STOLEN SISTERS is a one woman show that centers around the lives and legacies of three Beothuk women and girls whose names have survived in historical record - and whose stories have been mis-told, misrepresented, and mythologized by colonial interference.
By shifting the lens of history to reflect Indigenous perspective and experience these women set the record straight, telling their own stories with both humor and unflinching honesty. Based on the oral and written histories of colonization locally and world-wide, these women shine a light on the global experiences of Indigenous women and girls, and Newfoundland’s part in that legacy.
The play is written and directed by artist Leahdawn Helena and is performed by either Helena or Deantha Edmunds as all three women.
By shifting the lens of history to reflect Indigenous perspective and experience these women set the record straight, telling their own stories with both humor and unflinching honesty. Based on the oral and written histories of colonization locally and world-wide, these women shine a light on the global experiences of Indigenous women and girls, and Newfoundland’s part in that legacy.
The play is written and directed by artist Leahdawn Helena and is performed by either Helena or Deantha Edmunds as all three women.
Upcoming Performances
April 2024 - Avalon Peninsula School Shows
April - May 2024 - New Brunswick
- April 15-19 - now accepting bookings - email [email protected] to inquire
April - May 2024 - New Brunswick
- April 22-May 3 - presented by the Saint John Theatre Company
Content warnings
We at PerSIStence Theatre recognize that this performance contains sensitive material which is likely to bring up a variety of emotions and memories, especially for people with lived experience of violence, including colonial violence.
The STOLEN SISTERS project is grounded in community collaboration, and as part of this, we strive to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of the audience. Click here for content warnings and to learn more.
We at PerSIStence Theatre recognize that this performance contains sensitive material which is likely to bring up a variety of emotions and memories, especially for people with lived experience of violence, including colonial violence.
The STOLEN SISTERS project is grounded in community collaboration, and as part of this, we strive to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of the audience. Click here for content warnings and to learn more.
Cast and Crew List
- Jenn Deon - Producer
- Deantha Edmunds - Actor
- Anna Hansen-robitschek - Stage Manager
- Leahdawn Helena - Director, Playwright & Actor
- Tera McDonald - Graphic Designer
- Genevieve Walsh - Sound Designer & Assistant Stage Manager
- Alison Helmer - Special Costume Construction
- Sadhana Bhandari - Special Props Construction
Biographies
Jenn Deon - Producer (She/Her)
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist and administrator who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017); Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019); and Trudy Morgan-Cole's The Mirror (2021). 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. Jenn was also a nominee for the 2020 and 2022 Human Rights Award from the NL Human Rights Commission. Additionally, Jenn facilitates Respectful Workplace workshops for arts and non-profit organizations. In 2023, Jenn was a national finalist for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur awards in the category of Social Change - Regional Impact. |
Deantha Edmunds - Actor (She/Her)
Deantha Edmunds is Canada’s first Inuk professional classical singer. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in December 2023 for her work as a performer, writer, composer, and mentor. In her work, Deantha aims to empower Indigenous people and share their stories. She is currently based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Deantha was longlisted for the prestigious 2023 Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award from the Inuit Art Foundation. Her work has international reverberation as well as community integrity. She brings a level of professional excellence to Canada’s Indigenous art scene that is unique and important.
Deantha has released three albums. The most recent, Connections, won the 2022 Music NL awards for Classical Album of the Year, and Indigenous Artist of the Year. Connections was also nominated for a 2023 East Coast Music Award. Her EP My Beautiful Home (2019) and Pillorikput Inuit: Inuktitut Arias for All Seasons (2016) were also nominated for East Coast Music Awards. Her contribution to the internationally-acclaimed Messiah/Complex with Against the Grain Theatre and Toronto Symphony Orchestra helped garner the production a 2022 JUNO nomination, and the project also won the first ever Opera America Digital Excellence Award in 2022.
Deantha performs across Canada and abroad. She was a featured soloist with the Netherlands Chamber Choir in the world premiere of Flights of the Angakok by Austrian- American composer Lera Auerbach. The performance was held at Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ in Amsterdam in October 2023. As one of Canada’s official delegates at the Opera Europa conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in October 2023, Deantha had the opportunity to pitch her opera Irngutaq, which is the first opera written and composed by an Inuk.
During the summer of 2023, Deantha toured Newfoundland acting in PerSIStence Theatre’s production of Stolen Sisters, a one-person play by Leahdawn Helena about the lives and legacy of the Beothuk in Newfoundland. Other notable appearances include performing for His Holiness, Pope Francis in Iqaluit at the official apology to Inuit residential school survivors, and singing the anthem of Nunatsiavut for King Charles III at the St. John’s welcome ceremony of the Canadian Royal Tour which focused on Reconcilation.
In 2024, Deantha will also be a guest teaching artist with Susan Aglukark’s Arctic Rose Foundation, travelling to remote Northern communities to work with children using art as a healer. Creating original music, collaborating with other musicians, contributing to Indigenous productions, mentoring young Indigenous artists, doing voiceover work and acting both on stage and in TV/Film productions, Deantha shares her voice and vision with her whole heart, and turns heads across Canada and the world. Learn more at deantha.ca.
Deantha Edmunds is Canada’s first Inuk professional classical singer. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in December 2023 for her work as a performer, writer, composer, and mentor. In her work, Deantha aims to empower Indigenous people and share their stories. She is currently based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Deantha was longlisted for the prestigious 2023 Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award from the Inuit Art Foundation. Her work has international reverberation as well as community integrity. She brings a level of professional excellence to Canada’s Indigenous art scene that is unique and important.
Deantha has released three albums. The most recent, Connections, won the 2022 Music NL awards for Classical Album of the Year, and Indigenous Artist of the Year. Connections was also nominated for a 2023 East Coast Music Award. Her EP My Beautiful Home (2019) and Pillorikput Inuit: Inuktitut Arias for All Seasons (2016) were also nominated for East Coast Music Awards. Her contribution to the internationally-acclaimed Messiah/Complex with Against the Grain Theatre and Toronto Symphony Orchestra helped garner the production a 2022 JUNO nomination, and the project also won the first ever Opera America Digital Excellence Award in 2022.
Deantha performs across Canada and abroad. She was a featured soloist with the Netherlands Chamber Choir in the world premiere of Flights of the Angakok by Austrian- American composer Lera Auerbach. The performance was held at Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ in Amsterdam in October 2023. As one of Canada’s official delegates at the Opera Europa conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in October 2023, Deantha had the opportunity to pitch her opera Irngutaq, which is the first opera written and composed by an Inuk.
During the summer of 2023, Deantha toured Newfoundland acting in PerSIStence Theatre’s production of Stolen Sisters, a one-person play by Leahdawn Helena about the lives and legacy of the Beothuk in Newfoundland. Other notable appearances include performing for His Holiness, Pope Francis in Iqaluit at the official apology to Inuit residential school survivors, and singing the anthem of Nunatsiavut for King Charles III at the St. John’s welcome ceremony of the Canadian Royal Tour which focused on Reconcilation.
In 2024, Deantha will also be a guest teaching artist with Susan Aglukark’s Arctic Rose Foundation, travelling to remote Northern communities to work with children using art as a healer. Creating original music, collaborating with other musicians, contributing to Indigenous productions, mentoring young Indigenous artists, doing voiceover work and acting both on stage and in TV/Film productions, Deantha shares her voice and vision with her whole heart, and turns heads across Canada and the world. Learn more at deantha.ca.
Leahdawn Helena - Playwright and Director (She/They/Nekm)
Born and raised on the west coast of Newfoundland, Leahdawn Helena has been involved with theatre, film and radio since her early teens, though her first and most secret love has always been writing. An actor and director by training, her most recent stage appearance was in Meghan Greeley’s To The Girls at the 2021 Stephenville Theatre Festival. She also had the pleasure of directing Petrina Bromley last year in Elizabeth Hick’s Hearty at 80 for PerSIStence Theatre. She began to pursue professional writing after receiving an award from the Newfoundland Arts and Letters competition in 2020 for her screenplay Ruthless. Proudly L’nu, and a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaw, she also holds a BA in Sociocultural Studies and a BFA in Theatre from Memorial University, Grenfell Campus, which she puts to use as a freelance Indigenous Sociocultural Consultant for the St John’s Arts community.
Born and raised on the west coast of Newfoundland, Leahdawn Helena has been involved with theatre, film and radio since her early teens, though her first and most secret love has always been writing. An actor and director by training, her most recent stage appearance was in Meghan Greeley’s To The Girls at the 2021 Stephenville Theatre Festival. She also had the pleasure of directing Petrina Bromley last year in Elizabeth Hick’s Hearty at 80 for PerSIStence Theatre. She began to pursue professional writing after receiving an award from the Newfoundland Arts and Letters competition in 2020 for her screenplay Ruthless. Proudly L’nu, and a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaw, she also holds a BA in Sociocultural Studies and a BFA in Theatre from Memorial University, Grenfell Campus, which she puts to use as a freelance Indigenous Sociocultural Consultant for the St John’s Arts community.
Anna Hansen-robitschek - Stage Manager (She/Her)
.Anna Hansen-robitschek is a graduate of MUN’s Fine Arts program in Theatre at Grenfell. Her favourite roles in theatre are props and paint, but PerSIStence Theatre has such fascinating and intersectional ideas that she is happy to work with them in any capacity. Highlights of her career-so-far include: Costume Designer for Picnic at Hanging Rock, directed by Alex Fallis, Theatre @ Grenfell; Head of Props for Confessional and Les Belles Seours, directed by Lorne Pardy, Theatre @ Grenfell; direction of Without a Doubt (unpublished), Rotary Arts Centre. Our whole team is so proud to share Stolen Sisters with your community, and hope you learn, and cry, and laugh from these stories.
.Anna Hansen-robitschek is a graduate of MUN’s Fine Arts program in Theatre at Grenfell. Her favourite roles in theatre are props and paint, but PerSIStence Theatre has such fascinating and intersectional ideas that she is happy to work with them in any capacity. Highlights of her career-so-far include: Costume Designer for Picnic at Hanging Rock, directed by Alex Fallis, Theatre @ Grenfell; Head of Props for Confessional and Les Belles Seours, directed by Lorne Pardy, Theatre @ Grenfell; direction of Without a Doubt (unpublished), Rotary Arts Centre. Our whole team is so proud to share Stolen Sisters with your community, and hope you learn, and cry, and laugh from these stories.
Beth Sparkes - Sound Technician (She/Her)
An award-winning veteran of the theatre both in and out of the sound booth, Beth loves to thrill any audience. From MainStage productions such as Vimy, Chicago, Footloose, and Nunsense, to outdoor festivals and live music venues across Canada, Beth thrives on the challenges and intricacies of live performance. Needless to say she is thrilled make a comeback to be a part of the upcoming adventure of the Labrador tour of Stolen Sisters.
An award-winning veteran of the theatre both in and out of the sound booth, Beth loves to thrill any audience. From MainStage productions such as Vimy, Chicago, Footloose, and Nunsense, to outdoor festivals and live music venues across Canada, Beth thrives on the challenges and intricacies of live performance. Needless to say she is thrilled make a comeback to be a part of the upcoming adventure of the Labrador tour of Stolen Sisters.
Genevieve Walsh - Sound Designer (She/Her)
Genevieve is a music student at Memorial University studying the double bass, and practicing other disciplines for her solo project, Madigen. She's been fortunate to play in many pits, and is now using that experience to guide her new theatre work. Genevieve is beyond excited to be working with PerSIStence Theatre.
Tera Mcdonald - Graphic Designer (She/Her)
Newfoundland designer and communications professional, Tera McDonald, is a multipassionate person who creates art and strategies with equal vigor. Her business, Kalawikk (Gal-a-wick: diamond), is where she uses image, word and/or strategy to provide communication solutions for boards, organizations, businesses, and individuals. Tera blends digital and traditional art to depict Indigenous issues that resonate with her.
Newfoundland designer and communications professional, Tera McDonald, is a multipassionate person who creates art and strategies with equal vigor. Her business, Kalawikk (Gal-a-wick: diamond), is where she uses image, word and/or strategy to provide communication solutions for boards, organizations, businesses, and individuals. Tera blends digital and traditional art to depict Indigenous issues that resonate with her.
Alison Helmer - Special Costume Construction (She/Her)
Alison Helmer is a multidisciplinary artist who has been deeply and continuously influenced by her studies and experience working on the east coast. Born and raised on the prairies, she began her theatre education with the Stagecraft program at Grenfell college before completing the Scenography program at the National Theatre School of Canada. She approaches the world of both set and costume design through a lens of fantasy, history, and the tradition of storytelling. She is excited by Theatre that pushes the boundaries between conventional and experimental, and that seeks to fulfill our human search for truth, escape, and shared connection.
Alison Helmer is a multidisciplinary artist who has been deeply and continuously influenced by her studies and experience working on the east coast. Born and raised on the prairies, she began her theatre education with the Stagecraft program at Grenfell college before completing the Scenography program at the National Theatre School of Canada. She approaches the world of both set and costume design through a lens of fantasy, history, and the tradition of storytelling. She is excited by Theatre that pushes the boundaries between conventional and experimental, and that seeks to fulfill our human search for truth, escape, and shared connection.
Sadhana Bhandari - Special Prop Construction (She/Her)
Sadhana Bhandari has worked in the theatre since 2012. She has experience in acting, production, costume, and props management in theatre arts. She was the founding member of Tatsama Arts in Nepal. In 2022, Sadhana worked as an Artistic Intern for The Abortion Monologues, and Costume and Props Coordinator for Stolen Sisters for PerSiStence Theatre.
Sadhana Bhandari has worked in the theatre since 2012. She has experience in acting, production, costume, and props management in theatre arts. She was the founding member of Tatsama Arts in Nepal. In 2022, Sadhana worked as an Artistic Intern for The Abortion Monologues, and Costume and Props Coordinator for Stolen Sisters for PerSiStence Theatre.
