Vancouver artists take part in new National Arts Centre summer residency called Free Rein
Omari Newton, Ralph Escamillan, Corey Payette, and Jeanette Kotowich are just some of the people developing new work
Left to right, Omari Newton, Ralph Escamillan, Jeanette Kotowich, and Corey Payette.
RALPH ESCAMILLAN, Omari Newton, Corey Payette, Jeanette Kotowich, and Michelle Olson are just some of the West Coast artists taking part in the National Arts Centre’s new Free Rein program.
The cross-Canada summer artistic residency happens June 1 to August 31, when more than 30 Canadian artists will participate in a three-month-long initiative aimed at the renewal of the Canadian performing arts sector.
The idea behind the program is to boost work that might have been put on hold, cancelled, or forgotten amid pandemic shutdowns.
The residencies will give time and space for artists to enhance their previous works within the genres of dance, theatre, music, and interdisciplinary arts. It will also support creators who were impacted by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Roughly half of the residencies are for projects led by women, BIPOC artists, and LGBTQ2SIA artists. Some of the Free Rein spots also allow young emerging artists to observe the creation process and develop leadership skills.
Vancouverites will be able to tune into NAC’s website to see videos and texts exploring how artists transform an idea or inspiration into a fully realized work of art. The testimonials are meant as a sneak peek behind the curtain, to illustrate what it takes to bring a show to life on stage.
“The summer residency program comes at a crucial time for artists and creators across the country, who have seen opportunities to create new works dwindle due to the global Covid-19 pandemic,” said NAC CEO Christopher Deacon in the announcement today. “As a national institution we are committed to supporting the renewal of the Canadian performing arts sector. The launch of this new multi-disciplinary summer residency program is a crucial step on the journey back to live, in-person performances next season.”
NAC is Ottawa-based, but participating artists will be able to access venue spaces and performance halls across Canada. They’ll receive additional time and resources to develop work.
The artists were selected by the NAC’s leadership team, with the curation happening in collaboration with regional venues and companies.
One of the artistic residencies is a Summer Songwriting Camp on Prince Edward Island hosted by Juno award nominated singer songwriter, Irish Mythen in early June.
The NAC Dance residents will be Ralph Escamillan, Aria Evans, and MT Space.
The NAC English Theatre residency hosts Black Theatre Workshop, with Walter Borden and Peter Hinton-Davis; Black Theatre Workshop, with Omari Newton and Diane Roberts; DopoLavoro Teatrale, with Daniele Bartolini; and 100 Watt Productions, with Kristina Watt.
NAC French Theatre includes Allain Roy of Théâtre populaire d’Acadie; Catherine Bourgeois of Joe Jack et John; Julien Morrissette and Karina Pawlikowski; Iannicko N'Doua; Milena Buziak of Voyageurs Immobiles; and Philippe Boutin of Empire Panique.
NAC Indigenous Theatre hosts Jeanette Kotowich with Michelle Olson, of BC’s Raven Spirit Dance; Ryan Cunningham; Corey Payette, of Vancouver’s Urban Ink, with mentee Cheyenne Scott; Caleigh Crow with Nathan Howe; Stacy Da Silva with David McMurry and Raven Spirit Dance; and The Awaken Festival with Gwaandak Theatre.
The NAC Orchestra sees residents Gabriel Dharmoo; Ensemble Obiora; Banff Centre Evolution: Classical, with Dior Quartet; Indigo Trio; Abigail Sinclair and Ria Kim; Dastoor Ensemble; Eybler Quartet; Radia; Calliopie’s Ballade; and SHHH! Ensemble with choreographer Marie-Josée Chartier.
NAC Popular Music and Variety’s summer songwriting camp hosts Irish Mythen, Kinley Dowling, Sergey Varlamov, Catherine MacLellan, Sarah Hagen, Brielle Ansems, Emmet MacLellan, Joce Reyome, and Tiffany Lu.
And artists in the Zones Théâtrales residency are Katia Café-Fébrissy, Véronique Lachance, and Noémie Avidar.
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