DIGITAL PROGRAMME
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Offensive to Some
by Bernardine Ann Teraz Stapleton
Production Community
Directed by Ruth Lawrence*
Staring Miranda MacDonald*
Production Management by Mara Bredovskis
Stage Management by Jaimie Tait*
Lighting Design by Diana Daly
Set and Costume Design by Emily Austin
Sound Design by Lori Clarke
Produced by Jenn Deon
Associate Producer Erika Squires
Outreach Coordinator Tiffany Martin
Production Assistant Gao Huiyan
Graphic Design - Jessie Meyer
Staring Miranda MacDonald*
Production Management by Mara Bredovskis
Stage Management by Jaimie Tait*
Lighting Design by Diana Daly
Set and Costume Design by Emily Austin
Sound Design by Lori Clarke
Produced by Jenn Deon
Associate Producer Erika Squires
Outreach Coordinator Tiffany Martin
Production Assistant Gao Huiyan
Graphic Design - Jessie Meyer
The running time of tonight's performance is 70 minutes with no intermission. Please silence your cell phone.
*The participation of these artists is arranged by permission of the Canadian Actors' Equity Association under the provision of the Dance. Opera, Theatre Policy (DOT).
*The participation of these artists is arranged by permission of the Canadian Actors' Equity Association under the provision of the Dance. Opera, Theatre Policy (DOT).
Director's Notes
In that season suddenly our island
Broke out its old sores for all to see.
We saw them too.
Excerpt from the poem Domestic Violence by Eavan Boland (1944-2020)
Bernardine Ann Teraz Stapleton’s Offensive to Some was written in 1995.
Twenty-five years later, curled up within our bubbles, it was impossible to ignore what we all knew inside: this pandemic lockdown was going to be even more difficult for those who live in dangerous situations.
Just coming through it, and possibly heading into another wave, they - the unnamed but sometimes known to us - have been on our minds and in our hearts.
Because even as many of us baked bread, worked with our children at our feet, the reported statistics on violence in the home were still coming at us. The statistics are real people and the numbers affected are still dismal.
Over the last several weeks, high profile cases are in the news as women are re-traumatized by a justice system that drags on, calls mistrials and re-trials. These are some signs of progress but it’s clear there is much yet to be done.
Our interpretation of Ms. Stapleton’s play takes us into the interrogation room and allows us to imagine a two-way mirror, to witness the unraveling of a woman pushed to the brink and forced to cope with her own "domestic situation.”
We’ve worked hard to present a raw, unflinching, and truthful fiction. We know that, for too many, the sores and the scars are very real. We see them too.
- Ruth Lawrence
Broke out its old sores for all to see.
We saw them too.
Excerpt from the poem Domestic Violence by Eavan Boland (1944-2020)
Bernardine Ann Teraz Stapleton’s Offensive to Some was written in 1995.
Twenty-five years later, curled up within our bubbles, it was impossible to ignore what we all knew inside: this pandemic lockdown was going to be even more difficult for those who live in dangerous situations.
Just coming through it, and possibly heading into another wave, they - the unnamed but sometimes known to us - have been on our minds and in our hearts.
Because even as many of us baked bread, worked with our children at our feet, the reported statistics on violence in the home were still coming at us. The statistics are real people and the numbers affected are still dismal.
Over the last several weeks, high profile cases are in the news as women are re-traumatized by a justice system that drags on, calls mistrials and re-trials. These are some signs of progress but it’s clear there is much yet to be done.
Our interpretation of Ms. Stapleton’s play takes us into the interrogation room and allows us to imagine a two-way mirror, to witness the unraveling of a woman pushed to the brink and forced to cope with her own "domestic situation.”
We’ve worked hard to present a raw, unflinching, and truthful fiction. We know that, for too many, the sores and the scars are very real. We see them too.
- Ruth Lawrence
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Of special note
Please be aware that this production contains descriptions of intimate partner violence. We encourage viewers to take care for their own safety and well-being. If you are being abused, you can call Iris Kirby House any time, day or night 709-753-1492 or 1-877-753-1492 If you have been sexually assaulted, you can call the 24-hr Crisis, Support, and Information Line: 1-800-726-2743 If you are survivor, you may want to access The Journey Project - an ongoing partnership between the Public Legal Information Association of NL (PLIAN) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre (NLSACPC) to enhance supports and responses for survivors of sexual violence in Newfoundland and Labrador within the justice system. |
Music featured during the performance
Yee Grlz—“I’m not your girl” from Party Streak Ritual Frames—“Fuck like Fire” from Diasporas Hard Ticket—“Confused Amused” from What Odds, Secret East Records The Mudflowers—“Ghost named John” Music used in the show is by license from the artists, all of whom are based in Newfoundland and Labrador. Thank yous
Rowena Ryan of Multi-Care Therapeutics, Chris Collingwood of Baine Johnston Properties Special thanks to all of the folks at the St. John's Arts & Culture Centre - admin office, box office, and tech team - thank you for welcoming us into the ACC. |
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About Us
PerSIStence Theatre Company Inc. is a non-profit organization in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada that responds to the persistent and universal need for promoting, understanding and embracing the core beliefs of feminism. Through professional theatre and related initiatives, we work to change hearts and minds. Click here to learn more. Board members: Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan Margot Duley Sylina Jones - chair Gabrielle Martin - vice-chair Trudy Morgan-Cole Melanie Racette-Campbell Lori Savory Kim Todd - secretary Cara Windsor-Hehir Jocelyn Young Office Staff: Jenn Deon - producing artistic director Tiffany Martin - outreach coordinator Erika Squires - executive producing assistant |
Please tag us in your posts on social media!
Instagram: @PersistenceTheatre Facebook: @PersistenceTheatre Twitter: @PersistenceNL 
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Bios
Emily Austin - Set and Costume Design
Emily Austin is a theatre artist who works in several different areas of the theatre from set design, scenic painting, and carpentry, to technical direction and production management. Emily holds a BFA in Technical Theatre Production from Grenfell Campus. Her work includes Men of Misfortune (Resource Centre for the Arts), Between Breaths (Artistic Fraud), Once (Theatre St. John’s) and Isle of Demons (PerSIStence Theatre). Emily has been working with PerSIStence Theatre since their very first show and is excited to be back working alongside fantastic women for another season.
Emily Austin is a theatre artist who works in several different areas of the theatre from set design, scenic painting, and carpentry, to technical direction and production management. Emily holds a BFA in Technical Theatre Production from Grenfell Campus. Her work includes Men of Misfortune (Resource Centre for the Arts), Between Breaths (Artistic Fraud), Once (Theatre St. John’s) and Isle of Demons (PerSIStence Theatre). Emily has been working with PerSIStence Theatre since their very first show and is excited to be back working alongside fantastic women for another season.
Mara Bredovskis - Production Manager
Mara can often be found hiding in booths and backstages around town. She has worked as a production manager and stage manager (thankfully rarely at the same time) for companies such as Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, PerSIStence Theatre Company, Opera on the Avalon, Perchance Theatre, Resource Centre for the Arts Theatre, White Rooster Theatre, Wonderbolt Circus, Theatre St. John's, and many others.
Mara can often be found hiding in booths and backstages around town. She has worked as a production manager and stage manager (thankfully rarely at the same time) for companies such as Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, PerSIStence Theatre Company, Opera on the Avalon, Perchance Theatre, Resource Centre for the Arts Theatre, White Rooster Theatre, Wonderbolt Circus, Theatre St. John's, and many others.
Lori Clarke - Sound Design
Lori Clarke has collaborated with dance, theatre and film artists as sound designer, composer and performer for more than 30 years. Her work and research interests are informed both by art practice and her practice in body psychotherapy. Lori runs Resonance Somatic Counselling Services where she works with people finding hope and connecting to vitality as they heal from cumulative and traumatic stress. Loriclarke.com
Lori Clarke has collaborated with dance, theatre and film artists as sound designer, composer and performer for more than 30 years. Her work and research interests are informed both by art practice and her practice in body psychotherapy. Lori runs Resonance Somatic Counselling Services where she works with people finding hope and connecting to vitality as they heal from cumulative and traumatic stress. Loriclarke.com
Diana Daly - Lighting Design
Diana is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, printmaker, storyteller and songwriter with a history as a production/stage manager and lighting designer. Diana is originally from St. John's and has spent the last ten + years living and working in BC, Montreal and Nunavik. Favourite projects that she has created include: The Fogo Island Song Share; the Lhasa de Sela Youth Stage for the Montreal Folk Festival; her EP When Women Kill; being the "Femme d'Orchestre" for the puppet show Kate Crackerberry; and all of the musical experiences with her students in Puvirnituq and Kangirsuk. Diana is one of three members of the Daly Family Collective with Louise Moyes and Anne Troake and together they have made the multi disciplinary stage show If A Place Could Be Made. It should be mentioned that Diana first saw Offensive to Some when she was a plucky young woman, some 25-odd years ago, and it made an indelible impact on her sensibilities as a feminist, a thinker and a creator.
Diana is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, printmaker, storyteller and songwriter with a history as a production/stage manager and lighting designer. Diana is originally from St. John's and has spent the last ten + years living and working in BC, Montreal and Nunavik. Favourite projects that she has created include: The Fogo Island Song Share; the Lhasa de Sela Youth Stage for the Montreal Folk Festival; her EP When Women Kill; being the "Femme d'Orchestre" for the puppet show Kate Crackerberry; and all of the musical experiences with her students in Puvirnituq and Kangirsuk. Diana is one of three members of the Daly Family Collective with Louise Moyes and Anne Troake and together they have made the multi disciplinary stage show If A Place Could Be Made. It should be mentioned that Diana first saw Offensive to Some when she was a plucky young woman, some 25-odd years ago, and it made an indelible impact on her sensibilities as a feminist, a thinker and a creator.
Jenn Deon - Producing Artistic Director
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017) and Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement, and in 2018, the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's. She is a founder of and the producing artistic director with PerSIStence Theatre. Jenn is also a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops for arts and non-profit organizations. More at jenndeon.ca.
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017) and Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement, and in 2018, the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's. She is a founder of and the producing artistic director with PerSIStence Theatre. Jenn is also a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops for arts and non-profit organizations. More at jenndeon.ca.
Gao Huiyan - Production Assistant
Huiyan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Masters of Arts in Culture and Difference, and a Masters of Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Although this is her first job in the theatre industry, she is passionate about feminism and gender relations and so excited to be a part of the PerSIStence team!
Huiyan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Masters of Arts in Culture and Difference, and a Masters of Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Although this is her first job in the theatre industry, she is passionate about feminism and gender relations and so excited to be a part of the PerSIStence team!
Coming soon! More live theatre at the Arts & Culture Centre
Ruth Lawrence - Director
Ruth Lawrence is an award-winning theatre and filmmaker. At White Rooster Theatre, she is dedicated to producing the work of women and diverse artists. She created the performance walk, Other Women Walk, and directed the premiere of No Change in the Weather (nominated in Calgary for Best Touring Production). Ruth directed the CBC doc, Circus by Komatik, the comedy webseries, Buy the Boards, and was a writer/director on the feature rom-com, Hopeless Romantic. She directed The Ennis Sisters’ Shine Your Light for the CMHA’s 100th Anniversary. Her debut feature, Little Orphans, has just been released. This fall, she will direct a new children’s TV series for Fibe.
Ruth Lawrence is an award-winning theatre and filmmaker. At White Rooster Theatre, she is dedicated to producing the work of women and diverse artists. She created the performance walk, Other Women Walk, and directed the premiere of No Change in the Weather (nominated in Calgary for Best Touring Production). Ruth directed the CBC doc, Circus by Komatik, the comedy webseries, Buy the Boards, and was a writer/director on the feature rom-com, Hopeless Romantic. She directed The Ennis Sisters’ Shine Your Light for the CMHA’s 100th Anniversary. Her debut feature, Little Orphans, has just been released. This fall, she will direct a new children’s TV series for Fibe.
Miranda MacDonald - Performer
Theatre credits: Spirit of Newfoundland; We Will Rock You (TADA); Trummp the Musical (PMP); Once the Musical (Theatre St. John’s); Offensive to Some (PerSIStence Theatre); Context (Echo); The Wedding Singer (Stage West Calgary); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Persephone); Lights, Camera, Christmas! (Upper Canada); Rob Ford the Musical (Factory Theatre); Fortunes Fools (Shakespearience Group); Back in 59 Tour (Showboat Festival); Pinkalicious the Musical (The LOT). Teaching/directing credits: creator of Dynamic Fusion Show Choir; movement instructor for Atlantic Girls Choir; choreographer for Guys and Dolls and A Call to Arms (ALT). Currently: teaches at MacDonald Music Studio; self employed dance and barre instructor. Training: Sheridan College. Love to my baby girl, Mcaleigh. Miranda is over the moon to share this amazing piece of work for you all again, a third time.
Theatre credits: Spirit of Newfoundland; We Will Rock You (TADA); Trummp the Musical (PMP); Once the Musical (Theatre St. John’s); Offensive to Some (PerSIStence Theatre); Context (Echo); The Wedding Singer (Stage West Calgary); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Persephone); Lights, Camera, Christmas! (Upper Canada); Rob Ford the Musical (Factory Theatre); Fortunes Fools (Shakespearience Group); Back in 59 Tour (Showboat Festival); Pinkalicious the Musical (The LOT). Teaching/directing credits: creator of Dynamic Fusion Show Choir; movement instructor for Atlantic Girls Choir; choreographer for Guys and Dolls and A Call to Arms (ALT). Currently: teaches at MacDonald Music Studio; self employed dance and barre instructor. Training: Sheridan College. Love to my baby girl, Mcaleigh. Miranda is over the moon to share this amazing piece of work for you all again, a third time.
Tiffany Martin - Outreach Coordinator
Tiffany Martin has over twenty years of experience in arts administration and a lifetime of love and commitment to the St. John's arts community. She has worked for RCA, NIFCO, Pope Productions, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, and the St. John's International Women's Film Festival just to name a few. Tiffany is one of the most loyal, caring, and supportive co-workers anyone could ask for. She is tickled pink to be able to combine her love for the arts with her beliefs in social justice with PerSIStence Theatre Company!
Tiffany Martin has over twenty years of experience in arts administration and a lifetime of love and commitment to the St. John's arts community. She has worked for RCA, NIFCO, Pope Productions, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, and the St. John's International Women's Film Festival just to name a few. Tiffany is one of the most loyal, caring, and supportive co-workers anyone could ask for. She is tickled pink to be able to combine her love for the arts with her beliefs in social justice with PerSIStence Theatre Company!
Erika Squires - Associate Producer
Erika Squires is a multi-faceted theatre artist from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She is a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland studying English with a specialization in Theatre and Drama, and she is a teaching assistant and student for the diploma in Film and Stage Technique. Erika is an acting and piano teacher at Courtney Fowler Performance Academy and she is the co-Artistic Director of the new 2SLGBTQIA+ theatre group, GroupHug Productions. She is so excited to be a part of the PerSIStence community!
Erika Squires is a multi-faceted theatre artist from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She is a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland studying English with a specialization in Theatre and Drama, and she is a teaching assistant and student for the diploma in Film and Stage Technique. Erika is an acting and piano teacher at Courtney Fowler Performance Academy and she is the co-Artistic Director of the new 2SLGBTQIA+ theatre group, GroupHug Productions. She is so excited to be a part of the PerSIStence community!
Bernardine Ann Teraz Stapleton - Playwright
Berni Stapleton is a Newfoundland- Labrador writer and performer of unique distinction. She is the co-founder and co-artistic director of the newly founded Kitchen Party Theatre Festival, launching digitally this year, hard launch in 2021!
She was writer in residence at Memorial University of Newfoundland-Labrador in 2019. Her play The Pope and Princess Di was just listed on the Playwrights Guild of Canada Sure Fire List of top 23 plays from female playwrights in Canada. She is the recipient of the 2018 Arts and Letters best dramatic script for her one woman play Dolly. Her newest book for young Selkies and other creatures is called: Girly Muckle and the Queer Hands.She is one of the featured performers in the acclaimed Artistic Fraud production of Between Breaths.
Last year her plays professionally produced included: The Double Axe Murders; A Tidy Package; Offensive to Some; The Haunting of Margaret Duley; and, the hit musical chomping at the bit to tour the country: No Change in the Weather.
She was recently nominated for Arts NL artist of the year. She also launched a blog series championing body image acceptance and produced a one woman show of her own called “A Broad’s Perspective” in which fairy tale tropes were dismantled and rewritten to reflect a more accurate view point.
She is a recipient of The Rhonda Payne award from Arts NL. She is a past recipient of the WANL award for best work in non-fiction for her contribution to the book They Let Down Baskets. Her short stories and essays have appeared in Riddle Fence and The Newfoundland Quarterly. She is a recipient of the Ambassador of Tourism award from Hospitality NL. Berni was the Artistic Director of the Grand Bank Regional Theatre Festival for 11 years.
She has been a playwright-in- residence with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal, Alberta Theatre Projects, CanStage, PARC, and other national companies. Her plays are regularly produced nationally and internationally. They include Offensive To Some, Brazil Square, and Our Frances. Berni’s other books include This is the Cat, Rants, Riffs and Roars; and her memoir Love, Life.
Berni was the originating director and dramaturge for, and helped devise transVersing with For The Love of Learning, and Artistic Fraud. Find out more by checking out www.bernistapleton.com.
Berni Stapleton is a Newfoundland- Labrador writer and performer of unique distinction. She is the co-founder and co-artistic director of the newly founded Kitchen Party Theatre Festival, launching digitally this year, hard launch in 2021!
She was writer in residence at Memorial University of Newfoundland-Labrador in 2019. Her play The Pope and Princess Di was just listed on the Playwrights Guild of Canada Sure Fire List of top 23 plays from female playwrights in Canada. She is the recipient of the 2018 Arts and Letters best dramatic script for her one woman play Dolly. Her newest book for young Selkies and other creatures is called: Girly Muckle and the Queer Hands.She is one of the featured performers in the acclaimed Artistic Fraud production of Between Breaths.
Last year her plays professionally produced included: The Double Axe Murders; A Tidy Package; Offensive to Some; The Haunting of Margaret Duley; and, the hit musical chomping at the bit to tour the country: No Change in the Weather.
She was recently nominated for Arts NL artist of the year. She also launched a blog series championing body image acceptance and produced a one woman show of her own called “A Broad’s Perspective” in which fairy tale tropes were dismantled and rewritten to reflect a more accurate view point.
She is a recipient of The Rhonda Payne award from Arts NL. She is a past recipient of the WANL award for best work in non-fiction for her contribution to the book They Let Down Baskets. Her short stories and essays have appeared in Riddle Fence and The Newfoundland Quarterly. She is a recipient of the Ambassador of Tourism award from Hospitality NL. Berni was the Artistic Director of the Grand Bank Regional Theatre Festival for 11 years.
She has been a playwright-in- residence with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal, Alberta Theatre Projects, CanStage, PARC, and other national companies. Her plays are regularly produced nationally and internationally. They include Offensive To Some, Brazil Square, and Our Frances. Berni’s other books include This is the Cat, Rants, Riffs and Roars; and her memoir Love, Life.
Berni was the originating director and dramaturge for, and helped devise transVersing with For The Love of Learning, and Artistic Fraud. Find out more by checking out www.bernistapleton.com.
Jaimie Tait - Stage Manager
Jaimie is very happy to be back working with Persistence Theatre this season. Originally from Vancouver BC, Jaimie moved to Newfoundland six years ago and is now proud to call St. John’s her home. Most recently Jaimie stage managed The Father for 30 for 60/Mindless Theatrics. Next year Jaimie will be hitting the road again with No Change in the Weather for Terra Bruce Productions. Favourite past credits include: Tosca for Opera on the Avalon; Offensive to Some and Original for PerSIStence Theatre; Betroffenheit with Kidd Pivot; Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen for The Firehall Arts Centre; and All The Way Home for The Electric Company. Jaimie is a graduate of Studio 58.
Jaimie is very happy to be back working with Persistence Theatre this season. Originally from Vancouver BC, Jaimie moved to Newfoundland six years ago and is now proud to call St. John’s her home. Most recently Jaimie stage managed The Father for 30 for 60/Mindless Theatrics. Next year Jaimie will be hitting the road again with No Change in the Weather for Terra Bruce Productions. Favourite past credits include: Tosca for Opera on the Avalon; Offensive to Some and Original for PerSIStence Theatre; Betroffenheit with Kidd Pivot; Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen for The Firehall Arts Centre; and All The Way Home for The Electric Company. Jaimie is a graduate of Studio 58.
