Indigenous artists Possesom Paul and Natalie Sappier to develop new work with support from ArtsNB and Theatre New Brunswick.
Theatre New Brunswick are pleased to welcome two Indigenous artists for residency in 2018. With support from ArtsNB and Theatre New Brunswick, dancer/choreographer Possesom Paul and visual artist/playwright Natalie Sappier will begin developing a new work for the stage this spring.
“It’s exciting to work with the team at TNB to help bring to light a high caliber Indigenous performance. This is a true step towards walking together in reconciliation,” said Paul.
Paul and Sappier were both introduced to Theatre New Brunswick through their work with the TNB Young Company production, The Eighth Fire. In 2015 Paul toured with the company as a dancer and production choreographer with Sappier contributing her skills as a visual artist and storyteller.
“Possesom is a fixture at Pow Wow events throughout Atlantic Canada and nationally as both a dancer and an MC, and he is also a celebrated teacher,” said TNB Artistic Director Thomas Morgan Jones. “This piece will see him envisioning a large-scale dance choreography rooted in and stemming from his Wolastoqiyik culture. It is so inspiring to see him dream big, and we know the piece will be extraordinary.
“He will be writing from a personal place and perspective, seeking to give voice to all the artists he has met over the years and also to his own experience,” said Jones. “He will also bring to this piece his wonderful sense of humour. Natalie will be writing alongside him, but her focus will be even more on the music, composing pieces to accompany Possesom’s words.”
Development of this new project will begin in May with Paul and Sappier creating a storyboard of movement, dance, music and visual stage elements with dramaturgical feedback from the team at TNB.
“It’s a true gift to have the opportunity to collaborate with such an inspiring and talented Indigenous dancer and storyteller,” said Sappier. “It brings much joy to see him working towards a very important dream to bring his artistry full-bloom on stage. Theatre New Brunswick has created such a beautiful creative space that has helped awaken the storyteller in me and it warms my spirit that they know the importance of Indigenous stories and continue to support us in bringing them to life”
A public performance of this new work-in-progress will be included in Theatre New Brunswick’s 50th season which will be announced in April.
Natalie Sappier’s debut work ‘Finding Wolastoq Voice‘ opens March 8 in Fredericton.
