Since the inaugural year of Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre (NAC) began five years ago, programming for the 2024-25 year promises stories across nations and communities focused on resiliency, humour and celebrating our matriarchs.
Apt613 sat down with the Artistic Director of the NAC Indigenous Theatre Department, Kevin Loring, to talk more about what we can expect from the performances this season.
Loring, a member of Nlaka’pamux Nation from the Lytton First Nation in British Columbia, is also the artistic director of Savage Society—an Indigenous lead and produced theatre company that was created in 2004.
In 2017, Loring became the founding artistic director of NAC Indigenous Theatre, and remembers when it was just himself and Mairi Brascoupé—now Indigenous Cultural Resident at NAC Indigenous Theatre—working from the ground up.
Kevin Loring. Photo by John Kealey.
“We were starting from the ground floor,” says Loring. “But now we have a full department and a full team. We finally have the capacity that we require for a fully functioning theatre department at the Arts Centre.”
Loring mentions that most of his time as artistic director has been interrupted as a result of the pandemic, and that this will be his first full season.
The season begins with Homelands from Sept. 19–20, a choreographed multimedia performance that honours women’s connections to the land and waterways. Dancers of Damelahamid plays from Nov. 21–22 and is in collaboration with NAC Dance. This piece is a call to celebration of North West culture and storytelling.
(L-R): Katie Couchie, Santee Smith, and Feryn King from Homelands. Photo by David Hou.
Loring says that starting off the season with two predominantly dance pieces showcases the unique and specific style of Indigenous storytelling.
“What is Indigenous theatre? Since time immemorial, Indigenous folks have sung songs and told stories and danced. And often, those forms are blended in storytelling,” he says.
From Dec. 10–14, Bear Grease Christmas Special takes the stage, which Loring says was a crowd-pleasing no-brainer. Last season, NAC Indigenous Theatre presented Bear Grease to an eager audience, and when Loring heard there was a Christmas Special, he knew he had to bring them back.
(Top L-R): Justin Giehm, Skylene Gladue, Monique Candelaria, Raven Bright. (Bottom L-R): Teneil Whiskeyjack, Artson Bryce Morin, Melody McArthur, Tammy Rae, Rodney McLeod. Photo by Lightningcloud.
“I mean, Bear Grease—we sold that show out so fast, last time it was here, and people were begging us to bring them back,” he says. “So that was a no-brainer when we heard that they have a Christmas show.”
Ringing in the new year is Qaumma, performing from Jan. 15–17, which details how Inuit women have protected their culture, language and families. The Secret to Good Tea performs from March 20–29, tells a story of resilience post-residential schools and the relationship between mother and daughter.
“It deals with a mother-daughter relationship and reconciling their relationship, but also reconciliation broadly—they’re dealing with a lot of history and trauma and healing,” says Loring. “And it’s also hilarious. It’s so funny and a beautiful show.”
Rehearsal of Marguerite: le feu. Photo by Pascal Gely / Hans Lucas.
The season ends with a French-language performance of Marguerite: le feu from June 12–13 which speaks to the fight for justice and memory.
Loring is excited for this jam-packed season, and is ready to welcome audiences to the NAC for this incredible lineup.
“We have a really great audience base and the shows that we bring in are really exciting for folks,” he says. “We’ve been enjoying a very great response from the folks who couldn’t see our work.”
For more information about the 2024-25 NAC Indigenous Theatre programming, visit their website.
