The Belfry Theatre presents
Kindred
By Rosa Dolores
CAST
Medina Hahn – Soleil
Stephen Lobo – Mo
Andrew McNee – Troy
Celine Stubel – Elise
CREATIVE TEAM
Rosa Dolores – Playwright
Lauren Taylor – Director
Pam Johnson – Production Designer
Emily Friesen – Costume Designer
Brad Trenaman – Lighting Designer
Mary Jane Coomber – Composer & Sound Designer
Treena Stubel – Intimacy & Choreography Director
Liam Kearns – Stage Manager
Becca Jorgensen – Assistant Stage Manager
Kindred is approximately 95 minutes in length. There is no intermission.
Audience Advisory – Kindred contains some strong language and mature content.
Kindred is a work of fiction entirely and any relationship to real persons is not intended.
This production is supported by a generous gift from an Anonymous Donor with love for a Kindred Spirit.
Generously sponsored by
The Belfry Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages professional Artists who are members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the terms of the jointly negotiated Canadian Theatre Agreement.
Kindred is produced with the cooperation of the Union of B.C. Performers.
SEASON SPONSORS
PUBLIC FUNDERS
…from the Artistic Director
This has been a landmark season in the history of the Belfry. Despite the many challenges presented by the pandemic, we have produced four plays—two of which have been world premieres—including this production of Kindred. And you—our faithful and wonderful audience—have rewarded us by returning to the theatre in numbers that we could not have anticipated.
We also live-streamed these productions—an arduous task for our staff—but one that has been met with incredible success, as each show has been viewed by hundreds of audience members in the comfort of their homes. A live-streamed performance will never take the place of the thrill of being together in the Belfry, watching it live on stage—but it really is the next best thing!
This is also the final season in Ivan Habel’s tenure as the Belfry’s Executive Director—and a remarkable tenure it has been. His accomplishments at this theatre have been many—but I will mention two of the most important: the renovation of the Belfry lobby and the addition of a fourth week to our rehearsal periods. The renovation was Ivan’s idea and Ivan’s baby. He nurtured it every step of the way. I will never forget the first time audiences walked into the new lobby—I had the sense that everyone was feeling like a doting parent, thinking, “Look, our beloved theatre is all grown up!”
Adding a week to our rehearsal process was a dream I had and, after years of trying, Ivan found a way to make it work within our budget. This was no small task, and we must all be grateful to him—artists and audiences alike. We created excellent productions in the three weeks within which we previously worked. However, we were too often forced to stick with our first choices. Going down a path that might lead to a dead-end was simply not a possibility—and we were therefore denied the discoveries that might have been waiting for us along that path. I believe that our productions are richer for the time that Ivan managed to carve out for us.
On a personal note, the 11 years that Ivan and I have been partners in the running of this theatre have been the happiest years of my creative life. We have had our disagreements and our challenges—but we have remained friends throughout. The reason for that is simple: we shared a common goal and a common belief: to create the very best theatre possible for our audiences here at the Belfry and to continue to treat them with the kind of respect that has always been the hallmark of this theatre.
Thank you, dear friend—
and best wishes for all your exciting endeavours at the wonderful and unique Caravan Farm Theatre—!
Michael
…from the Executive Director
After eleven years here at the Belfry, it seems fitting that I should be writing on the eve of you seeing another premiere of a Canadian play. I can think of no better way to celebrate but to do so with a charming, funny, and wonderful production of a new play by a BC playwright with a cast of wonderful BC artists. As the final production of my tenure here, it is wonderful to celebrate my time with another world premiere on this beautiful stage.
I have so much left to say – but most important is to thank all of you, for being an extraordinary audience, generous patrons, and loving supporters of this gem of a theatre. As my farewell wish, I wish for you all to have a wonderful time with this charming play, to support and enjoy the coming seasons and for you to continue to love this extraordinary theatre company as I do.
Ivan
About the Belfry
What to Expect – Live in-person attendance
Cast & Creative Team
Medina Hahn – Soleil
Medina is an award-winning actor and writer of Lebanese – Canadian heritage. She is also a proud mom. She holds degrees from the University of Alberta’s Conservatory Acting Program and the University of Victoria BFA program, and her work has been seen across Canada, the USA and Europe. A published author, Medina is a frequent collaborator with Daniel Arnold. Together they have co-written and performed the plays Tuesdays & Sundays, Any Night and most recently Inheritance: a pick-the-path experience (with Darrell Dennis). She is so grateful to be back at the Belfry and in Victoria, where her love affair with the stage first began.
Stephen Lobo – Mo
Stephen is a multiple award winning actor born in Toronto, trained at the UK’s Drama Centre London, and based in Vancouver. Past theatre credits include The Motherf**ker with Hat, The Father, Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train, Closer, A Little Grain of Sand, The Seagull, and Home Free. Selected screen credits include Snowpiercer (TBS), Travelers (Showcase), Continuum (SyFy), The Flash (CW), Nancy Drew (CW), Arctic Air (CBC), Little Mosque on the Prairie (CBC), and Godiva’s (CityTV). He recently completed the indie feature Donkeyhead currently streaming on-demand in Canada. Stephen is honoured to be making his Belfry debut in this original work as part of this wonderful ensemble.
Andrew McNee – Troy
Born and raised in Vancouver, Andrew has been working in theatre, film and television for the past 20 years. Theatre has taken him across Canada, Europe and the UK. Some recent theatre credits include Buffoon, Noises Off, Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Boeing Boeing, One Man Two Guvnors, Misery and Mustard. Select film and television credits include being murdered and blown up in all sorts of locally filmed shows and movies. Your kids may have heard him as some pony, robot, or alien in one of their cartoons. Andrew is a graduate of Studio 58.
Celine Stubel – Elise
Celine is a Jessie Award-winning Victoria-based actress. Theatre highlights include The Last Wife, Venus in Fur, Proud, Speed the Plow, And Slowly Beauty…, and A Christmas Carol (Belfry). Elsewhere: The Great Gatsby (Theatre Calgary), Oliver (NAC), Fire, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Blue Bridge), Angels in America, The Graduate, (Arts Club Theatre), Electric Company’s Studies In Motion (Citadel and Canadian Stage,) Legoland, (Atomic Vaudeville), All’s Well That Ends Well, (Bard on The Beach), My Three Sisters (Theatre SKAM). Film and TV credits include All in Madonna, Encore, The Cameraman, Motive, Arrow, and Eadward. Love and thanks to Sam, her family, the entire company, and the Belfry for continuing to make it possible to do this with a family.
Lauren Taylor – Director
Lauren (she/her) firstly is thrilled and honoured to be making her Belfry debut. A director & dramaturg born on Warundjeri traditional land (Melbourne, Australia), she is grateful to be an uninvited settler guest on the unceded lands of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. Recent credits: Arts Club: The Birds and the Bees; Touchstone Theatre: Lights, C’Mon Angie, United Players: The This and Here and Now, Studio 58: Tomorrow Love, 6 of 1, Railtown: My Tom; UBC: Love and Information. MFA Directing: UBC, Grad Dip Directing: VCA/Melbourne University, BA: LaTrobe University, Alumna Lincoln Centre Directors Lab. Other: Literary Associate at Playbox/Malthouse Theatre, Australian National Playwrights Conference, Interplay International Young Playwrights Conference, assistant tutor, Royal Court Young Writer’s Programme (London UK), Adjunct Professor UBC Dept. Theatre and Film.
Pam Johnson – Production Designer
Pam is thrilled to be working with the Belfry gang. Her Belfry credits started in 1988 with Homework and Curtains, Come Rain or Come Shine, Oleanna, The Far Away Near By, Three Tall Women, The Sum of Us, Mom’s the Word, A Guide to Mourning, The Weir, One Last Kiss, The Syringa Tree, Rough Magic, Mom’s the Word 2: Unhinged, Homechild, The Number 14, Mom’s the Word 1, The Valley, Forget About Tomorrow, Moms the Word: Nest 1/2 Empty, and Griffin & Sabine. Pam has received several Jessie Awards, an IDI Award, Capital Critics Award (Ottawa), and Monday Magazine Award (Victoria) for her outstanding work. In 2012 she received a Career Achievement Award from the GVPTA. She is a graduate of Studio 58.
Emily Friesen – Costume Designer
Emily is delighted to be making her Belfry debut. She is a multi-disciplinary theatre designer, artist, and recent graduate of the University of Victoria. Select credits include- costume design for Salt Water Moon (Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre), and Othello (UVic Phoenix Theatre,) as well as set design for The Children’s Hour (UVic Phoenix Theatre). Catch her next designing costumes for Ride the Cyclone (Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre, summer 2022). For more information, go to emilyfriesen-theatredesigner.com
Brad Trenaman – Lighting Designer
Brad is happy to return to the Belfry after lighting Busted Up! A Yukon Story as part of the 2020 Spark Festival. Vancouver: Salmon Girl (Jessie Award – Raven Spirit Dance), Redpatch (Jessie Nomination – Hardline Productions / Arts Club), White Noise (Savage Society / Firehall Arts Centre), Baking Time and Where the Wild Things Are (Presentation House), The Events (Pi Theatre), Before Dawn and Black Feather (Lamondance). Toronto: Shakespeare in High Park (Canstage), CATS (NuMu Productions), His Holiness The Dali Lama (Skydome). Las Vegas: Matt Dusk (Hilton) and Menopause the Musical (Luxor). Touring: The Stepcrew, magician Ted Outerbridge, National Chinese Acrobats. Writer for Professional Lighting and Production Magazine and a member of Associated Designers of Canada (ADC IATSE 659). www.batlighting.com
Mary Jane Coomber – Sound Designer
Mary Jane is a collaborative composer and musician who works on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people (Vancouver, BC). They are delighted to return to the Belfry, previously working on Forget About Tomorrow. Recent credits: Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls (Carousel Theatre), Wakey, Wakey (Pacific Theatre), Beautiful Man (Pi Theatre), Inheritance (Alley Theatre). They are a member of ADC and graduate of the School of Contemporary Arts at SFU.
Treena Stubel – Intimacy & Choreography Director
Treena is a choreographer, dancer, actor, and movement director. She has appeared in a wide range of stage productions and has created numerous new physical theatre works for festivals in Canada and abroad. Most recently, she directed I, Claudia, for Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. She has been movement director/choreographer for Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre, Bard On The Beach, The Belfry Theatre, The Caravan Farm Theatre, Atomic Vaudeville, Theatre SKAM and her own company Bounce Performance Works. She has received two Monday Magazine Awards, A Chrystal Award, and nominations for both Sterling and Broadway World Awards for Best Choreography. She was the original choreographer and movement director of the Dora Award-winning musical Ride The Cyclone which has gone on to US productions including Off-Broadway. She is also a sought-after teacher of movement and holds an MFA in Lecoq Physical Theatre from LISPA in London, UK. Upcoming, she will co-direct Ride the Cyclone for Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre.
Liam Kearns – Stage Manager
Liam is a queer, Vancouver-based Stage Manager working professionally in the arts scene. He is excited to be working with the Belfry Theatre for the very first time! Previous stage management endeavours include expressing his feelings in Men Express Their Feelings (Zee Zee Theatre), swimming in the deep blue ocean with The Rainbow Fish (Mermaid Theatre of NS), going off to war in Redpatch (Arts Club), living in a grey world in The Giver (Kaleidoscope Theatre), and riding The Number 14 (Axis Theatre). Outside the theatre, Liam likes baking vegan treats, getting lost in a jigsaw puzzle and spending the entire day outdoors geocaching.
Becca Jorgensen – Assistant Stage Manager
Becca is a Vancouver Island-born and raised Indo-Canadian Marathoner. As a Stage Manager, Becca has supported teams on the West Coast from Theatre to Opera, to Dance, and beyond. She is overjoyed to be creating and working with the Belfry Theatre for her 5th Season. Becca is a graduate of the University of Victoria and a proud auntie to Audrey Nora, Clara Jane, Ellie Mae, Otis, and Primrose.
Bravo!
The Belfry Theatre gratefully acknowledges the financial support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia Arts Council and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, the Capital Regional District Arts Development Office and the City of Victoria.
Sponsors
Belfry Legacy Circle
The support of visionary philanthropy ensures that the Belfry will continue to flourish as Greater Victoria’s premier contemporary theatre company.
Donors
Our thanks to the 141 Believers ($75 – $149) and 203 Friends (up to $74)
* Donor moved up a category
** New donor
† Through the Victoria Foundation
As of April 25, 2022