Harbourfront Centre - Fresh Ground new works

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Blue Note — created by Nightswimming, Toronto's leading dramaturgical company — is a collaboration between theatre artists, musicians and architects. A character study of a vocal ensemble, Blue Note follows seven singers in rehearsal, painting a picture of each person. As in a piece of choral music, the whole story is only revealed once the individual voices are singing together.

An elegiac investigation into loss within the realm of collaboration, Nightswimming is creating Blue Note as an installation rather than a traditional theatre piece, and during both the rehearsal process and the formal presentations the audience can voyeuristically observe the ensemble rehearsing.

Nightswimming is responsible for the theatrical development of Blue Note, while PLANT Architect Inc. will create spatial settings to allow the audience access to the performance, and also to contain the work in a subtle metaphoric environment that supports the emotional and narrative content of the piece.

nightswimmingtheatre.com
branchplant.com

The Collaborators

Brian Quirt, Artistic Director, Nightswimming
Naomi Campbell, Producer, Nightswimming

Created by Brian Quirt and Martin Julien

Design by PLANT Architect Inc.
Chris Pommer, Lisa Rapoport, Mary Tremain Performed by Neema Bickersteth, Jay Bowen, Christine Brubaker, Steven Gallagher, Kate Hennig, John Millard, Jane Miller

Stage managed by Sandy Plunkett

Commissioned in 2007

Presented by Nightswimming
and Harbourfront Centre
York Quay Centre Gallery, 235 Queens Quay West
September 11 – 14, 2008 | Open Rehearsals
September 16 – 21, 2008 | Performances

To date, a generous group of visionary donors have supported the creation of 19 new commissions. We would like to thank the following supporters of the Fresh Ground new works commissioning programme for their leadership and continued support of artists: Peter Allen, William J. S. Boyle, Lionel F. Conacher and Joan Dea, Margaret and Jim Fleck, Michael and Sonja Koerner, Judy and Wil Matthews, George E. Myhal, Sonja Smits and Seaton McLean; and grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the J.P. Bickell Foundation.