Where The Blood Mixes

Robert was in Theatre Network’s WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES, as well as the Roxy Series shows THE REALISTIC JONESES and 10 OUT OF 12 (Wild Side). In Edmonton, he has worked with Freewill Shakespeare, most recently in THE WINTER’S TALE and TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA; Firefly Theatre & Circus (INFERNO); Citadel (A CHRISTMAS CAROL & SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE); Blarney (TRAGEDY: A TRAGEDY & SCARAMOUCHE JONES); & Edmonton Actors Theatre (Terry and the Dog & Stupid Fucking Bird). He’s also done some other stuff, in some other places. “When in doubt, try kindness; myself, I’m always in doubt, and I’m always trying.”

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.

(Ojibway, French, English) Craig, a Gemini nominee best known as a cast member on CBC’s ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FARCE, is one of Canada’s top character performers. His characterizations have been described as “great Canadian comedy, quick and snarky with surreal moments of brilliance!” (John Doyle, The Globe and Mail).

Most recently, Craig portrayed Kent in the National Arts Centre’s all Aboriginal production of KING LEAR. He has been nominated for the prestigious Tim Sims Encouragement Award – a yearly prize given to promising comedic talent in Toronto. Since then, Craig has performed at It’s Always Something the Gilda’s Club Gala, Raising the Roof, Hubcap Comedy Festival, We’re Funny That Way and the CBC’s Winnipeg Comedy Festival WELCOME TO TURTLE ISLAND.

An accomplished writer, Craig has received three Canadian Comedy Award nominations: one for Funniest New Play THE CHICK AND CUBBY COMEDY HOUR; and two for writing television: HAM I AM and ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FARCE. He also co-wrote the 2006 Gemini Industry Night gala events.

Theatre Network Debut. Other Theatre: Christine in WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES (WCT/ Theatre Aquarius); Julia in RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL (Vancouver Playhouse/ musical workshop); Female Lead in ESCAPE REALITY (Santa Monica, CA); Mari in WIDE BLOSSOMS (Mixed Phoenix, NYC); and Wife in BLOOD WEDDING (London, UK).  Film/TV: Hailey in ARCTIC AIR; Skye in SKYE & CHANG (pilot); HARD CORE LOGO 2; ALIENS IN AMERICA; THE ENGLISHMAN’S BOY; THE LOST ANGEL; REVENGE OF THE LAND.

Et Cetera: Regina-born and raised, Sera-Lys McArthur is from the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation in Saskatchewan. Modeling, singing and acting on stage and screen since she was twelve, she trained at AMDA in New York, Capilano University and the Lyric School of Acting in Vancouver.  Her MA in Acting with Distinction is from East 15 at the University of Essex. After a year studying and gaining experience in L.A., she now calls Toronto home.  WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES is Sera-Lys’ fully staged professional Canadian theatre debut. Big Thank-you to Rosalyn and Robbie Huck and Peter McArthur! Performances dedicated to Gabby Crane; may your light shine on, chica rica.

Having been raised to deny her Aboriginal roots so as to be spared the horrors of residential school, Michaela is grateful to those friends and family who have been supportive in her quest for answers and understanding. She is especially grateful to the family members who have had the willingness and courage to take pride in their roots, as they have lane the trail for her to stand tall in. Michaela is a proud Métis artist of English, Irish, French and Cree descent, and is delighted to be sharing this poignant and beautifully written story in her home province. Born in Edmonton and hailing from Leduc, Michaela is now based in Toronto. Selected theatre credits include: THE WAR OF 1812, THE SASKATCHEWAN REBELLION (VideoCabaret); THE REZ SISTERS (Factory Theatre North West); *WHITE BITING DOG (Soulpepper); SUCH CREATURES (Theatre Passe Muraille); SALT BABY, DEATH OF A CHIEF, DREARY AND IZZY, THE UNNATURAL AND ACCIDENTAL WOMEN (Native Earth); SPIRIT HORSE (Roseneath); THREE LITTLE BIRDS (Workshop West); QUILCHENA (halfbreed productions); FAREWEL (Magnus).

*Nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role. Upcoming this spring, Michaela is looking forward to returning to Edmonton once again for the remount of Tara Beagan’s DREARY AND IZZY with Alberta Aboriginal Arts.  Thank you for being here. Kookstum.

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.

Kevin is Nlaka’pamux from the Lytton First Nation in British Columbia. He is a professional actor of the stage and screen, an award winning documentary producer, and the Artistic Director of The Savage Society a non-profit production company mandated to tell aboriginal stories using contemporary mediums. His first published play, Where the Blood Mixes, won the 2009 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama. He was a Playwright in Residence at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa in 2010, as well as a company member of the National Arts Centre English Theatre Acting Company. Recently Kevin played the villainous Edmund in the National Arts Centre’s Production of King Lear, featuring a cast of aboriginal actors. Past productions at WCT for Kevin include Merlin and The Ecstasy of Rita Joe. Kevin is a graduate of Studio 58.

Cory is an award winning designer, currently residing in Charlottetown, PEI. His set, costume and lighting designs have received both national and international recognition. His work has been seen throughout Canada, as well as throughout Europe and Russia. Cory earned a degree in Architectural Studies from Carleton University before studying design at Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto. He also holds a MFA in Theatre Design from the University of Alberta. Recent Designs: EVANANGELINE, BITTERGIRL THE MUSICAL (Charlottetown Festival) LIBERATION DAYS (Theatre Calgary/WCT), PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, LES MISERABLES (WCT); MARY POPPINS, NEXT TO NORMAL, (Theatre Calgary/Citadel Theatre); MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, VENUS IN FUR, ROMEO AND JULIET, SPAMALOT, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Citadel); LAST 5 YEARS, MICHEL AND TI-JEAN, and LET THE LIGHT OF DAY THROUGH (Theatre Network). www.corysincennes.com

Jeff is from Saskatoon, SK and is excited to be part of this powerful and important production. His costume design experience includes HOW THE CHIEF STOLE CHRISTMAS, WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES (Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company), THE GREAT MOUNTAIN (Red Sky), MIGRATION (Red Sky/Black Grace), SPIRIT, MEMORY & DESIRE, INDIGENOUS TERRITORIES (Indigenous Dance Residency, Banff Centre), BORN BUFFALO (Askiy Productions, Wanuskewan), THUNDERSTICK (Theatre Network/Persephone Theatre), GOD OF CARNAGE, BERLIN BLUES (Persephone Theatre), and numerous shows for SNTC. Jeff enjoys spending much of his time costume tailoring and stitching for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Citadel Theatre, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Banff Centre’s Summer Arts Festival, Persephone Theatre, and Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan.

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).

Candice is super excited to be back working with the amazing team on WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES after having previously worked on the show during the Kamloops run. Most recent shows for Candice include working as an assistant stage manager on A CHRISTMAS CAROL with the Citadel Theatre; as an assistant stage manager with the Free Will Shakespeare Festival on THE TEMPEST and JULIUS CAESAR; stage managing THE MINOR KEYS at the Fringe Festival.