A Side of Dreams
by Jani Lauzon
A Side of Dreams began during a Playwright Residency at Factory Theatre in 2009. Jani worked with John Turner as facilitator/director as they share a common vocabulary having both studied with Richard Pochinko, a mentor who created a methodology used to generate material.
It became clear using an aerial hoop would provide the perfect dramaturgical framework for the central protagonist character. I began training with aerial hoop artist/choreographer Jessica Barrera.
Further development
Workshops in June 2011 and February 2012 at John's clown farm followed by a workshop in March 2013 at the National Arts Centre with Sarah Garton Stanley as director/dramaturge helped to layer the multi-disciplinary aspects together, with a focus on text dramaturgy, incorporating daily choreographic sessions on the hoop and creating a puppet vocabulary.
Puppet Construction
Trish Leeper, one of Canada’s finest puppet designers, was hired to construct a Banraku puppet and to join the team as a performer. The puppet represents Hasia, the central character, when she enters the Dreamcatcher world. While there, she meets aspects of her generational memory.
Song Composition/Sound Design
Sound designer Marsha Coffey joined thecreative team, having collaborated with Jani on several original scores.
Hoop apparatus
An apparatus was designed and built by Captain Colin Pickard, a machinist and mechanical engineer from AC Mechanical. It is free standing and made of light-weight aluminum.
Productions
Summerworks and Beyond
A Side of Dreams had a successful workshop presentation during the Summerworks Arts Festival in August 2013 at Factory Theatre with Ingrid Hansen in the role of Aina and Jessica Barrera taking on the leadership role as Director.
Aki Studio Production
Paper Canoe Projects produced the World Premier in January 2015 at the AKI Studio in Toronto. This successful run included the brilliant projection and lighting design of Melissa Joakim.
Touring Production
We toured the show in September 2015 to Nippissing First Nations, Debajehmujig Creation Centre and FemFest in Winnipeg.
We followed up that tour with a 2 week run at the Debajemujig Creation Centre on Manitoulin Island in July 2016.
We would like to acknowledge the support of:
- IATSE 129
- Miziwe Biik
- bullDUKE Productions
- Ontario Arts Council
- Canada Council
- National Arts Centre
- Native Earth Performing Arts