New article in Comedy Studies

I’m delighted to share that my article “Red-Nosed Fantasies of the Future: a framework for social justice-informed performance creation in the Mump and Smoot Lineage of the Pochinko tradition of clowning” has been published in the journal Comedy Studies!

Abstract: This article contextualises a specific lineage of the Pochinko tradition of clowning – which the author refers to as the Mump and Smoot Lineage – before offering an analysis of Judith Butler’s argument for the necessity of fantasy in social change. Putting these two analyses into dialogue, the article offers provocations and theories as to how clowning might provide a fruitful avenue for social justice-motivated fantasy as it is described by Judith Butler. The paper asks and offers responses to two central questions. Firstly, how might understanding clowning’s relationship to social justice pursuits be of use to those creating clown performances? Secondly, how can the practice and craft of the Mump and Smoot Lineage of the Pochinko Tradition of Cowning (MSLPTC) work in service of social justice aims? The author argues that the methodologies of this lineage do not require great alterations to work in meaningful service of social justice aims; the use of a message to the world, the focus on imaginative embodiment, and many of the lineage’s rules are easily deployed in service of social justice-oriented creation. In making these assertions, the author articulates a hope for further research into clowning and its intersections with social justice practice and also that clown practitioners might use their existing practices to further social justice goals.

NOTE: If you do not have institutional access of face other barriers to accessing this, please contact me through Embrace Theatre.

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Published Article

I invite you all to read this essay I wrote in which I argue for changes in how we think of and speak about theatre directors. I welcome your thoughts!

Image by Wriply M. Bennet

Spoken Word News!

I’m thrilled to share a video I’ve been working on for some time with some wonderful collaborators. Check out this film adaptation of a spoken word piece originally included in Many Fires.

I’m also excited to share that I will be the featured poet at this month’s WORD*LAB – presented via livestream at 7:30PM (MST) on January 23rd, 2021. Get all the details here!

Essay Published

I’ve just had an article published in the online journal HowlRound exploring how clowning and physical comedy work online. The article specifically references my experiences directing at the Short Cuts Festival and creating clown with Oblong and Oboe.

SATAward Nomination

I’m honoured to have been nominated for a Saskatoon and Area Theatre Award for Outstanding Original Script for Many Fires. It’s a huge honour to be recognized alongside folks I respect so much: Kim Senklip Harvey, Caleigh Crow, Jennifer Wynne Webber, and Todd Devonshire.

Congratulations to the many colleagues and friends nominated for these awards!

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Kindred Cities Interview

I just did an interview with Kindred Cities Blog about my life, art, and living in Saskatchewan. Give it a read here!

 

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“Saskatoon has lots to be proud of and lots to work on. Saskatoon could afford to build more (figurative) bridges.”

StarPheonix Article

StarPheonix Music and Dance Article

La Boheme is onstage!

You only have two more chances to catch the show! Click here for tickets.

The Saskatoon StarPheonix published it’s review – check it out in full here.

“There’s a lot to love… Is it a perfect production? No. Does it hit all the right emotional notes? Certainly. Peters… and the Saskatoon Opera can consider this production a dazzling success.”

 

La Boheme Preview

Check out this article about my work staging La Boheme for Saskatoon Opera.

Tickets available here!

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Left to Right: Clarence Frazer, Marcel d’Entremont, and France Bellemare.

Upcoming

Clown Close UpLots on the go at the moment! We’re half way through rehearsals for Saskatoon Opera‘s La Boheme. I can’t wait to share this grand production with you. The singers and designers are doing wonderful work!

In July, I’ll be heading to Victoria, BC to clown around at the SKAMpede with my original creation Lost and Alone: A Clown’s Ordeal.

Plus, rehearsals for Sum Theatre’s Queen Seraphina and the Land of Vertebraat are about to start. I had the pleasure of being involved in the devising process for this piece and I can’t wait to see it fully staged!