About the play
The Corsican Complaint is a commedia-inspired play rather than a commedia play proper. We have added and adapted characters and taken great liberties with the form, all the while grateful that hundreds of years ago theatre troupes existed to invite people who were going through a hard time to share a common experience. The Corsican Complaint has been a project of trust and of love, exploring the celebratory end of isolation, for us to laugh, to fall in love and to be re-located somewhere beautiful.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
- August 11, 7:30pm
- August 13, 7:30pm
- August 14, 1:30pm
- August 17, 7:30pm
- August 19, 7:30pm
- August 21, 7:30pm
LOCATION
Youtube Live Broadcast
RUNNING TIME
~ 2 hours
COST
Free Admission, donations to our COVID19 Student Emergency Fund accepted.
Directed by Sue Miner*
A graduate of the National Theatre School's Acting section in 1983 Sue Miner has been directing theatre for 29 years and teaching for 24. She is versed in new works, classical text, music theatre, puppetry and opera. She has long been an instructor at George Brown and been Program Coordinator since 2017. Her work at George Brown includes various scenes studies, Theatre for Young Audiences and several third year productions including The Learned ladies, Monsieur d'Eon is a Woman, The Penelopiad and Ring Round the Moon. Sue has also taught and directed at The Toronto Film School, Theatre Erindale, Sheridan, the TDSB and Theatre Ontario.
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Other credits include James and the Giant Peach (YPT) Prairie Nurse (Blyth Festival/Factory/ Thousand Island Playhouse) The Tempest (Canadian Stage Dream in High Park) and The Pub Operas (Tapestry Music Theatre) Sue is co-artistic director of Pea Green Theatre Group with her husband Mark Brownell. In 2010 both Sue and Mark received a Harold Award for "Outstanding Contribution to the Toronto Performing Arts Scene." Along with many Dora nominations, Sue made the long list for the Siminovitch Prize in 2007, and has been thrice touted as one of Toronto's Top-10 theatre artists by NOW Magazine.
Director's Notes
What a year it has been for theatre. As the entire planet has shut down, learned to Zoom and stream and share screens and unmute we have been valiantly trying to create and believe in theatre in a global situation where theatre may no longer exist exactly. But we are a theatre school and by definition are dedicated to training and making theatre. How could this be possible?
So far, the third year shows this year have been presented entirely online. My thanks go to the director/design/production teams who accomplished this and the students who valiantly shot video in public, or moved their beds to accommodate green screens and set pieces. So, while all this was going on amidst all the changing and adaptation I was looking for the perfect play for half of a third-year class to finish the year. The antidote for me was comedy.
I wanted it to fulfill three things. To laugh, to fall in love and for it to be located somewhere beautiful. But above all, to be presented on a theatre stage. Masked-and-distanced was worth the cost of getting to be in a room together to create.
For a very long time on the schedule this show was called “Comedy tba.” I had trouble finding the perfect one - so devised it was to be - and Commedia is entirely devised. We then added a title that was suitably vague and adaptable to any potential plot, then added characters, a location, and the story began to emerge. We wanted it to be set after a pandemic to explore the celebratory end of isolation. And so it began.
Of note The Corsican Complaint is a commedia-inspired play rather than a commedia play proper. We have added and adapted characters and taken great liberties with the form, all the while grateful that hundreds of years ago, theatre troupes existed to invite people who were going through a hard time to share a common experience. The Corsican Complaint has been a project of trust and of love. We hope you enjoy.
Creatives
Michael Panich* - Stage Manager
George Brown Theatre School: Three Sisters & Co, Metamorphoses, Planet Munsch, You Never Can Tell, Munsch Goes to School, Munsch-o-Mania, Munsch All Over, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Elsewhere: Suddenly Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare in Action), The Rainbow Fish, Stella-Queen of the Snow (Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia), Stories from Ovid’s Metamorphoses (Theatre Smith-Gilmour), The Hound of the Baskervilles (Lighthouse Festival Theatre), Canada in Love, Remember that Song, The Legend of Dan McGrew (Smile Theatre). Michael graduated from Concordia University’s theatre program in 2008. In addition to stage managing, Michael is also a production manager, actor and set/light designer.
Jackie Chau - Set & Props Design
Jackie has worked as a set and costume designer and her work has toured internationally. In addition, she is a production designer and art director for film and television. Selected theatre design credits include: Sexy Laundry (Theatre Aquarius) Annie Mae’s Movement, Almighty Voice and His Wife, Tombs of the Vanishing Indian, From Thine Eyes, HUFF (NEPA), Antigone Insurgency, Talking Masks, Charge of the Expormidable Moose, Ubu Mayor, S/W (One Little Goat), Gas Girls (New Harlem Productions), Romeo and Juliet (TD Dream in High Park/Can Stage), Zadie's Shoes, Lady Sunrise (Factory Theatre), Brown Balls (Fu-Gen), The Swearing Jar (Prairie Theatre Exchange), Fish Eyes Trilogy (GCTC), Canada 300 (Watermark Theatre), Cannibal the Musical (Starvox Entertainment),Twist Your Dickens (Second City Chicago/Toronto), Mini Me Makeover – Designer and Co-host (CBC Kids/Expect Theatre), Moment, Dissidents, Oil (ARC Theatre), Cowboy Versus Samurai, 39 Steps, Oraltorio (Soulpepper) and The Komagata Maru Incident (Stratford Festival). Jackie was named in NOW magazine's Top 10 Theatre Artists of 2009, nominated for the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design, nominated for a Saskatoon Area Theatre (SAT) award, 2 Broadway World awards and has received 8 Dora nominations for outstanding set and costume design. This is Jackie's 14th year designing for the George Brown Theatre.
Siobhán Sleath - Lighting Design
Siobhán is happy to be back at George Brown Theatre to design The Corsican Complaint. She’s also worked with the School on The Learned Ladies, Caucasian Chalk Circle, Machinal, Cavalcade, Lady Windermere’s Fan and three Munsch Shows. Other recent shows include: Ann (Arkansas Rep Theatre), The Horse and His Boy, Wilde Tales (Shaw Festival); Miracle on 34th Street, A Year with Frog and Toad, Shrek and The Addams Family (Neptune Theatre); Steel City Gangster and On a First Name Basis (Theatre Aquarius); Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Avenue Q (Sudbury Theatre Centre; and Elegies: A Song Cycle (Acting Up Stage). She is the Associate Lighting Designer on the Canadian production of Come from Away. More information can be found on her website: www.siobhansleathdesign.com
Ina Kerklaan - Costume Design
Ina is delighted to be designing costumes for The Corsican Complaint for the 3rd time with George Brown. Ina is educated in both Fashion Design through Ryerson Polytechnic University and Costume Cutting through Red Deer College in Alberta. Ina has worked primarily as a cutter and stitcher in theatre wardrobe since 1999. She has worked with The Banff Centre, The Citadel Theatre, Mirvish Productions, The National Ballet Company, the Canadian Opera Company, Soulpepper Theatre Company, The Canadian Stage Company and Young People’s Theatre Company. Ina joined the George Brown Theatre School in the Fall of 2013 as the Head of Wardrobe.
Sarah Flanigan – Assistant Stage Manager
Sarah is a Toronto based Stage Manager/Assistant Stage Manager. She is a graduate of Queen’s University with a BA Honours degree in Drama, and is thrilled to be back at work as an ASM for George Brown. Favourite credits include: Concord Floral (Theatre Kingston/Queen's University), Crow Hill: The Telephone Play (4th Line Theatre), and Carmel (4th Line Theatre).
Steafan Hannigan – Video Designer/Streaming Tech Coord.
Steafan was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland and moved to Canada nearly 12 years ago with his Wife Saskia and 3 children Oisin, Eile and Ayisha.
He has a background in theatre and has held many interesting positions: Technical Director, Musical Director, Head of Props, Head Carpenter, Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, and actor. Previously he worked as a Technical Director for many companies including Jumblies Theatre, Education Arts Canada and Festival Players.
He has also had an interesting career as a musician having composed the music for a 24-episode animated series which aired worldwide in 2015, worked with a diverse range such as Bjork, Depeche Mode, Loreena McKennitt and AfroCelts He has also appeared on MTV, BBC and CBC. Along with his wife Saskia, he was hired to work on developing the hit theatre show “Come from Away”.
And yes rumours are true, he arranged music for and appeared on the hit T.V. series “Friends” – the one with Ross’s wedding, acted in Canadian show “Coppers” and been a session musician on “Black Harbour”, “Relic Hunter ” and “Earth Final Conflict”.
He has played or produced over 200 albums, toured in over 30 countries and still has a recording studio and a collection of over 800 musical instruments. He is an author of “The Bodhran Book” and “The Low Whistle Book” both best sellers in their genre. He and his family also formed a band called Clan Hannigan
He regularly volunteers for ArtsCan Circle, working with Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario, specializing in working with the Pikanjikum First Nation and Project Journey.
Adriano Reis - Arlechinno
Adriano Reis is a Brazilian-Canadian actor Born in Toronto and raised in Newmarket, Ontario. After completing one year of training at Centennial College for Theatre Arts and Performance he enrolled at George Brown Theatre School.
SCENE STUDY HIGHLIGHTS: Castaño in House of Desires, Lord Darlington in Lady Windermere’s Fan, Sadiq in A Line in The Sand, Jorge in Refugee Hotel.
THEATRE: Demetrius in A Midsummer, Night’s Dream (Theatre Orangeville), Daemon in R.U.R (Centennial College) & Edmond in The Count of Monte Cristo (Sacred Heart HS).
ONLINE: Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest & Kyle in Best Brothers (Grandview Theatre).
Adriano spent his early childhood in Governador Valadares, Brazil with dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. When he was told that his dream was unrealistic, he decided to pursue acting instead. He would like to thank his parents for all their support in making his dream come true.
Instagram: @adrianoreis10
Casey Spector - Isabella
Casey Spector resides in Toronto, as an actor and singer who loves to dance! Casey grew up performing musical theatre and attended Alexander Mackenzie High School for their Theatre arts program to continue her training. Casey is thrilled to be a part of the George Brown Theatre School graduating class of 2020 and is forever grateful for the training she’s received from all the coaches, teachers and directors and for all the experiences she’s had with her fellow thespians.
George Brown credits include:
- Skunk (Planet Munsch)
- Mrs. Arbuthnot (A Woman of No Importance)
- Loureen (Poof)
- Sarah (Stop Kiss)
- Paulina (Winter’s Tale)
IG @caseeyy.s
Chanelle Larabie - Widow Cliquoquette di Corsica
Chanelle Larabie is a bilingual actress from Kapuskasing, Ontario. She has stood out from her peers since day one; while the other kids kept busy with sports, Chanelle would transform into different characters and put on shows for her friends. She had always assumed she just didn’t fit in until she was cast at the age of thirteen in a local theatre production of La Meute by Esther Beauchemin. Then Chanelle knew that she had the blood of an actress. Since the North didn’t offer many acting opportunities, Chanelle turned to pageantry to keep her performing needs met. In this world of glitz and glamour, she was able to showcase her singing and guitar skills, but most importantly she was able to build her self-confidence earning her the title of Miss Teen Ontario North. Today she is making her acting dream a reality by studying at the George Brown theatre school.
Favourite GBC scene study highlights include:
- Desdemona (Othello)
- Sara (Stop Kiss)
- Religion (The Divine Narcissus)
- Kendra (Gloria)
She has also particularly loved being in the role of Cat in the GB kid’s show Planet Munsch. Chanelle looks forward to her career and is aiming for television and film roles in her near future. She would love to thank her supportive parents Cindy & Dean and all the wonderful GB theatre school personnel. Follow her journey on her Instagram @chan_lara33.
Colton Gobbo - Pedrolino
Pursuing his love for the theatre after his first professional role at age 9 in Hair, Colton Gobbo is tremendously grateful to be a member of George Brown Theatre School’s graduating class, and to be performing alongside his incredible peers. With experience in theatre, combat, film and television, some of his favourite credits include:
George Brown: Don Juan (The Trickster of Seville), Squirrel (Planet Munsch), Lord Illingworth (A Woman of No Importance), and Demetrius (A Midsummer Night’s Dream).
Film & television: Lakewood (Phillip Noyce), Ginny and Georgia (Netflix / Sarah Lampert / Debra J. Fisher), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (André Øvredal), Titans (DC Entertainment), and of course, Operation Christmas List (Justin G. Dyck).
Colton would like to thank his family for the unending love, support, and the 9-hour roundtrips from his hometown Sudbury to Toronto for endless auditions - which he’s still paying off.
Instagram: @coltosaur
Davin Babulal - Capitano
Davin (they/them) is an enthusiastic all-rounder fuelled by their curiosity. They graduated from McMaster University with an Honours B.Sc. in LifeSciences but was also an honorary theatre kid and even got the opportunity to assistant direct and co-compose music for McMaster’s 2017 Fall Major Production, Women and Servants.
Some select theatre credits include: Leading Player (Pippin, MMT); Perchik (Fiddler on the Roof, MMT); Tybalt (Romeo and Juliet, Notapom Productions). Some of their favourite George Brown credits include: Richard (Richard III, Dir. Eva Barrie); Bayard Rustin (Seat Next to the King, Dir. Tanisha Taitt). They’re so grateful to be collaborating with such dedicated peers and facilitators.
They have a million hobbies but lately, they've been skateboarding, embroidering, whittling, and laying in the dark listening to albums all the way through. If you want to see what else they're up to, check out @darwinbibs on Instagram.
Kaitlin Condie - Rafaelina
Born and raised in Toronto, Kaitlin has also spent a fair share of her life in nature. She is thrilled to be part of a supportive and cohesive cohort at GBC Theatre School where she has been especially inspired by Kawa Ada, Tanisha Taitt and Keith Barker.
Favourite roles include:
- The Bandit Queen (The Bandit Queen)
- Temina (Planet Munsch)
- Faye (Skeleton Crew)
- Hester (A Woman of No Importance)
Aside from acting, Kaitlin spends her time in artistic activities including cake decorating, photography, and cosplay costume design and creation. She is prepared to live on ramen noodles until her acting vision comes to life! kaitlin.condie@gmail.com IG @bluebird1027
Karly Friesen - Pangrazzia
Karly Friesen is an actor and creator born and raised up North in Sudbury, Ontario. Karly is a proud graduate of the Drama and Dance program at Sudbury Secondary Highschool where she had the pleasure of performing roles such as Deb (Elf: The Musical), Elizabeth Proctor (The Crucible), and Sara (The Theory of Relativity). Her selected credits at George Brown Theatre School include: Mrs. Kendal (The Elephant Man), Queen Margaret (Richard IV), Gwendolen Fairfax (The Importance of Being Earnest), Kissy Aunt (Planet Munsch), and America (Divine Narcissus). When Karly’s not performing, she’s dancing around her apartment or practicing her embroidery skills. Karly would like to thank her family and friends from home who have given her endless support. She would also like to thank her fellow classmates for inspiring her everyday and for becoming her new family away from home, she couldn’t imagine graduating alongside anyone else.
Instagram: @karlyfriesen
Maggie Roman - Smeraldina
Maggie Roman is a Toronto-based actor, she is originally from the beautiful small town of Lion's Head, Ontario. She has loved the world of theatre from a young age, and she discovered her passion for physical theatre while training at George Brown. She is thrilled to be part of the George Brown Theatre School's 2021 graduating class, and to be able to perform alongside such wonderful artists.
Select George Brown Credits: Snares (Bandit Queen), Tina (Planet Munsch), Lady Windermere (Lady Windermere's Fan), King Claudius (Hamlet), Cassidy (Appropriate), The Angel of America (Angel's in America).
Max Kobetich - Lelio
Max Kobetich is a Canadian actor raised by his wonderful mother in Guelph, Ontario. He fell head over heels in love with acting at a young age and has never looked back since. Max absolutely loves to make himself and others around him laugh.
Select Theatre: House of desires (George Brown Theatre), Fuente Ovejuna (George Brown Theatre), Planet Munsch (George Brown Theatre), Out in the Open (Theatre Ross Touring Company), A Permanent Solution (Theatre Ross Touring Company).
Select on Screen: Directors Cut (short) (The Acting Center), The Piano Bar (short) (The acting Center), Sappsago Cheese Festival (short) (The acting Center).
Max is a massive proponent of chasing what makes one happy and never letting that go. He is very grateful to be a part of the George Brown Theatre School and honoured to be a part of the amazing class of 2021!
Instagram: @maxkobetich
Molly Mück - Bertolina
Born and raised in small town Ayr, Ontario, Molly is an artist of multiple disciplines such as: acting, music, comedy and digital media but has been acting since she was eight years old at various theatre camps around southern Ontario. Inspired by her dad, Molly learned to sing at a very young age and only found her love of performing through singing to him, while he played the guitar. She discovered her love of creation and direction when introduced to devised theatre in her tiny high school Drama Club.
Since coming to George Brown Theatre School, Molly has had numerous memorable roles, all of which have come with an abundance of knowledge.
SCENE STUDY HIGHLIGHTS: Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Vanda Jordan in Venus in Fur, Mrs Cheveley in An Ideal Husband, River in Appropriate.
OTHER THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS: (Cambridge Community Players) Mother in Story of a Mother, (GBTS) Andrew’s Mom in Planet Munsch, Florence in Poof!, (NTS Drama Festival) Seduction Sound in After Liverpool.
Olivia Cameron - Pantalone
Olivia Cameron is a Toronto-based actor originating from Brantford, Ontario. Her introduction to the arts began at the age of seven where she studied classical piano until entering high school where she was introduced to the world of theatre. Following high school, she took a year off and took part in the Paprika Festival where she co-wrote a play that she then performed in for the festival. Following that amazing experience, she permanently relocated to Toronto and began at George Brown.
Some of her favourite George Brown credits include:
- Cecily (The Importance of Being Earnest)
- Sancho (Don Quixote)
- Hamlet (Hamlet)
- Odessa (Water by the Spoonful)
She is honoured to be graduating with the class of 2021 and incredibly grateful to have worked alongside them during her time at George Brown. She would also like to thank her family for their continuous support and generosity. IG: @oliviacameron_99
Tom Keat - Dotoré
Born in Peterborough, Ontario, Tom is now a Toronto based writer, actor, and clown. He is a seasoned performer at 4th Line Theatre; his credits include The Right Road to Pontypool (2010), Cavan Blazers (2011), Bad Luck Bank Robbers (2016), Who Killed Snow White (2018), and very recently as Jeanne in Bedtime Stories & Other Horrifying Tales (2020). Tom is entering into his final year at George Brown Theatre School (GBTS); he's most proud of his work as Mengo in Fuente Ovejuna (2020), and as Don Gonzalo in The Trickster of Seville & The Stone Guest (2020). His other GBTS credits include: Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest (2020), The Bear in Planet Munch (2019), Brutus In Julius Caesar (2019), and as Colonel in A Line in the Sand (2018). After finishing GBTS, Tom plans to continue his education by taking courses in film and clown.
Credits & Acknowledgements
Production Staff
- Assistant Stage Manager: Sarah Flanigan
- Properties Master: David Hoekstra
- Stitcher: Victoria Banjavcic
- Stitcher: Gwyneth Whalen-Hughes
- Movement & Fight Coach: Jack Rennie
- Voice Coach: Christina Pastor
- Speech Coach: Geoffrey Pounsett
- Musical Coach: Stephan Ermel
- Alexander Technique Coach: Victoria Heart
- Social Media Coordinator: Olivia Cameron
Staff for George Brown Theatre
- Chair: Trent Scherer
- Program Coordinator: Sue Miner
- Support Coordinator: Michael Longstaff
- Production Manager/Technical Director: Scott Banks
- Production Assistant: Tim Moore
- Head of Wardrobe: Ina Kerklaan
Special thanks to our generous donors
- The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation
- Sonja Koerner and the Women’s Art Association
- Loretta Bogert-O’Brien
- Esther Farlinger
- Larry LaForet
- Audrey J. Murdoch
- Ray Wares
- Lu-Ju Chou
- George Brown Seniors’ Association
- Cindy Larable
- Debbie Read
Thank you to our friends in the community
- Cindy Bautista and the George Brown College Marketing Department
- Ashley Harychan, Vibalin Padua, Yun Lin, and Arleen Prudenciado (George Brown College Accounts Payable)
- Megan Woods and Soulpepper Theatre Company
- Robert Scott (Canadian Actors’ Equity Association)
*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance.Opera.Theatre Policy (DOT).
