STITCH

by Cliff Cardinal

a Culture Storm Production presented by Native Earth Performing Arts

On Stage at Aki Studio June 3 - 14, 2015

The raw, gripping drama, Stitch by Cliff Cardinal, comes to Toronto this June in a production produced by Culture Storm and presented by Native Earth Performing Arts. Stitch, starring Georgina Beaty as Kylie Grandview, is the runaway hit from Cree playwright Cliff Cardinal first seen at SummerWorks Performance Festival in 2011. Stitch was awarded the SummerWorks Spotlight Award for Performance, as well as Theatre Passe Muraille’s Emerging Artist Award for its notable artistic merit.

Stitch is a transgressive, daring drama about one of the nameless faces that blip through the world of internet pornography. One female performer plays twelve different characters, including the central role of Kylie Grandview, a porn star who has suffered massive psychological abuse and consequently makes questionable life choices. After a series of self-sabotaging decisions that lead to her own disfigurement and the loss of her child, Kylie makes one last attempt to redeem herself and to be heard. Stitch explores a woman’s desperate attempt to be understood.

“We are honoured to support Indigenous writer, Cliff Cardinal, and his artistic freedom in storytelling,” said Heather Haynes, Culture Storm. “This award-winning drama recognizes the importance of fostering Indigenous talent in Canada.”

Stitch stars 2013 Jessie-Award Winner for Outstanding Performance Georgina Beaty, whose fierce performance is nothing short of captivating. Beaty is a Toronto-based actor and graduate of Studio 58 and the University of Alberta who has performed on stages across Canada.

Stitch also brings together a tour de force creative team, led by Director Jovanni Sy. Sy, born in Manila and raised in Toronto, is a veteran of the theatre industry and has been with the play from the early drafts as Dramaturge. Artistic Director of Gateway Theatre in British Columbia, Sy wrote and performed in his twice Dora Award-nominated one-man play A Taste of Empire.

Multi-award winner and nominee, Andy Moro (Euro/Cree) is the Production Designer for Stitch. Twice named among NOW magazine’s Top-10 theatre artists, Moro’s vast experience creating profoundly affecting minimalist stage designs made him the ideal choice. Moro’s vision of black-box design traps Kylie Grandview in a setting fraught with danger.

Culture Storm is proud to introduce Luca Caruso-Moro who makes his professional debut as Composer for Stitch. Rounding out the team is Stage Manager, Jen Stobart, who has been

stage managing large and small shows for over twenty-five years.

“...raw, no-holds-barred look at the seamy-sad world of porn...” Toronto Star

“a perfect storm of exciting theatre, everything coming together just so.” NOW Magazine

Stitch by Cliff Cardinal is a Culture Storm Production presented by Native Earth Performing Arts

Written by Cliff Cardinal

Directed by Jovanni Sy

Starring Georgina Beaty Producer/Production Manager: Heather Haynes Production Designer: Andy Moro

Stage Manager: Jennifer Stobart

Aki Studio, Daniels Spectrum 585 Dundas Street East

Run Dates: June 3 - 14, 2015

Opening Night: Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 8pm

Performances Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm • Sundays at 2pm

Ticket prices range from $15-$25

and can be purchased online at www.nativeearth.ca or by calling 416.531.1402 Student/Elder/Arts Worker discounts and Pay-What-You-Can Tuesday tickets available

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Culture Storm, started by Heather Haynes, is a production and touring company that supports artists in visual arts, performance, music, film and theatre for artistic visioning, production, touring, grant writing, workshops and audience development. Heather works with a select group of artists whose work focuses on social justice and cultural issues, presenting creative work to audiences to engage and inspire meaningful dialogues. The represented artists play an important cultural role by fostering social, political and community engagement and change. Culture Storm has produced the works of James Luna, Guillermo Gómez-Peña, Thunderstick by Kenneth T. Williams directed by Glen Gould starring Craig Lauzon and Brandon Oakes and tours the work of comedian Ryan McMahon.

Native Earth Performing Arts is Canada’s oldest professional Indigenous theatre company. Currently in our 32nd year, we are dedicated to creating, developing and producing professional artistic expressions of the Indigenous experience in Canada. Through stage productions (theatre, dance and multi- disciplinary art), new script development, apprenticeships and internships, Native Earth seeks to fulfill a community of artistic visions. It is a vision that is inclusive and reflective of the artistic directions of members of the Indigenous community who actively participate in the arts.

Media Contact: DANIELA SYROVY, ClutchPR 416.319.3511 • daniela@clutchpr.com