The Young Creators Unit provides a supportive and artistically
rigorous space for four queer-identified artists (age 25 and
under) who are selected to develop and perform their own original,
30-minute, solo performance piece. Through the weekly Unit
meetings, and the creative mentorship of YCU Director Evalyn
Parry and Buddies' artistic staff, members of the YCU workshop
their material, and finally present their works at the 2009
Rhubarb Festival.
We congratulate the 2009 Young Creators: Cole J. Alvis, Kim
Crosby, Rob Salerno and Tawiah M'carthy
Presentations take place at the Rhubarb Festival, Feb 14
and 15, and Feb 21 and 22, at 6:30 pm. All YCU presentations
are free for youth under 25.
Feb 14 & 15, 6:30 pm
Fucking Stephen Harper
, by Rob Salerno, directed
by David Oiye
Obaberima
, by Tawiah M'carthy, directed
by Evalyn Parry
Feb 21 & 22, 6:30 pm:
Hands In My Cunt
, by Kim Crosby, directed
by Evalyn Parry
Disciple by Cole J. Alvis, directed by Moynan
King
MORE ABOUT THE SHOWS:
February 14 and 15
Fucking Stephen Harper: How I Sexually Assaulted
the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada and Where It Got Me
Written and performed by Rob Salerno
Directed by David Oiye
Everyone’s heard the rumours of how gay journalist
Sam Scribner sexually assaulted Prime Minister Stephen Harper
during last year’s election campaign, but now Scribner’s
hosting an intimate talk and signing of his new tell-all book
to set the record straight. Join the international media sensation
and learn the inside scoop about Canadian politics, the media,
and what Stephen Harper’s balls feel like.
Obaberima
Written and performed by Tawiah M’carthy
Directed by Evalyn Parry
…red high heels with a shiny covered glow
and a perfect crafted rose on its toe.
Room at the back of my heel, room to grow.
Not yet a woman, to fit into, not yet a man to not want to…."
Dreams of "this one" wanting so badly to fit.
February 21 and 22, 6:30 pm
Hands In My Cunt
Written and performed by Kim Crosby
Directed by Evalyn Parry
The story of a woman of many colours caught between the dichotomy
of white and black, virgin and slut, victim and survivor.
This is her attempt at reconciliation and her request to her
village to bear witness. Salty, sympathetic, vulnerable, unabashed,
she speaks the unspeakable.
Disciple
Written and performed by Cole J. Alvis, with special guest
Chelsea P. Manders
Directed by Moynan King
For two nights only! The Touring Evangelical Country Duo ignites
the stage! And you have an all access pass to meet Travis,
half of the Christian couple taking rural Alberta by storm,
IN the dressing room during the show!
MORE ABOUT THE 2009 YCU
Cole J. Alvis
Originally from rural Alberta, Cole’s recent theatre
credits include: Ryan in
Four Ways 'Til Rain
by T.
Berto (Toronto Fringe),Private Wicks in
The Fort At York
(Crate Productions), the lead role in
Nelly Boy
(SummerWorks
- Outstanding Performance, NOW Magazine) and was a member
of the creative ensemble in the Dora nominated
Gorey Story
(The Thistle Project).
Cole is the Co-Artistic Director of (plural productions) and
holds a BFA in Acting from York University.
Tawiah M'carthy
Tawiah is a Ghanaian born, Toronto based actor. His previous
theatre credits include, Private Nolan in The Fort At York
(Crate Productions), Franny in
Balm in Gilead
(Column
13 Actors Company), Yahweh in
Not Wanted on the Voyage
,
Dumaine in
Love’s Labours Lost
, David/Ahmet
in
Three Birds Alighting on a field
, Bottom in
Midsummer
Night's Dream
and Duncan in
Macbeth
(Theatre@York).
A workshop of his first solo-show in collaboration with (plural
productions),
The Kente Cloth
was featured in this
year’s SummerWorks Theatre Festival (Outstanding Performance,
NOW Magazine).
Tawiah is a graduate of the conservatory acting program at
York University(’06).
Rob Salerno
Rob Salerno is a Toronto-born writer and actor and the founder
of Ten Foot Pole Productions, a theatre company dedicated
to examining the sorts of subjects that polite people wouldn’t
touch with a ten-foot pole. Salerno’s first play,
Balls!
,
played at nine Fringe Festivals in 2007 and 2008, and will
make its professional premiere this May in Toronto. Stage
credits include
True Irish Hearts
(FOOT Festival),
The True Tragedy of Richard III
(Poculi Ludique Societas),
Balls! (Ten Foot Pole), and
Too Much Light Makes the Baby
Go Blind
(Tuesday Night Café). Awards for Salerno’s
work include the Brickenden Award for Theatre Excellence in
London (Best Touring Production), Hamilton Fringe Best New
Play Award, and the Lionel Shapiro Award for Creative Writing.
Salerno completed his MA (Drama) at University of Toronto
and an Hon. BA at McGill. Salerno is also an accomplished
journalist.
Kim Crosby
In no particular order of importance, Kim Crosby is a warrior/performer/emerging
artist/activist/writer/emcee. Hailing from Trinidad &
Tobago, but made of the fabric and texture of the many places
she has moved through the world including Toronto, San Francisco,
Venezuala and Poland. Kim has been a featured performer and
has taken the stage at venues all across North America including
the Mikey Smith Festival and Toronto's Lesbian Blues Night.
A passionate, irreverent and vocal speaker for revolutionary
change, she has spoken at panels, festivals and workshops
internationally. Just on the verge of busting out, she has
plans to write, scream, cry, film, paint, love and disturb.
This is only the beginning, in truth, you will never know
what will come until she speaks.
Application form and deadline
for the 2009 / 2010 YCU
will be posted in August 2009
.
