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The First Stone


by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard

a GCTC co-production with New Harlem
directed by Yvette Nolan

Can what is torn apart by war be put back together? From the award-winning writer of Gas Girls and Sound of the Beast, The First Stone is an epic-yet-intimate examination of violence and forgiveness. Set in an unnamed village in an unnamed country modeled after Uganda, two children are captured into an army, while their father fights on the other side. Their mother will do anything to get them back. The First Stone considers intergenerational clashes and obligations, competing revolutions, and the love required to escape cycles of violence.

Content Note

Who is this suitable for?

This show is suitable for adults, or well-prepared young people 14+. It may not be suitable for audiences under 14 or people with trauma from conflict.

What is the world of the show? What is the vibe?
The show takes place in an unnamed village in an unnamed country, modeled after Uganda. There are 14 performers onstage and the show is full of movement, dance and song. There is joy and humour as well as strife. The language is poetic and direct. There are ancestors onstage.

What are the difficult themes?

This performance deals with the trauma experienced by child abductees and war-torn communities. There is stylized, non-realistic violence depicted on the stage. This includes:

  • Depictions of violence against children

  • Depictions of death of children

  • Reference to sexual assault

What emotional note does the show end on?

The show ends in hope, and points the way towards repair, showing how a community can rebuild itself after devastation.


 

April 11—23, 2023

Tuesday—Friday: 8pm

Saturday: 4pm & 8:30pm

Sunday: 2pm

Accessibility information for this show is available below.

Runtime:
1 hour 45 minutes, no intermission


ASL Promotional Video

Audio Pre-Show Note

Click here to listen to the Audio Pre-Show Note Online.

Click here to view the Audio Pre-Show Note Transcript.

Live Voice App


This production includes pre-recorded descriptions created and recorded by the playwright Donna-Michelle St. Bernard. These are available auditorily through a free smartphone app and will play throughout the performance from April 13-23. The descriptions provide additional information about the character’s movements onstage and some technical details such as lighting.  

To read the show program, click the button below.

Cast & Creative Team


Donna-Michelle St. Bernard | Playwright

Yvette Nolan | Director



Cast

Courage Bacchus | Ancestral Echoes (recorded)

daniel jelani ellis | Boy

Dorothy A. Atabong | Mom

Ingrid Gayle | Chorus

Joy Mwandemange | Chorus

Kendelle Parks | Chorus Swing

Megan Legesse | Chorus | Co-Dance Captain

Micah Jondel DeShazer | Chorus

Michael Lamont Lytle | Grandad

Nawa Nicole Simon | Girl

Oluwakayode Sodunke | Chorus

Paul Smith | Kidogo

Tsholo Khalema | Ancestor

Taija Shoné-Chung | Uma

Tifanni Kenny | Chorus

Uche Ama | Auntie, Teacher | Co-Dance Captain 

Creative Team

Cam Davis | Projection Designer

Des’ree Gray | Costume Designer

Jackie Chau | Set Designer

Maddie Bautista | Music Composition & Sound Design

Michelle Ramsay | Original Lighting Designer

Rachel Schaen | Co-Lighting Designer 

The Company

Alison Wong | Producer, New Harlem Productions

Charissa Wilcox | Production Manager, New Harlem Productions

Heather Bellingham | Assistant Stage Manager

Indrit Kasapi | Choreographer

Lindsay Anne Black | Nebulous Associate, New Harlem Productions

Sarah O’Brien | Stage Manager

Sarah Waisvisz | Chorus Director

Shannon Litzenberger | Assistant Director



Production Crew

Technical Director | Kyle Ahluwalia

Head of Props & Head Scenic Painter | Stephanie Dahmer

Head of Wardrobe | Vanessa Imeson

Assistant Technical Director, Head of Carpentry | Jonah Maybear

Assistant Technical Director | Valerie-Josephine Trudel

 

Calendar

 

Show Type

Show Type Info

Accessibility Info

  • Previews are public performances before the official opening to allow the director, design team, cast, and crew to make small adjustments to the show that weren't found during rehearsals before critics are invited to attend. For mainstage shows, previews are the 1st Tuesday and 1st Wednesday of the show.

  • The 1st Sunday of each mainstage production is Pay-What-You-Decide (PWYD) Sunday. Any remaining tickets 24 hours before this performance can be purchased for any price you decide. These are available by calling or coming into the box office. PWYD is not currently available online.

  • Learn more about the production and go behind the scenes with the people behind the show.

    On marked days, when the curtain drops, you’ll be invited to stay for a Q+A with some cast/company members.

  • Some of our shows are sold at 50% capacity, for those who are looking for a bit more space between you and your seat-neighbour.

  • During relaxed performances, you are welcome to get up, move, stretch, leave and re-enter the theatre as your body needs.

    These performances include a display in the lobby with pieces from the show, a chill-out space or a quiet room for you to use if you require a calmer space. They also feature a pre-show introduction to the play and the audience lights will be left on slightly.

    For the 22-23 Season, all our relaxed performances will have a reduced capacity: only 50% of tickets will be sold.

  • Some people's access needs require American Sign Language interpretation (ASL).

    This means spoken English is interpreted into ASL. These shows will have ASL interpreters on the stage during the performance.

  • To provide more financial accessibility to attending theatre at GCTC, we are offering limited Pick-Your-Price tickets available for each performance. Pick-Your-Price tickets are available for $15, $25, and $35. Pick whichever price makes the most sense for you.

    To take advantage of this program online, enter the promo code at checkout:

    $15 | enter promo code PYP15

    $25 | enter promo code PYP25

    $35 | enter promo code PYP35

  • Our audio pre-show notes give you a full description of what will be on stage, as well as answering some frequently asked questions about the production and GCTC’s location.

    The pre-show note will arrive at this location before this show’s opening night.

Earlier Event: March 8
You and I
Later Event: May 4
12