The first production in our 24.25 season is supported by Sandra Simpson in recognition of her generous gift to Canadian Stage's Transformation Campaign.
1939
A Canadian Stage and Belfry Theatre joint production in association with The Stratford Festival
“Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie.” All's Well that Ends Well
Anticipating a visit by King George VI, an English teacher at a fictional Residential School in Northern Ontario enlists her students in a production of All’s Well That Ends Well. But her rigid ideas of how Shakespeare should be performed are challenged as news spreads, audience expectations abound and her Indigenous students start finding parallels between themselves and the characters in the play, setting out to make Shakespeare’s bitter-sweet comedy defiantly their own.
Initially produced at the Stratford Festival in 2022, 1939 was born of both family legacy and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and has been guided by Indigenous Elders, Survivors, and ceremony throughout its development.
Indigenous Community Tickets
Canadian Stage is offering $15 tickets to 1939 for all members of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit community. Proof of Indigenous status will not be requested.
Talkbacks
Looking for some bonus programming to go with your ticket to Universal Child Care? We've got you covered! You're invited to attend:
- September 26th following the 7:30pm performance
- October 3rd following the 7:30pm performance
Free Childcare
School Matinees
Select performances are designated for school matinees. For more information and to book, please contact Manuel Chaves at mchaves@canadianstage.com.
Reflection Space
After each performance of 1939, Canadian Stage will host a Reflection Space in the form of a post-show conversation. This is a dynamic discussion guided by an Indigenous facilitator that invites audience members to join a circle and reflect on their experience of the production. Our aim is to create a culturally aware and sensitive experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous audience members. The Reflection Space will happen in the theatre shortly after the play ends.
Reflection Space Facilitators
Trina Moyan
Trina is nehiyaw iskwew (Plains Cree) and a member of the Frog Lake First Nation in Northern Alberta. She began her career as a writer and producer for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and CBC television. Trina loves all things theatre and is a published playwright. When she isn’t acting she serves as a walking guide with First Story Toronto, sharing the Indigenous history of the city; is a muralist with Red Urban Nation Artists Collective; an educator at the U of T’s Daniel’s School of Architecture; and is co-founder of Bell & Bernard Ltd., a First Nations consulting firm.Trina is an award winning engagement and facilitation specialist whose work is inspired by her mother Jeanne – a residential school survivor.
Shadrak (Shak) Gobért
Shadrak Gobért is Plains Cree from Treaty 6 Territory and carries a love for sharing the Indigenous histories of Canada as a First Story Tour guide in Toronto. He found the stage during his time at university, and more recently developed a love for improv. As an engagement specialist he has worked with over 26 Urban First Nations Communities across Ontario, running programming, facilitating conversations, and fostering relationships. He has organized and facilitated community gatherings for large scale projects occurring on traditional territories and has served as the lead facilitator for public consultations for those communities. Shak is inspired by the power of story coming to life through performance and is motivated by the resilience of his family – residential school survivors.
Angel Levac (Brant)
Angel is a Cree woman from Opaskwayak Cree Nation who was adopted by the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. She resides in Tkaronto and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies at the University of Toronto. Angel leads the Youth Leadership Council at Indigenous Climate Action, hosting an annual 5-day Knowledge Gathering for Indigenous youth across so-called-Canada. She serves as a Kairos Blanket facilitator sharing the Indigenous history of Kanada and as an international panellist for climate and social justice issues. She currently organizes a Youth Leaders Zine and works with notable organizations and grassroots activists on consultation, facilitation and partnerships. Angel’s work is motivated by her joy in supporting the creation of healthy relationships between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Canadians.
Sarah Chegahno
Sarah is a dedicated Anishinaabek First Nation professional specializing in community consultation and engagement, with deep roots in Neyaashiinigmiing, Ontario. Born and raised in this vibrant community, she brings a profound understanding of Indigenous issues and a wealth of lived experiences to their work. As a skilled facilitator, Sarah excels in fostering meaningful dialogue and building strong connections between communities and organizations. Her expertise in navigating complex cultural landscapes ensures that the voices of Indigenous communities are heard and respected in all engagements. With a commitment to empowering others and advocating for equitable outcomes, Sarah plays a crucial role in bridging gaps and creating collaborative solutions that honor both tradition and progress.
