Do you want to be a part of the team that creates a 310KM long play along the Grand River?
We could use your support, and it will assist us mightily in making the Voice of the River happen.
See how you can help below!
A message from the Executive and Creative Director of the CCRC, Peter Smith
PHOTO REFERENCED IN PETER SMITH’S VIDEO
A famous photograph of the 1974 flood in Galt, Cambridge, Ontario. The police officer in the picture, standing at the corner of Ainslie and Dickson streets waist-deep in the floodwaters, is Const. Jack Shuttleworth. Credit: KW Record
TO DATE:
- We have been working for three years in story-circles, in workshops and creating presentations.
- We have connected with community folks across the watershed and along the river.
- We have worked with organizations and education centres, not-for-profits, in cities, towns, villages and at Six Nations. See a list of our partners, and collaborators here.
The project is a coming together of stories, and as importantly, a coming together of people in celebration, in hope, in creativity.
WHAT’S TO COME:
The culmination of this work will In July and August of this year we will start at the headwaters at Dundalk and travel down tIn July and August of this year we will start at the headwaters at Dundalk and travel down the Grand and across her Watershed all the way to Lake Erie at the mouth of the River. We will be stopping in different communities along the way each night – to have a picnic, a parade through town, and the evening will end in the stories, songs and ceremonies that have become a part of The Voice of the River. Artist of painting: Pat Flood
The final day of the tour is August 26. We will be at Chiefswood Park at Six Nations for an all-day fair and concert at night. A full schedule of the production is available soon (see draft; subject to change), as are a list of organizations who have thrown their support behind the project, and the creative team putting it all together.
OUR ASK:
We believe in paying our artists and crew – so if you can offer your support – no matter how small or how large – it will assist us mightily. Your support goes toward compensating the incredible skills, talent and work of the artists and crew as well as key production equipment such as a portable stage and mobile sound and lighting.
Your donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference. You also have the opportunity to sponsor a specific role or need whether it is the tour designer, puppet wrangler, stage manager, transportation or equipment.
How to make a donation or become a sponsor:
MAKE A DONATION ONLINE (click to learn more)
You will receive an automatic tax receipt via CanadaHelps.org
> Click here to go to the donation form OR use the QR code below
QR code to the donation form
SPONSOR A SPECIFIC POSITION OR EQUIPMENT (click to learn more)
To become a sponsor for a specific position or equipment (see list below), please contact Peter Smith directly at:
Email: peter@ruralcreativity.org
Tel: 416-686-1462
You will receive a mailed tax receipt for this option.
Here is a list of what is needed to support this incredible production. Your donation, large or small, will help us get to where we’re going.
> Click here to make a donation
PRE-PRODUCTION NEEDS
| POSITION | DESCRIPTION | FUNDRAISING ASK |
| Creatives/Artists | Actors, musicians, designers bring the stories alive and will be in rehearsals in the spring and summer leading to production in July/August. | $35,000 |
| Tour Manager | This is a critical position. Someone who will liaise with each community for permits, tickets, volunteers, performers from the community etc. Food, port-a-potties, recycling etc. | $5,000 |
| Costumer | Costume builder for the show who would then tour becoming the Assistant Stage Manager. This person also consults with each community to create “tickle trunks” for stories and parades. | $7,500 |
| Puppet Wrangler | This artist will create and oversee the props/banners for te show. They attend workshops and do follow up to ensure all puppets are finished. They also work to refurbish existing puppets and is a part of the tour team. | $5,000 |
| Mask Maker | Mask creator and advisor on costume, props and design. | $3,500 |
| Designer | Oversees all aspects of the production design. | $5,000 |
TOUR NEEDS
| POSITION | DESCRIPTION | FUNDRAISING ASK |
| Stage Manager | Works to ensure smooth running of the production during performances. Works closely with the tech team in rehearsals, on tour. | $7,000 |
| Assistant Stage Manager | This person will help with the running of the show, actor wrangling, wardrobe, prop set-up and maintenance. | $5,000 |
| Production Manager/Tech Director | Ensures set up/tear down of all tech equipment. Responsible for safety. | $6,000 |
| Set, Light and Sound Technician | Crew member who responsible for set up lights and sound equipment and operations. | $5,000 |
| Driver | Drives the company truck from location to location. Ensures load ins and load outs. | $4,000 |
EQUIPMENT NEEDS
| EQUIPMENT | DESCRIPTION | FUNDRAISING ASK |
| Portable Stage | A 20 ft wide and 16 ft deep, 18 inches high with 3 entrance/exit step units for stage right, left, and upstage. It will be made with all weather plywood sheets and aluminum and steel rigging. Easy to put up and to tear down. There will also be a colourful painted stage cloth attached to the stage on poles upstage. At the end of the run the stage will be gifted to Grandview Theatre in order for them to use it as they continue touring up and down the River for years to come. A good investment all around! | $10,000 |
| Mobile sound/lighting | We are using LED lighting with 10 instruments in total. They will be rigged on temporary poles/trees. The lights can change colour and change focus. We will be renting a lighting board for the run of the show. The sound equipment includes speakers, body mics, cable, a mixer and sound board that we will rent for the run. | $5,000 |
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!