Synopsis

In our society, often, it is not normal to protest for your happiness. The play “Be free” is about how a brave individual escapes these societal norms by prioritising her wellbeing. She walks away from a relationship that is not satisfying her to any depth and is only sustaining her survival. This play encourages audiences to focus not on how things may look, but how they truly feel and to fight for what you want. To not ignore your feeling self only for the mere wanting to live up to made up expectations. The play shows a story between 2 individuals but is acted out by 4 actors to show the divide between what we feel on the inside (feeling) and that we actually show on the outside (speaking). Saturated in layered symbolism there are several old truths being put on trial by protagonist Nina (Female Speaking) as she finds herself wanting more than the boundaries of these beliefs can allow her to have. We witness her journey to breaking free.

Cast & Crew

Playwright & Director – Daria Igumnova
Assistant Director – Will Hegg
Stage Manager – Emma Whitney
Assistant Stage Manager – Sophie Hoskins
Set Design – Mila Woodruff
Costume Design – Olivia Mazari
Lighting Design – Lucy Bannard
Sound Design – Ella Dosdall
Choreographer – Caitlin Acken
Taylor Mom – Lynette Kissoon
Female Speaking – Savannah O’Heany
Male Speaking – Scott Allen
Male Feeling – Denver Xavier
Female Feeling – Jessie Hutcheson
Little Girl – Simran Kang

Content & Effect Advisories

Domestic violence
Emotional abuse
Blackouts, haze, loud crashing sounds

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the Canadian Heritage Arts Society for its in-kind support with rehearsal space.