Beyond the Conflict of the War of 1812

Forgotten Voices: Beyond the Conflict of the War of 1812
Local Arts Organizations partner to create community theatre production

Lakeshore Arts and Sirius Theatrical Company would like to announce the successful funding application from the Government of Canada to create a community theatre performance piece to celebrate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

“We salute the initiative of Lakeshore Arts and Sirius Theatrical Company in bringing the history of the War of 1812 alive here in the GTA. The Battle of York and the fight for control of the Great Lakes are key chapters in Canada’s emergence as a nation. It’s important for us to learn this in innovative and interactive ways,”.

The project Forgotten Voices: Beyond the Conflict of the War of 1812 goal is to produce a multi-generational, multi-disciplinary performance piece that will explore the vital but often forgotten ‘behind the scenes’ roles played by men, women and children during the War of 1812.  The piece will be performed next June/July in eight outdoor locations in and around the Lakeshore Area and central Etobicoke.

This is a fantastic opportunity to share with and engage the community, artists and fellow Canadians in a new understanding and appreciation of how the war impacted men, women and children. The two organizations are currently involved in the research and development stages with assistance from Queen’s University History major, Varsha Jayaraman, a Summer Canada Jobs recipient, who is uncovering stories that will be woven into the final performance piece.

“Involving the community is paramount to the success of this project. We are encouraged and excited that a number of key community partners have already stepped up to collaborate and champion it; the New Toronto Public Library, Montgomery’s Inn, The Assembly Hall and Mimico-by-the-Lake BIA. We are now looking forward to engaging the residents and our neighbours as they will be instrumental in how this unfolds,” explains Susan Nagy, Executive Director, Lakeshore Arts.

To make this come to fruition a series of FREE workshops will be offered to the community (ages 12 to 70+) including: script writing and development, acting, period dance / movement, set design and construction, costume design and construction, sound design and fight choreography, front of house and volunteer management. All the lead facilitators will be professional artists who will mentor the workshop attendees. The first workshops will begin in September and focus on developing the script and acting.

“There’s no better way to understand the personal side of history than to stand in someone’s shoes, either real or imaginary, and do what our ancestors did – learn how to march in a straight line to the stirring call of a drum, dance in celebration of victory, hide from an enemy, defend your land or simply mend an article of clothing or a tool to keep the farm going,” said Heather Dick, Artistic Director, Sirius Theatrical Company.  “And there’s no better way to foster a love of theatre and peak your curiosity about how a performance comes together than through hands-on, practical workshops that let you explore and learn new skills.  We hope the community will get involved and experience all of this and more through our workshops, rehearsals and performances.”

Workshop dates are as follows:

Writing Workshops – Assist with Script Development

New Toronto Library, 110 Eleventh Street, Etobicoke, M8V 3G5

2:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Participants will be given scenarios based on stories discovered in historical documents and letters. They will use a number of writing tools and techniques to create vignettes for the acting workshops. No experience required. Ages 12 to 70+ welcomed!

Sundays: September 30, October 14, November 18, December 2

Sunday, November 11 – this class will be held at Mimico Presbyterian Church in collaboration with the acting class

Acting Workshops

Participants will be introduced to theatrical acting techniques. No experience required. Ages 12 to 70+ welcomed!

Class will be held in the Sirius Theatrical Company Studio at the Mimico Presbyterian Church,
119 Mimico Avenue, Etobicoke, M8V 1R6

2:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Sundays: October 21, November 4, November 11 and November 25

Sunday, December 2 – this class will be held at the New Toronto Library in collaboration with the writing class

Or visit www.lakeshorearts.ca or www.siriustheatrical.com for more information

If you would like to get involved, donate your time, money or expertise to the project please contact 1812theatre@lakeshorearts.ca