In Your Own Words – Responses to Jail Baby

What a week it’s been!  Last Thursday we opened our new play Jail Baby to a very enthusiastic and supportive audience. The packed house was brought to tears and laughter, with lots of folks attending the opening night reception not only to celebrate the world premiere, but also to discuss the issues brought up during the performance. Over the long weekend momentum continued, and despite the heavy rain, our friends and fans came out and participated in our post-show panels, which have been a great hit! We have just four shows left of this incredible play and we hope you can make it out!

Take a look at what some of the audience members had to say after the opening night show! Tickets are still available for tonight and this weekend! Please visit http://www.sarasvati.ca or call 204-586-2236 to book!

In addition, below the cut you’ll find some reviews of the show from our colleagues across Winnipeg. What we’ve learned over the course of the week is that everyone agrees that this play could not have come at a better time – now more than ever we need to hear the voices of women in the justice system and to bring the issues facing them to the forefront of public discussion.

Jail Baby Opens TONIGHT!

We are just hours away from the world premiere of Jail Baby and we couldn’t be more excited! After several years of development, research and interviews, the play that takes an honest and compassionate look at the issues facing criminalized women has finally arrived.

If you are a regular reader of our blog, you already know about all of the great aspects of this production that make it a must-see. In case you haven’t been keeping up, or if you need a refresher, here are some important figures you should know:

-          5 Winnipeg lawyers participating in cameos in the play.

-          11 opportunities to see the play – come as many times as you’d like!

-          $18 is the cost of one adult ticket (price drops to $12 for students and seniors). That’s about as much as an IMAX-3D movie ticket; but nothing is more “3D” or more exciting than live theatre! We even have two Pay What You Can matinees (May 19/26) if that works for you!

-          19 justice and community organizations participating in after-show panels, discussing topics related to the play such as safety and security, the call for more prisons and connections between foster care and crime.

-          63 incarcerated or recently released women were part of the play’s creation. Women were interviewed, participated in drama workshops and storytelling sessions allowing them to be creative and resulting in an authentic and compelling play.

Melanie Dean, Shannon Guile and Daina Leitold

Ashley Chartrand and Tracey Nepinak

Shannon Guile hosting a parody scene

(photos by Janet Shum)

We are very overwhelmed and honoured to be receiving so much hype and support around this production – and it hasn’t even opened yet! Here is just a snippet of some of the press we have received thus far.

At the Edge of Canada: Indigenous Research – “Jail Baby: Stories about children born in prison”

Canstar Community News Sou’Wester – “Play to portray serious issue with a dream of change”

Community News Commons – “Jail Baby tackles issues of crime, poverty and motherhood on stage”

CBC Scene – “New play based on real stories of incarcerated women”

Canstar Community News The Times – “Jail Baby an emotional roller-coaster for actor“

Breakfast Television – Interview with Hope McIntyre and Tracy Booth

Winnipeg Free Press – “Winnipeg play shines light into cells of women awaiting trial“

Tickets are still available but are going fast! To book either visit www.sarasvati.ca or call 204-586-2236!

‘Jail Baby’ panels tackle crime and prevention!

Earlier this week we announced the roster of Winnipeg lawyers who will be participating in Jail Baby in special cameos. We are also excited to announce the incredible list of professionals, experts and individuals who will be participating on panels throughout the run of the show!

We have been fortunate enough to work with amazing and dedicated members of the justice community, from lawyers and judges to community outreach personnel, throughout the course of development for Jail Baby. Their expertise and our mutual desire to have these issues brought to the forefront of public discussion are the reason that Jail Baby has garnered such attention and praise.

We are particularly excited to have such a variety of panelists featured throughout the run of the show. We believe we have created a line-up of experts that truly reflect the wide variety of viewpoints on issues such as access to Aboriginal justice, the connections between incarceration, the effects of incarceration on children and how we find the balance between safety and justice in Canada.

Panels will take place almost immediately after each performance (9:15pm May 17-25, 3:15pm May 19). Tickets are still available for most shows – though they are going fast! Visit www.sarasvati.ca or call 204-586-2236 for yours today!

For the full list of panelists and topics covered, read on!

Winnipeg lawyers take to the stage!

As you may already know, Sarasvàti Productions is set to premiere the play Jail Baby in just over a week! This timely and compelling play takes a look at the harsh lives of incarcerated women and seeks to dismantle the myths and stereotypes that permeate public discussions.

You may also already know that Jail Baby, much like the other work that Sarasvàti Productions has produced or written, is highly steeped in community involvement. This play could not have come to be if it wasn’t for the 60+ incarcerated and recently released women who shared their stories in drama sessions or interviews, along with corrections workers, mediation services, victims groups and families of criminalized women.

The play started in the community and we are excited to maintain this connection. Stay tuned for details on post-show panels with community members, criminalized women and experts. In the meantime, we are excited to announce that we have five Winnipeg lawyers doing cameos in the show! Playing a parodied version of a dithering old judge, these lawyers will be featured in the Kangaroo Court scene – one of a few scenes which provide comedic relief in an otherwise deeply emotional story.

Saul Simmonds is a founding partner of Gindin Wolson Simmonds Roitenberg and has been practicing criminal law since 1980. He has lectured on gang violence; the role of DNA in the courts; disclosure; impaired driving; wiretaps, and other topics of concern in criminal defense law. Aside from past appearances in the MTC lawyer’s show, Saul is also an avid triathlete.

Rachel Margolis is a partner at Aikins Law. She practices in the areas of corporate and commercial law, representing both small and large businesses alike; this includes mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate and corporate finance. She has previously been involved with the Food Banks of Canada (serving on their board of directors) and writes for www.goldengirlfinance.com.

Bonnie Gembey is a Winnipeg lawyer practicing at Gembey Law Office. Working primarily in the area of criminal defense, throughout her 12+ year career she has also worked with family and child protection defense law. As the sole practitioner at her firm, Bonnie is committed to working toward improvements in the justice system, including continuing development of the Mental Health Courts, the development of and FASD diversion court in Manitoba and advocating for prisoner’s rights.

Amanda Sansregret is a criminal defense lawyer for Legal Aid Manitoba. Amanda has previously worked on such landmark cases involving HIV disclosure and condom usage and those involving chronic repeat offers. Most recently, Amanda has participated on a panel alongside Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba Executive Director Tracy Booth and Liberal Party of Manitoba leader Dr. Jon Gerard, exploring the link between youth in foster care and later involvement with the criminal justice system. She is also the chair of the St. Norbert Behavioural Health Foundation.

Loretta Ross is a member of the Hollow Water First Nation in Manitoba and obtained her law degree from Queen’s University. Loretta has been a practicing lawyer for over 20 years and has served as legal counsel to numerous First Nation governments and organizations including the Assembly of First Nations and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.  Loretta’s legal practice has ranged from child and family matters, trust and corporate law as well as land claims. In her spare time, Loretta loves to curl, golf and watch her children participate in their extra-curricular activities.

With just over a week until opening night, it’s time you purchased your tickets!

Go behind the scenes of Jail Baby

For the past few months, we have had Heba Abdel-hamid, a Masters student at the University of Manitoba, working behind the scenes for us here at Sarasvàti Productions. Completing her practicum in the faculty of Peace and Conflict studies, Heba has been our community outreach liaison for our new play Jail Baby (premiering in just a couple of weeks). Recently, Heba interviewed some of the Jail Baby team to learn more about what it’s like to work on a project of such importance. She’s even asked some of your questions! Read on to learn more about a play that is generating lots of great buzz!

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We are officially less than three weeks away from our world premiere of Jail Baby! Earlier this week the cast and crew met for the first time! Deep in the recesses of the University of Winnipeg Asper Centre for Theatre and Film, we did our first table read and looked at designs of the set and costumes!

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After featuring the actors’ biographies, we decided to ask them some specific questions so audiences can get to know them better. It’s clear that our cast is not only talented, but insightful and passionate about the play!

Is there an actor you would like to get to know more, or feel a connection with? We look forward to hearing your responses! Read below the cut to learn about these talented actors!

Jail Baby guest blog: Nan Fewchuk

Have you picked up your tickets for Jail Baby yet? With less than a month to go before the curtain rises on this amazing production, we invite you to take a behind the scenes look at the process. Jail Baby contributor and assistant director Nan Fewchuk guest blogs for us today!

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I am presently pinching myself for a reality check.  It’s true.  I have been offered the opportunity to assistant direct Jail Baby under one of Canada’s finest and respected professional directors, the brilliant Ann Hodges!

One might not understand the feeling of euphoria I am experiencing with this opportunity. It stems from the first time I saw Ann’s work in the 1980’s when she directed Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare in the Ruins. I still remember the incredible effect the show had on me. It was so innovative, imaginative, funny, compelling and powerful. My curiosity was sparked. I wanted to know what she did and how she did it.  I didn’t know who this woman was, but from that moment it was a dream of mine to work with her. Since then, I have continued to admire and respect the work of this talented woman, one of the few who have been invited to play hard ball in what is basically a male dominated force in theatre.

As an Assistant Director, I am looking very forward to experiencing the rehearsal process, especially seeing the actual transition of the text from page to stage. I am curious as to how the actors will take direction, interpret script, and translate the voices of real incarcerated women into characters of their own. I anticipate a great deal of interesting and intellectual dialogue to be exchanged among directors and actors as we work together solving challenging problems with sensitive material.  And of course, I know we will have a whack of fun with the stellar cast through it all!

This spring will bring to light a most incredible journey for me as a theatre artist. What better way to see it to fruition than to grow as a director along side the genius Ann Hodges. Over the past two plus years, the “Jail Baby” project has been an extremely important, exciting and heartfelt one which I am deeply passionate about, and incredibly grateful to be part of. I will cherish the memories of the time spent with so many wonderful women. One special lady that we met at the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge and with whom I am presently corresponding, recently emailed me. I leave you with her words:

Another thing I’m excited about is the play! You’ve probably been super busy. I think it’s pretty awesome that anybody even bothered to shed light on the issue. Incarceration seems to be something that most people in society have the wrong idea about. Everybody has these ideas of what incarceration is supposed to solve…. I’m thankful that there are people out there like yourself that actually care enough to try and make change.

Jail Baby runs from May 16-26 2013 at the University of Winnipeg Asper Centre for Theatre and Film. Tickets are available online via credit card at www.sarasvati.ca or to reserve seats you can call 204-586-2236.

Jail Baby Sparks Dialogue

Jail Baby has been a long-term project for Sarasvàti Productions. It has meant three years of working with women in correctional institutions, undertaking interviews with those who work in corrections and justice, meeting with families of criminalized women and consulting with numerous groups such as restorative justice providers and victims groups. Our goal is to explore all facets of each story we choose to tell on stage and this means a need to reach out to community groups, individuals and organizations who work with the issues on a daily basis. Winnipeg is an amazing city due to its large number of volunteers, social agencies and organizations that work tirelessly to improve the community in which we live. It is our honour to work alongside them.

As part of our goal to use theatre to increase human understanding, we want Jail Baby to spark an important dialogue about how we balance the need for community safety with the complex factors behind criminal activity. We are very inspired by many of the people we have had the pleasure to talk to thus far and pleased to be hosting a series of post-show panels to allow the audience to participate in a timely and much needed dialogue. Panels will run after performances from May 17 to 25. Each panel will include three speakers who can share information about different topics explored in the play and from different perspectives. We are hoping for a healthy debate. Our panels will cover topics including:

• What are the connections between being poor and marginalized and ending up incarcerated?
• How do we find the balance between safety/security and justice in Canada?
• What are the challenges in finding a stable foster home for children when their parents are incarcerated?
• Why is there such a high correlation between being aboriginal, incarcerated and having a substance abuse problem?
• Will building more prisons solve our problems and make our communities safer?
• What are the needs of women when released and what programs are available?
• Why do so many women cycle in and out of the system, from foster care, to juvenile detention to adult correctional facilities? Is there a revolving door?
• What is the focus of the Canadian correctional system?
• How can we move towards a restorative/healing model in work with criminalized women?

Let us know which question concerns you the most.

We are pleased to have representatives from the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg; Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba; Mediation Services; Sage House; Transition, Education Resources for Females (New Directions) and Voices – Manitoba’s Youth in Care; as well as north end activist Michael Champagne, lawyer Amanda Sansregret and Associate Professor Debra Parkes (University of Manitoba Faculty of Law). Further panelists are still being confirmed.

Tickets are now available for the show and check out our website in early May for full details on the panel schedule. In the meantime, check out the promo video by the fabulous Jordan Popowich: