918).

associate Director Marie JoNes

Marie is an actor and apprenticing director hailing from Lac Ste. Anne County, AB, a few hours drive west of Unity. She appeared this past summer in 4th Line Theatre’s Eldorado Town: The Port Hope Play and The Right Road to Pontypool. She has also worked extensively as an actor and teaching artist for the Classical Theatre Project’s Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Oedipus Rex, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, including tours to Ottawa and Tennessee. This past spring she returned to directing after a long hiatus, for Humber River Shakespeare’s The Sonnet Show. Previous directing work includes Burnt Remains for The 2002 Edmonton Fringe Festival, and My Fourth Divorce for Burien Live Theatre (Seattle, WA). Marie holds a BA (Hons.) in Drama from the University of Alberta, and is a graduate of George Brown Theatre School.

H sPecial thaNKs H

Ryerson Theatre School would like to extend a special thanks to the following people:

David Brewer/ Brendan Daly/ Kathy and Danny Brunato/ William from Curry’s on Yonge/

Lada Darewych/Heather Dennis/ Sholem Dolgoy/

Janelle Doucet/ Esther Kim/ Fabric by Designer/

Jacquie Lazar/ Nicole McAddams/ Rob Noble/ Jennifer Schaffenburg/

Sarah Scroggie/ Mary Spyrakis - CanStage/ Steve Wilsher/ Shari Wolfson

We also want to thank our sponsors:

Frank D’onofrio - Owner - Kwik Kopy Jarvis

Lily at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles

Ed McDonald - Branch Manager - Alterna Savings

Jimi Turner - General Manager - Duke of Somerset

Mentors:

Nancy Dryden - Stage Management

Kim Purtell - Lighting Design

syNoPsis

The place is Unity, Saskatchewan, and the year is 1918. Unity is anxiously awaiting their soldiers, returning home from four years of fighting in the Great War. However, the first man back is a blind stranger, and shortly after his arrival comes a deadly virus - the Spanish Flu. Rampaging wildly through the old, the young, and even those in their prime, the whole town of Unity is soon quarantined in order to contain the deadly pandemic. Despite the precautionary measures, the disease continues to spread and the death toll keeps rising. With no one else to blame, this close-knit community begins to tear itself apart looking for a scapegoat to hold responsible.

UNity (1918)

sydney Bell

Michela cannon

tayves Fiddis

Katerina georgieva

virgilia griffith

Michal grzejszczak

Bryde Maclean

giovanni spina

sofia tomic

steve wilsher giovanni spina

actiNg coMPaNy

The performance runs in two acts. There will be a fifteen intermission.

Refreshments are available for purchase in our green room.

Unity (1918) was developed as part of Touchstone Theatre’s Playwright in

Residence Program during the 1999/2000 season, and was originally produced

by that company in March 2001 at the Vancouver Cultural Centre.

Beatrice

Sunna

Stan, Man 2, Chaperone

Rose

Sissy

Hart

Doris

Michael, Glen, Man 1

Mary

Fight DirectorFight Captain

UNity (1918)

actor’s BiograPhies

sydney Bell: Ryerson credits: Mrs. Candour, School for Scandal, Lady Priory, Wives As They Were And Maids As They Are, Clown (2009), Luellen, Final Placement, Buck-ingham, Richard III, Maid and Chorus, Alcestis. Other credits: II Dottore (The Doctor), Beyond the Score Mozart Piano Concerto 27.

Michela cannon: Ryerson credits: Miss Dorrillon, Wives As They Were and Maids As They Are, Maria, The School for Scandal, Clown (2009), Mary Hanson, Final Placement, Duchess of York, Richard III, Chorus, Alcestis. Other credits: Clare,The Keeper’s Secret, Rhymes with Orange Productions.

tayves Fiddis: Ryerson credits: Sir Peter Teazle, The School For Scandal, Mr. Loveless, The Clandestine Marriage, Clown (2009), Henry Harry, Brilliant Traces, Ed-ward IV/Tyrell, Richard III, Admetos, Alcestis. Other credits: Callum, The Selkie Wife, Sea Captain/Officer, Twelfth Night, Owen Pendragon, Glamorgan, Surgeon, Female Transport, Woyzeck, Woyzeck.

Katerina georgieva: Ryerson credits: Lady Randolph, Douglas, a Tragedy (2010), Rosannah, Brilliant Traces (2009), Clown (2009), Lady Anne, Richard III (2008), Chorus, Alcestis (2008). Other credits: Tina, A Glendale Christmas, Hamilton Fringe Festival; The Vagina Monologues, V-Day at Ryerson; Women’s Chorus, The Magic Flute, Canadian Opera Company; Reno, Anything Goes.

virgilia griffith: Ryerson credits: Lady Sneerwell, School for Scandal (2009), Mary, Breeding guns, (New Voices 2009), Ana,Sleep Country, Cateby, Richard III (2008), Lenny, Crimes of the Heart, Chorus, Alcestis. Other credits: Vagina Monologues (2008) and Quintana Matheson, Sophistry, (Theatre Derived).

Michal grzejszczak: Ryerson credits: Darrell, Electric Roses (2010), Mr. Snake,The School for Scandal, (Period Study 2010), Earl of Pembroke,The Tragedy of Lady Jane Gray, Clown (2009), Proof Hal (Scene Study 2009), Duke of Buckingham, Richard III (2008), The Poet, Alcestis/Tantalus (2008). Other credits: The Dance Bank (2008).

Bryde Maclean: Ryerson credits: Fanny Sterling,The Clandestine Marriage; Prologue, Maria,The Tragedy of Lady Jane Gray; Clown (2009); Catherine, Proof; Richard, Richard III; Alcestis, Alcestis. Other credits: Skyler James, Get Yourself Home, Skyler James.

giovanni spina: Ryerson credits: Lord Guilford Dudley, Lady Jane Grey (2010), Sir George Evelyn, Wives as They Were and Maids As They Are (2010), Sir Oliver Surface, School for Scandal (2010), Clown (2009), Polo, A Hatful of Rain (2009), Sir Robert Brakenbury/ Sir Richard Ratcliffe, Richard III (2008), Stetko,The Monument (2007). Other credits: Film: Andy, Camp Rock (2008).sofia tomic: Ryerson credits: Queen Margaret, Richard III (2008), Celina, A Hatful of Rain, Chorus, Alcestis.

Kascindra hudsonMarie-claude valiquet

Benjamin carsonMarie-claude valiquet

tamara vuckovic

Natassia Brunatotansy chau

stephen elgarPaige laffin

evan Bonnah-hawkesrebecca lazartessa Madams

Jess wilder

Karen andersonNina Platisa

andrea ouelletteBen Bavington

lara goncalvesanne cicci cassidy

Millie albisualyssa Dunlop

Danielle Poiriereva cherney

Benjamin Kibblewhite

cassie Mitchelewendy chan

Mina ashtianieva cherney

Margaret Fraserrosemary hoekstra

Benjamin Kibblewhitechristian lipp

holly Meyer-Dymnyerica Myers

taylor russelteanne teeft

UNity (1918) - ProDUctioN

Production ManagerProduction Stage ManagerTechnical DirectorStage ManagerAssistant Director

Head of PropsHead of ElectricsHead of PaintsHead of AudioHead of CarpentaryWardrobe SupervisorWardrobe MistressProps Supervisor

Assistant Costume DesignerAssistant Lighting DesignerAssistant Set DesignerAssistant Production Manager Assistant Stage ManagerAssistant Technical DirectorAssistant PainterAssistant CarpenterAssistant Shop SupervisorApprentice Stage ManagerApprentice Stage Manager

Front of House SupervisorBox Office Supervisor

Production AssistantProduction AssistantProduction AssistantProduction AssistantProduction AssistantProduction AssistantProduction AssistantProduction AssistantProduction AssistantProduction Assistant

Matthew reickerDaniel salij

Jackson wraightKris Di Pietro

Brendan DalyBen linley

andrew BernackiBrett rayner

Kirstyn Devriesrebecca wiseman

Kyla Millersaba KhanBeth wong

Kirstin Freeland

Diego Franzonivictoria Pinhornadrienne ceaser

Petra Popescu-Moody

Mara Bredovskistracy lam

trevor MccurdyMatthew Penney

Bryan strong

Natasha MccullochBrianne gwartz

ryersoN theatre school - ProDUctioN

Abrams Studio Technical DirectorHouse Head of AudioChangeover SupervisorHouse Head Electrician

Ryerson Theatre Technical CoordinatorRyerson Theatre Head of ElectricsRyerson Theatres Head of AudioRyerson Theatre Head of Flys

Head of Public RelationsAssistant Head of Public RelationsMarketing and Publicity ManagerFront of House ManagerBox Office ManagerEvents Co-ordinator

Wardrobe Staff AssistantShop SupervisorTerm CutterHair and Make-up Supervisor

RTS ServicesRTS ServicesRTS ServicesRTS ServicesRTS Services

Production Office AssistantRoom Booking Assistant

ProDUctioN BiograPhies

Kascindra hudson: Ryerson credits: Assistant Head of Public Relations (2010); Director Runneymede (2010); Stage Manager New Voices: FORNAT (2010); Stage Manager As You Like It (2009); Stage Manager New Voices: Glendale Christmas (2009); Wardrobe Mistress, Mother Courage (2009); Front of House Manager, The Three Birds (2008); Production Assistant, Choreographic Works (2008); Production Assistant, St.James/LOFT (2007).

Marie-claude valiquet: Ryerson credits: Production Manager, Choreographic Works 2010, Stage Manager, Serious Money (2009), Stage Manager, Portraits of America (2009), Assistant Director Metamorphoses (2008), Apprentice/ Assistant Stage Manager and Production Assistant, Miracle Man (2008) and, Production Assistant, Lion in the Streets (2007). MC has also produced, directed and stage managed several fringe shows in Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton. Most recently, she worked with an Ottawa based company to plan the Re-Opening of the Museum of Nature, which included a full scale parade, a sound and light show, as well as numerous exhibits and theatrical presentations.

Benjamin carson: Ryerson credits: Head Carpenter: Choreographic Works (2010), Technical Director: St. James/Loft (2010); Production Manager/Technical Director: Light up the Night, Assistant Technical Director: Mass Exodus: Chiaroscuro (2009), Head Carpenter: Richard III. Other credits: Head Carpenter: Bent (Theatre Engine), Associate Producer: Roofies & Romance (Film, Lesser Men Productions) Assistant Technical Director: Takes Two Men to Make a Brother (Suburban Beast), Carpenter: My Name is Rachel Corrie (Vision Theatre), Technical Director/Lighting Designer: Fragile Minds (Lesser Men Productions).

Mikael Kangas: Ryerson credits: Lighting Designer, Three Sisters, (2010); Guest Lighting Designer, Choreographic Works, (2010); Lighting Designer, Vital Organs, (2010); Lighting Designer, Etude d’un Homme, (2010); Head of Electrics, Clown, (2009); Production Assistant, Mass Exodus, (2009); Production Assistant, Ryerson Dances, (2008) Other credits: Lighting Designer: In Search of I-Dentity, Harbourfront Studio, (2010); Rising Below the Sun, TPM Backspace, (2010); Turn of the Screw [Opera], Banff Centre, (2010); Terra Brazil, Dance Migration, (2009); Once on This Island, No Strings Theatre, (2009); Assistant Lighting Designer: Little Women [Opera], Banff Centre, (2010); Festival Dance, Banff Centre, (2010).

andrew clemens: Ryerson credits: Technical Director, The Three Sisters (2010); House Head Electrician, Ryerson Mainstage, (2009); Assistant Technical Director, Ryerson Dances, (2008); Production Assistant, Alcestis, (2008); Production Assistant, The Lion In The Streets, (2007). Other credits: Musical Director, Bain and Bernard Comedy, (2009-2010); Composer/Musical Director, Lucy! - A New Musical, Ryerson New Voices Festival, (2010); Associate Lighting Designer, The Beggars Beg Presents: Too Darn Hot!, The Bathurst Street Theatre, (2008); Master Carpenter, Cabaret, UC Follies (2008).

tamara vuckovic: Ryerson credits: Assistant Stage Manager, Mass Exodus, (2010); Costume Designer & Mistress, New Voices, (2010); Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor¸ Serious Money, (2009); Assistant Costume Designer, New Voices, (2009); Assistant Wardrobe Mistress, Mother Courage, (2009); Production Assistant, Richard III, (2008) Other credits: Assistant Costume Designer, A Glendale Christmas, Hamilton Fringe Festival (2009); Director, Charlie Brown’s Christmas, OCHS, (2008)

ProDUctioN BiograPhies

evan Bonnah-hawkes: Ryerson credits: Head of Carpentry, New Voices (2010); Head of Carpentry, Period Study (2010); Assistant Technical Director, Loft (2009); Production Assistant, Mass Exodus (2009); Production Assistant, Clown (2008).

Jess wilder: Ryerson credits: House Head of Props,Richard III (2010), Head Painter, As You Like It (2009), Props Buyer builder, Mother Courage (2009), Assistant Stage Manager,Three Birds, (2008/09).

rebecca lazar: Ryerson credits: Wardrobe Mistress, Period Study (2010), Box Office Manager, Clown (2009), Audio Assistant, Choreographic Works (2009). Wardrobe Supervisor/Mistress, Clown (2008), Production Assistant, Period Study (2008), Production Assistant, American Classics (2007).

tansy chau: Ryerson credits: Assistant Flyman, Richard III, (2010); Assistant Technical Director, Nuit Blanche, (2009); Production Assistant, Mother Courage and Her Children, (2009); Production Assistant, Rep Show: The Three Birds/Metamorphoses, (2008).

Natassia Brunato: Ryerson credits: Assistant Head of Props, Period Study, (2010); Wardrobe Crew, Clown, (2009); Production Assistant, New Voices, (2009); Production Assistant, Loft, (2008). Other credits: Running Crew, Beauty and the Beast, Moving Art, (2010); Follow Spot Operator, Once on This Island, Moving Art,(2009).

stephen elgar: Ryerson credits: Set Designer: Jon and Iris & Barking Dog Lane; part of New Voices 2010, Assistant Set Designer: Period Study 2010, Head of Carpentry and Paints: Clown 2009. Other credits: Set/Prop Designer, The Naked Ballerina (Mia Productions, part of Toronto Fringe 2010), Set/Prop/Costume Designer, Mama’s Boys and Larger Then Life: The Musical (Ghost Light Projects).

Diego Franzoni: Ryerson credits: Design Coordinator and Costume Designer, New Voices, (2010); Designer, Ryerson Dances, (2009); Costume Designer, New Voices, (2009); Wardrobe Supervisor, Mother Courage, (2009); Costume Designer Assistant and Wardrobe Master, Metamorphoses, (2008); Production Assistant, Miracle Man, (2008); Production Assistant, Lion in the Streets, (2007) Other credits: Costume Designer & Wardrobe Head, A Glendale Christmas, Dodo Productions, Hamilton Fringe (2009); Costume Designer & Wardrobe Head, School’s Out, Beggars’ Bag, (2009)

Petra Popescu-Moody: Ryerson credits: Assistant Director, Richard III (2010); Assistant Costume Designer, Serious Money (2009); Assistant Lighting Designer, Mass Exodus: Chiarscuro (2009); Wardrobe Supervisor/Mistress, Shakespeare (2008); Production Assistant, Clown (2008).

eva Kuo: Ryerson credits: Head of Props, Period Study, (2010); Assistant Costume Designer, Ryerson Dances, (2009); Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor, Mother Courage, (2009); Assistant Lighting Designer, Metamorphoses, (2008); Other credits: Head of Props, The Nick Drake Project, Picture Box Theatre, (Summerworks 2009); Costume Designer, Rumors, Ryerson Production Thesis, (2009).

Natalie cooper: Ryerson credits: Set Design Co-ordinator, Mass Exodus - In Bloom, (2010); Stage Manager, Dances, (2009); Assistant Production Manager, Mother Courage, (2009); Box Office Manager, Metamorphoses, (2008); Apprentice Production Manager, Mass Exodus - Paramesia, (2008); Production Assistant, American Classics, (2007). Other credits: Head of Paints, Cabaret, UC Follies, (2008).

ProDUctioN BiograPhies

Kris DiPietro: Ryerson credits: Production Assistant, The Three Sisters (2010); Production Assistant, As You Like It (2009). Other Credits: The Crucible and Annie (Canterbury High School).

Kirstyn Devries: Ryerson credits: Wardrobe Mistress, Richard III (2010); Assistant Production Manager, Serious Money (2009); Wardrobe Mistress, In The Dark (2008); Production Assistant, Period Study (2008); Production Assistant, Lion in the Streets (2007).

Beth wong: Ryerson credits: Assistant Stage Manager Mass Exodus: In Bloom (2010), Director Equity Rules (2010), Assistant Director Genetics (New Voices 2010), Company Manager Serious Money (2009), Assistant Head of Paints Mass Exodus: Chiaroscuro (2009), Assistant Stage Manager Stalemate (New Voices 2009), Assistant Stage Manager Metamorphoses (2008) Other credits: Stage Manager The Hurt is Astounding (Toronto Fringe Festival 2010), Production Manager The AMY Project (Summerworks Theatre Festival 2010). Stage Manager Sleep Country (rock.paper.sistahz Festival 2009), Stage Manager After Hours (PushPull Dance 2008).

Kyla Miller: Kyla is a fourth year student at Ryerson Theatre School. A graduate of the John Abbott College Professional Theatre program, Kyla has been studying and working in theatre for the past six years. Her past credits include: Period Study (Ryerson University), The Yeomen of the Guard (McGill Savoy Society), Quixote (Canis Tempus) and Hair (John Abbott College).

Kristin Freeland: Ryerson credits: Stage Manager The Three Sisters (2010); Production Office Assistant Ryerson Theatre School (Fall 2009); Assistant Stage Manager New Voices Festival: Blood Buds (2009); Production Assistant Mother Courage (2009); Production Assistant Shakespeare: Richard III (2008) Other Works: Stage Manager Antique Bliss (Ottawa Fringe Festival, 2009)

Jackson wraight: Ryerson credits: Local Business Agent, Richard III, Head of Projections, Dances (2009), Production Assisitant, Mother Courage, Dances (2008). Other Works: Assistant Stage Manager/Patch, Guelph Jazz Fesitival 2010, Hillside 2010 Stage Manager, Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival

Matthew reicker: Ryerson credits: Mainstage Head of Flys, Ryerson Theatre (2009), Assistant Technical Director Clown (2009); Assistant Head of Flies New Voices (2009); Lighting Designer Rich-ard III (2008); Production Assistant Acting 2 (2008); Production Assistant St. James/LOFT (2007).

And the critic’s choice for best night out? A stand-out performance from the Duke of Somerset and Ryerson Theatre School. Conveniently located close to campus, the Duke of Somerset is the perfect spot for a pre-show gathering or a wrap party with friends.

A second act as good as the first.

facebook.com/dukeofsomerset

Duke of Somerset655 Bay Street (between Gerrard and Elm)416-640-0921

see our Box office for more details!!

Fraternal order of eagles

host of ryerson theatre school’sopening night parties

www.ryerson.ca/theatreschoolbox office 416-979-5118email rtsinfo@ryerson.ca

RyeRson TheaTRe 43 Gerrard Street East

abRams TheaTRe 46 Gerrard Street East