High Life by Lee MacDougall

Lorne is thrilled to be back amongst family and friends for Theatre Network’s co-production of WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES. He was last seen here in THUNDERSTICK, TRUE WEST and HIGHLIFE. The importance of this play can not be underestimated. It is not meant to assign blame but to shine a light on an often overlooked, dark aspect of Canadian history. By looking at a microcosm of the effects of the residential school experience, this play can be effective as a first step in enlightening many who are unaware and thereby creating an atmosphere which can lead to healing and understanding.

Lorne dedicates his performances to his mother, Bertha, and father Don, who were survivors of this genocide and whose strength was reflected through honouring Cree culture and language as well as their belief in truth, love and respect.

Ron Jenkins is an Edmonton based freelance director and playwright. Ron is thrilled to be working on Metis Mutt here at Theatre Network. Selected Credit include: THE 39 STEPS, JULIUS CAESAR (TSC) RICHARD III (TSC), SUCKER (HAT) TURN OF THE SCREW (Vertigo) ROMEO AND JULIET (TSC) CHASING CHAMPIONS (Ship’s), PLAYING WITH FIRE (Citadel/PTE) OTHELLO (TSC) HIGH LIFE (GZT) ENRON (NAC) THE MOTHERF#$#ER WITH THE HAT (ATP) GOOD NIGHT DESDEMONA, GOOD MORNING JULIET (Belfry Theatre) 1984 (Saint John Theatre Company). NEXT TO NORMAL (Theatre Calgary/Citadel) PLAYING WITH FIRE: THE THEO FLEURY STORY (ATP), CHICAGO (Mayfield Dinner Theatre) THE FORBIDDEN PHOENIX (Citadel Theatre), EXTINCTION SONG (Citadel Theatre) THE TRESPASSERS (Belfry/Vancouver Playhouse) BASH’D (Off Broadway), MARY’S WEDDING (Workshop West), MESA (Workshop West), and RESPCTABLE, CONFESSIONS OF A PAPER BOY (Ghost River Theatre), THE BLACK RIDER (November Theatre Co.), THE RED PREIST (Eight Ways to Say Goodbye) and THE BLUE LIGHT (Alberta Theatre Projects), STEEL KISS, EUREKA, and THE HORROR, THE HORROR (Skid). Ron has won ten Sterling Awards as a director and playwright and two Betty Mitchell Awards for Direction for THE BLACK RIDER and PLAYING WITH FIRE. In 2013 he was honored with a CCA Award in Ottawa for his direction of ENRON. Ron is also the winner of the 2004 Syncrude Award for Artistic Innovation and a Critter Award Winner for Playing With Fire. Ron was shortlisted for the 2007 and 2010 Siminovitch Prize in theatre for Direction.

Bradley is an MFA graduate in directing from the University Alberta. He joined Theatre Network in 1996 to create the multidisciplinary emerging artist festival – Nextfest. In 2014 Bradley accepted the dual role of Artistic & Executive Director for Theatre Network. Some recent productions include: BED AND BREAKFAST, THE EMPRESS & THE PRIME MINISTER, MINERVA – QUEEN OF THE HANDCUFFS, INFINITY, The Sterling Award Winning Production IRMA VOTH, BUST, GORDON, RED, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ARMSTRONG’S WAR, the Governor General Nominated THE GRAVITATIONAL PULL OF BERNICE TRIMBLE, the Sterling Award Winning LITTLE ONE, DRIVING MISS DAISY, the Governor General Award Winning PIG GIRL, the Sterling Award Winning LET THE LIGHT OF DAY THROUGH, WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES, IN ON IT, MOVING ALONG, TWELFTH NIGHT, PUBLIC SPEAKING, DOG, THUNDERSTICK, BUDDY, ALIAS GODOT, MISERY, CLOSER AND CLOSER APART, the Sterling Award Winning SUMMER OF MY AMAZING LUCK, TRUE WEST, GIRL IN THE GOLDFISH BOWL, HOSANNA, MARION BRIDGE, A SKULL IN CONNEMARA, the Sterling Award Winning glam rock musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, and HIGH LIFE.

Dave is a musician, actor and writer.  He has composed music and produced sound designs for theatre, film, dance and multi-media for three decades. Recent designs include MOVING ALONG (Theatre Network), 6.0 HEAP & PEBBLE (Northern Light Theatre) and EVIE’S WALTZ (Shadow Theatre). Other projects include THE MISSIONARY POSITION (University of Alberta),  a soundtrack for the feature film THE PHARMACIST and a family musical about a profoundly deaf mother with a hearing son based on his own experience entitled SONGS MY MOTHER NEVER SUNG ME. Dave is the co-writer and composer for the animated cartoons at Rantdog.com. He is also the sound guy for CBC Radio’s THE IRRELEVANT SHOW. Dave has won several awards for his work, including Sterling Awards for Outstanding Score (DOG, Surreal SoReal Theatre), Musical Direction (ILSA, QUEEN OF THE NAZI LOVE CAMP) and Sound (SHAKESPEARE’S WILL, VIMY, THE ECSTATICS).

Recent Stage Management credits include: THE EMPRESS & THE PRIME MINISTER and THE LAST FIVE YEARS for Theatre Network; OH CHRISTMAS TREE for the Roxy Series; THE COLOR PURPLE for The Citadel Theatre; THE BAD SEED, SHOCKER’S DELIGHT and THE SALON OF THE TALKING TURK for Teatro La Quindicina; and WITCH HUNT AT THE STRAND for Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre.

Shauna’s first Theatre Network show as Stage Manager was Marty Chan’s, Mom, Dad I’m living with a White Girl, and she is happy to be back working with the lovely people at Network. She gained her appreciation of theatre via the Theatre Arts program at the University of Lethbridge. After graduating in 1994, Shauna returned home to Edmonton and began work in the community as both a Stage Manager and a technician.  Since then, she is privileged to have worked with the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, St. Albert International Children’s Festival, Workshop West, Northern Light Theatre, Rapid Fire Theatre, Catalyst Theatre, Kill Your Television, Guys in Disguise, Firefly Theatre, Azimuth Theatre, and on many delightful co-ops.  Shauna is also a member of both Equity and IATSE local 210.  Thanks to Chris and Brad, and special thanks to her daughter Sydney for all of the support throughout her career…Enjoy.