Wren's Recipes
A theatre/puppetry piece in development.
'Wren's Recipes' follows the journey of a 10-year-old girl who discovers that there is magic behind the Ukrainian dishes she and her grandmother make together in their cottage kitchen from ingredients grown in their garden. When her grandmother suddenly falls ill, Wren finds a recipe book that may hold the key to a cure. As Wren uncovers the secrets behind the recipes, she moves ever closer to a sinister presence lurking within the pages. A tale of magic, courage, and the extraordinary bond between a granddaughter and grandmother.
About the Artists
Ginette Mohr
As a writer, performer, and director, Ginette works to motivate a more conscious, compassionate community through imaginative, participatory experiences. Her theatre productions have won numerous awards; performance credits include The Stratford Festival, Neptune Theatre, Young People's Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick, Theatre Aquarius, The Quickening Theatre, Theatre Direct, Keystone Theatre, and The Second City. She recently directed/co-created Snack Music and Table Top Tales with SNAFU Dance Theatre and co-created/performed in Night Feed with Canvas Sky Theatre. She is the Creative Director for the popular Catch Me in the Kitchen audio adventure and audio snack series.
Lori Nancy Kalamanski
Lori Nancy Kalamanski's career as an actor and singer has taken her all over the world performing on stage, in voice-over, film and television. She was part of the Canadian cast of the hit musical Come From Away (Mirvish/Junkyard Dog Productions) and recently played TV roles in Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia and Coming Distractions. She loves devising whimsical productions that provide multisensory experiences for audiences of all ages. She also plays ukulele and is part of the award-winning, folk-rock band for kids, Sing Along Tim & The Pacifiers.
Shawna Reiter
Shawna is a theatre artist, arts educator, and mother. Her passion for meaningful storytelling has inspired original theatre productions, large-scale puppet installations, interactive video animations, and, recently, illustrations. As Artistic Director of CLUNK Puppet Lab, Shawna created How I Became Invisible, Fin, The Uneventful Disappearance of Mr. Ogorki, Gone Fishin', and co-created/designed and directed the puppetry for Nightfeed. She has worked as a director, designer, and dramaturge specializing in puppetry for award-winning theatrical productions across Canada and in the U.S. Shawna is currently the Puppetry Performance and Production Professor at Humber College.
Angela Rudden
Angela has been playing the violin since age five. She switched to viola when she was fourteen because it sounded so much nicer. She and her viola have travelled all over the world, playing in Europe, the U.S. Japan, China, and New Zealand. She currently performs as Principal Viola with the National Ballet Orchestra. She has also played in the Canadian Opera Orchestra, Les Violons du Roy, the Toronto Symphony, Esprit Orchestra, and Aradia Ensemble. Angela teaches viola privately and at Music at Port Milford in Prince Edward County. The viola is Angela's voice and music is her language.
Reviews of Selected Work by the Artists:
CATCH ME IN THE KITCHEN STORY ADVENTURES — CATCH ME IN THE KITCHEN
“Catch Me in the Kitchen Story Adventures is a masterpiece of the imagination. They are dedicated to bringing each character to life, not only in the way they speak, but through their physical acting as well — flawless.” ★★★★★ —Shelley Cook, Winnipeg Free Press
“It shows me that these stories not only still have relevance in the lessons they impart, but that there seems to be an enormous range of ways that they can be told! “ —Calantha Jensen, The Jenny Review
“…an entertaining delight that promises to please audiences young and old …a magical showcase — one that makes a perfect introduction to the theatre. “ —Joshua Chong, The Toronto Star
NIGHT FEED —CANVAS SKY THEATRE
“…deeply honest storytelling and the performers keep it profoundly compelling…” NNNNN —NOW Magazine
Winner: Best of Fringe, Toronto
“…hilariously funny, …an ingeniously creative look at a night alone with a new baby.” —Mooney on Theatre
FISH FACE — THE QUICKENING THEATRE
“Writer/performer Ginette Mohr completely enchants us in this imaginative, dark fairy tale about a woman's adventures in a vivid underwater universe.” NNNNN —NOW Magazine
Winner: “Cultchivating the Fringe Award” —Vancouver Fringe Festival.
NOW Magazine Toronto Fringe Critic's Pick for Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Production, Outstanding Performance and Outstanding Design.
SNACK MUSIC — SNAFU DANCE THEATRE
“At Snack Music, the party starts as soon as you walk in the theatre.” ★★★★★ —CBC
“Snack Music is an absolute riot and you wish it just didn't have to end.” ★★★★★ —On Stage Ottawa Review
“Bring your best story, smile your biggest smile, and be ready to open your heart to a room full of strangers.” —Mooney on Theatre
“A delightfully whimsical show.” NNNN —Glenn Sumi, NOW Magazine
THE TRUTH ABOUT COMETS — THE QUICKENING THEATRE
“…magical production… three generations of female relatives in a work that's emotionally rich and theatrically inventive.” NNNN —NOW Magazine
“Fast-paced, funny and deeply moving…” ★★★★ ½ —Theatromania
Winner: “Best of Fringe” at the Toronto Fringe Festival
NOW Magazine Toronto Fringe Critic's Pick for Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Production, Outstanding Ensemble and Outstanding Direction
HOW I BECAME INVISIBLE — CLUNK PUPPET LAB
“…wonderfully expressive… beautiful to watch and is as tightly choreographed as any ballet.” —Stage Door
“The puppets are exquisite… lifelike and heartbreaking.” —Calgary Herald
THE WIZARD OF OZ — YOUNG PEOPLE'S THEATRE
“Puppets are used brilliantly…” —Theatre Critic Drew Rowsome
MARIA RASPUTIN PRESENTS — FORTE MUSICAL THEATRE GUILD
“Sailing… a number that is not only beautifully sung but wonderfully enhanced by an extremely touching and effective use of puppetry.” — Applause Meter
Nominated for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Production of a Musical, Betty Mitchell Awards