In Spirit, featuring Cecil Mann-Nelson, runs in Winnipeg through Urban Indigenous Theatre Company at the Théâtre Cercle Molière from May 23 to 28, 2017. Shows nightly at 7:30. More info at UITC‘s site.

PRODUCTION DESIGN  Andy Moro
DIRECTION  Tara Beagan
UITC ARTISTIC DIRECTION Columpa Bobb

Shortly after finalizing the shape of In Spirit, we realized we needed to get this story out to our people. We knew this could happen in partnership with more hard-working colleagues.

In 2015, we applied for support to mount In Spirit with GTNT (then SNTC), featuring Dakota Hebert and SM’d by Aaron Shingoose. We had received an invitation from the U of Regina’s Performing Turtle Island and were very excited to partake.

Sadly, our funding did not come through. Thanks to the support of GTNT and the U of R, we went ahead anyway.

Much to our surprise, the funding body we had applied to did some re-organizing and found our project could be funded, though not retroactively. This blessing with caveats meant we could further our desire to give productions of In Spirit to another Indigenous company that shares our values.

Urban Indigenous Theatre Company thrives in Winnipeg, fostering upcoming Indigenous theatre artists and working from a place that prioritizes community and ongoing artistic health. Artistic Director Columpa Bobb’s vision is to nurture a strong youth base that can helm the company once they have the training they require. In Spirit is one step among many towards realizing this vision, and we are thrilled to be along for the ride.