A SCENIC EXPERIENCE COMBINING RADIO AND THEATER

Aalaapi | ᐋᓛᐱ is a hybrid project, combining the creations of both theater and radio. On stage, two women from Nunavik live their lives in front of our eyes; lives in which the radio is central and serves as a true guideline for their existence.

Through the radio, which sits as a centrepiece in their household and occupies a crucial place in Nordic communities, the sound of a documentary flows out for both us and them. We become immersed in the North through its soundscapes, its silences, and the voices of five young women from the Nunavik territory. Thus, the two women on stage listen as the documentary’s subjects speak about their very experience and will, at some point, even need to challenge them.

Laurence Dauphinais and Marie-Laurence Rancourt gather a group of indigenous and non-indigenous artists for the creation of a singular multidisciplinary piece where the spectator finds himself as a foreigner traveling north of the 55th parallel. With their senses aroused, the viewers are positioned as voyeurs, witnessing the lives of two Inuit women, whose realities they know very little. They are invited to listen with patience to gain access to this foreign world.

Aalaapi | ᐋᓛᐱ reflects the desire of the collective to position the piece in contrast to the often-conveyed images of the North. To open a door to a universe freed from clichés and preconceived ideas. It’s the possibility of meeting, both within the team and with the public. It’s an invitation to listen, as a means to better see. It’s a communion through bread and sound.

IT ALL BEGAN BY THE IDEA OF COMBINING RADIO AND THEATER TO SPEAK ABOUT THE NORTH.
BUT HOW?

This project required we be wrapped in ethical, political and sensitive reflections. The subject for reflection concerned, among other things: the collective work between indigenous and non-indigenous, the possible alliances and conciliations, the relative importance of speech within cultures, the use of aesthetics and processes that respect the individuals present.

From then on, the process became the project. Aalaapi | ᐋᓛᐱ always had listening at its core, a specificity which lead us to revisit our way of doing both radio and theater. How do we not reproduce historical relations of domination, but actualize new relationships? How does one de-center from one’s own aesthetic references? How do we create a truly collective work?

Director Laurence Dauphinais, and actors Hannah Tooktoo and Niap Saunders, ardently searched to establish a process of creation rooted in the patient use of time, openness toward sharing, nuance, and uncertainty. Together they explored a larger and more complicated reality than what is continually being shown.

During an exchange, Hannah Tooktoo pointed out “the great need of Nordic communities at the moment is to preserve, within their territory, the traditional forms of expression that have been largely weakened, which has greatly affected their sense of identity”. She added that “healing and the desire for sharing, has to come from within communities, and by offering a different representation of the North from the one constantly proposed by the media, Aalaapi | ᐋᓛᐱ is a useful tool”.

Radio is the medium of choice for Nordic communities and is a true social link. Radio is often thought of as a medium that broadcasts speech and information, but it’s really an art of listening. We invite the spectator of Aalaapi | ᐋᓛᐱ to adopt a rare quality of listening. This endeavour is the first step towards a real encounter, which is eagerly desired from both sides. This is what the show proposes.

Produced by Collectif Aalaapi
Original idea Laurence Dauphinais + Marie-Laurence Rancourt
Directed by Laurence Dauphinais

Radio documentary directed by Magnéto –Marie-Laurence Rancourt + Daniel Capeille
Performed by Nancy Saunders + Olivia Ikey
Assistant Director Charlie Cohen
Set Design Assistant Nancy Saunders
Translated by Brett Donahue + Nicolas Pirti-Duplessis
Animation Camille Monette-Dubeau
Tour Manager Charlotte Ménard+ Sandy Caron
Sound and video on tour Joel Lavoie
Technical Director + Lighting Manager on tour Romane Bocquet
Sound and video on tour Fabien Locas
Stage Manager Jasmine Kamruzzaman
Performed by Angel Annanack + Nancy Saunders
Set Design Odile Gamache
Set Design assistance Nancy Saunders
Lighting Design Chantal Labonté
Music Antonin Wyss
Sound and Video on tour Joël Lavoie
Video Guillaume Vallée

Other members of the collective Audrey Alasuak + Mélodie Duplessis + Caroline Jutras Boisclair + Samantha Leclerc + Louisa Naluiyuk + Akinisie Novalinga + Olivia Ikey + Angel Lacasse

Production and touring La Messe Basse
Created in association with Magneto
With the support of Nouveau Chapitre + Creative residencies Quai 5160, maison de la culture de Verdun + Ateliers de LA SERRE – arts vivants + Conseil des arts de Montréal

2019
CTDA, Montréal
TNO, Sudbury

2020
Théâtre du Bic

2021
Theatertreffen Stückemarkt, Berlin
Edinburgh Fringe
Mdc Verdun, Montréal
Mdc Ahuntsic, Montréal
Mdc St-Laurent, Montréal
Salle Thompson, Trois-Rivières

2022
PUSH, Vancouver
TPA, Caraquet
L’Escaouette, Moncton
Centre culturel de Sherbrooke
CNA, Ottawa
CINARS, Montreal

2023
NACCNT, Yellowknife
L’Unithéâtre, Edmonton
Luminato/TFT/Native Earth, Toronto
NAF, Mahkanda