The Cultch is thrilled to open its 2018/19 Season with Kamloopa, a high-energy Indigenous matriarchal play by Kim Senklip Harvey. Following its world premiere at Kamloop’s Western Canada Theatre, Kamloopa will make its Vancouver debut on the unceded traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, at The Cultch’s Historic Theatre, Sept 25 – Oct 6, 2018. The ceremony will begin on Sept 26, 2018 with the unveiling of an art show, featuring the work of Indigenous women, in The Cultch’s Gallery, and a traditional welcome from xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) host nation representative, Quelemia Sparrow.
Two urban Indigenous sisters, Kilawna (Samantha Brown) and Mikaya (Kaitlyn Yott), are struggling to navigate their way through the world, and Mikaya has been having visions and evocative occurrences neither she nor her trepidatious sister Kilawna can understand. The sisters are dealing with multigenerational complications of worldly proportions searching to understand their identities in all the wrong places. In the presence of their ancestors and the shifters who voyage between realities, Kilawna, Mikaya, and their new Indian Friend #1 (Yolanda Bonnell), a lawless trickster, go on a road trip to BC’s biggest Powwow, Kamloopa...and beyond. The three women, with the help of the shifters, learn to bear witness to the bravery of one another and our peoples, as they embark on a transformational journey that unleashes the powers of being Indigenous matriarchs.
Through Kim Senklip Harvey’s exciting approach to Indigenous theatre Kamloopa explores the fearless love and passion of Indigenous women reconnecting with their homelands, ancestors, and stories. “This is not Canadian theatre, but rather Indigenous theatre,” says Harvey, a writer/director/performer from Syilx, Tsilhqot'in, Ktunaxa, and Dakelh Nations. “This work is about creating and embedding ceremony and protocol into my artistic practice and being able to share and lead with my Indigeneity at the centre…Kamloopa is a story about vulnerability and being courageous to honour and become who we truly are.”
WHEN: Sept 25 – Oct 6, 2018
Sept 25, 8PM: Preview
Sept 26, 8PM: Opening Ceremony
Sept 27 – 29, Oct 02 – 06, 8PM
Sept 30, 2PM
Post-show Artist Talkback: Sept 27 & 30, Oct 02
Post-show Talking Circles: Sept 29 & Oct 4
Post- show Talking circles are for Indigenous community members who see themselves in the work. Moms, Aunties, Sisters, Elders, Children, Matriarchs, Wisdom Keepers, Scholars, etc., you are invited to respond to the ceremony; join Kim Senklip Harvey after the performance, and be a part of the ceremony.
WHERE: HISTORIC THEATRE
1895 Venables St.
TICKETS: Tickets from $24. Single tickets on sale July 16 through The Cultch’s Box Office: 604-251-1363 or tickets.thecultch.com.