The Demonstration
Devised by Mark Cassidy with the Company

Theatre Direct Canada, one of the country’s most respected theatres for young people, now in it’s 30th year of creating and producing innovative, provocative and uncompromising theatre, is pleased to announce its latest production aimed at youth. Building on the success of the Dora Award winning production And by the Way, Miss… in which a sophisticated theatre piece was presented to teens as part of powerful daylong arts experience, Theatre Direct presents The Demonstration.

“Democracy relies on the telling of stories. If people are to govern themselves they must know as much of the truth as they can. But something more is gained in the process: The constant exchange of stories that democracy requires is itself a profound experience. Unexamined memories, forgotten regions of the psyche and the soul must be continually explored for the form to remain alive…”
- Susan Griffin

Premiering in Toronto April 1, 2006, The Demonstration is a unique theatre performance devised by award-winning director Mark Cassidy with a dynamic ensemble of emerging theatre artists nisha ahuja, Ella Chan, Frank Cox-O’Connell, Karim Morgan, and Sodienye Waboso.

Exploring democratic voice and action from a youth perspective, set in an urban environment, this new play follows the story of five students who have been chosen to make a presentation on Democracy for a visiting politician. As the deadline approaches, the fragmented group struggles to find direction and a collective voice. The starkness of the classroom setting and raw tension of the group’s daily debate, is boldly contrasted by highly theatrical expressions of the character’s inner lives, memories and dreams, which reveal compelling stories of injustice, violence, betrayal, racism and alienation.

Sharply contrasting the politics of the group depicted in a spontaneous improvisational style, is the highly theatrical expressions of the character’s inner lives, memories and dreams, which reveal compelling stories of injustice, violence, betrayal, racism and alienation. Woven throughout the piece are the sounds, images and movements of the urban landscape inhabited by the characters.

Emerging out of a unique creation process called The Democracy Project, informed and inspired by workshops with youth, and short pieces commissioned for the project, from playwrights Marjorie Chan, Lisa Codrington, Dave Deveau, and Soraya Peerbaye, The Demonstration, promises to speak profoundly to youth in their pre-voting years and indeed to all audiences. Designer Camellia Koo, lighting designer Geoff Bouckley, choreographer Viv Moore and electro-acoustic composer Anna Friz each contribute to create the sensory world of the play.

Described as “a kinetic meditation on democracy,” this timely production from the award-winning theatre for young people promises to speak profoundly to youth in their pre-voting years, and indeed all audiences.

Daylong Theatre and Education Program for Students
Students in the GTA will attend The Demonstration as part of an innovative daylong theatre and arts education program. They will explore the themes of the production through discussion, drama and arts based workshops led by the ensemble and respected guest artists Josh Bloch (drama), Karen Darricades (visual arts), Lang Liu (Capoiera), Junia Mason (spoken word), and Maracatu Nunca Antes (Afro-Brazilian percussion). This comprehensive program and its accompanying resources aims to immerse young people in the world of the play and encourage extended creation and discussion beyond the day into their classroom and communities.

Teachers participating in the program will also have the opportunity to attend a preparation workshop where they’ll learn more about the production and its approach, and participate in a workshop exploring drama and social science extensions developed by respected educators Christine Jackson (Instructor, OISE) and Allan Hux (Program Coordinator, Social & World Studies & Humanities, TDSB).

Support from Toronto Community News has made the education resource guide possible.  Support from the Trudeau Foundation and the Harbinger Foundation have made the education program possible.  Support from the Laidlaw Foundation, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts, enabled the creation and production of this important production.

Director
Mark Cassidy

Sound Design

Anna Friz

Set & Costume Design

Camellia Koo

Lighting Design

Geoff Bouckley

Production Manager

Beth Brown

Stage Manager

Isaac Thomas

Cast

Nisha ahuja

Ella Chan

Frank Cox-O'Connell

Karim Morgan

Sodienya Waboso

Photo credit: Karim Morgan and Ella Chan

INFORMATION

Contact education@theatredirect.on.ca or call 416.537.4191 for more information or to request a study guide.

“The all-day program allowed full immersion in the play, discussion at lunch, follow-up and extension opportunities. It was a great chance for teachers and students to bond, thank you for having us part of this project.”
- Teacher on And by the Way, Miss…