From press release

Davit wants to leave his motherland. Then he’s offered a one-way ticket out …
It’s crazily Canadian – a play about an Armenian mother and son, directed by a Slovenian-

Canadian, starring actors with Croatian, Polish and Greek roots.
Motherland tells the story of a battle of wills between a twenty-something Armenian actor musician who wants to leave home and his mother who can’t let him go. It may be set in Armenia, but it’s a story that resonates in the many cultural communities that make up
Toronto, a city of people who have “come from away” and are adjusting – or not – to the loss of traditional family relations.

Writer-producer Kristine Greenaway says Motherland was inspired by an autobiographical story told her by an actor she met while attending a film festival in Armenia. “I knew instantly that it was a story for Toronto,” Greenaway says. “The reaction of the culturally diverse audience members who saw Motherland at Alumnae Theatre’s Fireworks Festival confirmed my instinct. During Q&A sessions following performances, people of Caribbean, South-East Asian and Eastern European origins all had stories to share on a similar theme.”

The play is directed by Andreja Kovač, an award-winning director from Slovenia with more than 15 years of professional experience in Europe. Her directing credits include large-scale productions, contemporary play development, and opera. Kovač directed the Motherland première at Alumnae Theatre’s Fireworks Festival in November 2016.

Motherland was enthusiastically received at Alumnae Theatre’s Big Ideas and Fireworks festivals. A recent benefit performance for the Armenian community played to a sold-out house. Come see what the buzz is all about!

Amber Heart Productions presents Motherland in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival.

Starring: Erik Mrakovcic, Krys Potapczyk, Konstantina Mantelos, and Jeffrey Fennes.
Stage Manager: Amalea Ruffett.
Set design: Marysia Bucholc.
Costumes: Ivana Matuzovic.
Graphics: Suzanne Courtney.
Trailer: Nicholas Porteous.
Original music: Douglas Gibbens.

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From press release:

Yoga Gamification Comes to the 2017 Toronto Fringe Festival

D&D Yoga performance fuses yoga with imaginative roleplay gaming
 [Toronto, ON] – The Toronto Fringe Festival showcases numerous performances that are unique and interesting each year. Part of this year’s line-up includes an alternative theatre performance called D&D Yoga that fuses a yoga class with a roleplaying game. This is the first time this type of experimental, interactive theatre experience is being publicly performed in Canada.  The show, being produced by Downward d20, is also the only 2017 Toronto Fringe performance taking place in a yoga class setting.

Yoga and gaming are two of my passions and D&D Yoga is a fun way to combine these seemingly different activities,” said Christine Desrochers, yoga teacher and founder of Downward d20. “The Fringe Festival is a great opportunity to share this kind of experimental theatre with open-minded people,” added Desrochers.

D&D Yoga provides the audience the opportunity to directly experience a fantasy adventure while roleplaying their own character that will be one of three types: warrior, rogue or mage. The adventure story was written to match the flow of a yoga class and participants will use dice rolling and thematic yoga movements to explore an imaginary world, battle monsters, and overcome obstacles.

“When I first volunteered to test the D&D Yoga experience, I had no idea what it entailed,” said Amyris Rada, play tester and yoga teacher. “I never participated in a roleplaying game before and was genuinely surprised at how much fun it was,” added Rada.

The D&D Yoga experience has been designed for all skill levels so no yoga or gaming experience is required. Yogis can experience infusing their practice with imaginative gameplay, while gamers get the chance to explore creative movement in a roleplaying game.

“I have never really done yoga before and I was intrigued when asked to playtest something that combined yoga with roleplaying games,” said Robert Peacock, play tester and Dungeon & Dragons Dungeon Master. “The gaming elements were creatively streamlined and the yoga movements were well-matched to the adventure,” added Peacock.

Performances are being held at Toronto’s Dovercourt House. Eleven shows will be held throughout the Toronto Fringe Festival between July 5 and 16. Date and time details can be found at  https://fringetoronto.com/festivals/fringe/event/dd-yoga. 

Those planning on attending are encouraged to wear comfortable workout clothes. Yoga mats and dice will be provided.

About Downward d20

Downward d20 was founded in 2016 by Christine Desrochers, a certified yoga teacher and gaming enthusiast.  D&D yoga was created to provide people with an immersive experience through fusing a yoga practice with the imaginative elements of tabletop roleplay gaming. For more information about Downward d20 visit – www.facebook.com/Downwardd20

photo of Christine Desrochers by Amyris Rada

From press release:

“Close your eyes and count to three.”

Seven Siblings Theatre
in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents:

RECALL
Written by Eliza Clark
Directed by Will King

Starring: Kyla Young, Genevieve Adam, Madryn McCabe, Warren Kang, and Luis Fernandes.

Assistant Directed by Erik Helle – Fight Directed by Nate Bitton
Lighting Design by Parker Nowlan
Stage Managed by Chin Palipane
Produced by Will King, Madryn McCabe, and Nicole Nadeau

RECALL takes us to a grim, sci-fi world in which crimes might be prevented before they occur. Lucy makes people uncomfortable. There’s something about her eyes. There’s something about the way her mother’s boyfriends keep disappearing. And there’s something about the government agents on her trail. Radically imaginative and achingly plain, this contemporary thriller explores our need to feel connected, understood, and loved. No matter the damage, no matter the cost.

WHEN
Friday, July 7th, 2017 @ 1:45pm
Saturday, July 8th, 2017 @ 9:15pm
Monday, July 10th, 2017 @ 3:00pm
Tuesday, July 12th, 2017 @ 12:00pm
Wednesday, July 13th, 2017 @ 7:30pm
Thursday, July 14th, 2017 @ 11:00pm
Saturday July 16th, 2017@ 6:15pm

WHERE
The Theatre Centre – Franco Boni Theatre
1115 Queen Street W
Toronto, ON
M6J 3T4
Tickets are available starting June 8, 2017 @ www.fringetoronto.com or 416-966-1062
Price: $12.00

Please visit for more information on Seven Siblings Theatre @ http://www.sevensiblingstheatre.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/sevensiblingstheatreco
twitter: @SevenSiblingsCo
instagram: @sevensiblingstheatre