As recent announcements in Winnipeg news have shown, the experience of 60s scoop survivors are front of heart and mind for many in Indigenous communities and Rattle, A sixties scoop play puts some of those experiences front and centre, running from June 4-7 at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (across from the University of Winnipeg at 400 Colony St.)
Based on a true story, the play will follow the experiences of two north end residents confronting their understanding of their own family histories – one character who has already begun to connect to and learn about his family connections, and another who isnt’ sure she wants to.
Brandon based playwrites Darrell Racine and Dale Lakevold of Root Sky Theatre have written three earlier plays about Indigenous culture and history in Canada, and although this week will be the world launch of the play in a collaborative production with Brenda McLean and Christopher Sobczak of Theatre Incarnate, Rattle received an award for Best Full-Length Play in the Theatre BC Canadian National Playwriting Competition for 2022.
Dealing with harmful historical processes are often “so clinical and sterile and kind of don’t deal with what happened to people,” said co-director Charlene Van Buekenhout, noting that oftentimes news stories have focused only on “compensation for trauma.”
Racine and Lakevold chose instead to tell personal stories, bringing the experience onto a Winnipeg street, where the characters begin the struggle to understand “who they are and where they belong” in 2017.
Directors Van Buekenhout, and Cory Wojcik said a lot of talent has been brought together to bring the theatre production to life, featuring Melanie Badger as Bobbie, Mackenzie Wojcik as her son Jordan, Josh Ranville as Dan, Dezarae Meade as his daughter Crystal, and Alissa Watson as Lina. Healing programming will be available for people to share their personal experiences as survivors, along with educational resources for people who are allies or wanting to learn more.
Although the story is painful and hard to tell, Van Buekenhout said there is also “a lot of funny moments, a lot of comedy and joy and music in the play.”
Wojcik added “there is a hopeful way through. We do land in hope and there’s some answers about healing here.”
“The elders kept saying to us “if you want to heal it, you’ve got to feel it. Thats a beautiful thing,” he said.
A Sharing Circle for Survivors & Those Affected will happen June 3-5 (2 – 4 pm), and 10 am – 12 noon June 6-7, and performances will begin 7:30 PM nightly (June 3-6) with a 2:00 PM matinee (June 6 & 7). Tickets are $25 each, $35 (if you can), or $10 on a limited income.
