The Red Truck Program
Show Dates:
May 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31
June 4, 5, 6, 7, 2026
Evening shows : Doors - 6:30 pm Show - 7:30 pm
Matinee Shows: Doors 12:30 pm Show - 1:30 pm
*Desserts and drinks available before the show*
The Red Truck Story
Sometimes you just don’t want a new truck. Sometimes you want the old truck that’s rusting out in the back 40. The one that you learned to drive on. Sometimes you just don’t want to move to Vancouver. You tried it and it wasn’t for you. Sometimes you just want to farm the land that your dad farmed. The Red Truck is a quirky, warm, family comedy, that is about as ‘Saskatchewan’ as a tail-gate field lunch in a newly harvested stubble field. Starring an all Saskatchewan cast
and written by James O’Shea, author of Dogbarked.
Dancing Sky Theatre Land Acknowledgement
Dancing Sky Theatre is proud and honoured to be making art on the great plains of North America, also called Turtle Island and many other names. We strive to reflect rural realities in an urban-centric culture. We recognize that we share this landscape with various indigenous peoples (many signees to Treaty #6), members of the The Metis Nation, several generations of settlers, as well as new immigrants to these lands. We also seek to share the space with the more than human world, both indigenous and immigrant. We aim to respect, and work in harmony and balance with all the diversity of life that surrounds us.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
A big warm spring welcome to Dancing Sky!
James O’Shea has been a personal friend and a great creative collaborator with Dancing Sky Theatre for a very long time. He has been a vital part of our Prairie Panto projects since the beginning in 2005. He has been seen on stage acting and juggling and he also helped create the scripts. In 2002 we produced the world premier of his first play, DOGBARKED. That play went on to be produced many times all over Western Canada. In 2006 James was the Artist in Residence with us for the season. One of the results of that project was a new play, THE RED TRUCK, which again received its’ world premiere production on our stage.
One of Dancing Sky’s main commitments has always been to create theatre that reflects and celebrates rural Saskatchewan culture, and to work with 100% Saskatchewan artists. Well, THE RED TRUCK is about as “Saskatchewan” as it gets. James was living in Bruno, and working in Meacham while he was writing the script, and all of the places, names, ideas and language are from our immediate area. Unlike DOGBARKED, THE RED TRUCK has not been produced since that first production 20 years ago, so it feels important to go back and revisit it, and bring it new life. As for the Saskatchewan artists, it has been an absolute joy to work with this new, local creative team. I would like to thank all of them for their passion, commitment and hard work, and most of all for making it a pleasure to come to work in the morning.
I hope that you enjoy this truly prairie tale.
Angus Ferguson, Director
Welcome From the General Manager
Welcome to Dancing Sky Theatre and thank you for joining us for this special production. Whether this is your first visit or you have been part of our theatre family for years, we are grateful to share this evening with you.
Dancing Sky Theatre was built on the belief that stories matter — especially Saskatchewan stories. Our theatre calls the historic Ukrainian Orthodox Hall home, a gathering place originally built by community hands so people could come together to celebrate, connect, and share experiences. Generations later, that spirit continues each time the lights dim and a story begins on our stage.
Rural halls like ours have always been more than buildings. They are places where communities gather for music, dances, meetings, celebrations, and storytelling. Today, that tradition lives on through theatre. At DST, we are proud to continue using this space as a home for prairie voices, local artists, and stories that reflect the humour, resilience, and heart of life on the Canadian prairies.
Productions like this are only possible because of the incredible support we receive from our audiences, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and community partners. Your encouragement helps us create professional rural theatre and ensures that Saskatchewan stories continue to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
To our sponsors and supporters, thank you for believing in the arts, in community, and in the importance of keeping live theatre thriving in rural Saskatchewan. Your generosity makes evenings like this possible.
We hope you enjoy the show, the celebration, and the experience of gathering together in this special place once again.
Warm regards, Karen Pidskalny
Meet The Cast, Crew & Playwright
Savana Gallant
Actor
She/Her
Savana Gallant (she/her) is an actor, singer, and dancer hailing from Saskatoon, SK. She holds an MFA in Musical Theatre from Guildford School of Acting (Surrey, England), and is a graduate from Randolph College for the Performing Arts (Toronto). Upon returning to Saskatoon, Savana has had the privilege of performing and collaborating in a variety of local shows with recent highlights including Paper Wheat and Greensleep, A Fairytale for the End of Days (Dancing Sky Theatre), In the Next Room (Lolabrickida Theatre), The Love Interest (Theatre Howl), and Typecastress (Little Libertine Playhouse Inc.) Savana has also been fortunate enough to be a part of the O16 Electric Crew for the Saskatchewan Rush from 2022-2025, as well the Saskatchewan Roughrider Cheer Team in 2023. She is so excited to be coming back home to Dancing Sky and hopes you enjoy The Red Truck!
Blaine Hart
Actor
He/him
1. What drew you to this production and to working with Dancing Sky Theatre?
I always enjoy working with Angus at Dancing Sky. It’s a uniquely creative atmosphere. I’ve known James O’Shea for years and I’ve enjoyed working him. I love the characters, the dialogue and the humour James has created with ’THE RED TRUCK’.
2. Why do you think Saskatchewan stories — and rural theatre — matter today?
I believe it’s important for people here to connect with the prairie, our history and the many stories that have contributed so much to who we are today.
I hope they are reminded of the unique challenges that farming families continue to face.
3. What has been your favourite memory during rehearsals or time spent at Dancing Sky Theatre?
The sheer joy of the creative process, ball tossing included.
4. Is there a connection between your character/story and your own prairie or community experiences?
My parents came from the farm into the city. I spent hours with my cousins on the farm, messing with trucks, hay bales and crusty farmers who loved to kid around.
5. What do you hope audiences take away from this production?
I hope audiences can reconnect with the prairie and find a new appreciation for its people and their strength, warmth and humour.
Carson Walliser
Actor
He/him
Carson Walliser is excited to be back at Dancing Sky Theatre with the wonderful cast and crew of The Red Truck! Originally from Swift Current he later went on to attend the University of Regina and graduated with a BA in Theatre Performance. He later attended MacEwan University for a diploma in Musical Theatre. Some of his most recent credits include: Lewis in Pippin (Play on Words), Annette in his original Drag musical "Annette is a Bimbo!", Orpheus, Posideon, and Psyche in Metamorphoses (United Players), George Gibbs in Our Town (Little Dipper), Costume Designer for two Globe Theatre productions (2023/2024 season) and Costume Coordinator for The Stratford Festival. In his free time you can find Carson drinking large amounts of coffee, re-watching his favourite shows, and spending time with his family and friends who he would like to thank for all their support!
Jordan Welbourne
Musician/Composer
He/him
A proud Canadian-Ukrainian artist, Jordan Welbourne is a versatile musician whose talents span singing, songwriting, composition, and music direction. With a deep passion for both Western classical and Ukrainian music, Jordan’s diverse musical background reflects his cultural heritage and eclectic style.
Jordan’s international career as a performer includes multiple contracts as a guitarist and vocalist with P&O Cruises Australia, where he captivated audiences worldwide. He also plays lead guitar and serves as music director for Regina country artist Amy Nelson. As a member of The Nightrain, a celebrated Guns N’ Roses tribute band, Jordan energizes rock fans interpreting the iconic guitar playing of “Slash”.
In addition to his extensive performing career, Jordan is the assistant conductor for the Lastiwka Ukrainian Choir and Orchestra, where he also contributes as a performer. He toured Ukraine with Lastiwka, performing as a soloist, chorus member, and playing traditional instruments like the tsymbaly and kobza. His deep connection to Ukrainian music continues to shape his artistic path.
Jordan is an emerging singer with a growing presence in both opera and musical theatre. He has performed in Saskatoon Opera’s productions of Don Pasquale and The Magic Flute, and is committed to refining his craft in classical, contemporary opera, and musical theatre. Through focused studies and performances, Jordan is solidifying his reputation as a versatile and skilled vocalist, making significant strides in these art forms. In 2025, Jordan served as the music director for Dancing Sky Theatre’s production of “Paper Wheat,” as well as Mavka Theatre’s sold-out, heldover production of “Moonshine” at the Edmonton Fringe Festival.
Jordan composed and produced the music for Svitlo, a Ukrainian dance production by Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in Edmonton, further demonstrating his ability to merge cultural traditions with modern artistic expression.
Angus Ferguson
Artistic Director
Angus was born a long time ago in the magical hills in the South West of England. He grew up and went to school there and was a fairly normal English boy. When he was 15 years old, his Mum fell in love and remarried, and it was decided that the whole new family was going to move to Canada. Angus had never been to Canada, and he knew very little about it, but it all sounded like an exciting adventure. A house was bought in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan which sounded very exotic and different. So, the first time he set foot in his new land was when he moved here. It was January 3rd 1978, at 1:30 in the morning. It was 35 below with a pretty serious wind. Angus had never felt anything like it before in his life.
Once he was properly equipped, Angus started to explore the Canadian Prairies and slowly fell in love with them. Apart from one 4-year stint in Montreal where he met his wonderful wife Louisa, he has lived and worked in his new home, Saskatchewan ever since.
Angus is very proud that he has been able to make a living through the Arts – sharing stories with other people and making things.
Hope Van Vliet
Stage Manager
She/Her
What does a stage manager do to help bring a production like this to life at Dancing Sky Theatre?
In a production like this, it’s a little bit of everything! I get to support the technical setup, help make props, and of course run the tech in the booth during performances. Stage management is really about making sure the logistics of the show are taken care of.
What has been your favourite behind-the-scenes moment during this production?
Getting to know this amazing company has been such an incredible experience, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget the day we put that truck on stage. It was one of those moments where you stop and think, “How are we actually pulling this off?”
How does working in a rural theatre environment differ from other theatre experiences you’ve had?
Working in rural theatre is my absolute favourite because it’s all about the people. There’s something really special about everyone coming together and lending a hand in every aspect of the show. It feels deeply community-focused, and there’s a sense of collaboration and care that makes the work incredibly rewarding.
What detail or moment in this show requires a great deal of coordination that audiences are likely unaware of?
So many buttons! While the technical requirements of this show are relatively simple, we’ve mapped the speakers so specific sounds come from the correct direction in the space. There’s also an added challenge when balancing live and pre-recorded sound, but Jordan is brilliant and makes my job easy.
Why is live theatre — especially Saskatchewan storytelling — important to you?
Theatre is a living form of story telling. The audience shapes the performance every night, and in turn we all get to build something together in real time. That shared experience is what makes live theatre so special. Seeing Saskatchewan stories on stage is incredibly important. This theatre does such an amazing job of ensuring the stories told here reflect Saskatchewan artists, communities, and experiences. It keeps our stories, and our way of life alive and keeps Saskatchewan artists here.
The Cast & Crew
Angus Ferguson - AD, Karen Pidskalny - GM,
Hope Van Vliet - SM, Carson Walliser - Actor, Savana Gallant - Actor, Blaine Hart - Actor, Jordan Welbourne - Musician
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All images and videos credit go to
Britainy Zapshalla
Media Relations Consultant
The Red Truck Trailer
Dancing Sky Theatre Would like to Thank
A very special "Thank you" goes out to Bernie Pidskalny for sharing his amazing ability to park trucks in difficult spots
Nestor Rokaz and Steven McLaren for their muscle to push a truck to where you would not expect
Heather Hails for her great GPS skills as the theatre's chair
Helen Wayland, Evelina Televi, Kevin Moxley, Grace Palandat, Lou Ferguson, Bernie Pidskalny, Heather Hails for being a Tailgate Party hosts and likely some of the entertainment
Stephen Nicholson for being our paparazzi at the Green Carpet
Nestor Rokaz and Reece, our neighbour, for bringing his red truck and Morris Korol for letting us use his red truck for our TV spot
Our Sponsors
