* Gordon Patrick White will be playing Little Red Warrior on Wednesday and Saturday Matinees.
CREATIVE TEAM
Kevin Loring – Playwright/Director
John Doucet – Set Designer
Jeff Harrison – Lighting Designer
Samantha McCue – Costume Designer
Troy Slocum – Sound Designer
Angela Beaulieu – Stage Manager
Becca Jorgensen – Assistant Stage Manager
Tai Amy Grauman – Assistant Director
Kelsey Kanatan Wavey – Wardrobe Assistant
Little Red Warrior & His Lawyer is approximately 85 minutes in length. There is no intermission.
Audience Advisory – Little Red Warrior & His Lawyer contains mature themes, explicit language, a loud gunshot sound effect, and brief use of strobe lighting.
This production is supported by a generous gift from The Honourable Robert Johnston, Q.C.
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.
Little Red Warrior & His Lawyer is produced with the co-operation of the Union of B.C. Performers.
SEASON SPONSORS
PUBLIC FUNDERS
…from the Artistic Director
Welcome back to the Belfry!
I would like to extend my gratitude to every audience member who attended Serving Elizabeth—either in person at the Belfry or via live stream in your home. You brought this theatre back to life—! Welcoming you back before the performances was an incredibly emotional experience—and I thank you again for your incredible support over the past two years.
I now have the pleasure of welcoming you to Kevin Loring’s “Trickster play” Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer. In doing so, I must also extend my gratitude to the cast and creative team—and welcome them back as well. The members of this cast and these designers were meant to begin rehearsals in September of 2020. That production was, of course, cancelled—but I am thrilled that they have all been able to return to this exciting project.
And finally—welcome back to Kevin Loring. Many of you will remember Kevin’s beautiful and moving play Where the Blood Mixes, which began a cross-country tour at the Belfry in 2010, directed by Glynis Leyshon. Since that time, Kevin has won the Governor General’s Award for that play, appeared on the Belfry stage in our verbatim play on homelessness, Home is a Beautiful Word, written Thanks for Giving, which he directed at the Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver, and been appointed the first Artistic Director of the Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre.
This is quite the reunion of artists, audience members and volunteers—! Thank you to each and every one of you—!
Michael
…From theExecutive Director
It has been over two years since we had two back-to-back openings – and while every opening is an exciting event, each opening in these times seems an even greater reason to celebrate. We are here because of the dedication of artists who have remained resilient and hopeful throughout the pandemic.
The Belfry has been in the fortunate position of being able to fund projects that have engaged professional freelance artists. Those moments of employment for artists provided some financial support, but perhaps more than the money, the work we can provide those artists reinforces the value of their chosen career; a value assured by your love and need for art in our community.
So – here we come to the opening of our second full production of the season, one that has engaged 5 actors, a director, an assistant director, 4 designers, and 2 stage managers who each rely on the availability of show-to-show contracts for their livelihood. From all of us – thank you for supporting them and us
Have fun with this exceptional second production of our 2021-2022 Season, a world premiere brought to you by the dozens of professional freelance artists who made this show and our theatre possible.
The Belfry Theatre is on the land of the Lək̓ʷəŋən People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. The Lək̓ʷəŋən people have been keepers of this land for millennia and we offer our respect and gratitude for our uninvited presence on their territory.
These lands are within the disputed Douglas Treaties territories, treaties that were negotiated verbally, signed to blank pieces of paper by the Indigenous leaders and then had text added by the colonial government. The colonial perspective on the treaty is one of a sale of land, while the Indigenous perspective is a sharing of territory.
The Songhees are members of the Te’mexw Treaty Association seeking a modern treaty with the Crown on their rights, territory and self-government.
The Belfry Theatre is a registered Canadian charity, 11921 5549 RR0001.
The Belfry Theatre is a member of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Destination Greater Victoria, and the Professional Arts Alliance of Greater Victoria.
Telling our own stories based on myth, tradition, and the contemporary Indigenous perspective, Savage Society was created in 2004 for members to produce their own stories as practising Indigenous Theatre and Film Artists. Artistic Director Kevin Loring is a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation from the Lytton First Nation in British Columbia.
We develop work that reflects our world view, sourcing traditional stories and cosmologies and our contemporary realities as Indigenous people for both professional and community settings.
The word Savage carries a negative connotation in western society which has historically abhorred the natural state of the world, endeavouring to dominate, confine and exploit it rather than to live with or in support of it. We see Savage as meaning humanity in its natural state, humanity in nature. Savages are angry that the modern society is in fact brutal and barbarous, with a history of fiercely attacking The People as we seek to live in our natural state. Savage Society seeks to attack fiercely ignorance and preconceived notions.
Savages are strong; unafraid of the animals or elements, we recognize them as allies, relations and gifts. This is also true of urban Savages. Savages are cunning and quick to adapt to new environments, we are survivors, warriors, hunters and nurturers. Savages succeed by living in relationship with our dynamic world. In our natural state, regardless of race, wealth or status, we are equally human; we are all a part of The Savage Society.
Savage Society operates on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), Qayqayt, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem ), Kwantlen and sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen) Nations.
Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer was first produced on March 24, 2001, with the following cast and crew:
Little Red Warrior – Stuart Pierre
Larry – Corey Turner
Desdemona – Sonja Bennett
Floyd – David Richmond-Peck
Director – Michael McLaughlin
Stage Manager – Lisa Phillipe
Set Designer – Craig Hall
Costume Designer – Tyler Tone
Lighting Designer – Shaun August
Dramaturge – Alex Poch-Goldin
Aaron Bushkowsky
Production Manager – Carol Chrisjohn
Technical Director – Bruce Kennedy
Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer was first commissioned by Studio 58 (Artistic Director, Kathryn Shaw). Later drafts were commissioned by Western Canada Theatre and Savage Society.
British Columbia requires proof of vaccination to attend all indoor events. Proof of vaccination will be verified at the door and must be supplied by each ticket holder.
We are required by the Government to deny entry to anybody without a valid vaccination certificate.
No refunds will be given if you are denied entry.
Before you arrive, you’ll be receiving an email confirming your seat location. This email will also have a suggested arrival time. We are encouraging patrons with seats in the centre of each row to arrive earlier, and those with aisle seats to come closer to the start of the performance. If you miss your suggested arrival time, don’t worry – you’ll still be able to get your tickets and be seated.
Your email will also have a link to our digital programme and Upstage magazine.
As you come into the theatre, a volunteer will remind you to please have your proof of vaccination and matching ID ready. When you get to the Box Office, you’ll need to show these to one of the two clerks, who will then give you your tickets. If you’re part of a group, each of you will have to show your proof of vaccination & ID, and you’ll only be able to pick up your own ticket – sorry, we can’t let people pick up on behalf of others.
Once you have your ticket, we encourage you to take your seat. The theatre auditorium will be open for seating, starting one hour in advance of showtime.
When you’re ready to take your seat, you’ll show your ticket to a volunteer usher. Our ticket-takers are now equipped with touchless ticket-scanners. You’ll also find your ticket now indicates the auditorium entrance closest to your seat.
The theatre is currently seating audiences at 50% capacity. When you’ve taken your seat, you should find one seat on either side of your party has been left empty, so you don’t have to worry about sharing an armrest with someone outside your social/household bubble.
Our recently upgraded HVAC system will be providing a constant flow of fresh air into the theatre whenever we have an audience. The air will be heated as it comes in, but if you are sensitive to drafts, you may want to keep your coat on or wear a sweater.
You are welcome to use the washrooms or step outside for fresh air, but we ask that you please refrain from mingling in the lobby.
At the end of the performance, all exit doors will be opened for you. Please leave by the closest available doors, and give your fellow patrons time and space to exit without crowding.
Cast & Creative Team
Sam Bob – Little Red Warrior
Sam Bob, traditional name Tulkweemult’, has performed nationally in television, film, radio, and theatre. He is a Jessie Richardson Theatre Award nominee for Best Actor in Headline Theatre’s Out of the Silence and nominated for Best Actor for Dana Claxton’s The Red Paper in the Dreamspeaker’s Film Festival. His theatre credits include Crees in the Caribbean with Gordon Tootoosis Native Theatre, Drylips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing at the Arts Club, Paradise in the Wasteland with Tamahnous Theatre, Age of Iron, Farewell, maladjusted and The Ecstacy of Rita Joe at the Firehall Arts Centre, Time Stands Still with Native Earth Theatre, Swaa’ahmut with Theatre for the Living, and several festival productions with Savage Society. Sam can also be seen on screen in Blackway with Anthony Hopkins, as ‘Cloud’ in Laudermilk, currently airing on Amazon Prime and Monkey Beach. He will be in the upcoming film Bones of Crows as well as Trade Winds on Netflix. Sam Bob attended residential school at Kuper Island.
Gordon Patrick White – Little Red Warrior
Gordon is a member of the Mi’kmaq First Nation from Flat Bay, NFLD, and has worked with various companies across Canada, such as The Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa (An Acre of Time), Native Earth in Toronto (A Very Polite Genocide), Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay (Dead White Writer on the Floor), and Theatre NorthWest in Prince George BC (Where The Blood Mixes). Other credits include Clov in Endgame (Theatre NFLD and Labrador); The Velveteen Rabbit (Theatre New Brunswick); Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stephenville Festival); Titus in The Devil’s Disciple (Neptune Theatre); Merlin (Halifax Theatre for Young People); and Kemp in Vigil (Live Bait Theatre). He has appeared in three seasons at the Stratford Festival, in such roles as Simon in Mother’s Daughter, Paris in Romeo and Juliet, Black Dog in Treasure Island, Egeon in The Comedy of Errors and Ezekiel Cheever in The Crucible. Gordon appeared as Edger in King Lear at the National Arts Centre, with August Schellenberg, directed by Peter Hinton. TV and film credits include: This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Haven, Black Harbour, Mr. D, New Waterford Girl, Blackfly, Rollertown, Charlie Zone, and Picnicface.
Gordon will be playing Little Red Warrior on Wednesday and Saturday Matinees.
Nick Miami Benz – Lizzy
Shapeshifter, Storyteller, Self. Nick Miami Benz is a multidisciplinary performing artist trained in a diverse background of over 20 different styles of somatic practice. While studying at Peridance Capezeio center in New York City, Nick worked as an equestrian for The Metropolitan Opera which inspired them to return to the theatre as an actor. They studied Meisner technique and starred in God’s Lake for 3 consecutive years. Nick has had the privilege to work with Mascall Dance, Netflix, Sony, Axis Theatre, Atomic Vaudeville, John Fluevog and many local Vancouver organizations including Van Vogue Jam. Nick Benz shares their expertise in movement through holistic exercise coaching in the community.
Luisa Jojic – Desdemona
Luisa is filled with joy to be part of the team bringing the story of Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer to the stage! She was born to immigrant parents on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlí̓lwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, where she still lives. She is a performer, teaching artist and coach who loves cooking, eating, laughing and loving. For performance credits and a more detailed biography, please visit www.luisajojic.com. Enjoy the show!
Kevin McNulty– Floyd
Kevin McNulty had the pleasure of seeing the original production of Little Red Warrior some years ago at Studio 58 and is looking forward to playing with Kevin Loring and this fine cast. Most recently on stage in The Father (The Search Party) where he received a Jessie Award for his performance. Other recent stage credits include Bah Humbug (SFU) and The Humans (Arts Club). His recent film credits include Yellowjackets and Schmigadoon and a cameo in his daughter Lucys’ director/writer debut Chicken. McNulty is grateful to finally be back on stage after this last crazy, what is now almost 2 years.
Shekhar Paleja – Larry
Shekhar is very happy to return to live theatre and the Belfry, where he was last seen in Mustard. After disappointing his family by not going into medicine, Shekhar has played doctors in nearly 50 Film & TV shows. He’s also worked in theatres across Canada such as Bard on the Beach, Arts Club, Theatre Calgary, Globe Theatre, Manitoba Theatre Centre, CanStage, Vancouver Playhouse. Shekhar is also an author and playwright – his novel, An Extraordinary Destiny was published in 2017 by Brindle & Glass, he’s had two children’s books published by Annick Press, and VACT recently produced a workshop of Shekhar’s new play about cancel culture and historic statues Gandhi & Churchill’s Excellent Adventure!
Kevin Loring – Playwright / Director
A member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation from the Lytton First Nation in British Columbia, Kevin is an award-winning Actor, Playwright and Producer.
His first published play, Where the Blood Mixes has been nominated for numerous awards across the country winning three Jessie Richardson awards for theatre in Vancouver and the 2009 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama. He was a Playwright in Residence at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa in 2010, as well as a company member of the National Arts Centre English Theatre Acting Company. Kevin played the villainous Edmund in the National Arts Centre’s production of King Lear, featuring a cast of aboriginal actors.
Kevin is a graduate of Studio 58, Langara College’s professional Theatre training program, and is a senior member of Margo Kane’s Full Circle: First Nations Performance Ensemble. In 2008 he co-wrote, co-produced and co-hosted the feature-length documentary, Canyon War: The Untold Story, which won top prizes at the Houston International Film and Video Festival and The New York Independent Film and Video Festival. In 2017 he became the first Artistic Director of Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre of Canada in Ottawa.
John Doucet – Set Designer
John is an award-winning Ottawa-based designer and theatre creator. After working a decade as an actor, he transitioned to set design. He has worked with nearly every professional theatre company in Ottawa-Gatineau. During the pandemic, he designed and was the head carpenter at the University of Ottawa Theatre Department. In a year of firsts, he will be designing out East for Satellite Théâtre in New-Brunswick, for the Tarmac des Auteurs in Kinshasa, and is thrilled to make his West Coast start at the Belfry with this show. John is a graduate of Studio 58 acting conservatory in Vancouver. Design website – www.johnddoucet.com
Jeff Harrison – Lighting Designer
Jeff is the Technical Director of Kidd Pivot. He is a four-time Jessie Award-winning lighting designer for his work on Carousel Theatre’s Pharaoh Serket, The Lost Stone of Fire, Patrick Street Theatre’s Floyd Collins, Pi Theatre’s Blasted and Arts Club’s Hand to God. Jeff is a graduate of SFU’s School for the Contemporary Arts, attended the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts and is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada. Other lighting credits include Urban Ink’s Children of God, and NAC Indigenous Theatre’s The Unnatural and Accidental Women.
Samantha McCue – Costume Designer
Samantha McCue (she/her) is Anishinaabekwe from the Chippewas of Georgina Island and Ned’u’ten from Lake Babine First Nation. She grew up on the Musqueam Reserve in Vancouver, BC, and currently lives in Ottawa. Samantha graduated from York University’s Theatre Production program in 2017. This is her debut at the Belfry and she is delighted to be part of the show! Selected design credits include: I Am William (Stratford Festival), Honour Beat (The Grand), Aqsarniit (Confederation Centre of the Arts), Kamloopa (Western Canada Theatre), The Monument (Factory Theatre), Thanks For Giving (Arts Club Theatre Company).
Troy Slocum is a sound designer, audio artist, and electronic music composer. His work has been heard in film, television, live performance and installations in galleries and venues throughout North America and beyond. Recent work includes the sound design for the documentary feature Grey Roads directed by Jesse McCracken, which premiered at HOTDOCS 2021, as well the sound design and original music for The Lamentable Tragedy of Sal Capone at the National Arts Centre; the inaugural NAC Indigenous Theatre production of Marie Clements The Unnatural and Accidental Women; the National Film Board documentary The Road Forward, and the documentary series Looking at Edward Curtis for the Knowledge Network, both of which were directed by Marie Clements. He is also scoring and designing the sound for the new CBC horror-comedy web series The Bannocking, created and produced by Damien Eagle Bear.
His work can also be heard in the documentary feature That Higher Level and in True North – The Rise of Toronto Basketball, produced by the NFB. He has been nominated for a Soirée Des Masques Award for Best Sound Design, several Mecca and META Awards, and won the Jessie Richardson Theatre Award for Outstanding Sound Design for The Pipeline Project produced by ITSAZOO/ Savage Society.
Currently, Troy is collaborating with Omari Newton (playwright) and Diane Roberts (director) on the music for Black and Blue Matters, the much-anticipated companion piece to The Lamentable Tragedy of Sal Capone premiering at the Segal Centre in early 2022. This past summer he performed the first track of Black and Blue Matters in the NAC’s Grand Acts of Theatre.
Angela Beaulieu – Stage Manager
Angela started her career as a Stage Manager at the Belfry Theatre in 1987, stage managing The Three Musketeers. She is thrilled to be working with the Belfry and Savage Society. Some of her favourite theatre experiences include Shape of a Girl, Skydive (Belfry Theatre), Hey Viola!, Miss Shakespeare and J. Caesar (Musical TheatreWorks), One Man, Two Guvnors (Theatre Calgary) The Pavilion, Osimous Theatre, Thanks For Giving, Hand to God, One Man, Two Guvnors, The 39 Steps, It’s A Wonderful Life, Blood Brothers (Arts Club Theatre). In June 2008, Angela received the Mary Phillips Prize for her work behind the scenes. All my love to SJT, forever in my heart.
Becca Jorgensen – Assistant Stage Manager
Becca is a Vancouver Island-born and raised Indo-Canadian Marathoner. As a Stage Manager, Becca has supported teams throughout Western Canada from theatre to opera, to dance, and beyond. She is beyond thrilled to be back creating with the Belfry for her sixth season. When not working in the theatre, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Larry. Becca is a proud auntie to Audrey Nora, Clara Jane, Ellie Mae, Otis, and Primrose.
Tai Amy Grauman – Assistant Director
Tai Amy Grauman is Metis, Cree and Haudenosaunee from Ardrossan, Alberta. She is an actor, playwright and emerging director and producer. Tai is an artistic associate at Savage Society, an associate artist at the Citadel Theatre and currently pursuing her MFA in theatre practice at the U of A. She was named the Métis Nation of Alberta’s outstanding youth of 2020. Tai is currently writing commissions for Nightswimming, Axis Theatre and the Arts Club. Selected acting credits include: Mary’s Wedding: A Metis love story, (Citadel Theatre), Honour Beat (Grand Theatre), Thanks For Giving (Arts Club) and You used to call me Marie… (Savage Production Society).
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.
We invite you to join the Belfry Legacy Circle by making a planned gift or bequest. Gift planning is an inspired, meaningful and deeply personal way to secure the future of the Belfry Theatre. The support of visionary philanthropy ensures that the Belfry will continue to flourish as Greater Victoria’s premier contemporary theatre company.
Consult your professional advisors about the many forms through which you can achieve tax advantages of charitable donations and bequests. Please inform us if you have included the Belfry in your estate plans, so we can acknowledge your support during and/or after your lifetime, according to your wishes. Contact: Susan Stevenson, Director of Development, 250-385-6835 ext. 229 or development@belfry.bc.ca
