Description

IAM Collective is proud to partner with playwright  Shyanne Duquette, Backstage Theatre at the Fringe Theatre Arts
Barns and RISER Edmonton with Common Ground Arts Society – to take part in the play OMISIMAWIW on FEB 8-12   2023.

Imagine being in the Edmonton LRT and you notice someone else, someone unknown – yet
familiar. Strangers on the train serendipitously figure out they’re sisters. This discovery prompts
an exploration of self within each sister as they question what family means and their feelings of
cultural disconnection. The show explores how Indigenous identity is interwoven with others’
definitions and examines how youths fight for connections to their cultural identity after
generations of being discouraged from doing so.
Those joining this production will be brought into this meeting as spectators on this life-changing
event and are encouraged to reflect on their own feelings of identity and their journey towards
self-acceptance. Those who self-identify as Indigenous (Cree, Metis, Blackfoot etc) are
encouraged to book no-cost tickets through the Offer-What-You-Will options at the Fringe
Theatre Box Office.

RISER Edmonton is a collaborative producing model from Common Ground Arts Society
originated by Toronto’s Why Not Theatre. RISER Edmonton is supported by the Edmonton Arts
Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the RBC Foundation.
Omisimawiw will premiere on February 8th 2023 running until February 12 2023 in the
Backstage Theatre at the Fringe Theatre Arts Barns (10330 84 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E
2G9).
Shyanne Duquette Playwright/Producer
Danielle LaRose Director
Emily Berard Actor
Demaris Moon Walker Actor
Kim Turner Stage Manager
Skye Grinde Set/Prop/Costume Design
Julia Kim Video Design
Rory Turner RISER Lighting Design
Kat Evans RISER Production Manager
Anthony Hunchak Production Technical Director/Sound Design
SeaSea Nemecek Dramaturge

Omisimawiw (running in RISER Feb 8-12) is written by Shyanne Duquette and directed by Danielle LaRose!  Shyanne is also featured in Omisimawiw alongside Emily Berard. Meet these two incredible artists below.
https://commongroundarts.ca/…/riser…/omisimawiw/
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Shyanne Duquette is a Cree mixed-blood multidisciplinary artist based in Amiskwacî (Edmonton). Recently graduating from the University of Alberta (2021), they have explored a variety of roles in the theatre industry including producing, marketing, directing, designing, and acting.

They have been fortunate in receiving developmental support for Omisimawiw from Tarragon Theatre’s Young Playwrights Unit, Nextfest 2022, and RISER 2023. Previous credits include The Herd (Citadel Theatre, Tarragon Theatre), From Paris Without Return/Mirror of Venus (University of Alberta’s New Works festival 2020, costume design), and Skriker (University of Alberta – Abbedam 2018). When not creating art they can be found bundled in blankets in their apartment with their cat Kelso playing The Sims franchise.
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Danielle LaRose (she/her) is a Métis/Mennonite theatre artist currently based out of amaiswacîwâskahikan. After obtaining her MA from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and living in the UK for many years, she returned to Treaty Six where her multi-disciplinary practice has grown from performance and musical composition into directing and playwriting as well. She is delighted to be supporting this young group of artists as they share their voices, creativity, and stories with our community. Maarsi!