The Mush Hole reflects the realities of the Mohawk Institute residential school experience and offers a way to open dialogue and to heal, through acknowledgement and honouring the spirit of Survivors and families that were impacted. The Mush Hole moves through the devastation of residential school with grace and hope for transformation and release. Opening a small window into the atrocities inflicted on 1000’s of Indigenous children, it attempts to close the door on historical amnesia. A haunting portrayal, weaves through memories of Survivors, reliving traumas, school life, loss of culture, remembrance, returning to find each other. The residential school legacy and ongoing institutionalized erasure of Indigenous lives and culture is an issue that affects all Canadians. Through specificity we find universality, The Mush Hole is a story about hope and finding light in dark places. As much as it speaks to intergenerational trauma it screams resilience. Every single element that is represented on stage came from Survivors sharing their experiences with us. After years of silence Mohawk Institute Survivors are courageously moving past shame and sharing their story. The Mush Hole is their Truth on stage.

–  Santee Smith, Director/ Producer/ Performer

Show dates: 

June 20 @ 7:30pm with Q&A lead by Dr. Bernice Downey

June 21 @ 7:30pm

Credits: 

Creative Producer/Director/Performer: Santee Smith
Tour Producer: Kaha:wi Dance Theatre
Cultural Advisors: Geronimo Henry, Thohahoken Michael Doxtater, Roberta Hill
Performers: Jonathan Fisher, Katie Couchie, Montana Summers, Raelyn Metcalfe
Composition/Arrangement: Jesse Zubot
Additional Composition: Adrian Dion Harjo

Songs:

“Find My May”, commissioned remix by Nick Sherman;
“I Saw The Light”, performed and recorded by Nick Sherman, Semiah Smith (vocals) and Nathan Smith (fiddle);
“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, performed and recorded by Nick Sherman;
“Just a Closer Walk With Thee” by Patsy Cline, arranged by Nick Sherman, Semiah Smith (vocals);

“The Storm” by Iskwe;

“T’will be Glory, Martin Family Singers from the album “Kaha:wi”, Rob Lamothe (voiceover)
Video Tech/Director: Ryan Webber

Original Set/Lighting Designer: Andy Moro
Costume Designer: Adriana Fulop, Leigh Smith, Elaine Redding
Production Tour Manager/Tour Lighting Designer: Sebastian Marziali
Tour Stage Manager: Senjuti Sarker
Production Support/Videographer: Shane Powless
Production Support: Woodland Cultural Centre, Thru The Red Door, Art Gallery of Guelph
Banff Centre for the Arts & Creativity
Company Support: Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council,
Toronto Arts Council

Find us!

Intragram: @kahawidance

Facebook: @Kaha:wi Dance Theatre

www.kahawidance.org

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