FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Local High School Students Premiere Collective Creation about Residential Schools
Hamilton, Ontario—April 22, 2013—Glendale Secondary School students will present their original, collectively-written stage play, Ten Miles Out—the legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada, at the end of May.
The play is a result of the students learning about the history and reconciliation of FNMI peoples. Students and staff of Glendale have been working with Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis, Aboriginal Community Liaison for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, to build resources, listen to survivor stories, research historical documents, and visit key sites and events throughout the Hamilton and surrounding area.
Of particular poignancy has been their time spent at the Woodlands Cultural Centre, formerly known as The Mohawk Institute in Brantford. Thirty students spent an entire day listening, learning, and touring the building and grounds. They were privileged to have a survivor and an Elder, as well as the staff of Woodlands, guide them through their visit.
And it wasn’t just the students—two days later, over thirty adults who support and work with students in many community institutions and programs participated in a similar day.
The Glendale students then returned to class to build their play. Eighteen playwrights and seven musicians have spent the semester learning how to craft scripts and compose original music respectively. The result is Ten Miles Out, which takes over the Glendale auditorium in early May for final rehearsals.
Helping the students are teachers Crystal Dumitru (Director & Dramaturg), Paul Borsc (Musical Director), Luke Bramer (Production Director), and Sandra Crisante-Crespo (Scenic Designer & Props Consultant) Local Ancaster artist, Jennifer Wilson-Bridgman, has been brought in to create the 12-foot high tree that is the symbolic and literal centre of the set.
Two special student matinees are offered:
Tuesday, May 28th at 12:00 pm
Thursday, May 30th at 12:00pm
And three evening performances are available:
Wednesday, May 29th at 7:00 pm
Thursday, May 30th at 7:00 pm
Friday, May 31st at 7:00 pm
Student Tickets are a suggested donation of $2.00 each. Evening performances are “pay what you can” at the door. All proceeds will be donated to a local woman’s shelter, with a portion staying at the school for Arts programs.
Tickets can be booked through Glendale Performing Arts Box Office at gpaglendale@hwdsb.on.ca or :
905-560-7343, extension #571
For more information contact:
Ms. Crystal Dumitru
