Theatre lovers and those who always step up to help the community, it’s time to join forces!
Local company, Intrepid Theatre, is looking for the public’s help in bringing a major show to the island in the spring of 2025.
This spring, they’ll be presenting Urban Ink’s Children of God performance—an exceptionally powerful and stunning musical about an Oji-Cree family whose children were taken away to a residential school in Northern Ontario.
The show will run for two nights at the McPherson Playhouse, and is the largest show that Intrepid Theatre has ever presented.
With a moving score and platform for dialogue revolving around Canada’s dark past, Children of God bears witness to the history and intergenerational impacts of residential schools.
It will also provide audiences with a thrilling blend of ancient tradition and contemporary reality, all the while celebrating the resiliency of Indigenous peoples.
In an interview with Sean Guist, the Artistic Director at Intrepid Theatre, he expressed his excitement to bring such a big project to Victoria audiences.
“The show itself is really impactful, but it’s also a really beautiful piece of art in terms of the way that Corey Payette has woven in contemporary musical themes and ideas, inspired by Indigenous musical themes as well,” Guist said.
“It’s been described as ‘must-see theatre’ for all Canadians.”
Payette is the composer and playwright, whose score is said to echo provocative Broadway masterpieces such as Fun Home and Next to Normal.
Guist admitted to there being multiple challenges in bringing the show to the island, not only just the pandemic that halted gathering for live performance, but also funding.
After being turned down by multiple grant foundations, and knowing how essential this show is to engaging in reconciliation and honouring Indigenous culture, Guist refused to give up despite how disheartening this fight has been.
“This show needs to come here and we want to support this work…[so] we’re hoping to raise $20,000,” said Guist.
“I think [this show] really speaks to the power of art and storytelling and how that can share truths—some difficult truths. And hopefully it will bring people together to share in this experience and in this conversation around the themes and impacts of residential schools.”
Residents can donate in person or on Intrepid’s website, which shows how far along they are towards their goal.
As of this publication, they’re currently just under $3,000 of their $20,000 target.
In addition to the performance, there will also be opportunities for audience members to further connect with the piece, as well as on-scene emotional support for anyone in need, as the show confronts many difficult and heavy topics.
This includes a facilitated ‘talk back,’ in which the artists walk everyone through a debrief, giving audience members and performers the chance to discuss what they felt or things that arose during the show.
The artists will also spend some time traveling around the community, visiting different schools to inspire and engage with youth, talking about Indigenous culture and history, as well as the beauty of theatre and storytelling.
Tickets for this show will follow Inrepid’s usual programs, including the Pay-What-You-Ten $10 tickets, as well as free tickets for Indigenous community members through the RMTS box office and Victoria Native Friendship Centre.
Intrepid Theatre: Children of God
- Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
- When: Spring of 2025!
