The Transformations Project
Mar 16, 2021 - Jun 01, 2021
The Transformations Project is a national project hosted by the National Arts Centre in which live performance companies from across Canada asked some of their favourite artists to create a piece, in the medium of their choosing, that responds to the question: "What would it take to transform our society for the betterment of all?”
The Segal Centre is proud to collaborate with three emerging and diverse voices as part of this initiative.
For more on The Transformations Project, click here.
A ‘Cure’ for Poverty
By Justin Johnson
“A 'Cure' for Poverty" started out as a spoken-word piece written when I was younger for a public speaking competition that my school hosted. Years later, I was able to evolve it and incorporate it into a theatrical performance. This video is the next step in its evolution. The piece is all about our relationship to the fuel that keeps the world turning and the inevitable sickness that comes from the lack of it. Poverty. The elephant in the room of society's problems. It's a challenge for society to look into the dirty parts of the mirror we tend to ignore, face up to the disparity of resources that exist, and take a step to help out in whatever way we can.”
WATCH THE VIDEO
About Justin Johnson
“Oh Hey!”
He's Just J., a Montreal-based performer of Jamaican and Canadian descent. A regular on the Quebec theatre scene, Just J. is a rising star. With a background in acting, directing, writing, and dancing, multi-disciplinary powerhouse Just J. is now venturing into music. Currently working on his first EP, he approaches his artistic projects with a philosophy of healing, self-love, joy, and wellness. To say that he is creative is an understatement.
At an early age, he lost his father to a tragedy of police brutality. The weight of the lost opportunity of knowing his father has impacted his creative process and approach to life, as he uses music as a tool to heal. Just J.’s work is fuelled by his innate desire to spread happiness to others. Having studied Musical Theatre at Dawson College in Montreal and working closely with Montreal’s illustrious Black Theatre Workshop through their Artist Mentorship program, Just J. fell in love with the process of charming audiences and making people smile.
fragments of a shy rage.
By Jennifer Roberts
This piece is inspired by several film casting calls and events Jennifer Roberts has witnessed throughout her career. She’s been encouraged to work on expressing her anger; this is one attempt.
“RIDDLE.
If a theatre company features sign language in a production, does not offer interpretation, and the Deaf community can’t access the occasion - is it still beautiful?”
READ THE FULL TEXT
About Jennifer Roberts
Jennifer is a Montreal-based actor and emerging playwright. She has worked with Black Theatre Workshop, Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre, Scapegoat Carnivale, Talisman Theatre, The Other Theatre, Geordie Theatre, National Theatre School, and Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal, among others. Jennifer was awarded a Montreal English Theatre Award (Best Supporting Actress) for her role as Simon in Geordie Theatre’s Chloe’s Choice. Jennifer was raised in a Deaf household and is currently an artist-in-residence at Imago Theatre. Her piece in development, The Sound of Dogs, explores our society’s absurd obsession with assimilation and normalcy, while also investigating the concepts of culture, identity, labels, and belonging.
Hoofbeats Harmony
By Sarah Sinacore
When doctors go to medical school, they are often told: “When you hear hoofbeats, look for horses, not zebras.” They should, instead, be taught: “When you hear hoofbeats, do not look for horses, do not seek out zebras; take a step back and listen. Who knows? You may even find a giraffe.”
LISTEN HERE
About Sarah Sinacore
Sarah Sinacore is a professional vocalist and music educator. Sarah is a recent graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University, who graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Music degree. She has been studying music since 2001, and has also completed a performance degree at Vanier College in Montreal. She has extensive knowledge in jazz, opera, classical song, musical theatre, and pop. In her musical career, she has had the opportunity to perform across North America and abroad in the musical theatre productions of Fiddler on the Roof and No More Raisins No More Almonds as a leading role. She has also performed in many big band concerts, choir concerts, musical theatre productions, operas, and recitals as a lead vocalist and soloist. She is also a dedicated disability/chronic illness educator and activist. She has given multiple workshops at several Universities and speaking venues. She is passionate about making a better world and society for the living with a disability or chronic illness.