This year, as a part of our Summer Theatre Troupe production, we recorded their creative journey! From the time the cast met to working on the script, from rehearsal time to closing night. This video is an amazing behind-the-scenes of this fantastic cast and crew who were able to mount a professional production within a month that perfectly captured issues important to them.
Place des Arts’ Summer Theatre Troupe presents an inclusive reimagining of the classic Brothers Grimm story The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs. The youth performers, ages 13-18, alongside director Molly Beatrice and production designer Hannah Abbott will revamp an old morality tale through modern eyes. A theatre piece created collaboratively by the cast and crew, this year’s production will be mounted as a roving play taking place outdoors at Place des Arts’ Heritage Square. Attendees will follow the story travelling to four locations around the grounds. This thought-provoking play gives a voice to the teen actors who will explore themes of their time like pressures and expectations, the struggle to feel seen and heard and the tensions that exist between generations.
The play deals with mature themes and parental guidance is suggested.
Synopsis
A Woodcutter is convinced by a group of animals in his town to kill the Devil. On the Woodcutter’s journey, they encounter different problems that the animals are facing and he commits to helping them. The Woodcutter’s journey takes them to “hell”, where they are forced to reckon with the dangerous realities of the “devil” – power, privilege, corruption. To make a difference in the lives of those around them, The Woodcutter must investigate the complex aspects of morality.
Showtimes
- Saturday, August 7, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Saturday, August 7, 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Tuesday, August 10, 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
- Tuesday, August 10, 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
- Tuesday, August 10, 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday, August 11, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Wednesday, August 11, 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Thursday, August 12, 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
- Thursday, August 12, 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
- Thursday, August 12, 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Friday, August 13, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Friday, August 13, 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
To register and for more information about the show, please visit the Eventbrite.
About the Summer Theatre Troupe
Each summer, Place des Arts presents performances by our Summer Teen Theatre Troupe at the TD Community Plaza in Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. This year, due to COVID-19, the event will take place on the grounds of Place des Arts. The Troupe is a by-audition performance company comprised of local emerging performers who work with theatre professionals to mount a show.
From our Programming and Events Coordinator, Michael Fera:
This year marks the 8th Summer of the Summer Teen Theatre Troupe. A program near and dear to us at Place des Arts. Over the year’s we have presented family-friendly adaptations of literary classics from JM Barrie to William Shakespeare outside in the local parks and at the TD Community Stage of Coquitlam. This year we have made an ever so slight change to the name. It is now simply the Summer Theatre Troupe. Why the change? The program has always been inclusive but now more than ever we want to reflect that in our name. Yes, the program will strive to engage young teen actors but this year we have two Emerging Theatre Artists joining the core creative team. These Emerging Artists will be mentored by master theatre artists that have made a tremendous contribution to both the local, national and international theatre scene. We are tremendously excited for this season’s production and can’t wait to announce the show and our talented line-up of artists.
Thanks to our funders:
Meet the crew!
Hannah Abbott, Production Designer – Hannah, a passionate multidisciplinary theatre artist, takes pride in marrying sophisticated intellect and creative abstraction in her work. She is currently the President of the UBC Players’ Club and Technical Director for the Love Bubbles Project with Small Stage. Selected credits include Scenic Design for Oh the Humanity and Assistant Scenic Design for Goldrausch (UBC), Prop Design for Romeo and Juliet and Miss Electricity (Beach House Theatre) and The Addams Family Musical (Wheelhouse Theatre), and Assistant Technical Direction for Bonjour Là Bonjour (UBC). To check out more of the projects Hannah has helped create, check out her website here.
Molly Beatrice, Director – Molly Beatrice (she/her) is a queer theatre artist living and creating in so-called “Vancouver”: the traditional, unceded, and occupied territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Recent directing credits include Prey (Belfry Theatre’s Incubator Program 2020), The Children (Belfry Theatre, Assistant Director 2019), The Lonelies (Belfry Theatre SPARK Mini Plays 2019), Ernie and Bethy (Victoria Fringe 2018), and the Travelling Puppet Show (IslandLink Library Federation 2016-2017). Molly is grateful to have learned from Fay Nass (PTC’s Block A), Anita Rochon (BC Culture Days ambassador) and is honoured to have Ami Gladstone as her mentor on this project.
Amy Bell, Assistant Stage Manager/Props – Amy is very excited to be working with such an amazing team for Place des Arts’ Summer Theatre Troupe. She has worked both onstage and behind the scenes and found her love for Stage Managing. Amy has finished her second year at UVic in the Theatre program with a focus in Production and Management. Some of her past credits include Assistant Stage Manager – Love and Information (UVic Phoenix Theatre), Stage Manager – Tinder: A Puppet Romance (UVic SATCO), Assistant Stage Manager - A Cobblers Rhyme (UVic SATCO), Stagehand – Children’s Hour (UVic Phoenix Theatre), Sound Board Op. – The Next Color Blue (UVic SATCO).
Matt Brascia, Videographer – Matt is a Vancouver-based film producer-director creating short films, documentaries and music videos professionally since 2014. Growing up in Coquitlam with a camera in his hand, Matt has combined formal education with a life-long passion. He is very collaboration-driven and has a clear desire to put more local artists on the map. Matt’s dynamic background is in creating content that not only entertains but also aims to inform and inspire. He is very grateful to have worked with world-class musicians, brands, actors, scholars and everyone in-between. His main aspiration is to empower teams to their highest potential.
Jasmin Sandhu, Production Stage Manager – Jasmin (she/her) is an independent stage manager & CAEA apprentice stage manager working & living on the traditional, unceded, and occupied territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Current projects; Danceboy (Summer POP! Festival). Select credits include; No Child (ApSM, Arts Club Theatre Company), House at Pooh Corner (ApSM, CTYP), It’s a Wonderful Life, Herringbone (ApSM, Patrick Street Productions), Jekyll (Douglas College) and Next to Normal, The Nether, Spring Awakening & Dogfight (West Moon Theatre). This is Jasmin’s 3rd year as Production Stage Manager at PdA and is so thankful to Michael, Joan, the PdA staff and the wonderfully delightful production team and cast this year!
Meet this year’s troupe!
Indah Del Bianco- Devil
Indah is 16 years old and in her third year of Summer Theatre Troupe. Her previous productions include Second Star to the Right, The Windsinger, Dear Edwina Jr, The Chrysalids, The Little Mermaid, and James and the Giant Peach (Place des Arts), Rent and Legally Blonde (Gleneagle Secondary). Indah has had lots of fun creating this year’s performance alongside the talented cast and crew. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Sara van Gaalen – Mother Hen
Sara is excited to be a part of Place des Arts’ 2021 Summer Theatre Troupe. They have been a part of the arts since they were young. She has been a competitive dancer at Encore since 2012 and has earned honours on her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Jazz Exams (CDTA). They also participate in many choirs at their school. Their favourite acting credits include; CLUE: On Stage (ACT 2019), James and the Giant Peach (ACT 2020), The Artist (Monica Lis 2020), and Pushing Buttons (ARTSfest 2021). Sara is very thankful for everyone who has supported her throughout their theatrical journey.
Briana Ho – Clumsy Wolf
Briana graduated top of Pinetree Secondary’s class of 2021 with the Governor General’s Academic Medal. Throughout high school, she sang in Pinetree’s Choir and Vocal Jazz groups, worked as the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, volunteered as the lead coordinator of school clubs, and facilitated anti-bullying workshops and advocated for LGBTQ+ youth with the Canadian Red Cross. Briana first tried theatre in Grade 12 by starring in Pinetree Treehouse Theatre’s original musical “FLY”! She recently earned Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship (with Distinction), and she will begin SFU’s Biomedical Physiology program in the Faculty of Science this fall.
Antalya Kabani – Woodcutter
Antalya is over-the-moon excited to be a part of the Summer Teen Theatre Troupe 2021! She has been a member of the troupe for the past two years and will never stop raving about the unforgettable experiences and friendships she has made! Antalya began acting 7 years ago and has performed in many productions, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Chrysalids, Dear Edwina Jr and her personal favourite, A Comedy of Errors. She hopes that you enjoy the show, have a great summer and encourages you to join the troupe next year! Though, she must admit, she is irreplaceable.
Jaitan Malhotra – Toad
Jaitan is 14 and has been acting for 4 years. 3 of those years were with the Coquitlam Youth Theatre group. Jaitan has been a part of plays including the Chrysalids, the Jungle Book and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This is Jaitan’s first year with the Summer Theatre Troupe. Jaitan is thankful for Place des Arts, Molly, Jasmin, Hannah, Amy and everyone else who helped make this show possible.
Nicholas Reis – Cool Wolf Nicholas is most often seen sharpening his soccer skills in preparation for St. Thomas University. He fell in love with theatre after participating in his school’s Drama program. Nicholas’ favourite credits include What’s a Kitchen? (ARTSfest 2019) winning him his school’s Grade 10 Best Ensemble Award, and Actor of the Year, followed by his performance as Randy in 10 Guaranteed Ways to Get Detention (METfest 2019) and James and the Giant Peach (Archbishop Carney Theatre 2020), and finally in Pushing Buttons (ARTSfest 2021). This is Nick’s first performance with Place des Arts and he is thankful to be given the opportunity to be a part of this production.
Queenie Sun – Mouse
Queenie was born in Canada and has been passionate about the arts for several years. Their theatre journey started back when they first starred in the play Mobrat Elementary as Nonny in 2019 (Pinetree Treehouse Theatre). They also played a minor role in the short film ‘Fly’ as Rufio (Crew Motel Production). They are eager to be in Place des Arts’ 2021 Summer Theatre Troupe. Prior to this, Queenie was part of a choir in 2018, and has actively pursued dance since last year. Queenie is extremely grateful for the support they have received during their journey.
Naomi Tariku – Fox
Naomi is an actor/writer (grade 11) who is excited to be a part of the newly curated play at Place des Arts. Favourite credits include Diana in The Dinner Party (ARTSfest 2020), April-May in Complex Therapy (ARTSfest 2019) and Mindscape (Filmateers Production 2021). Naomi is a contributing member of multiple Fine Arts programs at Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School, including Drama 8-11 and Senior Concert Choir 10-11. Naomi is thankful for the opportunities and the endless support given to her by both Molly Beatrice and Michael Fera!
Meet the mentors!
Amiel Gladstone – Amiel is a West Coast-based playwright and theatre and opera director. His work has been produced by many companies across the country, including Arts Club, Alberta Theatre Projects, Belfry Theatre, Caravan Farm Theatre, Catalyst Theatre, the Cultch, Factory Theatre, Musical Stage Co, the National Arts Centre, Rumble, Pacific Opera Victoria, PuSh Festival, Solo Collective, Theatre Calgary, Touchstone Theatre, Theatre Conspiracy, Theatre Replacement, Vancouver Opera, Vancouver Playhouse, Western Canada Theatre, Theatre SKAM, as well as internationally in the United States, France and Romania. He is very proud to have been a mentor with the Vancouver Playhouse where he taught playwriting to youths for several years, many stints as a youth mentor at the Cultch and a directing mentor with Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre.
Alan Brodie – Designer Alan Brodie is delighted to provide design mentorship to the Place des Arts Summer Theatre Troupe and emerging designer Hannah Abbott. A 30+ year veteran of design in Canada, Alan has always embraced mentorship and is a firm believer in its place and value within the theatre ecosystem. He has been honoured to collaborate in this program with directing mentor Ami Gladstone, a long-time colleague. Alan is a multi–Jessie Award-winning lighting designer who added directing to his repertoire in 2016 when he completed graduate studies at the University of Victoria. He currently teaches lighting and drafting at Studio 58, Langara College.