TODOS Productions
in partnership with White Rooster Theatre & Neighbourhood Dance Works
presents
in partnership with White Rooster Theatre & Neighbourhood Dance Works
presents
- Happy Anniversary -
by Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan
Poster by Jude Benoit
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Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan began writing Happy Anniversary during TODOS' 2020 Writing Mentorship with Robert Chafe and Santiago Guzmán. Happy Anniversary has been developed through TODOS in the 5th Annual St. John’s Short Play Festival (2020), Women's Work Festival (2021), and PARC (2022). Three years later, this play will have its world premiere on April 27-30, 2023 in yet another co-production between TODOS Productions and White Rooster Theatre, and a partnership with Neighbourhood Dance Works.
In Happy Anniversary we meet Marta and Carlos, a Portuguese-speaking couple celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary. Through the juxtaposition of a dinner celebration set in the present alongside memories from their early relationship, we learn how these two characters have grown apart and how violence has perpetuated harm and trauma at the hands of Carlos. Cardoso-Whelan handles domestic violence artistically, using tango music and dance to express tension and its physicality. As bookends for the play, we hear testimonies from other women who had experienced domestic violence. Using a combination of text, visual design, and tango elements to tell a story of gender based violence, this production aims to explore a difficult subject in a unique and impactful way. |
Rehearsal Photos by Jeremy Harnum
In line with our desire to centre accessibility in our theatrical productions, we will be livestreaming performances on April 28 & 29, and all performances will be ASL interpreted by Triangular Communications Inc.
In partnership with MusicNL, local musicians will take the LSPU Hall’s Cox & Palmer Second Space to welcome audiences to every performance. These short concerts will start at 7:30 pm on April 27 -30.
Please note:
-During the performance, the Cox and Palmer 2nd Space will be assigned as a relaxed space, where audiences can step away from the performance if needed;
-We are accepting donations of personal hygiene items (shampoo, deodorant, bodywash, toothpaste/toothbrushes or gift cards) and spring clothes for the St. John's Women Centre and financial donations (electronic transfers) for the Salt Water Community and YWCA St. John's;
-After the performance, we will hold space at the Cox and Palmer 2nd Space for audiences to process the feelings stirred by the play, in community.
In partnership with MusicNL, local musicians will take the LSPU Hall’s Cox & Palmer Second Space to welcome audiences to every performance. These short concerts will start at 7:30 pm on April 27 -30.
Please note:
-During the performance, the Cox and Palmer 2nd Space will be assigned as a relaxed space, where audiences can step away from the performance if needed;
-We are accepting donations of personal hygiene items (shampoo, deodorant, bodywash, toothpaste/toothbrushes or gift cards) and spring clothes for the St. John's Women Centre and financial donations (electronic transfers) for the Salt Water Community and YWCA St. John's;
-After the performance, we will hold space at the Cox and Palmer 2nd Space for audiences to process the feelings stirred by the play, in community.
Playwright's Note
In 2019, I was one of the lucky people selected to participate in a Writing Mentorship facilitated by TODOS Productions.
Santiago Guzmán and Robert Chafe gave me all the support that a new playwright could have. I wrote Happy Anniversary through that opportunity.
When TODOS proposed to produce the play, I was over the moon. Santiago asked me who I would like to direct the piece, I said, “Can I dream big? Ruth Lawrence.” Santiago didn’t promise but they said he would chat with Ruth, and the dream came true, with a bonus of an incredible team.
Writing Happy Anniversary was very difficult. It hurt deeply in my heart. Eu chorei Rios e Mares (I cried Rivers and Oceans in Portuguese). I feel hurt every time I see another case of gender-based violence (GBV) on the news or near me. It’s hard when you see family and friends going through situations of abuse and you feel helpless. I grew up seeing GBV, in the news, in the neighbourhood, and in my family. Writing the play, I learned that I’ve been in an abusive and toxic relationship in the past; that now I know that wasn’t healthy.
My question is: Until when we will witness GBV and do nothing?
I believe that theatre has the power of engaging with the community in a supportive way, providing awareness about social issues, and leading to actions and changes. My hope is that as a society we ask ourselves “What can we do?” That’s why I wrote this play, for actions and changes, to STOP GBV.
I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to all the survivors that trusted me with their testimonials. All my love and respect.
Thanks to all women in my life, who inspire me every day.
Thanks to my family for their patience and love.
Thanks to the whole team for the support and beautiful hard work put into this project.
Thanks to TODOS, White Rooster, Neighbourhood Dance Works, and all the supporters and volunteers, thanks for believing in this project, I couldn’t have done it without you.
Happy Anniversary is my baby. I want it to go into the world and spread the message of love and the results of the lack of it.
For the survivors: all my love, you’re not alone, this is for you…
Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan
Santiago Guzmán and Robert Chafe gave me all the support that a new playwright could have. I wrote Happy Anniversary through that opportunity.
When TODOS proposed to produce the play, I was over the moon. Santiago asked me who I would like to direct the piece, I said, “Can I dream big? Ruth Lawrence.” Santiago didn’t promise but they said he would chat with Ruth, and the dream came true, with a bonus of an incredible team.
Writing Happy Anniversary was very difficult. It hurt deeply in my heart. Eu chorei Rios e Mares (I cried Rivers and Oceans in Portuguese). I feel hurt every time I see another case of gender-based violence (GBV) on the news or near me. It’s hard when you see family and friends going through situations of abuse and you feel helpless. I grew up seeing GBV, in the news, in the neighbourhood, and in my family. Writing the play, I learned that I’ve been in an abusive and toxic relationship in the past; that now I know that wasn’t healthy.
My question is: Until when we will witness GBV and do nothing?
I believe that theatre has the power of engaging with the community in a supportive way, providing awareness about social issues, and leading to actions and changes. My hope is that as a society we ask ourselves “What can we do?” That’s why I wrote this play, for actions and changes, to STOP GBV.
I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to all the survivors that trusted me with their testimonials. All my love and respect.
Thanks to all women in my life, who inspire me every day.
Thanks to my family for their patience and love.
Thanks to the whole team for the support and beautiful hard work put into this project.
Thanks to TODOS, White Rooster, Neighbourhood Dance Works, and all the supporters and volunteers, thanks for believing in this project, I couldn’t have done it without you.
Happy Anniversary is my baby. I want it to go into the world and spread the message of love and the results of the lack of it.
For the survivors: all my love, you’re not alone, this is for you…
Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan
Meet the Cast
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STARRING
Ana Luísa Ramos as MARTA Bruno Vinhas as CARLOS Alicia Cruz as MEL |
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Meet the Creative Team
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PLAYWRIGHT AND
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan DIRECTOR Ruth Lawrence* STAGE MANAGER Lina Makaga CHOREOGRAPHER Andrya Duff SET AND PROPS DESIGN Meghan Greeley COSTUME DESIGN Nico Paulo SOUND DESIGNER Beto de la Paz LIGHTING DESIGNER Bob Stamp DRAMATURGY AND MULTIMEDIA DESIGN Sara Tilley PRODUCERS Ana Pitol Santiago Guzmán MENTEES Cassondra Katherine Lisah Nsanzugwanko PUBLICIST Nora de Mariaffi PROJECTION SUPPORT Reg Roskins ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Jarod Farrell ASL INTERPRETATION Triangular Communications Inc. *The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT).
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Pre-Show Performers
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In partnership with MusicNL, local musicians will take the Resource Centre For The Arts Cox & Palmer Second Space at 7:30 pm to welcome audiences to every performance.
APRIL 27
Janet Cull APRIL 28 Cristina Hernandez APRIL 29 Claire Porter APRIL 30 Valmy Thank you to MusicNL and Hurricane Music for supporting us with these pre-show performances.
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Special Thanks
Theatre creation is a community effort. We are sincerely grateful to the following folks who have contributed, some way or another, to the development and production of Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan's Happy Anniversary:
Calla Lachance and the NDW team, Robyn Huxter, Bernardine Stapleton, Sherry White, Maria Foley, Natasha Blackwood, Melissa Samms, Collen Power and CHMR, Pamela Halstead, Robert Chafe, Yago Mesquita, Nicha Almeida, Wendi Smallwood, Nicole Rose Bond, Emily Austin, Flora Planchat, Brenda Tilley, Andrea McGuire, Brent Baker, Jose Javier Noyola Zarazua (bandoneon), Jose Manuel Tapia Urias (cello), Juan Pablo Ortega Moreno (violin), Jose Manuel Blancas Pereyra (piano), Jesús Arturo González Martínez (studio engineer), Diego Sola Torre (audio assistant), Humberto & Isabel Piccoli, Arto Companhia, Maria Gentle & YWCA St.John’s, YWCA's Connextions Program, Instituto Maria da Penha, Clara & Eric Escudero, Greg Whelan, Chelsea Whelan, Cecilia Whelan, Anna Paula Santos, Lois Brown, Deborah Clarke, Francis Norman, St. John’s Women Centre, Andrea Butler, Adrienne Gauton, Pi Restaurant, Ryan Greeley, Neville Greeley, Terry Doyle, Jamie Skidmore at MUNs Stage and Screen Program, Kate Stenson, Nicole Rousseau & RCA Theatre, Michey Chan Center Plate, Gill Hickman, and Bob & Marie.
To our fierce volunteers, Alessandra Costa, Amparo Montoya, Reine Faiad, Joana Smits, Mariana Castro-Carvajal, Elizabeth Hicks, Aedon Young, Amy Anthony, Aimee Coles, Perin Squires, Sylvia Turpin, Nicholas Gushue, Nina Wolf, Shan Liegh Pomeroy, James Barnes Francis, Jing Xia, Deantha Edmunds, Nonxebazenkosi Khumalo, Rachel Gilbert, Stephanie Margaret Simons, Raine O'connor, Ovia Mano, Ellen Reid, Karin Murray Bergquist, Simba, Arturo Cuevas, Brandon Hillier, Raven Ritman, Eldin Husic, Kimberley Sally, Zihan Jin, A Powell, Dakotah, Julian, Amanda Klein, Patricia Andrews, Philip, Anesu Allan, Holly Rose, Tendai Mudunge, Eduardo Monteiro Araújo, Alix Sanchez Gomez, Daniel Lanigan O'Hara, Beth Fagan, and Greg Whelan.
Community Resources
SaltWater is raising funds and awareness to serve the needs of vulnerable rural communities that address some of the most pressing issues facing youth, families and seniors in Bonavista Peninsula including; poverty, affordable housing and advocacy. (EMT: donations.swca@gmail.com)
To meet one of the most frequent and urgent needs voiced by survivors, YWCA Canada, in partnership with YWCA St. John’s launched Canada’s first National Emergency Survivor Support Fund (the NESS Fund). This initiative provides women, gender-diverse people and their families with financial support to leave unsafe homes or emergency shelters/precarious housing situations and begin their healing journeys.
The Clothing Boutique Program is available to all women and non-binary people in the St. John’s area. Appointments are available monthly on Thursdays 10:30am-3:30pm. All items are FREE! This program has been a great resource to those experiencing homelessness, living on fixed or low incomes, experiencing violence, or simply seeking something new to wear. Distributed through the Clothing Boutique, the Personal Care Pantry Program provides an array of hygiene products for women and their families free of charge. On average, approximately 750 appointments are made annually, not including numerous emergency referrals. Gently used clothing and new personal care items are donated to the Centre regularly by the caring community and as-needed drives.
To meet one of the most frequent and urgent needs voiced by survivors, YWCA Canada, in partnership with YWCA St. John’s launched Canada’s first National Emergency Survivor Support Fund (the NESS Fund). This initiative provides women, gender-diverse people and their families with financial support to leave unsafe homes or emergency shelters/precarious housing situations and begin their healing journeys.
The Clothing Boutique Program is available to all women and non-binary people in the St. John’s area. Appointments are available monthly on Thursdays 10:30am-3:30pm. All items are FREE! This program has been a great resource to those experiencing homelessness, living on fixed or low incomes, experiencing violence, or simply seeking something new to wear. Distributed through the Clothing Boutique, the Personal Care Pantry Program provides an array of hygiene products for women and their families free of charge. On average, approximately 750 appointments are made annually, not including numerous emergency referrals. Gently used clothing and new personal care items are donated to the Centre regularly by the caring community and as-needed drives.
Other related organizations:
- Violence Prevention Avalon East - is dedicated to creating a safe environment, where all people in Newfoundland and Labrador have the ability to live a life without fear of physical, sexual, emotional, or any other form of violence. We are also on a mission to ensure the voices of survivors are shown in the work we do, and that they feel heard.
- NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre - We are a non-profit, community-based, charitable organization that exists to support individuals of all genders who have been impacted by sexual violence. We operate from a feminist, pro-choice, trauma-informed, person-centered perspective where individuals with lived experienced are honoured for their unique strengths, needs, skills, and abilities.
- Transition House Association of NL - The Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is a voluntary, non-profit community-based organization whose mandate is to strengthen and support the network of provincially funded shelters and services for women – with or without children – affected by relationship violence.
TODOS Productions gratefully acknowledges the support from
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