| Firebrand Theatre |
| Firebrand Theatre's Mandate *** To give life to stories that directly affect the lives of Canadian youth today. *** |
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About our Artistic Director:
"Beau brings to the table an incredible creative energy, enthusiasm and talent. You can't
help but be infected by it, whether you're working with him or an audience member.
I've witnessed him develop from an actor into a playwright into a director. Not many
people can turn all three into a success like Beau has been able to."
Ray Henderson, Artistic Director
Arbor Theatre
"Beau brings to the table an incredible creative energy, enthusiasm and talent. You can't
help but be infected by it, whether you're working with him or an audience member.
I've witnessed him develop from an actor into a playwright into a director. Not many
people can turn all three into a success like Beau has been able to."
Ray Henderson, Artistic Director
Arbor Theatre
Review of West Side Story:
"... The cohesive force behind such an unusual approach then goes to director Beau
Dixon whose obvious love for this evocative work is felt in every scene, in every musical
phrasing and in every actor’s breath. He makes use of every playing level, pushing the
action beyond the usual proscenium walls."
Bea Quarrie
Peterborough Examiner
"... The cohesive force behind such an unusual approach then goes to director Beau
Dixon whose obvious love for this evocative work is felt in every scene, in every musical
phrasing and in every actor’s breath. He makes use of every playing level, pushing the
action beyond the usual proscenium walls."
Bea Quarrie
Peterborough Examiner
Review of From Here To Africville:
"... (Frank) Tiefenback … comes alive as a corrupt racist cop."
"... Brendan Jeffers shows just the right amount of insolence and vulnerability as the
young delinquent (Dooey)"
Paula Citron
Globe and Mail
"... (Frank) Tiefenback … comes alive as a corrupt racist cop."
"... Brendan Jeffers shows just the right amount of insolence and vulnerability as the
young delinquent (Dooey)"
Paula Citron
Globe and Mail
Review of Once A Flame:
"... absorbing characters and relationships"
"... In Once A Flame, the magnificent performance of Nawa Nicole Simon as Marie Joseph
Angelique is alone worth the price of admission."
"... her character is as courageous as she is wicked."
Paula Citron
Globe and Mail
"... absorbing characters and relationships"
"... In Once A Flame, the magnificent performance of Nawa Nicole Simon as Marie Joseph
Angelique is alone worth the price of admission."
"... her character is as courageous as she is wicked."
Paula Citron
Globe and Mail
About Other People's Heaven:
"Other People's Heaven, the original play written by Beau Dixon, was a truly excellent
production to bring to our school. It really brought to life a time and aspect of Canadian
history that little was known about, for both staff and students! The topics raised (racial
equality/inequality, women's rights, poverty, and injustice) fuelled rich discussions in my
Grade 7/8 classroom, before and after viewing the play. Students recently voted the
production of Other People's Heaven as one of the highlights of the year, and 'the best
play we've seen at school.' "
Gobinde Soligo
Grade 8 Teacher
Roseneath Centennial Public School
"Other People's Heaven, the original play written by Beau Dixon, was a truly excellent
production to bring to our school. It really brought to life a time and aspect of Canadian
history that little was known about, for both staff and students! The topics raised (racial
equality/inequality, women's rights, poverty, and injustice) fuelled rich discussions in my
Grade 7/8 classroom, before and after viewing the play. Students recently voted the
production of Other People's Heaven as one of the highlights of the year, and 'the best
play we've seen at school.' "
Gobinde Soligo
Grade 8 Teacher
Roseneath Centennial Public School
Comments from our 2010 GTA tour of Other People's Heaven:
From St. Brigid Catholic School, Stouffville:
"I really enjoyed that you chose an event that is largely unknown by Canadians! The play
was well thought out and delivered wonderfully!"
"The discussion (afterward) was a great jumpstart to more conversation on this important
issue. We must continue telling the story to make the change!"
"I like how you discussed something that is not well-known in Canadian history; everyone
has heard of Rosa Parks, and now we all know about Viola Desmond."
From St. Dominic Savio Catholic School, Scarborough:
"I liked the dialogue after the play. The students were asking great questions. The local
nature (Canadian) makes it easier for the students to relate."
"The play was well-acted. Didn't pull punches and allowed the kids to feel as if the issues
weren't dumbed down because of their age."
"(The Study Guide) synopsis and summaries of scenes helped kids to remember and fill
in gaps."
"Having the students write monologues from the character's perspective was a very useful
activity for the kids to do from the study guide!"
From Alexander Muir-Gladstone Public School:
"An excellent experience. Nice to have something in Black History Month that deals with
the Canadian experience and not the American. Finally, something that shows that
Canadians have their own skeletons in the closet."
"Excellent play. I believe it really humanized the issue and allowed students to really see
how relevant these issues are even still today."
From Thornhill Public School:
"The students really enjoyed the characters. They commented that they learned and
remembered content and found the play interesting."
"The in-depth questions about discrimination and racism were most useful."
"Excellent performance! The feelings of pain that Viola experienced were excellently
portrayed!"
From St. Brigid Catholic School, Stouffville:
"I really enjoyed that you chose an event that is largely unknown by Canadians! The play
was well thought out and delivered wonderfully!"
"The discussion (afterward) was a great jumpstart to more conversation on this important
issue. We must continue telling the story to make the change!"
"I like how you discussed something that is not well-known in Canadian history; everyone
has heard of Rosa Parks, and now we all know about Viola Desmond."
From St. Dominic Savio Catholic School, Scarborough:
"I liked the dialogue after the play. The students were asking great questions. The local
nature (Canadian) makes it easier for the students to relate."
"The play was well-acted. Didn't pull punches and allowed the kids to feel as if the issues
weren't dumbed down because of their age."
"(The Study Guide) synopsis and summaries of scenes helped kids to remember and fill
in gaps."
"Having the students write monologues from the character's perspective was a very useful
activity for the kids to do from the study guide!"
From Alexander Muir-Gladstone Public School:
"An excellent experience. Nice to have something in Black History Month that deals with
the Canadian experience and not the American. Finally, something that shows that
Canadians have their own skeletons in the closet."
"Excellent play. I believe it really humanized the issue and allowed students to really see
how relevant these issues are even still today."
From Thornhill Public School:
"The students really enjoyed the characters. They commented that they learned and
remembered content and found the play interesting."
"The in-depth questions about discrimination and racism were most useful."
"Excellent performance! The feelings of pain that Viola experienced were excellently
portrayed!"
Below please find testimonials and comments from audience members (both students and teachers),
reviewers, and colleagues. On the sidebar we have included some Press Clippings about our inaugural
season and our 2010 production of "Other People's Heaven".
(Note: click each for a larger image in a new window - expand new window for largest possible image)
reviewers, and colleagues. On the sidebar we have included some Press Clippings about our inaugural
season and our 2010 production of "Other People's Heaven".
(Note: click each for a larger image in a new window - expand new window for largest possible image)
PRESS CLIPPINGS ARCHIVE:
2010
TESTIMONIALS:
2011