Nextfest-program-2023

EDMONTON'S EMERGING ARTS FESTIVAL

JUNE 1 - 11, 2023 // NEXTFEST.CA

EDMONTON'S EMERGING ARTS FESTIVAL

JUNE 1 - 11, 2023 / NEXTFEST.CA

11 DAYS

50+ EVENTS

500+ ARTISTS!

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO NEXTFEST

QUALITY PRODUCT. THOUGHTFUL DESIGN. CREATIVE AND PASSIONATE PEOPLE.

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WELCOME...............................3

HOW TO NEXTFEST................6

OPENING CEREMONIES........12

THEATRE MAINSTAGE...........14

PROGRESS SHOWINGS..........22

THEATRE READINGS..............24

DIGITAL PROJECTS.................26

INSTALLATION........................29

SCHEDULE...............................30

SHOWCASES...........................32

NITE CLUBS.............................34

DANCE.....................................38

HIGH SCHOOL.........................44

FILM.........................................52

VISUAL ART.............................54

STAFF + VOLUNTEERS............57

SPONSORS..............................58

FESTIVAL IMAGE AND WORDMARK BY PSI LO

PUBLICATION DESIGN BY STEVEN TEEUWSEN

“Welcome to Nextfest

2023 and our beautiful

home, the Roxy Theatre

on 124th Street.

This year's festival

represents another

phase of enthusiastic

re-emergence as we

continue to wipe the

Covid sleep from our

eyes and experiment

with new ways of

collaboration- with this space and with

each other. Nextfest is for everyone to

enjoy. We are a platform for emerging

artists, a meeting ground for community,

and a springboard for creative invention.

Mentorship, inclusion, learning, creative

risk, and vulnerability are at the core of

everything we stand for. Our motto is "the

more the merrier," so whether it's taking

in a free workshop, grabbing a ticket to a

Nite Club, exploring our Visual Art Gallery,

attending a work in progress or a reading

in development, grooving to a concert, or

watching our astonishing performances,

you belong here with us: we want you here,

we need you here! Let's party, my pals!”

- Ellen Chorley (she/her), Festival Director

NEXTFEST.CA 3

WELCOME

C

4

TATAWAW

The Nextfest Arts Company acknowledges

that we are situated on Treaty 6 territory, the

home of the Nations of Cree, Nakota-Sioux,

Blackfoot, Dene, Tsuu T’ina, Metis, and other

Indigenous peoples who call this land home,

who have created and gathered on these

lands for thousands of years.

Read our full Treaty 6 Acknowledgment at

nextfest.ca/tatawaw-welcome/

Now Playing AT

Subscribe or Like

by liam salmon

THE WORLD PREMIERE of a

MULTIMEDIA DRAMA

Rachel and Miles work long hours

at low-paying jobs. Struggling to

find their place in the world, they

turn to the Internet and launch

their own video channel. How far

will they go for digital Fame And

fortune?

By Liam Salmon

Directed by Kate Ryan

Nextfest Artists receive $15 tix

at the door, with their program.

For information or to book tickets visit www.workshopwest.org

NEXTFEST.CA

NEXTFEST PROUDLY SUPPORTS

THE 35//50 INITIATIVE

Representation matters. The Nextfest

Arts Company is committed to the 35//50

Initiative, a coalition of IBPOC artists across

Alberta who believe in representation and

leadership as an actionable plan.

For more information about our pledge to

35//50, please visit

nextfest.ca/35-50-statement/

SAFE(R) SPACES

Nextfest is for all to grow, learn and inspire

each other for years to come!

Our Safe(r) Spaces policy has been

constructed to ensure the safety and

enjoyment of all persons involved with The

Nextfest Arts Company and develop a culture

of mutual respect throughout the organization.

The Nextfest Arts Company adheres to

Safe(r) Spaces Policies. To read our full

Code of Conduct and Safe(r) Spaces

policy or submit an anonymous Safer

Spaces report, please visit nextfest.ca/

safer-space-and-code-of-conduct-policy/

R

E

A

T

E

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Ceramics • Drawing • Fibre

Glass • Jewellery & Metals

Media Arts • Painting

Print Media • Sculpture

Bachelor of Design

Photography • Visual

Communication Design:

Advertising & Graphic Design /

Character Design & Illustration

Master of Fine Arts

in Craft Media

Ceramics • Glass

Fibre • Jewellery & Metals

AUArts.ca/apply

@AlbertaUArts Calgary, Alberta

HOW TO NEXTFEST

Welcome to Nextfest 2023! Eleven days, hundreds of emerging artists, and infinite

ways to dive into new unforgettable experiences. Before you begin, here are some

things you need to know to make the most of your Nextfest.

WE’RE IN-PERSON (AND ONLINE)

Can you believe we’re 28 already? In the new

era of Nextfest, we’ve continued to keep both

in-person performances and online projects

for all to enjoy. You can check out more about

Nextfest’s Digital Projects later in the program

or online at nextfest.ca.

GET YOUR TIX

Get your tickets (or pass) ready! Something

incredible is about to begin.

Want to see it all? We recommend

getting a festival pass and seeing

everything (every SINGLE thing) in

the festival - that’s 50+ events!

• Single Tickets - $14

• Festival Pass - $45

• Buy three or more tickets to one single

day and get 50% off!

Nextfest performances and events are ticketed

with Individual tickets on sale online at

theatrenetwork.ca, over the phone at

(780) 453-2440, or in person at The Roxy on

6 NEXTFEST.CA

124th (10708 124 St). The Roxy Theatre central

box office will open one hour before the first

ticketed performance of the day and close at

the start of the last performance that night.

GET EXPERIMENTAL WITH US

Looking for an experience that will make you

say “wow!” Nextfest is the festival for you.

Nextfest consists of new works presented as

events, performances, galleries, workshops,

mentorship opportunities, and infamous

Nite Clubs for you to enjoy. Your next ‘best

experience ever’ is waiting for you, take a

chance on Nextfest!

Join in on the best fest on this side of summer

by embracing the experimental with us

and uplifting new works. Take a risk on an

experience, make some friends, and see

creations that come straight from the minds of

the next generation.

Content warnings will be made available for

events. Have a question about a performance

or piece? Reach out to hello@nextfest.ca for

more information.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING, PLAYWRITING,

OR THEATRE PRODUCTION TRAINING FOR AGES 16-21!

APPLY

TODAY!

scan this QR code or type

bit.ly/youngcompanies

in your browser

HOW TO NEXTFEST

JOIN IN #NXTFST

Keeping updated on what’s happening

at Nextfest is easier than ever! We

invite you to be part of the movement

and celebrate local art.

Follow us on Instagram at @NextfestArtsCo,

Facebook as The Nextfest Arts Company, and

tag us when you’re exploring the festival. We

want to see how you Nextfest!

Or join our Nextfest newsletter to stay in the

loop about festival opportunities, events,

mentorships, giveaways, etc.

This isn’t your dad’s chainmail;

we’ll only update you on the

important stuff. We’re a cool

newsletter, we promise.

SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE —›

WORKSHOP SERIES

Build Skills. Spark Discussion. Refine

Practices. Get Involved. The Nextfest Arts

Company presents the Nextfest 2023

Workshop Series.

Workshops will invite dedicated professional

mentors and experts from the Edmonton arts

communities to teach, lead, and facilitate

workshops directed at artistic skill growth,

the business of being an artist, and the

sustainability of artistic careers.

8 NEXTFEST.CA

You don’t have to be a festival artist to sign up

for these workshops, but guess what? When

you sign up, you become an official festival

artist! Workshop attendees will be added

to the 2023 Artist List, and we’ll hook you

up with an all-access Festival pass and an

invitation to the closing party.

Workshops are free for all. Want a list of all

of the workshops? You can learn more and

sign up on our website at nextfest.com/

workshopseries.

Sign up soon - all slots are on a first-comefirst-served

basis, and space is limited.

ADOPT A NEXTFEST ARTIST!

Emerging Artists Need Your Help!

Every June, Theatre Network's sister company

The Nextfest Arts Company provides

emerging artists a place to present their

work, as well as professional development

opportunities to help them grow in their

careers. People always say 'It takes a village,'

and so we're reaching out to ask that you

adopt a Nextfest artist in 2023.

When you adopt an artist for $100, you'll

receive an exclusive Nextfest t-shirt, an allaccess

Festival Pass to Nextfest 2023, and a

tax receipt for your donation. Plus, you and

your artist(s) name will be displayed together

in our adopt an artist listing at The Roxy.

For more information, visit

theatrenetwork.ca/adoptanartist.

Curated by community, not algorithm.

Edmonton’s only nonprofit

arthouse cinema

Independent New Releases

Family Favourites

Cult Classics

& more!

8712 109 St. | metrocinema.org themetrocinema

HOW TO NEXTFEST

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

The Roxy Theatre is wheelchair and mobility

aid accessible at every level. Wheelchair

stalls in both venues at The Roxy can be

booked online or by phone.

We recommend booking in advance if you

require a wheelchair stall. Theatre Network is

happy to provide a free ticket for attendants

of those requiring a wheelchair stall.

The Roxy Theatre is also fitted with singlestall

gender-inclusive accessible washrooms.

For more accessibility information about ASL

interpretation, DATS, and more please visit

nextfest.ca/accessibility/, or reach out to at

780.453.2440/boxoffice@theatrenetwork.ca.

If you have any questions or other

accessibility requirements, please contact

the box office by phone or email as well to

make sure we can meet your access needs.

NEXTFEST MURAL PROJECT

Nextfest is excited to be engaging in a new

mural on 124th Street for 2023. This project

is made possible with funding from the 124th

Street Business Association and Capital City

Clean-Up.

Stay tuned for more details on our website!

PARKING

Nextfest is returning to 124th Street, which

means parking is at a premium around The

Roxy. You can find a map of available parking

here: 124street.ca/parking.

But seriously, parking isn’t easy to find, so

we encourage you to take transit, carpool,

rideshare, or ride a scooter when you can.

Taking transit? To get to The Roxy Theatre

(10708 124 St) you can take…

• Route 7 (West Ed Mall to East) to stop 1808

• Route 901 (Jasper Place to East) to stop 1755

• Route 5 (Westmount to West) to stop 1846

Visit our website and

sign up to receive our

newsletters to get a

coupon code to shop

and save on art supplies.

@thepaintspot

www.paintspot.ca

10032 81 Ave

10 NEXTFEST.CA

GALLERY ART SUPPLIES ART CLASSES

OPENING CEREMONIES

12

WELCOME

Help us celebrate the launch of Nextfest

2023 at the Roxy on 124th Street. Join the

party and help start the festival off with a

bang! The Nextfest Opening Ceremonies

features dancing, music, performances, free

pizza, and the world premiere of the Nextfest

2022 Documentary. This is an all-ages event

you won’t wanna miss.

Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 pm

The Nancy Power Theatre in the Roxy

Theatre

SCHEDULE

Opening Night Performance at 7:00 pm

World Premiere Screening of the Nextfest

Documentary at 8:00 pm

DJ and Dancing at 9:00 pm

featuring DJ GSam, Christina Hollingworth, Russel

Comrie, Captain Falafel, Velocity Complex, and

Jacquie Daniels

NEXTFEST.CA

NEXTFEST 2022 DOCUMENTARY

In 2022, the Nextfest Arts Company returned

to live festival after two years of online

programming. To celebrate the return to inperson

and the return to the Roxy on 124th

Street, a documentary was filmed about the

people of Nextfest.

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THE

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Art Supplies & Custom Framing

We offer discounts for students,

seniors, and art societies!

@gilded_rabbit

thegildedrabbit

10104 149st www.thegildedrabbit.ca 780.481.6950

THEATRE MAINSTAGE

Theatre projects in all stages of

production are presented at Nextfest.

Grab your ticket and settle in for new

works from emerging artists.

A FATE WORSE THAN

DEATH

created and performed by Nisha Patel

Friday, June 2 at 6:30 pm

Tuesday, June 6 at 9:15 pm

Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30 pm

Lorne Cardinal Theatre in the Roxy Theatre

In her firstever

solo

mainstage

performance,

Nisha will

debut a

series of

spoken word

poems and

music that

weaves her

experiences as a disabled artist together to

answer the question of whether disabled life

is worth living. The audience will be asked to

witness disability as the artist does: through

pain, in the body and mind, and then outside

of it in a society that seeks its eradication. The

show will also profess to the love and joy of

disability, the need for disability justice, and

the beauty of desiring a disabled life.

Rose Fort Theatre Co. presents

JUST THE TWO OF US

by Alexandria Rose Fortier

directed by Mia Cooksey

featuring Tristan Amos, Alexandria Rose Fortier,

Jules Pepin, and Christina Hamer

Sunday, June 4 at 8:00 pm




The old adage

"You never know

what goes on

behind closed

doors," rings

true as we

peek behind

the curtain of

an intimate

relationship as

it crumbles and

fights to survive.

Welcoming

Nextfest back to

124 Street with

15%

OFF

Get 15% off dinein

food orders

during the festival!

Present this ad or a printed

copy to redeem. Offer valid

from June 1 - 11, 2023.

14

NEXTFEST.CA

10719 124 St • 780.452.5383 • koutouki.ca

THEATRE MAINSTAGE

THEATRE MAINSTAGE

SHE/THEY

by Madi May

directed by Daisy Brazil

Saturday June 3 at 6:00 pm

Tuesday June 6 at 7:00 pm

Wednesday June 7 at 5:00 pm


Famed

feminist author

Agnes Arnold

has been

cancelled and

doxed. Gender

studies major

Pearl Arnold

has been

dumped and

shattered.

Pearl has

no time to

process their

breakup

because

Agnes, their

grandmother, is moving in. Full of hope

that her grand-“daughter” will validate her

outdated and bigoted opinions, Agnes is

shocked when Pearl pushes back. Soon,

they launch into a debate about feminism

and gender, but as the political becomes

personal, both Agnes and Pearl confront the

truth that they are far from ready to admit.

Cindy Rivers Comedy presents

THANKS FOR COMING

OUT

created and performed by Cindy Rivers



Saturday, June 10 at 6:00 pm


It’s not quite stand-up, it’s not quite a

monologue, it’s a standologue? A story

full of laughs and tears about being

transgender in Alberta and becoming a

comedian. This unique story is injected

with standup comedy to highlight the

trans experiences of Cindy Rivers.

Reasonable Productions presents

BLACK ALBERTA

by Bashir Mohamed

directed by Angie Bustos

featuring Marie Boston, Katelyn Cabalo,

Bashir Mohamed, and Angie Bustos




Nancy Power Theatre in the Roxy Theatre

A young Black

Albertan

travels through

space and time

to learn about

and reckon

with Alberta's

history.

Featuring

the stories

of Charles

Daniels, Lulu

Anderson,

Ruhamah

Utendale, and

Ted King.

HYENA’S TRAIL

by Kijo Gatama

directed by Dr. Lebogang Disele-Pitso

featuring Noreta Lewis, Sokhana Mfenyana,

David Madawo, Kijo Gatama, Makeda

Romanetti, Ameley (Abigail) Quaye, Mpoe

Mogale, Rory Turner, Amy Dass, Mukonzi

Musyoki, Megan Gilron, and Kyle Smith



(talkback to follow performance)



Hyena’s Trail is

a poetic drama

that reclaims a

classic take on

witches through

Eastern African

culture and

mythology. It

begins with a

Fisi (Hyena), a

mother, and her

daughters. Nya,

a young woman who has returned home from

studying abroad in Canada, is now a stranger

in her old home. She is caught entangled in a

secret she is ready to bury herself in. She has

caught the attention of the cackling maneater

itself, scavenging for remnants of a big

kill. Treachery they say unfolds on the laps of

those who plant a dark little seed.

16 NEXTFEST.CA

NEXTFEST.CA

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Taught by award-winning faculty, this unique degree

with four distinct majors provides interdisciplinary,

hands-on learning through a combination of theory

and real-world application.

Take your place in the creative community! Apply by June 30.

MacEwan.ca/BFA

STUDIO

ARTS

THEATRE

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ARTS AND

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MANAGEMENT

THEATRE MAINSTAGE

Stretcher Hymen and Party Queens presents

THE MYS-QUEERY OF THE MISSING WIG:

DEADLIEST SNATCH

by Stretchen Hymen and Gemma Nye

directed by Stretcher Hymen

featuring Aboyactually, An Xia D, Audrina Linn,

Circules, Charli Darwin, Gemma Nye, Hot Wheelz,

Mars Dawn, Razz Pukin, Stretcher Hymen, Venus,

and Vespa





When theatre

and drag collide,

your favourite

queer-coded

characters come

to life! Wanda

the famous drag

queen's new

human wig has

been stolen and

the villains of

Slays Ville are

the top suspects!

But who would

solve this mystery

best? Fred,

Daphne, Velma,

Shaggy, and Scooby -- the Mys-Queery gang,

of course.

Bat Rabbit Collective presents

RAT ACADEMY

created and performed by Dayna Lea Hoffmann

and Katie Yoner

directed by Joseph McManus





Rat Academy

follows

Fingers

(Dayna Lea

Hoffmann), a

curmudgeonly

street rat with

a heart of gold,

who is the last

wild rat left in

Alberta. Or so

he thinks until

he discovers

Shrimp (Katie

Yoner), a

happy-golucky

lab rat

who recently

escaped by accident. Eager to preserve his

legacy, Fingers creates the Rat Academy to

train Shrimp along with the audience in the

ways of the cold, hard street rat.

Baker Miller Pink presents

(TAYLOR’S VERSION)

by Cayley Wreggitt

directed by Cayley Wreggitt and Samantha Ketsa

featuring Grace Fedorchuk, Donna Ng, Chelsea

Howell-Fellows, Nicole Logan, Megan Jovie, and

Joy Robinson





It’s a typical

Tuesday night.

Josie, Callie,

and a reluctant

Abigail invite you

to dress up like

hipsters, make

fun of their exes,

and adventure

through their

happy, free,

confused, and

lonely love stories. And by the way, they’re

going out tonight. (Taylor’s Version) joyfully

indulges in all things feminine, girly, and basic.

We would like to thank the masterminds

who worked on the previous version for their

fearless contributions to the show. We would

also like to thank our new romantics for making

the whole place shimmer. And did we mention

we polish up real nice? NICE!

20

NEXTFEST.CA

PROGRESS SHOWINGS

Shaktiflow presents

DRAUPADI

created and performed by Shrina Patel




In India, she is

both worshipped

and feared.

Plucked from the

pages of classical

Indian mythology,

Draupadi is a story

about a woman

who is forced into

a game that elicits

the war, the Great

Battle, known as

the Mahabharata.

Shrina Patel, actor,

and emerging

playwright, blurs history and pulls Draupadi

from myth into the present day. Weaving

dance and theatre, Shrina re-tells the fateful

night from Draupadi's perspective. Draupadi is

a familiar character, someone you may know

well or resonate with. Perhaps we have a little

Draupadi in all of us.

Walters and Watt present

WHAT WAS IS ALL

book, music, and lyrics by Walters and Watt




Formerly titled ‘Host

Town’ at Nextfest 2022,

WHAT WAS IS ALL

is a folk-rock musical

written by Jacquelin

Walters and Michael

Watt. The story centres

around the remnants

- both material and

immaterial - and

residents - both living

and dead - of a small

town. The cast of

characters includes

a would-be, disenfranchised spiritual (cult)

leader; his long-suffering, faithless spouse;

a disenchanted, hopeless romantic; an

aimless, disillusioned heir; and a mischievous,

indifferent stranger. The struggle is one of

purposefulness, willfulness, and helplessness.

Each character explores their needs,

strengths, and weaknesses. It is a tragedy

from the outset but also a cautionary tale.

124 STREET & AREA IS THE DESTINATION FOR PATIO SEASON!

As the temperatures rise and the flowers bloom, it’s finally time to indulge

in the delights of patio season. Come enjoy delicious food and drinks on

124 Street & Area. Our neighbourhood is also the destination for shopping,

services, and art galleries. See you all on the neighbourhood!

Experience creative at 124STREET.CA

22 NEXTFEST.CA

THEATRE READINGS

24

POEMS I CAN'T READ

TO YOU YET

by Corine Demas

performed by Corine Demas and

Steven Darnels

Saturday, June 3 at 11:00 am


Rehearsal Hall in the Roxy Theatre

“Love. Love. Love me damn it. I want you to

want me. Why don't you need me like I need

you?" In this 45-minute show, Corine Demas

will regale you with stories, poetry, and songs

about unrequited love and what it means to

get clear of it.

PageBound Productions presents

GHOSTLIGHT

by Bailey Bieganek

Saturday, June 10 at 12:00 pm (noon)



Cas and Eva are looking for a theatre to be

their wedding venue. Well, Eva is looking – Cas

is less than thrilled by the idea. Cas just wants

NEXTFEST.CA

Staged Theatre Productions presents

CARTER AND THE TRAIN

by Grace Fitzgerald

featuring Ben Ali, Maya Wright,

Natasha Morra, and Teio Suyal

Sunday, June 4 at 11:00 am



Carter is trapped in the tiny mountain town of

Frightened Man's Peak, forced to watch the

train surrounding its jagged cliffs pass every

day with no sign of stopping. But one day, he

meets someone. Someone who might just

teach him what it really means to be desperate,

to escape, and to try to jump a damn train.

Eva to be happy, and they’re willing to make

a few more sacrifices than they should to get

there. Happiness seems far away when the two

accidentally get locked in during their tour of

The Arthur Miller Theatre. What neither expects

is to find the theatre already occupied…by a

vengeful ghost on the hunt for love! A ghost

who is willing to do anything to get it.

TN SUMMER ACADEMY

July 24 - August 18, 2023

A unique opportunity for young theatre artists to gather, create and

perform a new play for the Edmonton International Fringe Festival that

runs August 17-27.

Supported by

https://theatrenetwork.ca/summeracademy

DIGITAL PROJECTS

The future is here at Nextfest.

Enjoy this year’s digital works

online at nextfest.ca.

ReadyGo Theatre presents

STAR SPAWN

featuring Erik Richards, Jeong Ung Song,

Frances Bundy, and Max Hanic

SheFromTheSea Productions

I HATE IT HERE

featuring Emily Anne Corcoran, Meegan Sweet,

Kaeley Jade, and Jezec Sanders

“Turns out hell is

a place on earth…

and it’s a f*cking

high school.” At

least it is for Liv, a

recently deceased

ne’er-do-well

who has until her

timer runs out to

become a better

person or be stuck

in hell for eternity.

Carter was abducted by aliens when he was

twelve years old and no one believes him, not

even his best friend Evan. At fourteen, Carter

struggles with nightmares and paranoia,

maybe from his abduction, or maybe from

the joints he and Evan smoke when they

sneak out every night. Either way, Evan is all

that Carter has and he's counting on him for

reassurance of his supernatural encounter.

THE COST OF KNOWING

Acrylic paint on canvas board

by Amelie Snowdon

Artist statement: Each piece in this set is

based on a different unethical psychological

experiment, as I find it interesting to wonder

about what caused people to sacrifice morals

for discovery.

26 NEXTFEST.CA

DIGITAL PROJECTS

GDANSE PRODUCCIONES presents

¿CUBA QUE LINDA ES CUBA?

CONFESSIONS OF A

FEARLESS CUBAN

directed by Hebert Poll Gutierrez

featuring Graciela Echague, Rodolfo Ortega Arnais,

José González Salazar, Alfredo Alejandro Gibert

Flores, José Alberto Susano Ruiz, Esteban Monroy

Jiménez, and Adriana Ríos Sarabia

Through theatre,

storytelling, and

animated stories,

we will discover a

secret and invisible

Cuba that is not

talked about by

the media. Racial

discrimination,

abuse of power,

massive emigration

seeking to find true

freedom, and other

issues affecting

the Island, don't

escape the critical

lens of its author, who, from his humble place

as a descendant of those black Africans,

stands up as a defender of the human values

of the island where he was born. This project

spreads Martin Luther King's quote, “injustice

anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

THE ARTIST PLUS THE AI:

A POETIC DUET

created by Sara Campos-Silvius

How does AI "see" poetry? Let's find out!

A CONSTELLATION OF

MY THOUGHTS

poetry by Olivia Carson

Olivia Carson is a student at Strathcona

High School. She has dabbled in a variety

of art forms such as Technical Theatre,

Acting, Improv, and Writing. From playing

Canadian Improv Games to acting in the play

Dumbwaiter, she has loved it all and is excited

to showcase a new art form: poetry.

INSTALLATION

Pack of Magpies presents

GOOD GRIEF

created and performed by Claudia Kulay

Saturday, June 3 from 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm

Tuesday, June 6 from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm

Wednesday, June 7 from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm

Thursday, June 8 from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm

Saturday, June 10 from 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm

The Rehearsal Hall in the Roxy Theatre

Claudia lays on the floor on her back with

one hand open, palm up. Her head is

held by a pillow and a second pillow lays

beside her. The audience is free to come

and go, sit, stand, lounge, observe, or

directly participate. Further instructions

will be provided at the beginning of each

performance. For now, you can know that

GOOD GRIEF comes from a place of quiet

discomfort and a loud, relentless, rattling

desire to hold hands with strangers. It is a

piece of performance art created for Nextfest

2023, that creatively arose during many

quarantine periods throughout 2020-2021.

At Nextfest, art is an experience. Come to

the Roxy Theatre to connect with incredible

installations that go beyond the stage.

28 NEXTFEST.CA

NEXTFEST.CA 29

THURSDAY

JUNE 1

FRIDAY

JUNE 2

SATURDAY

JUNE 3

SUNDAY

JUNE 4

TUESDAY

JUNE 6

WEDNESDAY

JUNE 7

THURSDAY

JUNE 8

FRIDAY

JUNE 9

SATURDAY

JUNE 10

SUNDAY

JUNE 11

11 AM NOON 1 PM 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM 5 PM 6 PM 7 PM 8 PM 9 PM 10 PM 11 PM ->

POEMS I CAN'T

READ TO YOU

YET

CARTER AND

THE TRAIN

SCHEDULE

THE POWER OF

FOUR

OPENING CEREMONIES

A FATE WORSE

DRAUPADI MERGE

THAN DEATH

RAT ACADEMY

(TAYLOR'S VERSION)

CHEW ON THIS!

WHATEVER IT

AS WE GO

TAKES

UNLEARNING

SHE/THEY 2023:

DEADLIEST SNATCH

A NEXTFEST SPACE POPERA

BLACK ALBERTA MERGE GOOD GRIEF HYENA'S TRAIL

IN MIND

FILM SHOWCASE

SCREEN IT, SING

THANKS FOR

JUST THE TWO

TO DIE,

BLACK ALBERTA

RAT ACADEMY

MERGE

IT, SAY IT

COMING OUT

OF US

TO SLEEP

AS WE GO

ALONG

DANCE

HIGH SCHOOL

GHOSTLIGHT

RAT ACADEMY

IN MIND

SHOWCASES

+ NITE CLUBS

THEATRE

UNLEARNING

DEADLIEST

SNATCH

WHATEVER IT

TAKES

WHAT WAS IS ALL

HIGH SCHOOL READINGS

SCREEN IT, SING IT, SAY IT

SHE/THEY

THANKS FOR (TAYLOR'S

A FATE WORSE

MARVEL

COMING OUT VERSION)

THAN DEATH

GOOD GRIEF

SHE/THEY

MUSIC SHOWCASE

A FATE WORSE...

DEADLIEST

HYENA'S TRAIL

SNATCH

GOOD GRIEF

MARVEL (TAYLOR'S VERSION) IHUMAN SHOWCASE

THE POWER OF

JUST THE TWO OF US

FOUR

GOOD GRIEF

BLACK ALBERTA

MANIFEST

JUST THE TWO

MARVEL

SMUT NITE: F! IS FOR FILTH

OF US

HYENA'S TRAIL

THANKS FOR...

MANIFEST

PRIDE NITE: ABJECTION

GOOD GRIEF

TO DIE,

TO SLEEP

MANIFEST

SHOWCASES

MUSIC

One stage, two shows, five acts. Music at

Nextfest returns with a brilliant multi-genre

showcase overflowing with emerging

talent. Bring a blanket, and your friends,

and settle in for some incredible local

music in the park.


Helen Nolan Park (12327 108 Ave NW)

D-7-EH

I am Oscar Acosta, I started

this project d-7-EH when I

could not sleep for a week

straight. So I used my sleepdeprived

mind to write this

music in hopes of finding a

sense of clarity in this world.

SEAN DAVIS NEWTON

Sean Davis Newton is

a songwriter, producer,

and recording engineer

based in Edmonton, AB.

His upbringing in the

small prairie city of North

Battleford, Saskatchewan is felt throughout

his songs, which use the sights and sounds

of the Canadian prairies to talk about decay,

identity, class, and climate change.

MELODY STANG

Melody Stang is a multi-faceted

musician and performer,

collecting stage time with a

variety of musical pursuits and

projects. Captivating audiences

with a balanced blend of

ballads and heavy-hitting strums, she will pull

at your heartstrings while you're stomping

your feet. The honest and charming banter

seamlessly woven between songs threads

the needle between heartbreak and hilarity.

From Edmonton, NERV|US

is a fresh take on Indie

Rock/Pop. The three

guitarists allow the band

to create an atmosphere

for the complex riffs to

sit with contrasting vocal tones. NERV|US was

formed in 2021 and later released their debut

single “Weak” at the beginning of 2022.

MISFORTUNE TELLERS

Misfortune Tellers are a

hard-hitting four-piece

pop-punk, emo band

from Edmonton, defined

by their emotionally

raw lyrics and twinkly guitar riffs mixed with

shredding guitar solos and punk rock drum fills.

iHuman Studios presents

iHUMAN MIXTAPE



iHuman Studios

is an organisation

that works to

offer creative

opportunities for

young artists in

YEG and amplify

their voices and

talents! We’ve

been around

since 1997, and

this year we

look forward

to bringing

image by Michael Chase you some of

our freshest talent to date! Join us for a

night of creative vibrancy, starting with

a special space activation presented by

our visual artists and poets, followed by a

showcase of our best and brightest rappers,

alternative artists and dancers! Follow

iHuman Youth Society on Facebook for

hype about our lineup and our artists!

32 NEXTFEST.CA

34

NITE CLUBS

here, for: fear collective presents

CHEW ON THIS!

curated by Kijo Gatama and Isabella Derilo

featuring DJ FunKeNICKiE

These events are 18+


Soooooooo….. you’ve got a spot at the table…

now what? oh don’t bore us now, darling, tell

us something interesting or pass the f*cking

peas! All allergies and dietary restrictions will

be disregarded. Get hungry for a tough pill to

swallow because it’s time for stuffing faces,

eyes, and ears. Let’s eat, babyy!

Are you ready for an experience like no other?

Nextfest Nite Clubs bring the art and the party

together for the greatest parties of the summer.

Dress to impress and bring your friends. We’ll

see you on the dancefloor.

NEXTFEST.CA

2023:

A NEXTFEST SPACE P OPERA

curated by Amanda Dang, Alexis De Villa,

Shyanne Duquette, and Jasmine Hopfe

featuring DJ Gulzar


A ship descends to its landing. Doors open.

You step out. Hues of blues and purples,

a symphony of sounds, and a gathering of

merchants, performers, and fellow travelers

greet you. You have arrived, and the future is

NOW. 2023: A Nextfest Space pOpera.

ADOPT AN

ARTIST

When you adopt an artist, you will

receive an exclusive Nextfest t-shirt,

an all-access Festival Pass to

Nextfest 2023, and a tax receipt for

your donation. Plus, you and your

artist(s) name will be displayed

together in our adopt an artist

listing at The Roxy.

https://theatrenetwork.ca/adoptanartist

NITE CLUBS

SMUT NITE:

F! IS FOR FILTH

curated by Eggs Goblin

featuring DJ Hipiaz


PRIDE NITE:

ABJECTION

curated by Dill Prusko

featuring Optimist Playground created and

performed by Spinelli Teleski, Boys and Their

Dolls created by Sable Billings-Boltz, DJ

Pengwen, and more!


It's time to get dirty! Come celebrate all things

filthy and obscene at Nextfest's 2023 Smut

Nite ‘F! is for Filth’. Give yourself permission

to indulge in shameless self-expression of the

unabashedly trashy and perverted. F! is for

Filth is an 18+ taboo-themed multidisciplinary

event seeking to celebrate those who create

on the edges. Artists of all disciplines, kink &

fetish creators, vendors of the unusual, and

those with dirty secrets are welcome here.

Abjection is a horror-themed multidisciplinary

event that focuses on queer

narratives in the horror genre. Abjection

invites artists and attendees to get weird, get

scary, and try something new.

36

NEXTFEST.CA

DANCE

MERGE




Nancy Cardinal Theatre in the Roxy Theatre

IN MY WAKING HOURS

choreographed and performed by Shannon Lin

In My Waking Hours

is a visual lullaby, an

encapsulated dream

experience, and an

exploration of the

wakefulness of our

tiresome thoughts.

PERENNIAL

choreographed by Samantha Ketsa and Lizzie Rajchel

Are you ready to merge, marvel, and manifest? Here

are three dance showcases curated by our friends at

Good Women Dance Collective, showcasing emerging

choreography and movement.

Vechornytsy Dance Company presents

SOUL

choreographed by Sofi Sydorak

featuring Sofi Sydorak, Anastasiia Savchuk, Lilia

Ukhach, Anna Deinega, Myroslava Sliusareva,

Daryna Grech, Nadia Baran, and Angela Kostiniuk

| SOUL

The main idea of this

piece is to express

the true story of

a human way to

success. The goal is

to motivate people of

all ages to take action.

Regardless of status

and talent, the most

important thing is to

act and to not give up.

featuring Kadin Aumentado, Marlo Hepburn, Emily Losier, Sarah Vander Ploeg, and Abbie Brokenshire

Perennial invites you to travel through time, guided by

sapphic love and longing. Inspired by a yearning for

sapphic joy in dance and film and supported by queer

poetry, Perennial follows one woman on her journey

through the ages to discover herself and what it means to

joyfully love.

KANACICIKEWIN – CLEANSE

choreographed by Skye Demas

“The inspiration for my piece stems from my

cultural background and teachings. I am of

Cree descent, and this piece focuses on my

take on how we cleanse through smudging.

Our mind, heart, spirit, and physical being

cleanse with our prayers to the Creator.

I took a lot of physical inspiration from

the way the sage burns, as well as the

actual smoke we see moving through the

air. Within the smudging, how we ask for

guidance from our ancestors and animal

brothers and sisters was also in mind while

creating movement.”

MILE ZERO DANCE 2022/23

CARTE BLANCHE

REELING: Dance on Screen

Film Festival

JULY 21-22 | $40 FESTIVAL PASS

This festival highlights innovations in

digital dance and dance films from near

and afar. REELING features projection

installations, local artist screenings,

panel discussions and a dance party!

Tickets available at MileZeroDance.com

Movers and Shakers:

A New Cabaret

Every second month, beginning in July,

come be a part of this new Cabaret

series, curated by Josh Languedoc, that

highlights movement based art pieces

and cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Featuring a variety of artists, this exciting

cabaret series will be a fun way to

welcome audiences into Mile Zero

Dance’s new space.

MILEZERODANCE.COM

9931 78 AVE NW

38

NEXTFEST.CA

DANCE

MARVEL





choreographed by Deviani Andrea Bonilla

featuring the Victoria School Dance Ensemble

This piece explores rhythm and group

dynamics. A mass force of dancers shape

the stage through unison and variation.

Transitioning from one rhythm to another, it's

about collaboration, listening, and waiting.

The idea it's to keep it simple and powerful.

featuring Ava Ballesteros, Ethan Bogner, Sophie

Campbell, Autumn Chugg, Maddie Crebas, Connor

Ellingson, Greta Ellingson, Angelina Georgiopolus,

Hannah Hetlinger, Lida Higham-Sparrow, Katherine

MacKenzie, Nicole MacKenzie, Kenya Mayes,

Franka McKague Larson, Keira McLeod, Morgan

Mitchell, Presley Pearson, Aliyah Peter, Lissette-

Andrea Peter, Athena Reyes, Reilly Rinaldi, Mia

Sanders, Sureena Usman, and Teagan Woloschuk

MUDWEED

choreographed and performed by Max Hanic

featuring Max Hanic, Myles Bartel, and Will Scott

Mudweed is an

improvised physical and

sonic dialogue between

Max Hanic and The

Pigeon Breeders. This

exchange will travel a

structured score devised

from investigating the

violence of springtime

and personal genesis.

How is the body a site for

change in spirit and what does this require of

one's vitality?

Baker Miller Pink presents

VISIONS OF LILLIAN

featuring Cayley Wreggitt, Thomas Geddes,

and Nicole Logan

Peter, a down-on-hisluck

painter who has hit

a creative slump, takes

a backpacking trip to

Lillian Lake in Kananaskis

to reinvigorate his

passion. There, he

encounters Lillian. She

ebbs and flows with wind skimming on the

lake's surface. Peter becomes obsessed

with Lillian, sacrificing his relationships and

professional opportunities to get closer to

her. But, what lies beneath the surface...

ART OF ASHTAPADIS

choreographed by Hemali Boorada

featuring Vismaya Bhagavathi Parambath

and Avani Pallickal Aji

Ashtapadis are

Sanskrit hymns

composed by

Jayadeva in the

12th Century.

They are a

collection of

beautiful love

poems, highly

revered by

Indian Classical

dancers as

they portray

the Navarasas

(9 central

emotions). As a second-generation

Kuchipudi dancer in Canada, I want to

restyle how these emotions are portrayed in

the cultural context of the West, which I call

home. The presentation follows the heroine

who describes the yearning for her lover,

as she reminisces about the time spent

with him. This scintillating presentation

choreographed by Hemali Boorada

showcases the uncolonized Kuchipudi style.

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40

NEXTFEST.CA

DANCE

MANIFEST





VOLT24 presents

VIBRATE

choreographed and performed by Alyssa Favero

featuring Julien Villa, Danielle Mackenzie Long, and

Arash Khakpour

(HER)STORY

choreographed and performed by Alison Keery

This piece is

a personal

expression

of thirty-two

years of

living in a

female body.

It explores

themes

of gender

violence, sexism, and female empowerment

through a feminist lens.

Content Warning: This piece depicts a sexual

assault.

The piece explores the multiplicity in one

individual’s experience. The intimate work

investigates a range of physicalities and

a varied emotional landscape to highlight

transformation, question binary systems, and

dismantle expectations of concert dance.

THE LAST

GOODBYE

choreographed and

performed by Nudell

The closing of a

chapter and learning

to rise into a new

version of self.

42

NEXTFEST.CA

HIGH SCHOOL

SET 1:

WHATEVER IT TAKES

mentored by Linette Smith



Lorne Cardinal Theatre

YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE

written and directed by Finn Mcnally and Rowan

Downey-Quinteros

featuring Rowan Downey-Quinteros, Finn McNally,

and Jules Hunting

Two twelve-yearold

boys, one pair

of shoes, and an

afternoon together

searching for the other

pair. You Light Up My

Life by Finn McNally

and Rowan Downey-

Quinteros is a light-hearted comedy capturing

the essence of youth and brotherhood. A tale

told through nature, Scotty and Zachary deal

with values of trust and the foundations of

friendship. Through a nostalgic 90’s lens, You

Light Up My Life is sure to leave the audience

feeling young again.

The next generation of artists have arrived,

and they have class at 8 am on Monday!

Here are eight showcases featuring High

School aged artists who are launching

their artistic careers at Nextfest.

TOP SECRET

written and directed by Aleksandr Aksenov

featuring Lorenz Nilsson, Bridget Gutteridge-

Hingston, Rosamelia Sanchez-Cortez, Marianna

Dytiuk, and Alex Scrimtger

A single mother is fired from her job

for disagreeing with her boss over

an ethical business issue. Enraged,

she and her journalist friend agree

to write an article exposing the truth behind

what the company has been doing. However,

the company has other ideas...

THE PLAY IN MY MIND

written and directed by Andrea Noga

featuring Andrea Noga, Elizabeth Chapman, Ibiza

Blackwell, Destiny Roberson-Jemison, Lila Schiller,

Zoriana Denysenko, and Eleni Plakas

Accompanied by Anger, Anxiety,

Despair, Love, and Pride, the

Writer is working her way through

a play. Seemingly simple enough,

they soon find that there is more to it than

they think. Finishing this project takes more

than they bargained for. As they work through

self-doubt, a rocky relationship with parents,

and just trying to write the show, the same

question remains — Is this really worth it?

SET 2:

UNLEARNING

mentored by Terry Knickle




THE RULE

written and directed by Kaylin Playter

featuring Sierra Reich, Xavier Preville, Sara Fedan,

and Reese Playter

What started out as

a newspaper comic

strip, the Bechdel

test is a set of rules

used to categorize

media. It determines

whether or not

women are being

equally represented.

In a comedic twist,

The Rule has a man

attempt to pass the

Bechdel test. With

questionable men and strong women, the

show has us thinking about how we represent

people in theatre.

STARS AND BLACK HOLES

by Ash Tolton

directed by Owen McLean

HIGH SCHOOL

featuring William Swindler, Tannu Sian, London

Parker, Hannah Zinck, Aaron Feullbrandt,

Monia Saleh, Alex Ellis, Parker Hatch, Kristine Sato,

Kurt Villary, and Oden

What does it take to

unlearn what you were

taught as a child? For

Emmy, the answer is a

lot. What does it take

to rebuild a broken

relationship? For Paige,

the answer is even more.

FOR NO ONE

written and directed by Hunter Harnett-Akers and

Oliver Collins

featuring Ava Countryman, Abi Struthers, Ella

Schaloske, Noah Hebert, and Kalene Prentice

Partners Jared and Casey

have been together for five

years, but ever since Casey

came out as non-binary

Jared has had trouble

accepting the change.

This has caused things to

become more and more

unstable between them. Through shifting

periods of time, two people who love each

other fight their own biases to stay together.

44 NEXTFEST.CA

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45

HIGH SCHOOL

SET 3:

AS WE GO ALONG

mentored by Brooke Leifso




WILLOW

by Lyn Reade

directed by Rigby Mugridge

featuring Jordynn Gozjolko, Kris Gao, Harleen

Singh, Sam de Groot, and Beatrix Stone

Arkwood is the crime

capital of North

America. While

abnormal is normal in

Arkwood, something

has somehow shaken

up the unshakeable

city. A newly debuted

vigilante known as Silk

the Mind Weaver, is

taking the city by storm.

Are they good or bad? Well, June could hardly

care. They have enough problems on their

own. Barely able to afford their apartment,

while dealing with the disappearance of their

sister Willow, a new vigilante is the last thing

on their mind.

FOREVER AND ALWAYS

written and directed by Jonah Zazula

featuring Jonah Zazula, Asha Herrick, Rachel

Pasmeny, Kyra Simpson, Jy Pang, and Caelan Carroll

This play follows the

main character Erin, an

introverted, overthinking

teenager, who is trying

to deal with the loss of a

friend. Upon hearing the

news, Erin struggles to

maintain all the real-world connections he has

with people both at school and at home.

UNFINISHED: A TEN MINUTE PLAY

written and directed by Stratus Mandziak-Dinger

featuring Cecil Sykes, Sarah Tebbutt,

Lila Maxwell, Fatsani Nsaliwa,

Alex McClelland, and EvkozeDinger

What would happen

if a director doesn’t

show up to their

own rehearsal? Be

prepared for ten

minutes of highs,

lows, hilarities, and

disasters when three

actors decide to make

a show of their own.

SET 4:

IN MIND

mentored by Alyssa Marres

Sunday, June 4 at 12:00 pm (noon)



SOMETHING IS WRONG

written and directed by Juliannah Bishop and

Katie Wallace

featuring Katie Wallace, Jorga Patrick, Juliannah

Bishop, Jasper Lee, Harry Woodhouse, Alyssa

Schendel, Zayne Kott, and Ethan Krieger

A man has been put on the wrong

medications causing the different

parts of his brain to meet for the

first time... all hell is let loose.

THEY'RE BOTH RIGHT

written and directed by Logan Sundquist

featuring Abby Witte, Chloe Brinco, and Evkoze

Andrea is sitting on her living

room couch, reading a book.

Quinn is waiting at the bus stop,

listening to music. They are

within a metre of each other, yet

both inhabit their own realities.

In this unusual circumstance,

the pair tries to determine whose perspective

is correct, but alas… ‘They’re Both Right’.

HIGH SCHOOL

BILLIE

by Charlotte Thompson and Maria Morin

directed by Maria Morin

featuring Sam Michaelchuk, Avery Neufeld,

Charlotte Thompson, Grace Vandermeulen, Olivia

Cai, Kaylin Playter, and Sarah Evasiw

ESTHER

written and directed by Corinne C. Au

A young, aspiring,

playwright submits

all his work to a local

theatre company in

hopes that he will finally

get the big break he's

been dreaming of. This

sounds familiar...

featuring Koena Das, Vipra Patel, Ishrat Chahal,

Naresh Reddy, Himanshu Surukanti, Anushka

Ahmed, Reetu Arvikar, Corinne C. Au, Naivedhya

Rai, Emily Chen, Achyutha Reddy Surukanti, Adorra

Sergios, Alvin Goh, and Melody Liu

"Esther" is a modern

look at a young woman

who grapples with

expectations from

herself and from her

parents. As Esther

and Essie attempt to coexist and eventually

collide, the play reveals brutal truths about

buckling under pressure, identity, and

ultimately, the loss of self.

46 NEXTFEST.CA

NEXTFEST.CA

47

HIGH SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

SET 5:

TO DIE, TO SLEEP




written and directed by Augustus Williams

and Anna Heseltine

featuring Kaitlyn Litrop, Aidan Hopwood, Anna

Heseltine, Augustus Williams, and Chad Capstick

In the ‘30s,

a woman

called Julie

mysteriously

died in a theatre.

After her

death, strange

occurrences

began to arise,

eventually

leaving the

building

abandoned. Now, in modern times, two actors

have bought the theatre to fix it up and make it

their own. Soon enough, ties are severed and

secrets are unveiled.

SET 6:

THE POWER OF FOUR




FOUR

SCHOOLS.

FOUR TEAMS

of FOUR

STUDENTS

from FOUR

SCHOOLS

improvise

FOUR

SCENES.

All FOR you!

featuring students from Ross Sheppard School,

Strathcona High School, Lillian Osborne High School,

Victoria School of the Arts, Archbishop Jordan

Catholic High School, Mother Margaret Mary Catholic

High School, Holy Trinity Catholic High School, and

Archbishop MacDonald Catholic High School

SET 7: HS CABARET

SCREEN IT, SING IT,

SAY IT

music mentored by Jessica Heine




DOUBLE FEATURE FILM:

“GUILTY SUBCONSCIOUS” AND

“AMBIENCE”

directed and produced by Ben Healey and

Mars Palmer

featuring Thomas Doyle, Kris Bizon, Ein Kashman-

Botterill, Ben Healey, Bree Webb, Mars Palmer,

Amelie Lang, Aïcha Bah, Brooklyn Soppet, and

Monica Sweeney

Double Feature is

an homage to the

bizarre and surrealist

film noir era of the

1950s. Showcasing

two films: “GUILTY

SUBCONSCIOUS”

(directed by Mars

Palmer) and

“AMBIENCE”

(directed by Ben Healey). Both touch on

themes of human mortality, the inner psyche,

and the consequences of our own actions.

FILM:

THIRST

written and directed by Lyn Reade

featuring Xia Valencia, Raven, and Sam de Groot

How would you

react when the lines

between reality,

illusion, and dream

forcefully intersect?

THIRST tells a new

tale of discovery,

unreliable viewpoints,

unexplainable and

unsatisfying actions, and the complete and

utter destruction of one high schooler’s life.

Will you accept the unknown?

FILM:

GOLDPILLED

created by Jiwoo Park

"GOLDPILLED" is

an animated short

film that follows a

dishevelled-looking

man on his daily visits

to the convenience

store. One day, instead

of the typical clerk, a

young boy is running

the till. The encounters between the two

explore the man's qualms and inner mindset

while learning nothing from the boy. It is an

off-putting standoff, that feels less and less like

reality—while facing one's own.

48 NEXTFEST.CA

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49

HIGH SCHOOL

MUSIC:

KAT KRYS

MUSIC:

LILLA SOLYMOS

Kat Krys is a seventeenyear-old

country/folk

singer/songwriter from

Sherwood Park who has

a passion for performing.

Her original music

intertwines country, folk,

and pop sounds with

themes of love, heartbreak,

and finding yourself.

Yearning; the act of

longing for something.

Lila started writing

these songs during

the lockdown because

she needed an outlet

for her lonely thoughts

at the time. Her

first song, Impersonation, speaks about the

struggle of opening up to new people, and the

different ways people may see you depending

on closeness and comfort levels. The second

piece, Morning Sun, is your typical love song,

shedding light on the fact that in order to be

happy, you don’t need a fairytale. “Through my

songs, I wish to share a real story, something

the listeners can relate to. Thank you <3.”

POETRY:

ASHA HERRICK

Asha Herrick, a young

Edmonton artist, shares a

small group of her original,

spoken word poems. With

her poetry, she brings

dark topics to light and

shares the daily struggles

of many individuals. She

touches on themes of

mental illness, self-confidence, and the daily

emotional turmoil that people live with.

DANCE:

INNERMOST SELF

choreographed and performed by Brienne Gagnon

Throughout life and your artistic journey, there

are always ups and downs. The pressure of

society and self can mask and strip away our

true passion for art. This piece will be taking

you on a journey of losing your voice, and the

journey back to your true form. This should be

a rollercoaster filled with many styles of dance.

SET 8: HIGH SCHOOL

PLAY READINGS

mentored by Amanda Samuelson


The Roxy Rehearsal Hall

HALLWAY COMFORT

by Alisel "Mango" Manago

featuring Rei Yereniuk, Bree Halfe, Alisel Manago,

Keith Junos, Madi Hofmann, and Emily Liberona

Cole and Ash,

a trans couple,

would just like

to go have a

date session

at Cole's place.

On the way,

they encounter

a person making transphobic remarks,

immediately setting off Cole’s protectiveness

over Ash. After leaving, Ash gets hit with a

wave of dysphoria. Cole is there to help in any

way they can.

COULD NEVER BE ME

by Eleni Angelos

featuring Erika Starcevic, Gracie Weber,

Abby Thomas, and Eleni Angelos

HIGH SCHOOL

Elizabeth is sick of

being cast in the

ensemble. Sick of

being dismissed at

auditions and she is

sick of her ex-best

friend Clover always

stealing the spotlight.

When the two bump into each other at a

callback for a TV pilot, will Elizabeth be able to

let go of her past in the name of her career?

VIRIDESCENT LURE

by Chloe Mayrina

featuring Cassidy Stearns, Faith MacGregor,

Lorin Bradley, Kaitlyn Litrop, and Piper/Evan Davis

The mysterious

painting ‘The World

of Frivolous Dreams’

has finally been found.

Indigo is dragged by

her mother to the art

gallery, where she

becomes enamoured

by the intricate work.

Magically Indigo

is transported into the painting. Her time is

ticking. Will she find a way out before she

herself becomes part of the painting?

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FILM



POWER CHORD

by Sara Campos-Silvius

After 20 years apart, the

former members of a riot

grrrl punk band gather to

rehearse for a one-nightonly

charity reunion show.

But with all the history

between them, will they

even survive sound check?

POWER CHORD explores

what it means to succeed, what it means to sell

out, and the enduring power of friendship.

NOWHERE NORMAL

written and produced by Heather Morrow

directed by Matt Kloster

A young woman must

find the heirlooms

of her recently dead

grandmother before her

intolerant debt-ridden

father does.

featuring Autumn T. Dang, Shaugnessy O'Brien,

Richard Koy, Steve Dhillon, James Hastings, Alexandra

Paulhus, Molly Rasmussen, Dante Sutton, Marlon

Parnell, Alizain Mevawala, Brenda LePage, Fami Kaur,

David Gallinger, Lee Conrad, and Janine Waddell

Welcome to Nextfest’s film showcase. Grab

some popcorn and enjoy an incredible lineup

of original short films from emerging film

artists. All films featured at Nextfest 2023

will be captioned.

CUT THE CAKE OR TAKE THE CUT CAKE

written and choreographed by Lauren Brady

directed and edited by Thomas Kassian

What will Sue do when she

is overcome with anxiety

as she meets the ultimate

dilemma at the office

birthday party? Will she

just cut the cake? Or take

the cut cake and RUN.

featuring Lauren Brady, Candice Holloway, Hamna

Tahir, Roxie Malone, Brynn Kassian, Douglas

Macdonald, Gavin Wilkes, Zachary Strom, and

Cameron McCutcheon

3 POINTS OF CONTACT TO SURVIVE

directed and created by Brennan Roy

A neurodivergent

wheelchair user seeks

to find stability in their

body, mind, and personal

surroundings, amid a period

of housing instability, grief,

and crisis – in tension with both gravity and

the ableist policies that envelop them.

featuring Brennan Roy, Full Radius Dance, Mel

Chua, Brennan Roy, Allen Kaeja, and Kayla Roy

MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL

directed, choreographed, and produced by

Tianna Therriault

A young woman

reacts to the lack

of reciprocity

in her romantic

relationship.

featuring Lilly Giroux, Alissa Dawn, Joseph

Langballe, Ana Dias, Jesse Whitty, Sierra Holder, Jill

Goranson Daniel Katsoras, and Rage Nnawuchi

SHIFTING CREATURES,

RESTLESS STRUCTURE

directed, edited, and choreographed by

Meghan Mainville

We are very

different from

other living

beings; however,

relationships

found in nature

are comparable

to our own.

Even between

ourselves, we seem to seek the differences,

unaware of how it affects us. Those who

notice understand the feeling.

featuring Meghan Mainville, Jean-Sébastien

Chiasson, and Pierre-Luc Clément

GHOSTED

LighT presents

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53

FILM

In this silent film,

a sad ghost gets

ready for the best

date of their life.

featuring Sophie Gareau-Brennan, Lauren Hughes,

Hayley Moorhouse, Gabby Bernard, Erin Pettifor,

Matt Mihilewicz, and Eric Doucet

POLTERGEIST

directed, choreographed, edited, and produced by

Emily Anne Corcoran

“I need more than the

ghost of you.”

This music video

for "Poltergeist" by

singer/songwriter

Kaeley Jade is equal

parts spooky and silly.

featuring Kaeley Jade Wiebe, Gab Gagnon, and

Kael Wynn

DU NÉANT / FROM NOTHINGNESS

directed by Jalianne Li and Haqq Brice

A being emerges from

nothingness, moving,

dancing, with the desire

to create.

featuring Jalianne Li, Haqq Brice, Jeremie Toulassi-

Djinan, Henry-Michel Koré, Andrew Creegan, Marie

Andrée Gaudet, Sébastien Michaud, and Jean Surette

VISUAL ART

Miller Gallery, The Roxy Theatre

During Nextfest, the Roxy Theatre will

be filled with visual art from a group of

emerging creators. We invite you to walk

around and catch their works at the Miller

Gallery, throughout the Roxy space.

PSA (IN-PROGRESS)

by Mairead Charles

In this project, I use play and

the gamification of COVID

infection as a way of reflecting

on where we are in the

pandemic outside of statistics

and testimonies. Isn't it more

fun to see your toy microbe fall

through the mask than to listen

to the facts of the ongoing

pandemic? If the information is

fun, would you be more willing

to mask and protect your

fellow community members?

THE PEOPLE ON THE BUS

by Darian Selander

I like to paint about the weird

things I think about, most of

the time I don't know what the

painting is going to look like

when I start, and sometimes I

don't know until the very end.

I really enjoy the process of

free-flowing creativity and tend

to just let my thoughts wander

and see what comes out.

CALLING

by Al McKee

This past year has brought me

closer to my community and

my passion for harm reduction

in the city with volunteer

ship and care. I have found a

strong network of artists with

which I share a passion for

individuality, and it has grown

my confidence to express my

unique takes on community,

consumerist culture, and

mental illness- particularly my

struggle with bipolar disorder,

through my art.

TEMPERANCE

by Juwayriya Abdullahi

As a Black Muslim woman

who incorporates surrealism

into my work, I aim to explore

the intersection of my identity

as a member of multiple

marginalized communities

with the fantastical and

otherworldly. I use my art as

a way to challenge dominant

narratives and offer a counternarrative

that reflects the lived

experiences of people like me,

while also creating a space for

imagination and escapism.

OCTOBER 8, 2022

by Isabel De Blois

My artwork is focused on

expressing latent emotional

states in an abstract manner

by emphasizing colour,

value, shape, and texture.

As I struggle to decipher my

feelings, abstract painting

is the mode in which I

attempt to visualize and

comprehend emotions

that are uncomfortable,

ambiguous, and oftentimes

slow to rise to the surface of

my conscience. Within each

piece is a unique 'mindscape,'

personal to [me], but also

open to the interpretation

of others. I create art that

invites people to sit with the

unknowable, and perhaps,

find a beautiful comfort in it.

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NEXTFEST.CA

VISUAL ART

THE BRAVE GUY

by Tere Cuellar

In my way to understand

the colour theories, I found

myself using just the Zorn’s

palette on my subjects.

The limited palette (just

red, ochre, black, and

white) gives me countless

variations of hues. But

also, I comprehended how

important the relationship

between hues, placing a

colour beside others. The

light is very present in my

artworks, as well as the

hands. Both have a resonance

beyond their surfaces. All

my subjects are telling me

a story and I love to capture

those emotions and find my

own path to express them.

BAORANGIA

BICOLOR

by Agatha Lidia Chacinski

I have always had a

fascination with nature and

how it holds the power to

heal us on a multitude of

levels. The vastness of food

that it provides, giving us

sustenance to live. Being

witness to the beauty of a

sunrise and how it holds

the power to heal us on

an emotional, mental, and

spiritual level. My childhood

was filled with knowledge

from my grandmother and

mother, the old age wisdom

of natural remedies that

mother nature provides us.

It was a simple transition for

me to take that fascination

and knowledge and nurture it

within my art.

PICNIC IN JUNE

by Olivia Cai

Most of my subjects are my

loved ones, my cherished

memories, and the

miscellaneous, insignificant

treasures around the house:

such as a collection of waving

cats, lilies from a friend, and

red string used for making

zongzi. The beauty of these

scenes is expressed in the

candid interplay of light and

shadow. Growing up, I studied

Impressionist oil painting

and Chinese ink painting,

and I adore both styles; I love

the nuance of colour and

emotion in Impressionism,

and the dynamic line

weight in Chinese ink

paintings. Bringing these

two genres together leads

to strong blocks of texture

and bright colours.

FISH FEAR ME

(POLEMONIUM SP.)

by Elise Futoransky

From my own experience

with my Ukrainian heritage,

I have a level of disconnect

both with the community and

with its history, so much of

my recent work is to initiate

a return to that heritage

as well as to illustrate that

distance. I use the imagery

of pysanky and traditional

Ukrainian visual culture

to represent elements of

heritage and family, as well as

my attempts to unpack what

that heritage means for me

as an artist and individual.

I use self-portraiture as a

means of personal reflection

and expression. These

elements all come together

as an exploration of identity,

material culture, and heritage.

STAFF +

VOLUNTEERS

NEXTFEST STAFF

Festival Director: Ellen Chorley

Operations Manager: Kena León

Marketing and Communications

Manager & Artist Liaison:

Ren Pilkington

Graphic Designer and Ad Sales:

Steven Teeuwsen

Production Manager: Brian Maxwell

Assistant Producers: Amanda Dang

and Jasmine Hopfe

Emerging Assistant Producer

Program Participants: Amanda

Dang, Alexis De Villa, Shyanne

Duquette, and Jasmine Hopfe

Networking Event Producers: Kevin

Cambridge, Natalie Clark, Russel

Comrie, Jess Finn, Erin Hutchinson,

Emily Smith, and Eli Yaschuk

Lead Technicians: Ashley Carter,

Jadey Capaldo

Sounds Technician: Amelia Chan

Tech Liaison: Will Chichak Green

Room Supervisor: Terry Knickle

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Consultant: Connor Yuzwenko-Martin

Nextfest is made possible by a group of artists,

administrators, curators, and mentors who believe

in creating opportunities for emerging artists to

experiment, grow, and produce art. Help us send our

gratitude to every human on this list, they rock!

NEXTFEST CURATORS

Dance Curator: Becky Sadowski,

Good Women Dance Collective

DJ Curator: Kena León

Film Curator: Katie Cutting

High School Curator:

Jennifer Peebles

Music Curators: Cassia Hardy

Nite Club Curators: Dill Prusko, Eggs

Goblin, here, for: fear collective (Kijo

Gatama and Isabella Derilo), Amanda

Dang, Alexis De Villa, Shyanne

Duquette, and Jasmine Hopfe

Theatre Curator: Ellen Chorley

Visual Art Curator: Shawnee Danielle

MENTORS

High School Mentors: Linette Smith,

Terry Knickle, Alyssa Marres, Ellen

Chorley, Jessica Heine, Amanda

Samuelson, and Jennifer Peebles

Theatre Talk Back Facilitator:

Hayley Moorhouse

VISUALS & MULTIMEDIA

Festival Image: Psi Lo

Festival Photographers: Jennifer

Galm and Brett Boyd

Closing Party DJ: Creeasian

THEATRE NETWORK

STAFF

Artistic Director: Bradley Moss

Summer Academy Director:

Ellen Chorley

Curator & Director, Visual Arts

Programs: Jared Tabler

Managing Director:

Harley Howard-Morison

Director of Production & Facility:

Brian Maxwell

Business Development Director:

Jill Roszell

Operations Manager: Nelly Song

Communications Manager:

Crystal Eyo

@Roxy124Street Social: Ellie Heath

Bookkeeper: Jennifer Brownridge

Head Technician: Ashley Carter

Front of House Leads: Even Gilchrist

and Candice Stollery

Front of House: Asia Weinkauf-

Bowman, Aran Wilson-McAnnally,

Brooke Fersovitch, Kate Couture, Neon,

Sheena O’Connor, and Trevor Duplessis

56

NEXTFEST.CA

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58

THEATRE NETWORK

VOLUNTEERS

Ana Merger-Hoeft, Andrea Murphy, Ann

McCluskey, Ash Howard, Bob Morter, Chris

Pederson, Cindy Reekie, Darlene Elias,

Dave Williams, Eddingtone, Hatitongwe,

Elva Rice, Everett Griffiths, Gail Kelly, Gloria

Carr, Hannah Hobson, Hitomi Suzuta, Ingrid

Pederson, Jacquie Skeffington, James

Smibert, Joan Damkjar, John Brisson, Judy

Collister, Judy Stelck, Kara Little, Kate Hobin,

Katherine Tobin, Kathy Owens, Leland

Stelck, Linda Smibert, Louise Mallory,

Loveth Bradley, Margret Ingibergsson,

Maria Basaraba, Marie Fontaine, Marion

McFall, Mary Welke, Melinda Coetzee,

Meredith Black, Nicole Bouclin-Graves,

Pam Josey, Patrick Houston, Peter Jarvis,

Pierrette Buchanan, Rebecca Bissonnette,

Rhonda Jessen, Rhonda Smith, Rita

Klasson, Sandra Keating, Sarah Yue, Sari

Haas, Shannon Joyes, Shannon Kerr, Sue

Quon, Sue Sohnle, Susan May, Theresa

Agnew, Valerie Braiden, Valerie Graham,

Veronica Keuchel, and Walter Kehl

NEXTFEST BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

Bradley Moss, President

Andy Laskiwsky, Treasurer

Kevin Hendricks, Director

Murray Utas, Director

Michael Kennard, Director

NEXTFEST.CA

PRESENTED BY

SPONSORS

THEATRE NETWORK

MAINSTAGE SEASON

SPONSOR:

Star

bright.

Funding from Edmonton

Community Foundation

supports the Edmonton Artists’

Trust Fund and provides the

means for our city’s creative

community to grow its cultural

roots. As gifts expressing respect

and recognition, Andrea

Bellegarde-Courchene’s star

blankets wrap the recipient in

the rich past and bold promise

of the Indigenous culture.

ecfoundation.org works with

donors to give, grow and

transform.

Charity begins at Home.

ART+DESIGN DRAMA MUSIC

Nextfest-program-2023

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