Stages of Transformation
May 2023
Stages of Transformation is a multi-year project of research, rumination, creative exploration, and conversation bringing together theatre artists, arts workers, and creative communities from across so-called Canada. It takes up the imperatives of abolition movements and transformative justice frameworks, and investigates their applications to our work in the theatre sector.
In partnership with Chromatic Theatre, Gwaandak Theatre, lemonTree creations, Rumble Theatre, TODOS Productions, and Undercurrent Creations, Stages of Transformation commissioned five artists to undertake theatrical creation processes that explore the project’s themes of abolition and transformative justice. Works-in-progress resulting from the Creative Cohort’s explorations were presented in association with Rumble Theatre’s Tremors Festival, in Vancouver in May 2023. Gwaandak's Artistic Associates, Keira Ash and Miki Wolf, headed to Ottawa in October 2022 for the Stages of Transformation Retreat with Keira Ash as part of the creative cohort and Miki Wolf travelling on behalf of Gwaandak Theatre.
CREATIVE COHORT - RESIDENT ARTISTS & PARTNERED COMPANIES
Raven John (Invited by Rumble Theatre, Vancouver)
Keira Ash (Invited by Gwaandak Theatre, Whitehorse)
Kris Vanessa Teo (Invited by Chromatic Theatre, Calgary)
Ravyn Wings (Invited by lemonTree Creations, Toronto)
Sobia Shaikh (Invited by TODOS Productions, St. Johns)
The project is produced by National Arts Centre - English Theatre and was curated by Nikki Shaffeeullah and Mpoe Mogale. To find out more about the entire project, please visit the National Arts Centre website:
By Keira Ash aka Cece A. Blossom
An exploration on shame, the transformative effect of love, and finding freedom afterward. Transformation is a burlesque piece that utilizes religious imagery to show how intergenerational shame is limiting and judgmental. Looking to the night sky for guidance, Cece is embraced by ancestral love and breaks the chains of chastity to take flight.
Transformation
Creative Team
Creator/Performer | Keira Ash aka. Cece A. Blossom
Performance Mentor | Cherry Cheeks
Set Design | Raven John
In partnership with Gwaandak Theatre
Keira Ash (they/she) is a proud Tłı̨chǫ Dene Indigiqueer from Somba K’e, Denendeh (Yellowknife, NT). They currently reside on the land of the lək̓ʷəŋən people (Victoria, BC) and work with W̱SÁNEĆ youth and families as an Indigenous Education Advocate. With a variety of arts experience, including hosting two radio shows, being part of an Indigiqueer Storytelling showcase, creating a community mosaic, working with Folk on the Rocks (Yellowknife’s music festival), performing burlesque, and volunteering with community events in whatever city they’re located in, Keira thought, why not add playwriting to the mix? Having cultivated a strong relationship with Gwaandak Theatre, Keira is looking forward to moving to the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation next fall and continuing their work with the National Arts Centre’s Stages of Transformation program there. With a strong belief in intersectionality and decolonization, Keira is excited to bring their experiences of education and arts to the stage.