Beyonsea and the Mothers

Event Details

Event type: Ages 12+

BEYONSEA AND THE MOTHERS

Written and directed by Teneile Warren

WORLD PREMIERE

JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 9, 2025

The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts
Warnock MacMillan Theatre
36 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3

TICKETS: $15-$40 +HST (sliding scale)

 
ABOUT THE SHOW:

“There are demons here, but there are also brooms to sweep them away.”

A young girl named Beyonsea is sent to North America to join the mother she only knows through phone calls, barrels, and remittances. Simone, Beyonsea's mother is a busy immigrant working two jobs. Michael, their neighbour, who fled a Jamaican community, befriends Beyonsea and eventually introduces her to his alt persona, Melody Knowles. Beyonsea and the Mothers tells the story of three Jamaicans who are brought together by circumstance in a place meant to give them second chances.

AUDIENCE ADVISORY:  This play discusses Jamaican culture, queerness, blackness, being an immigrant, and features strained family relationships. Recommended for Ages 12+ years.

RUNNING TIME: 80 minutes with NO INTERMISSION.

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Playwright & Director: Teneile Warren
Set Designer: Jung A Im**
Costume Designer: Des'ree Gray**
Stage Manager: Kat Chin*
Apprentice Stage Manager: Eloise Fan
Performers: 
            Albert Williams - Michael
            Chelsea Russell - Beyonsea*
            Emerjade Simms - Simone*
Production Manager: Cameron Slipp
Producers: Carin Lowerison & Matt White
Associate Producer: Ciarán Myers
Marketing Specialist: Jenni Grandfield

*Appears courtesy of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
**Appears courtesy of the Associated Designers of Canada

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Teneile is a Jamaican-born, Black, non-binary, and queer playwright and activist living on Turtle Island and based in Kitchener. They are alumni of the Obsidian Playwrights' Unit (2013), and they were the Artist-In-Residence at Buddies in Bad Times (2016). Their work has been staged independently and a part of various festivals across the country. They are also a contributing writer to ByBlacks.com, an online magazine focused on Black people in Canada. Their art is a vehicle for social commentary and activism. Teneile holds an MFA in Creative Writing from University of Guelph. Teneile is GLA’s 2024-25 Playwright-in-Residence and Artistic Associate.

ABOUT GREEN LIGHT ARTS

Green Light Arts uses theatre to help make sense of the world, explore the challenges of contemporary society, illuminate hope, fuel possibility, and ignite imagination.

Founded in 2014, Green Light Arts is a theatre company based in Waterloo Region. We deliver well-crafted, provocative theatrical projects and pair artistic programming with purposeful outreach events to deepen community conversations about the ideas we put on stage. To date, we have delivered 25 theatrical productions to Waterloo Region and beyond. Recent productions include Late Company, Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain, This is How We Got Here, WE COULD BE, Guarded Girls. For more information, visit: www.greenlight-arts.com.

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VENUE

The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts
Warnock MacMillan Theatre
36 King St W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3

SHOW SCHEDULE

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | 7:00 PM (Private Event)
Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 7:00 PM (Opening Night)
Friday, January 31, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 1, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Sunday, February 2, 2025 | 4:00 PM (pay-what-you-can)
 
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Friday, February 7, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 8, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 4:00 PM (pay-what-you-can)
 

ACCESSIBILITY

The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts is equipped with power doors, an elevator, accessible washrooms, and accessible seating to accommodate persons requiring mobility assistance. Guide dogs or other service animals are always welcome. We welcome all patrons with disabilities. Support persons will receive a complimentary ticket. Please contact Steven Jackson (steven@greenlight-arts.com) to coordinate any specific accessibility needs for your visit.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts does not currently have a COVID-19 policy in place, but GLA welcomes audience members to wear masks if preferred. GLA will be responsive to any public health guidelines surrounding COVID-19 and update this section accordingly. 

PARKING

2-hrs of FREE STREET PARKING on many DTK streets
Duke Street parkade – access from Duke Street West
Water St. S. lot - access from Water St S. (FREE after 5pm Mon-Sat, and all-day Sun)
Charles & Benton garage – access from Charles St. E.

 
TRANSIT

Closest LRT stops to the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts are KITCHENER MARKET STATION, FREDERICK STATION, and QUEEN STATION

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