Past Productions

Located in a heritage fire station built in 1906, the Firehall Arts Centre produces a season of eclectic theatre, dance, and interdisciplinary performances and acts as a host to visual art exhibitions in its intimate gallery/lounge. Each year the Centre hosts more than 200 performances, bringing audiences into the traditional heart of the city to enjoy artistic performances, view art in the gallery, and sip a beverage on the enclosed courtyard.

Past productions by decade

Take a look at the history of performances we produced over the years!

 

2020-

Peace Country (2023)

A rice & beans theatre production

  • Performances by: Sofía Rodríguez, Manuela Sosa, Sara Vickruck, Angus Yam, and Kaitlyn Yott
  • Written & Directed by: Pedro Chamale
  • Dramaturg: Heidi Taylor
  • Assistant Director: Teddy Ngkaion
  • Costume Designer: Michelle Thorne
  • Lighting Designer: Jonathan Kim
  • Sound Designer: Cindy Kao
  • Set & Props Designer: Kimira Reddy
  • Set & Props Design Assistant: Monica Emme
  • Video Designer: Andie Lloyd
  • Video Design Assistant: June Hsu
  • Stage Manager: Julia Lank
  • Production Manager: Kayleigh Sandomirsky

Happy Valley (2023)

A rice & beans theatre production

  • Playwright & Performer: Derek Chan 陳嘉昊
  • Director: Anjela Magpantay
  • Dramaturg: Heidi Taylor
  • Set/Props/Costume Designer: Megan Lane
  • Set/Costume Assistant & Props Head:Brianna Bernard
  • Video Designer: Andie Lloyd
  • Lighting Designer: Jonathan Kim
  • Sound Design: Sapphire Haze
  • Understudy: Ching Koo
  • Stage Manager: 007
  • Production Manager: Pleasant Clearing
  • Technical Director: Anonymous
  • Movement Coordinator of “Swallow”: Pink Li
  • Airplane Pilot Voice: fishball
  • Workshop Performance Coach: Lok Yu
  • Workshop Vocal Coach: Lee Su-Feh

White Noise (2023)

A Firehall Arts Centre and Savage Society Production

  • Written by: Taran Kootenhayoo
  • Performances by: Jonathan Fisher, Cheri Maracle, Braiden Houle, Mike Wasko, Anita Wittenberg, Anais West
  • Originating Director: Renae Morriseau
  • Revival Director: Donna Spencer
  • Set Designer: Lauchlin Johnston
  • Costume Designer: Crystine Booth
  • Lighting Designer: Brad Trenaman
  • Sound Designer: Cheyanna Kootenhayoo
  • Projection Designer: Candelario Andrade
  • Props Designer: Carol Macdonald
  • Sound Design Associate: Riley Hardwick
  • Production Technical Director: Michael Hewitt
  • Fight Choreographer: Mike Kovac
  • Stage Manager: Jenny Kim
  • Apprentice Stage Manager: Jessica Adamson
  • Assistant Director: Cameron Peal

Our Ghosts (2023)

Produced by Our Ghosts Collective, in association with Western Gold Theatre

  • Written by: Sally Stubbs
  • Directed by: Sarah Rodgers
  • Associate Director: Raugi Yu
  • Performances by: Corina Akeson, Sebastien Archibald, Lucy McNulty, Barbara Pollard, and Raugi Yu
  • Lighting Designer: John Webber
  • Set Designer: Jessica Oostergo
  • Costume Designer: Sheila White
  • Sound Designer: Evan Rein
  • Choreographer: Tracey Power
  • Props: Monica Emme
  • Technical Director/Project Manager: Nico Dicecco
  • Stage Manager: Angela Beaulieu
  • Apprentice Stage Manager: Selina “Twitch” Tobin

FADO – The Saddest Music in the World (2022)

A Firehall Arts Centre & Puente Theatre Production

  • Written by: Elaine Ávila
  • Directed by: Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
  • Performances by: Sara Marreiros, Natércia Napoleão, Lucia Frangione, Judd Palmer, Pedro M. Siqueira,
  • Chris Perrins, and Dan Weisenburger
  • Costume & Set Design by: Patricia Reilly
  • Lighting Design and Stage Management

A Christmas Carol (2022)

  • By Charles Dickens
  • A Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre Production
  • Performed by: Sanjay Talwar

Courage Now (2022)

Produced by Firehall Arts Centre, in Association with Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre

  • Written by: Manami Hara
  • Directed by: Amiel Gladstone
  • Performances by: Manami Hara, Ryota Kaneko, Amitai Marmorstein, Katherine Matlashewski, & Advah Soudack
  • Technical Director: Michael Hewitt
  • Set & Props Designer: Kimira Reddy
  • Costumes: Melicia Zaini
  • Lighting Designer: Itai Erdal
  • Sound Designer: Riley Hardwick
  • Stage Manager: Susan D. Currie
  • Dramaturgy by: Carmen Aguirre

Blueberries Are Assholes (2022)

  • Writer/Director/Performer/Designer: TJ Dawe
  •  Special contributions by: Ian Boothby

The Unbroadcast Life of Mildred Bailey (2022)

A Red Cedar Theatre Production

  • Created by: Russell Wallace
  • Directed by: Columpa Bobb
  • Music Direction/Arrangement by: Tony Wilson
  • Cast: Deanna Gestrin, Jeremy Wong, & Emmett Hatlelid
  • Musicians: Dave Say (sax), Josh Zubot (violin), Tony Wilson (guitar), André Lachance (bass), & Robin Layne (percussion)

Yellow Fever (2022)

  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Associate Director: Raugi Yu
  • Performers: Hiro Kanagawa, Craig Erickson, Yukari Komatsu, Henry Mah, Jay Ono, Evan Rein, Agnes Tong, & Raugi Yu
  • Stage Management: Caryn Fehr
  • Apprentice Stage Manager: Evan Ren
  • Set & Lighting Design: Lauchlin Johnston
  • Costumes: Stephanie Robicheau
  • Sound Design: Evan Rein

White Noise (2022)

A Firehall Arts Centre and Savage Society Production

  • Playwright: Taran Kootenhayoo
  • Director: Renae Morriseau
  • Associate Director & Sound Design: Cheyanna Kootenhayoo
  • Performances by: Sam Bob, Columpa Bobb, Braiden Houle, Mike Wasko, Anita Wittenberg, and Anais West
  • Set Design: Lauchlin Johnston
  • Costume Design: Crystine Booth
  • Projection Design: Candelario Andrade
  • Lighting Design: Brad Trenaman
  • Stage Manager: Dorothy Jenkins
  • Apprentice Stage Manager: Jessica Adamson
  • Interim TD: Matt Oviatt

Mary’s Wedding (2022)

  • Written by: Stephen Massicotte
  • Script & Director Consultant: Columpa Bobb
  • Directed by: Donna Spencer
  • Performances by: Sarah Roa & Tanner Zerr | Emma Ross & Jacob Leonard
  • Produced by: Firehall Arts Centre
  • Lighting & Set Design by: Lauchlin Johnston
  • Sound Design by: Riley Hardwick
  • Stage Management by: Jillian Perry

Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers (2022)

  • Written and Performed by: Makambe K Simamba
  • Directed by: Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
  • Produced by: Tarragon Theatre and Black Theatre Workshop (Canada) based on the world premiere production produced by b current Performing Arts
  • Presented by: Firehall Arts Centre, Touchstone Theatre, and the 2022 PuSh International Performing Arts Festival

John (2022)

  • Choreographer: Helen Walkley
  • Composer: James Maxwell
  • Text: Helen Walkley and an archive of family letters dating from 1959 to 2010
  • Performers: Josh Martin & Billy Marchenski
  • Lighting Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: Leah Weinstein & Helen Walkley
  • Construction of the shirts: Leslie Parent
  • Construction of the box: Chris Nicols
  • Set Design: Helen Walkley

Paddle Song (2021)

  • Directed by: Dinah Christie
  • Co-written by: Dinah Christie & Tom Hill
  • Music by: Tom Hill
  • Produced/Performed by: Cheri Maracle

Chapter 21 (2021)

Produced by Raven Spirit Dance

  • Choreographed and performed by: Starr Muranko
  • Director: Yvette Nolan
  • Composer: Edgardo Moreno
  • Lighting Design: Jonathan Kim
  • Stage Manager: Amanda Parafina
  • Costume Design: Jeanette Kotowich
  • Mentors: Alvin Tolentino & Michelle Olson
  • Videographer: Sophia Wolfe
  • Photos: Melanie Orr & Erik Zennström

Developed in association with the PHT Creative Hub Cooperative

*yellow objects (2021)

  • Written and Directed by: Derek Chan
  • Virtual Performances by: 隐形人, Chan Y.K., Lone Yet Nah, Shasheng, and YAU, Hope
  • Technical Director: Pedro Chamale
  • Assistant Producer/Technical Director: ◻◻◻◻◻
  • Associate Artistic Producer: Kyle B. Set Designer: S. Hayashi
  • Projectionist: Daneel Olivaw
  • Sound Designer: Undescript Pedestrian
  • Lighting Designer: Solid Snake
  • Dramaturg: Heidi Taylor
  • Producer: Cloud Strife
  • Composer: Anonymous

* Although this exhibition is taking place and was created in Canada, there are at least a dozen artists living in our country who are self-censoring their work and themselves because of what is going on in China. For this reason, the artists in this project have chosen to use pseudonyms or remain anonymous.

I Walked The Line (2020)

A Bread and Roses Production

  • Written and Performed by: Allan Morgan
  • Directed by: Ross Desprez
  • Set & Costume Design by: Margaret Handford
  • Sound Design by: Tobin Stokes
  • Lighting Design by: Robinson Wilson
  • Production Coordination by: Sandy Cumberland

The Amaryllis (2020)

Co-Produced with The Search Party

  • Playwright: Michele Riml*
  • Directed by: Mindy Parfitt
  • Cast: Amy Rutherford, Shawn Macdonald
  • Stage Manager: Jillian Perry, Rebecca Mulvihill
  • Apprentice Stage Manager: Tatty Mitchell
  • Set Design: Ana CappellutoAssistant
  • Set Design: Bruno-Pierre Houle
  • Costume Design: Jessica Oostergo
  • Lighting Design: Itai Erdal
  • Sound Design: Ruby Singh
  • Assistant Sound Design: Allistair Wallace
  • Props Design: Heidi Wilkinson
  • Assistant Set Design: Carol Macdonald
  • Set Build: Jeremy Vreeken
  • Scenic Painter: Tegan Klancnik

2010-2019

Talking Sex on Sunday (2020)

  • Book and Lyrics: Sara-Jeanne Hosie*
  • Music by: Sara-Jeanne Hosie & Nico Rhodes
  • Arrangements & Orchestrations: Nico Rhodes
  • Directed by: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Janet Gigliotti, Jennifer Lines, Sara Vickruck, Irene Karas Loeper, Caitriona Murphy, Katrina Reynolds, Seana-Lee Wood
  • Developed with: Edwin Wong
  • Dramaturg: Shawn Macdonald
  • Choreographer: Sara-Jeanne Hosie
  • Musical Director: Nico Rhodes
  • Stage Manager: Tanya Schwaerzle
  • Apprentice Stage Manager: Victoria Snashall
  • Set Design: Brian Ball
  • Costume Design: Stacie Steadman
  • Lighting Design: Michael Hewitt
  • Props Design: Jessica Gerlach

House and Home (2019)

  • Playwright: Jenn Griffin*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Assistant Director: Andrew Wheeler
  • Cast: Jillian Fargey, Andrew Wheeler, Pest Maven, Sebastien, Archibald, Kim Ho, Darian Roussy
  • Stage Manager: Jillian Perry
  • Set Design: Brian Ball
  • Costume Design: Jessica Oostergo
  • Video Design: Cande Andrade
  • Lighting Design: Jonathan Kim
  • Sound Design: Sara Vickruck

FADO: The Saddest Music in the World (2019)
Co-Produced with Puente Theatre

  • Playwright: Elaine Ávila*
  • Director: Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
  • Cast: Sara Marreiros, Natasha Napoleao, Lucia Frangione, Judd Palmer, Pedro Siqueira, Chris Perrins , Dan Weisenburge
  • Stage Manager: Emma Dickerson
  • Costume & Set Design: Patricia Reilly
  • Lighting Design: Emma Dickerson
  • Sound Design: Aidan Dunsmuir

The Good Bride (2019)
Co-Produced with An Alley Theatre

  • Playwright: Rosemary Rowe*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Marisa Emma Smith
  • Stage Manager: Joanne P.B. Smith
  • Set Design: Carolyne Rapanos
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Sound Design: CJ McGillivray
  • Lighting Design: Lauchlin Johnson
  • Props Design: Diana Bartosh
  • Technical Director: Liz Kraft
  • Wig Maintenance: Donnie Tejani
  • Production Assistant: Jessica Keenan
  • Set Construction: MJY Fabrication
  • Assistant to the Director: Krys Yuan

The Enemy (2018)

  • Directed and Adapted by: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Jenn Griffin, Paul Herbert, Peter Anderson, Daniel Arnold, Sharon Crandall, Braiden Houle, Michael Scholar Jr, Donna Soares, Agnes Tong
    Lighting Design: Kyla Gardiner
  • Assistant Lighting Design: Celeste English
  • Costume Design: Stacie Steadman
  • Video Design: Pedro Augusto Meza
  • Sound Design: Allistair Wallace
  • Stage Management: Dorothy Jenkins, Susan D. Currie

C’mon, Angie! (2018)

  • Playwright: Amy Lee Lavoie*
  • Director: Cristina Cuglinadro
  • Cast: Anne Van Leeuwen, Ryan Hollyman
  • Costume Design: Nancy Anne Perrin

Chelsea Hotel The Songs of Leonard Cohen (2018)

  • Playwright: Tracey Power*
  • Director: Tracey Power
  • Musical Director: Steve Charles
  • Cast: Ben Elliot, Marlene Ginader, Steve Charles, Krystle Dos Santos, Adrian Glynn McMorran, Kayla Nickel
  • Set Design: Marshall McMahen
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Lighting Design: Ted Roberts
  • Sound Design: Xavier Berbudeau
  • Artistic Director: Donna Spencer

SHIT (2018)

  • Playwright: Patricia Cornelius*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Yoshié Bancroft, Sharon Crandall, Kayla Deorksen
  • Set Design: Connor Moore
  • Lighting Design: Kyla Gardiner

Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth (2018)

  • Playwright: Drew Hayden Taylor*
  • Director: Columpa C. Bobb
  • Cast: Chris Cound, Braiden Houle, Chelsea Rose Tucker, Ashley Chartrand
  • Set Design: Bryan Kenney
  • Lighting Design: Jonathan Kim
  • Costume Design: Cheyenne Mabberley

Circle Game (2017)

  • Co-Creator, Director, Musical Director and Arrangements: Andrew Cohen*
  • Directed, Co-created and Choreographer: Anna Kuman
  • Producer: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Kimmy Choi, David Cohen, Rowen Kahn, Scott Perrie, Adriana Ravalli, Sara Vickruck
  • Set Design: Carolyn Rapanos
  • Lighting Design: Ian Schimpf
  • Costume Design: Jessie Van Rijn
  • Sound Designer: Geoff Hollingshead
  • Technical Director: Jamie Burns

Refuge (2017)

  • Playwright: Mary Vingoe*
  • Directed by: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Angela Moore, Frank Zotter, Aadin Church, Sangeeta Wylie, Robert Moloney, Nicola Lipman
  • Lighting Design and Set Design: Lauchlin Johnston
  • Costume Design: Ines Ortner

Miss Shakespeare (2016)

  • Book and Lyrics: Tracey Power*
  • Music Co-written by: Steve Charles
  • Directed by: James MacDonald
  • Musical Director/Sound Designer: Steve Charles
  • Cast: Caroline Cave, Meghan Chenosky, Medina Hahn, Pippa Mackie, Sussin McFarlen, Erin Moon, Tracey Power
  • Lighting Design: Itai Erdal
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Choreographer: Tracey Power

Dead Metaphor (2015)

  • Playwright: George F Walker*
  • Directed by: Chelsea Haberlin
  • Cast: Meghan Gardiner, Mike Gill, Carmela Sison, Donna Spencer, Jovanni Sy, Alec Willows
  • Lighting Design and Set Design: Lauchlin Johnston
  • Costume Design: Amy McDougall
  • Sound Design: Troy Slocum

Post Secret: The Show (2015)

  • Playwright: Frank Warren, TJ Dawe, Kahlil Ashanti and Justin Sudds*
  • Director: TJ Dawe
  • Cast: Ming Hudson, Nicolle Nattrass and Sam S Mullins
  • Animators: Egg Studios, Jeremy Stewart, The Glossary and Dana Goldman
  • Music Composer: Mario Vaira
  • Musician: Patrick Barnett
  • Sound Editing: Jared Brickman

The Motherf**ker with the Hat (2015)

  • Playwright: Stephen Adly Guirgis
  • Director: Brian Markinson
  • Cast: Stephen Lobo, Kyra Zagorsky, John Cassini, Lori Trolio, Francisco Trujillo
  • Set Design: Lauchlin Johnston
  • Costume Design: Beverly Huynh
  • Lighting Design: Gerald King

Social Studies (2015)

  • Playwright: Trish Cooper*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Lili Beaudoin, Erin Moon, Susinn Mcfarlen, Richie Diggs
  • Set Design: Alison Green
  • Costume Design: Sabrina Evertt
  • Lighting Design: Matt Frankish

Urinetown (2014)

  • Music & Lyrics: Mark Hollmann
  • Book & Lyrics: Greg Kotis
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Musical Director: Steve Charles
  • Choreographer: Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg
  • Cast: David Adams, Michelle Bardach, Chris Cochrane, Andrew Cohen, Meghan Gardiner, Katey Hoffman, Patrick Keating, Chris Lam, Anton Lipovetsky, David Marr, Matt Palmer, Tracey Power, Shane Snow, Rosie Simon, Donna Spencer, Andrew Wheeler
  • Set Design: Ted Roberts
  • Lighting Design: Rebekah Johnson
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden

PROUD (2014)

  • Playwright: Michael Healey*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Andrew Wheeler, Kyle Jespersen, Emmelia Gordon, Daniel Doheny
  • Set Design: Pam Johnson
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden and Connie Hosie

Medicine (2014)

  • Playwright: TJ Dawe*
  • Director: TJ Dawe
  • Cast: TJ Dawe

People Like Us (2013)

  • Playwright: Sandi Johnson*
  • Director: Sarah Rodgers
  • Cast: Sarah Louise Turner
  • Set Design: Amanda Larder
  • Costume Design: Alex Danard
  • Lighting Design: Alia Stephen

God and the Indian (2013)

  • Playwright: Drew Hayden Taylor*
  • Director: Renae Morriseau
  • Cast: Thomas Hauff, Lisa C Ravensbergen
  • Set Design and Lighting Design: Lauchlin Johnston
  • Costume Design: Alex Danard

Kid Gloves (2012)

  • Playwright: Sally Stubbs*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Scott Bellis, Marlene Ginader, Patrick Keating, Dawn Petten, Colleen Wheeler, Deborah Willliams
  • Set Design and Visual Design: Francesca Albertazzi
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Lighting Design: James Proudfoot

Chelsea Hotel The Songs of Leonard Cohen (2012)

  • Playwright: Tracey Power*
  • Director: Tracey Power
  • Musical Director: Steve Charles
  • Cast: Rachel Aberle, Lauren Bowler, Steve Charles, Benjamin Elliot, Marlene Ginader, Adrian Glynn McMorran
  • Set Design: Marshall McMahen
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Lighting Design: Ted Roberts
  • Dramaturg: James McDonald
  • Artistic Director: Donna Spencer

God and the Indian (2011)

  • Playwright: Drew Hayden Taylor*
  • Director: Renae Morriseau
  • Cast: Thomas Hauff, Lisa C Ravensbergen
  • Set Design and Lighting Design: Lauchlin Johnston
  • Costume Design: Alex Danard

Vimy (2011)

  • Playwright: Vern Thiessen*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Sasa Brown, Ryan Cunningham, Mack Gordon, Daryl King, Sebastian Kroon, Sean Harris Oliver
  • Set Design: Craig Alfredson
  • Costume Design: Sabrina Evertt
  • Lighting Design: James Proudfoot
  • Sound Design: Marc Stewart

Mambo Italiano (2011)

  • Playwright: Steve Galluccio*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: David Adams, Susan Bertoia, Gina Chiarelli, Joseph Gallaccio, Irene Karas, Susanne Ristic, Francisco Trujillo
  • Set Design: Ross Nichol
  • Costume Design: Marian Truscott
  • Lighting Design: Rebekah Johnson

Debt, The Musical! (2010)

  • Playwright: Leslie Mildiner*
  • Songs and Musical Direction by: Todd Butler
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Ellen Kennedy, Tom Pickett, Tracey Power, Andy Toth and Simon Webb
  • Set Design: Derek Butt
  • Costume Design: Sabrina Evertt
  • Lighting Design: Jeff Harrison
  • Choreography: Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg

2000-2009

Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout (2009)

  • Playwright: Tomson Highway*
  • Director: Lorne Cardinal
  • Cast: Tantoo Cardinal, Kimberly Harvey, Tracey Nepinak, Quelemia Sparrow
  • Set Design and Projection Design: Craig Aldredson
  • Costume Design: Sabrina Evertt
  • Lighting Design: Rebekah Johnson
  • Sound Design: Russell Wallace

Stuff Happens (2008)

  • Playwright: David Hare*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: David Adams, Glen Cairns, William B Davis, Luke Day, Michael Grant Elliot, Barbara Ellison, Fred Galloway, Catherine Lough Haggquist, Kevin Loring, Kevin McNulty, Parnelli Parnes, Alvin Sanders, William Taylor
  • Set Design and Projection Design: Craig Aldredson
  • Costume Design: Sabrina Evertt
  • Lighting Design: Rebekah Johnson

The Ecstasy of Rita Joe (2007)

  • Playwright: George Ryga*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Lisa C Ravensbergen, Kevin Loring, William B Davis, Byron Chief Moon, Duncan Fraser, Tracey Power, Alvin Sanders, Donna Spencer
  • Set Design: Craig Alfredson
  • Lighting Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: John Powell
  • Sound Design: Russell Wallace

The Blue Light (2007)

  • Playwright: Mieko Ouchi*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Gabrielle Rose, Danielle Vlaskalic, Sean Devine, Jack Paterson and Doug Herbert
  • Light Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Set Design: Marc Stewart

Urinetown The Musical (2005-2006)

  • Playwright: Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Musical Direction by: Ya-wen Vivienne Wang
  • Cast: Davis Adams, Barbara Barsky, Jay Brazeau, Ryan Cunningham, Tracy Neff, Tracey Power, Sean Allan, Dalannah Gail Bowen, Luke Day, Vince Kanasoot, Donna Soares, Zachary Stevenson, Andy Toth, Leon Willey, Michelle Yuen
  • Light Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Set Design: Ted Roberts

Einstein’s Gift (2005)

  • Playwright: Vern Thiessen*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Ron Halder, Davis Adams, Daniel Arnold, Sarah Donald, Kathleen Duborg, Douglas Herbert, Raugi Yo
  • Set Design: Phillip Tidd

The Buz Gem Blues (2004)

  • Playwright: Drew Hayden Taylor*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Ben Cardinal, Wayne Lavallee, Muriel Miguel, Renae Morriseau, Sarah Louise Turner, Andrew Wheeler
  • Light Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: Francesca Albertazzi
  • Set Design: Kevin McAllister

The Plum Tree (2004)

  • Playwright: Mitch Miyagawa*
  • Director: Adrienne Wang
  • Cast: Karen Austin, David Fujino, Hiro Kanagawa
  • Light Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Set Design: Tara Arnett
  • Sound Design: Hannu Huuskonen

Golden Child (2003)

  • Playwright: David Henry Wong
  • Director: Donna Spencer and John James Hong
  • Cast: John James Hong, Kamilyn Kaneko, Laara Ong, Dirk Von Stralen, Adrienne Wong, Donna Yamamoto
  • Light Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Set Design: Tara Arnett

An Enemy of the People (2003)

  • Playwright: Henrik Ibsen
  • Adapted and Directed by: Donna Spencer*
  • Cast: Marie Clements, Tracey Olson, Kerriann Cardinal, Bill Croft, Patrick Keating, Kevin Loring, Sophie Merasty, David Petersen, Stuart Pierre
  • Light Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Sound Design: Hannu Huuskonen

Menopositive! The Musical (2003 Alberta Tour)

  • Playwright: JJ McColl*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Musical Director: Sandra Head
  • Original Music: JJ McColl and Rueben Gurr
  • Cast: Patricia Dahlquist, Susinn McFarlen, Candace O’Connor, Ann Warn Pegg
  • Set Design: Ted Roberts
  • Costume Design: Tyler Tone
  • Lighting Design: Kelly Maloney
  • Choreography: Mary-Lou Brien

Larger than Life (2002)

  • Playwright: G Lee and Vanessa LeBourdais*
  • Director: Janet Michael
  • Musical Direction by: Vanessa LeBourdais
  • Cast: Lisa Dahling, Beverly Elliott, Laura Gavini, Annabel Kershaw, Seana Leewood
  • Set Design: Dereck Butt
  • Light Design: Ted Roberts
  • Costume Design: Marian Truscott

Respectable (2002)

  • Playwright: Ron Chambers*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Lisa Bayliss, Eric Breker, Marcus Hondro, Patrick Keating, Lenard Stanga
  • Set Design: Tara Arnett
  • Light Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden

Wawatay (2002)

  • Playwright: Penny Gummerson*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Jay Brazeau, Marcus Hondro, Cheri Maracle, Tracey Olson, Suzanne Ristic, Susan Ringwood
  • Set Design: Adam Parboosingn
  • Light Design: James Proudfoot
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Sound and Music Director: Russell Wallace

The Yoko Ono Project (2001)

  • Playwright: Jean Yoon*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Donna Yamamoto, Laara Ong, Adrienne Wong, Maiko Yamamoto, Daniel Chen, Peter Grier
  • Set Design: Omanie Elias
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Lighting Design: James Proudfoot
  • Musical and Sound Direction: Noah Drew
  • Slides and Visuals: Tim Matheson

Menopositive! The Musical (2001 Tour to the Belfry)

  • Playwright: JJ McColl*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Musical Director: Sandra Head
  • Original Music: JJ McColl and Rueben Gurr
  • Cast: Patricia Dahlquist, Susinn McFarlen, Candace O’Connor, Ann Warn Pegg
  • Set Design: Ted Roberts
  • Costume Design: Tyler Tone
  • Lighting Design: Kelly Maloney
  • Choreography: Mary-Lou Brien

The Shooting Stage (2001)

  • Playwright: Michael Lewis MacLennan*
  • Director: Stephanie Kirkland
  • Cast: Paul Anthony, Eric Breker, Kevin MacDonald, Gerry Mackay, Clarence Sponagle
  • Set Design: Yvan Morissette
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Lighting Design: Adrian Muir
  • Sound Design: Dorothy Dittrich

Filthy Rich (2001)

  • Playwright: George F Walker*
  • Director: Fif Fernandes
  • Cast: Hamish Boyd, Alvin Sanders, Donna Spencer, Parm Soor, Donna Yamamoto, Norman Yeung
  • Sound Design: Simon Kendall
  • Lighting Design: James Proudfoot

Menopositive! The Musical (2000 BC Tour and Vancouver Presentation)

  • Playwright: JJ McColl*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Musical Director: Sandra Head
  • Original Music: JJ McColl and Rueben Gurr
  • Cast: Patricia Dahlquist, Susinn McFarlen, Candace O’Connor, Ann Warn Pegg
  • Set Design: Ted Roberts
  • Costume Design: Tyler Tone
  • Lighting Design: Kelly Maloney
  • Choreography: Mary-Lou Brien

Menopositive! The Musical (2000 BC Tour and Vancouver Presentation)

  • Playwright: JJ McColl*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Musical Director: Sandra Head
  • Original Music: JJ McColl and Rueben Gurr
  • Cast: Patricia Dahlquist, Susinn McFarlen, Candace O’Connor, Ann Warn Pegg
  • Set Design: Ted Roberts
  • Costume Design: Tyler Tone
  • Lighting Design: Kelly Maloney
  • Choreography: Mary-Lou Brien

The Unnatural and Accidental Women (2000)

  • Playwright: Marie Clements*
  • Director: Donna Spencer and Marie Clements
  • Cast: Columpa Bobb, Bill Croft, Gloria Eshkibok, Tasha Faye Evans, Peter Hall, Sophie Merasty, Muriel Miguel, Michelle St John, Christine Willes
  • Costume Design: John Powell
  • Set Design and Lighting Design: Robert Gardiner
  • Graphic Design and Visual Design: Michelle Nahanee
  • Music: Simon Kendal

Spics and Span (2000)

  • Playwright: Carmen Aguirre*
  • Director: Carmen Aguirre
  • Cast: Itzel Bazerque-Patrich, Luis Gutierrez, Hernan Heredia, Oparin Ortiz, Lucy Pavez, Victor Reyes
  • Set Design and Costume Design: Kate King
  • Lighting Design: Eduardo Meneses
  • Sound Design: Alejandro Verdecchia
  • Choreography: Barbara Bourget

Counter Offence (2000)

  • Playwright: Rahul Varma*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Daniel Bacon, John Destry, Kathleen Dick, Steadwick D’Penha, Fif Fernandes, Peter Scoular, Rekha Sharma, Parm Soor
  • Costume Design: Tyler Tone
  • Lighting Design: James Proudfoot

Je me Souviens (2000)

  • Playwright: Lorena Gale*
  • Director: John Cooper
  • Cast: Lorena Gale
  • Sound Design: John McCulloch
  • Choreography: Denise Lonewalker
  • Lighting Design: Gerald King
  • Slides: Tim Matheson

1990-1999

¿Que pasa with la Raza, Eh? (1999)

  • Playwright: Carmen Aguirre*
  • Director: Carmen Aguirre
  • Cast: Kenia Avendano, Itzel Bazerque Patrich, Wendy Mendez, Angelo Moroni, Oparin Ortiz, Rocco Trigueros
  • Choreography: Barbara Bourget
  • Set Design: James Faigan Tait
  • Costume Design: Tyler Tone
  • Lighting Design: Eduardo Meneses
  • Sound Design: Alejandro Verdecchia
  • Slides: Tim Mathison
  • Piñatas: Samara Van Nostren

FareWel (1999)

  • Playwright: Ian Ross*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Sam Bob, Lorne Cardinal, Daryl Clark, Cheri Marache, Sophie Merasty, Tracy Olson
  • Set Design: Craig Hall
  • Costume Design: John Powell
  • Lighting Design: Ted Roberts

AlterNatives (1999)

  • Playwright: Drew Hayden Taylor*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Forbes Angus, Diane Brown, Darrell Dennis, Jennifer Fahrni, Wayne Lavallee, Cheri Maracle
  • Set Design: Adam Parboosingh
  • Costume Design: John Powell
  • Lighting Design: Rebekah Johnson

Chile con Carne (1999)

  • Playwright: Carmen Aguirre*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Carmen Aguirre
  • Sound Design: Alejandro Verdecchia
  • Slides: Alejandra Aguirre and Tim Mathison
  • Lighting Design: Kerrene John
  • Paintings: Cecilia Boisier and Nora Patrich

North of America (1998)

  • Playwright: Kenneth Brown*
  • Director: John James Hong
  • Cast: Tracey Olson, Donna Yamamoto
  • Costume Design: Lana Krause
  • Lighting Design: Kelly Maloney
  • Sound Design: David Epp

Reading Hebron (1998)

  • Playwright: Jason Sherman*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Tiffany Lyndall-Knight, Alvin Sanders, Felicia Schulman, Andy Thompson, Sanders Whiting
  • Set Design and Lighting Design: Eduardo Meneses
  • Costume Design: Enigma Arcana

Menopositive! The Musical (1997)

  • Playwright: JJ McColl*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Musical Director: Sandra Head
  • Original Music: JJ McColl and Rueben Gurr
  • Cast: Patricia Dahlquist, Susinn McFarlen, Candace O’Connor, Ann Warn Pegg
  • Set Design: Ted Roberts
  • Costume Design: Tyler Tone
  • Lighting Design: Kelly Maloney
  • Choreography: Mary-Lou Brien

Only Drunks and Children Tell The Truth (1998 BC Tour)

  • Playwright: Drew Hayden Taylor*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Columpa Bobb, Glen Gould, Lorne Cardinal, Cheri Maracle
  • Set Design: Marti Wright
  • Lighting Design: Alan Brodie

Sisters (1997)

  • Playwright: Wendy Lill*
  • Director: Donna Spencer and Glen Cairnes
  • Cast: Patricia Idette, Elizabeth McLaughlin, Marie Clements, Cheri Maracle, Ben Odberg, Patrick Keating
  • Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
  • Lighting Design: Ted Roberts
  • Sound Design: John Mills-Cockwell

The Wines of Tuscany (1997)

  • Playwright: Conrad Alexandrowicz*
  • Director: Conrad Alexandrowicz
  • Cast: Shawn Macdonald and Shaun Phillips
  • Set Design and Costume Design: Catherine Hahn
  • Lighting Design: Del Surjik
  • Sound Design: Ron Samworth

Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth (1997)

  • Playwright: Drew Hayden Taylor*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Carmen Moore, Columpa Bobb, Glen Gould, Lorne Cardinal
  • Set Design: Marti Wright
  • Lighting Design: Alan Brodie
  • Costume Design: John Powell

Mom, Dad, I’m Living With A White Girl (1996)

  • Playwright: Marty Chan*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: John James Hona, Donna Yamamoto, Daniel Chen
  • Set and Lighting Design: Stephen Allen

Mother Tongue (1995)

  • Playwright: Betty Quan*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Alannah Ong, Laara Ong, Kameron Louengxey and Michael Hirano

Someday (1995)

  • Playwright: Drew Hayden Taylor*
  • Directors: Donna Spencer and Evan Tesla Adams
  • Cast: Byron Chief-Moon, Columba Bobb, Lee Maracle, Deborah Charlie
  • Set and Lighting Design: Del Surjik

The Stone Angel (1994)

  • Playwright: Margaret Laurence*
  • Adapted by: James W Nichol
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Marilyn Norry, Kevin Conway, J Patrick Keating, Karin Konoval, Dwight McFee, Tracey Olson, Sarah Rodgers, Alvin Sanders, Yumi Yamada, Paul Moniz de Sà
  • Soundscape Design: Ted Hamilton
  • Lighting Design: Marsha Sibthorpe
  • Costume Design: James Glenn

Our Country’s Good (1993)

  • Playwright: Timberlake Wertenbaker
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Monique Bourgeois, Vicki Dahl, Beverly Elliot, Michael Hirano, Robert Lewis, Jane MacFarlane, Tracey Olson, Alvin Sanders, Parm Soor, Dan Thompson, Andrew Wheeler
  • Set Design and Lighting Design: Rebekah Johnson

Age of Iron (1993)

  • Playwright: Marie Humber Clements*
  • Director: Dennis Maracle
  • Cast: Sam Bob, Cheri Maracle, Lorena Gale, Darell Guss, Vicki Dahl, Clara Plante, Ronin
  • Set Design: Hillary Wood
  • Lighting Design: Rebekah Johnson
  • Costume Design: James Glen
  • Choreography: Denise Lonewalker
  • Masks: Ian Wallace
  • Music: Russell Wallace

Maharanie and the Maple Leaf (1992)

  • Playwright: Jan Derbyshire*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Veena Sood
  • Designed: Jeff Nargren

The Ecstasy of Rita Joe (1992)

  • Playwright: George Ryga*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Columpa C Bobb, Sam Bob, Lillian Carlson, Michael Lawrenchunck, Dwight McFee, Sophie Merasty, Alvin Sanders, Michelle Thrush
  • Sets: Alan Brodie

OB (Fresh Off The Boat (1991)

  • Playwright: David Henry Hwang
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Margaret Cheung, Jay Ono, Tom Wong
  • Set and Lighting Design: Alan Brodie

The Coloured Museum (1991)

  • Playwright: George C Wolfe
  • Director: Donna Spencer, Denis Simpson and Julie Blue (Music)
  • Cast: Candus Churchill, Lovena Fox, Lorena Gale, Alvin Sanders, Denis Simpson
  • Design: Ted Roberts and Nancy Bryant

Mainstream (1990)

  • Playwright: Collective Creation*
  • Director: Donna Spencer

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight (1990)

  • Playwright: Peter Colley*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Jay Ono, Alvin Sanders, Veena Sood, Dona Yamamoto
  • Set Designed: Mark Deggan

1980-1989

Rosie’s Café (1989)

  • Playwright: RA Shiomi*
  • Director: Ray Michal
  • Cast: Terry Barclay, Garry Davey, Michael Hirano, Kamilyn Kaneki, Laara Ong, Jay Ono, Russell Wallace, Dona Yamamoto, Richard Yee
  • Set Design: Mark Deggan

Yellow Fever (1988)

  • Playwright: RA Shiomi*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Rod Crawford, Tong Lung, John Donald, Lyle Moon, Jane Nimi, Laara Ong and Jay Ono

Escape From Fantasy Gardens (1987)

  • Playwright: Mark Leiren-Young*

Opening Doors (1986)

  • Adapted by: Donna Spencer and Company from the book “Opening Doors, Vancouver’s East End” by Dane Marlatt and Carole Itter*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Lori Lewis, Christine Menzies, Gina Mercedes Baines, Jay Ono, Lyle Moon, Donna Yamamoto
  • Visual Concept: Donna Spencer and Richard Tetrault

Sometimes The World’s Fair, Sometimes It Ain’t! (1986)

  • Playwright: Mark Leiren Young*

The Fairies are Thirsty (1985)

  • Playwright: Denise Boucher*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Linda Boyd, Nicole Roberge, Pamela Mcdonald
  • Design: Richard Tetrault

Kennedy’s Children (1985)

  • Playwright: Robert Patrick
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Jay Ono, Lyle Moon, Lori Lewis, Christine Menzies

One More for the Road (1985)

  • Playwright: George Ryga*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Richard Clements

Extremities (1984)

  • Playwright: William Mastrosimone
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Jill Daum, Susan Ferley, Dwight McFee, Sharon Bakker
  • Design: Pam Johnson

Walking the Tightrope (1984)

  • Based on the book “Growing Up Dead” by Brenda Rabkin*
  • Director: Donna Spencer
  • Cast: Jillian Fargey, Oscar Goncalves, Rob Johnson, Veniel Kumar, Rosemary Lebar, Eva Viveiros
  • Technical Director and Stage Manager: Darren Hales
The Firehall is where my family’s stories began to be told again.
Rosemary Georgeson
Sahtu Dene & Coast Salish Artist, Writer, Storyteller

We’re Grateful to Be Here.

The Firehall Arts Centre is located on the unceded and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations where they lived and gathered together for thousands of years. Acknowledging their connections to these lands is a significant part of what the Firehall considers when choosing the productions and presentations we undertake and how that work shapes and impacts those around us. We ask our community to reflect on what being present here means to you and those around you.