Award-winning interactive play Be Our Ally challenges homophobia and celebrates LGBTQ perspectives.
Be Our Ally, an award-winning interactive play about homophobia and diversity is now on tour in Ontario until June 3.
This Forum theatre play invites its audiences to challenge homophobic hate and celebrate diversity. Be Our Ally was created by over 50 youth in Bruce and Grey counties with three artists facilitating the process: Joan Chandler (theatre), Anna Gaby-Trotz (photography) and david sereda (songwriting). This is the second professional tour.
The story centres on Tommy, who bravely invites who invites his best friend Zach to the big dance as a date. Tommy is confronted by homophobic behaviour at the dance from the bullying Chris – and a lack of help from his own sister, Ashley. Who will stand by him?
The cast features Kyle Orzech as Tommy, Marcus Haccius as Zach, Marina Moriera as Chris and Trysten Metcalfe-Moulton, reprising her role as Ashley. Warren Bain is the Joker who invites the audience to try their strategies to make a more positive outcome for Tommy, and all of the characters. Directed by Joan Chandler, with Music Direction by david sereda and Stage Management by Michael Panich.
Be Our Ally was literally over 20 years in the making – people were too afraid to present this subject and LGBTQ perspectives in public in Grey Bruce. That Be Our Ally received an Award for Excellence in Education from the Bluewater District School Board shows how far we have come, due in great part to tireless community activists and educators in Grey Bruce.
The 2017 tour includes schools in Bluewater DSB, Avon Maitland DSB, Trillium Lakelands DSB and Simcoe DSB. There are also two community shows in Minden on May 27, sponsored by Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents, and in Owen Sound on June 3, sponsored by Violence Prevention Grey Bruce. We expect to reach over 1500 people with this exciting and timely play! (complete itinerary below)
Reviews from the 2015 tour
"I've never been to an assembly that was this powerful." Student
"It was the best assembly I have ever been to." Student, St. Mary's High School, Owen Sound, Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board
"The Be Our Ally presentation was another shining example of the culture we are continually fostering at Bluewater where all students and staff feel safe and supported. It was also a fantastic opportunity for our students to come together in an interactive forum to work towards becoming a community of social justice advocates and allies creating more inclusive and accepting schools for all." Lori Wilder, Superintendent of Education, Bluewater District School Board
"...the only negative feedback was how come the grades 11 and 12's didn't get to go, because everyone was talking about it in the school and wanted more. Students just felt empowered. They loved it. " Teacher, Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, Bracebridge
Sheatre is grateful for the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council, the Johansen-Larsen Foundation, Community Foundation Grey Bruce, the Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound, Ontario Teacher's Insurance Program, Bluewater Occasional Teachers Local, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Ontario Power Generation, TD Bank Group and private individuals.
BE OUR ALLY 2017 TOUR
Tuesday, May 23 Sydenham Community School, Owen Sound (a.m.) and Huron Heights Public School, Kincardine (p.m.)
Wednesday, May 24 Listowel District Secondary School (a.m.)
Thursday, May 25 Parkview Public School, Lindsay (a.m.) and Fenelon Township Public School, Cameron (p.m.)
Friday, May 26 Riverside Public School, Hunsville (a.m.) and Huntsville Public School (p,m,),
Saturday, May 27 Minden United Church, Minden – ***community show
sponsored by Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents 1pm. Ages 11+
Monday, May 29 Grey Highlands Secondary School, Flesherton (a.m and p.m. shows)
Tuesday, May 30 Huron Heights Public School , Kincardine (p.m.)
Wednesday, May 31 The Hincks Dellcrest Farm, Clarksburg (a.m.)
Thursday, June 1 Nottawasaga PInes Secondary School (a.m. and p,m.)
Friday, June 2 Codrington Public School, Barrie (p.m.)
Saturday, June 3 Harmony Centre, Owen Sound – ***community show sponsored by Violence Prevention Grey Bruce. 1pm Ages 11+
source: media release, Sheatre