THE MUSH HOLE
“The Mush Hole is a story about hope and finding light in dark places, as much as it speaks to intergenerational trauma, it screams resilience. Every single element represented on stage comes from survivors sharing their experiences with us.” - Santee Smith
Premiere Cast: Semiah Smith, Montana Summers, Julianne Blackbird. Photo credit: Ian R. Maracle
The Mush Hole is a theatrical dance performance about truths of Canada’s first Indian residential school - The Mohawk Institute. From 1828-1970, State and Church attempted to forcefully assimilate children from Six Nations and surrounding First Nations into Euro-Christian society and sever the continuity of culture from parent to child. The Mush Hole weaves through the traumatic memories of two generations of Survivors. Visceral performances by an all Indigenous cast, cinematic imagery and musical score, catapult audiences into the bricks and mortar of the school. Created from Survivors testimonials, it is a story about hope and finding light in dark places.
The Mohawk Institute a.k.a. The Mush Hole
The Mohawk Institute is the oldest residential school in Canada, after which all others were modelled. Operated in Brantford, Ontario from 1828 to 1970, it served as an Industrial boarding school for First Nations children from Six Nations, as well as other communities throughout Ontario and Quebec. It served as a key tool in the effort to assimilate First Nations children into European Christian society, and sever the continuity of culture from parent to child, leaving a legacy of trauma. After closing in 1970, it reopened in 1972 as the Woodland Cultural Centre.
Dora Mavor Moore Awards
Congratulations to entire The Mush Hole team and to Young People's Theatre for the 5 Dora Mavor Moore Awards 2020 - In the Theatre for Young Audience Division
Outstanding Direction: Santee Smith
Outstanding New Play: Santee Smith
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble: Jonathan Fisher, Raelyn Metcalfe, Santee Smith, Montana Summers, Julianne Blackbird
Outstanding Production: Kaha:wi Dance Theatre presented by Young People's Theatre
Outstanding Projection Design: Ryan Webber, Shane Powless
Production Credits:
Creator/Producer/Director/Performer: Santee Smith
Tour remount: Kaha:wi Dance Theatre
Toronto presentation: Young People's Theatre
Advisors: Geronimo Henry, Thohahoken Michael Doxtater, Roberta Hill
Performers: Jonathan Fisher, Julianne Blackbird, Montana Summers, Raelyn Metcalfe
Composition/Arrangement: Jesse Zubot
Additional Composition: Adrian Dion Harjo
Songs: “Find My May”, commissioned remix by Nick Sherman; “The Storm” by Iskwe; "I Saw The Light" by Hank Williams; "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" by Hank Williams, "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" by Patsy Cline; “T’will be Glory”, Martin Family Singers from the album “Kaha:wi”.
Video Tech/Director: Ryan Webber
Set/Original Lighting Designer: Andy Moro
Costume Designer: Adriana Fulop
Set Construction: Great Lakes Scenic Studios
Production Support/Videographer: Shane Powless
Production Tour Manager/Tour Lighting Designer: Evan Sandham
Stage Manager: Kennedy Brooks
Voice-over: Rob Lamothe
Additional Costumes: Leigh Smith
Production Support: Woodland Cultural Centre, Thru the RedDoor, Art Gallery of Guelph, The Socrates Project - McMaster University
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Production Manager - Karin Stubenvoll
Production Coordinator- Pia Ferrari
Lead Video Technician - Jennifer Chiasson
Video Practicum Participants - Kevin Oliver, Christopher Bussey, James MacKinnon
Studio Technician, Cameraman, Video Actor - Aubrey Fernandez
Audio Post Engineer - Edward Renzi
Lead Animator - Sasha Stanojevic
Animation and Design Practicum Participants - Rimsha Nadeem, Frank Seager
Video Actor - Carver Kirby, Kevin Oliver
Company Support: Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario, Toronto Arts Council
CONTACT:
General Inquiries: info@kahawidance.org
Booking Inquiries: santee@kahawidance.org