Theatre Journey

My theatre background originated with the Theatre Performance and Creation program at Red Deer Polytechnic (nee: Red Deer College) from 2012-2014. From there I expanded my knowledge with playwriting with; Bilal Baig – Character Development (2019), Native Earth Performing Arts: Animikiig Creators Unit (2017-2018), Meiko Ouchii (2016), Gordon Pengilly (2012). As well I expanded my director skill-set with; Clare Preuss - Paprika Festival (2018), Aaron Jan (2017), Thomas Usher (2011-2014).

Since those skills have been fostered, I've written two plays that are in development still, and created a piece with collaborators.

Hummingbird

Hummingbird tells the story of Ethan, a young mixed raced Anishinaabe person, returning to his birthplace of Winnipeg where he reunites with his mom, Sharon, from Edmonton to celebrate the wedding of his godmother, Asha. A series of events lead Ethan to seek out his birth mother in hopes of finding proof of his Indigenous identity. What starts as a weekend of celebration and searching, soon becomes a weekend of tension, revelation of truth, and unexpected endings.

Where does one find themselves in transient matriarchy within a colonial world demanding you be claimed and identified?

Indigenous Playwrights Nest - Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity – April 2022

Dramaturgs: Deneh'Cho Thompson and Lindsay Lachance

Ensemble: Merewyn Cormeau, Malaya Quanirq Chapman, Lisa Cromarty, Spencer Streichert, Aaron Wells, Gordon Patrick White

Program Staff: Reneltta Arluk - Director of Indigenous Arts, Janine Windolph - Associate Director, Indigenous Arts, Jake Tkaczyk - Program Manager

The development of Hummingbird was supported by Native Earth’s Animikiig Creators’ Unit and Weesageechak Begins to Dance 2018 and 2019.

Weesagachuk 32 - November 20th 2019

Dramaturg: Tawiah Ben-Eben M'Carthy
Ensemble: Jenn Forgie, Sarah Afful, Sasha Rehaume, Theresa Cutknife, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, Brendan Chandler, Sandra Spears Bom Bay

Animikiig Creators Unit Director: Diana Belshaw

Summer 2019 Workshop

Dramaturg: Donna-Michelle St. Bernard

Ensemble: Jenn Forgie, Sarah Afful, Sasha Rehaume, Ally Pratt, Jay Northcott, Brendan Chandler, Sandra Spears Bom Bay

Animikiig Creators Unit Director: Diana Belshaw

Weesagachuk 31 - November 20th 2018

Dramaturg: Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
Ensemble: Cole Alvis, Yolanda Bonnell, Brendan Chandler, Jenn Forgie, Jocelyn Kraynyk, Kathleen MacLean, Nick Nahwegahbow

Animikiig Creators Unit Director: Diana Belshaw

Mx.

Mx. follows the intersecting relationships of six queer non-binary & male folks navigating a theme of: ‘what’s prescribed but hard to swallow’ over the 2016 year in downtown Toronto. Heath wants to thrive in the freedom Canada alludes to, Samphel discovering the possibilities of sexuality and the magic of the community’s nightlife, Dameer wanting to hold onto the rollercoaster ride of being in love, and Nathan flirting with all levels of performance, resilience, and lust. With the character of Mattea at the forefront wanting to juggle; community safety, a new burgeoning relationship, freedom, and emerging as the burlesque performer; Colin Eyes’d. Yet represented as the two spirits; Toby & Mickey, trying to find a way to find peace and thrivance within their Two-Spirit femme identity. With influences of Indigenous Missing & Murdered Youth, the McArthur Victims, BLMTO, and lateral violence in the Queer community, the story culminates in the mysterious disappearance of one of their own.

Originally this episode streamed June 1 to October 31, 2021.

Writer: Tyler J. Sloane

Co-Directors: Colin Wolf & Tyler J. Sloane

Featuring: Xavier Lopez, Jay Northcott, Kwaku Okyere, Zachary Running Coyote, Gehan Udayanga, and Marshall Vielle.

Sound Designer: Olivia Shortt

Production Coordinator: Sara German

Dramaturge: Jake Tkaczyk

Previously Developed through the Alberta Queer Calendar Project

Crystalize –

Crystalize explores how we work through mourning and love. Set in the mind of the character ‘Colin Eyes’d’, we see how a romantic relationship intersects and struggles with a couple’s drive to support community and overcome violence. The story is told through poetic love, heartbreak, letters, and movement.

Performed as part of Caminos 2019

Performer: Tyler J Sloane

Performer/Musician: Olivia Shortt

Sound Designer: Maddie Bautista

Director: Liz Staples

Project Design - Assembly Theatre 150 Residency: Samay Arcentales-Cajas

Previously Developed through the Assembly Theatre 150 Residency.