Sarasvàti Productions’ presenting Songide’ewin from Aug. 25 to 27

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This article was published 26/08/2020 (2170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new production which debuts this week focuses on the stories of Indigenous youth and reconciliation.

Sarasvàti Productions’ latest, Songide’ewin, was originally scheduled to debut in May, but owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was put on hold. The play is the result of collaboration between playwrights Jo MacDonald and Darla Contois and more than 70 Indigenous youth from seven organizations throughout Winnipeg.

In line with all social distancing and health protocols, three performances will take place this week outdoors at Whittier Park (836 Rue Saint Joseph) for limited audiences between Aug. 25 and 27 at 7 p.m. The show will also be livestreamed each night with a chance for virtual discussion, organizers say.

Directed by Tracey Nepinak, Songide’ewin features Transcona’s Josh Ranville playing the character of Nanabush.

“He’s a teacher, a powerful guy,” said Ranville, who studied theatre at Studio 58 in Vancouver after graduating from College Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau. “But despite that he gets into trouble. He’s still learning.”

Playing a well-known figure in Indigenous folklore and myth such as Nanabush was a challenge for Ranville, but one that he enjoyed.

“Legends say he’s both man and woman at the same time,” said Ranville, who got his start working with the Manitoba Theatre for Young People when he was 11 years old. “I play women and men throughout, with Nanabush transforming the characters to teach the youth.”

The physicality of the role is one aspect that Ranville embraced.

“Being an Indigenous man in Winnipeg, walking around in our civilian life, we put up our walls and defences,” he said. “So, the Nanabush body has been such a fun exploration. It’s not something that I get to do in my day to day.”

For playwright Joanne MacDonald, working with the input of so many youth  — including a number from the Knowles Centre in North Kildonan — was a powerful experience.

“It was incredible what the youth had to say,” said MacDonald, who lives in the West End. “They created pieces of work around reconciliation. The things they were coming up with, there were some difficult stories and moments in people’s lives, but what came out of it was very hopeful. We can do this, we can move forward in a good way, though it will take a lot of hard work.”

MacDonald hopes that audiences will engage fully with the play, though it may not be easy.

“It’s definitely a journey, a journey that people are going to walk through together,” she said. “It’s a choice whether or not people do the work.”

St. Boniface-based actor Braiden Houle, who plays a number of different characters in Songide’ewin, said it’s important to continue the dialogue about reconciliation.

“Reconciliation is such an important topic, especially in Winnipeg,” said Houle, who also studied at Studio 58 and MTYP.

“There are still lots of people who don’t really understand what reconciliation is. It’s important to look at it from a youth perspective, and this is the time to talk about it.”

Preparing to mount a production during a global pandemic was certainly a new experience for all involved.

“Every single step of the way has been different,” Ranville said. “Everything is filtered by way of social distancing. Even blocking, where we walk on the stage. In this show we can’t physically have any contact. It’s interesting.”

Tickets are required for both the live and livestreamed performances, and can be purchased online at www.sarasvati.com or by calling 204-586-2236.

— With files from Simon Fuller