Baba and the Gift of the Kohkum Scarf
A Dancing Sky Theatre Collective Creation
Dancing Sky Theatre is proud and honored 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 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.
Joshua Beaudry
Actor
He/Him
With over two decades of experience in the performing arts, Joshua is a seasoned actor, director and, improvisor. This is Joshua’s fourth production with Dancing Sky. Past productions include 99% and the Dragon, Dogbarked, and last years Panto Baba’s Magic Mitten. He is thrilled to be back for an all new holiday Panto. Notable performances include The Gaoler in Iago Speaks at Shakespeare on The Saskatchewan, Inspector Lamb in The Butcher for Persephone Theatre, and Thorin Oakenshield in Globe theatres’ production of The Hobbit. Joshua's work as an actor and director has been recognized with several Saskatoon and Area Theatre awards for his work as an actor and director. Joshua is also a member of Saskatoon Soaps Improv Company.
*Appearing courtesy of Canadian Actors’ Equity
Elizabeth Nepjuk
Actor
They/She
ELIZABETH NEPJUK (they/she) is a producer, director, and award-winning queer actor, and a 3rd generation settler of mixed European descent with a deep connection to their Ukrainian ancestry and culture. They hold their BFA in Acting from the University of Saskatchewan, and are a graduate of the Vancouver Film School’s Acting for Film & TV Program. Elizabeth has had the great privilege of acting with many independent theatre companies in the Treaty 6 territory in addition to numerous turns on the stages of Dancing Sky Theatre, Persephone Theatre, and the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival. She is proud to have served on the Board of Directors for Live Five Independent Theatre and Dancing Sky, and as a founder of Ferre Play Theatre. In the fall of 2022, Liz obtained their End of Life Doula training and certification in B.C., and has moved back to Saskatoon to continue their theatre career, establish their Death Doula practice, and find ways to marry their two passions while serving a greater purpose.
*Appearing courtesy of Canadian Actors’ Equity
Angus Ferguson
Artistic Director
He/Him
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.
Krystle Pederson
Actor
She/Her
KRYSTLE PEDERSON is a Saskatchewan based Cree/Métis actor, singer/songwriter performing across North America and New Zealand. Krystle is a recipient of the CBC Future 40 Award, Shorted listed for the Saskatchewan Arts Awards as well as a nomination in the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. Krystle’s list of acting credits includes a supporting role in Run: Broken Yet Brave, CBC Gem Series: Zarqa (Season 1), APTN: Chums, RMTC: The (Post) Mistress, NAC: Gabriel Dumont Wild West Show, Persephone Theatre: Reasonable Doubt, MTYP: Frozen River, Caravan Farm Theatre: The Nutcracker, IMAGO: The Flood, Savage Society: You Used to Call me Marie.
Nathan Coppens
Musician
He/Him
Nathan is a Mad/Crip actor, musician, puppeteer, playwright, producer, music director, and founder of In The Headlights, a theatre company focused on creating and presenting neurodivergent art. His play, I Have No Idea, recently played to sold out audiences as part of Live Five’s 2023/24 season and just finished a provincial tour. He has worked with Dancing Sky Theatre, Globe Theatre, the Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre, Souris Valley Theatre, Dumb Ax Productions, Live Five, Wide Open Children’s Theatre, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, and Persephone Theatre, among others. Nathan also recently completed filming Season 2 of The Feather News, which will air on APTN Lumi in 2025. He is a graduate of the University of Regina Theatre Department and the Globe Theatre Conservatory, and has recently studied clown under John Turner. You can follow In The Headlights on Instagram @intheheadlightsyxe, on Facebook @In The Headlights YXE, or by visiting intheheadlights.ca.
Crispi Lord
Creator of all felt things
She/Her
Crispi Lord is an actor/creator/designer based in Saskatoon and trained at the University Of Saskatchewan and The Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre (CA,USA). As head puppet wrangler with Wide Open Children's Theatre they have been designing and building sets and puppets for twenty two years. Their latest endeavors include exploring the tiny world of tabletop puppetry with characters that are 6" tall. Recently they were the grateful recipient of the Henry Woolf award for Continuing Achievement in Theatre from the Saskatoon and Area Theatre Awards. Theatre highlights include: Titus A. Puppet. Revenge (Shakespeare on The Saskatchewan/Stumped Productions), The Snow Queen (Dancing Sky Theatre), Frosty The Snowperson (Wide Open), Balloonacy (Wide Open), and Tuo On The Moon (Wide Open).
Cheyenna Sapp
Actor
She/Her
Cheyenna “Shy” Sapp, she/her, nehiyaw iskwew, and your friendly neighborhood aunty, is from Little Pine First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Studies and a Certificate in wicehotowin Indigenous Theatre, Shy is an actor and standup comedian by day, and an advocate for Indigenous Representation by night. And also by day. All the time, actually. Anyway, when she’s not touring her standup comedy act you can catch her on the hit sitcom "Acting Good" on CTV Comedy Channel, Crave, and APTN Lumi.
Jensine Emeline
Stage Manager
She/They
Jensine Emeline is an award-winning theatre designer, Equity stage manager, and arts administrator from Treaty 6 Territory (Saskatoon) and an alumnus from the U of S drama department. They have a passion for independent, local theatre, and environmental sustainability in the arts. A jack of all trades, Jensine has worked across Canada as a costume designer, set designer, stage manager, production manager, box office manager, operations manager, and much, much more. Even then, she is proud to call Dancing Sky a home away from home. @jensineemelineart
*Appearing courtesy of Canadian Actors’ Equity
The Characters
Elizabeth Nepjuk - Baba and others
Krystle Pederson - Kohkum and others
Joshua Beaudry - Bruce, Sonya, and others
Cheyenna Sapp - River, Coyote, and others
Photo Credit Britainy Zapshalla
William Hales, Angus Ferguson
Savana Gallant, Peace Akintade, Crispi Lord, Edith Skeard
Kyle Kuchirka
50/50 Raffle Draw
December 22/2024
Lottery Licence #S
Could be You!
Media Links
Baba and the Gift of the Kohkum Scarf
PROGRAM NOTE
Director’s Notes:
DST would like to thank:
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Thank you to Louisa Ferguson for the image, poster & postcard designs
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Thank you to Kohkum Elizabeth Ahenakew
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Thank you to Marcel Petit for the reseach and cultural advising.
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Thank you to Karen Pidskalny for the Ukrainain cultural information.
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Thank you Stephen & Natalie McLaren for everything!
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Thank You
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Thank You to
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Thank you!