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Family
Container
by Seymour A. Irons
A two act play following Terra, a single Black pregnant woman and her five children with little time left in a Toronto Womens' Abuse Shelter.
Currently in development with b current Performing Arts .
Set to Premier Spring 2025 with Theatre Kingston
from March 30th to April 6th
Phase # 1: Spring 2024. Develop full length version of one act play for virtual read-thru. Post reading, revise with dramaturgical support.
Phase # 2: Summer 2024. Workshop new draft with actors and present for public feedback.
Phase #3: Spring 2025. Premier fully developed run.
Summer 2024 Cast:
Jarena Lee - TERRA
Brooklyn-born and new(ish) to Kingston, Jarena Lee (Terra) is a multi-disciplinary artist with over 23 years of acting experience. Her journey began at the age of 7, performing in off-Broadway musicals with TADA! Youth Theatre in NYC. She later continued on to study performance at Concordia University in Montreal. This past summer, Jarena took to the stage in her second Kingston Fringe Festival show, and earlier this year, celebrated her debut starring role in the short film, Going Home (written and directed by Janeece Niles).Whether on stage, on screen, or exploring new creative ventures, she's always evolving her craft and keeping things fresh. Jarena is so delighted and deeply honoured to contribute to bringing The Family Container to life.
Rachel Chase-Thomas, is an Afro-Caribbean multidisciplinary creative and chemist who loves mixing art and science together to form new and exciting ways to exist. She excels in all forms of theatrical mediums such as dance, acting, voice, modelling, writing, and so much more, she also loves being creative within the laboratory. Hailing from Toronto, Rachel grew up in a musical household that also held up education, which led her to start her acting career early by working with other young professionals at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts in the Drama Focus program. This led her to her love of both chemistry and the arts, thus pursuing higher education in both disciplines. Rachel is currently attending Queen’s University for her Bachelors Degree in Chemistry with honours and a minor in drama to continue with what she loves to do.
You may recognize Rachel for her work in Not Wanted on the Voyage, Everybody, and in the Vogue Charity Fashion Show. She continues to work hard in bringing performance arts and science together in her research and her creative life. She is excited to take on Family Container as its themes hold a special place in her heart.
Rachel Chase-Thomas - MYA
Iffy is a recent engineering graduate who has always admired theatre and the arts but never felt they had enough interest to pursue it. However, the desire to become an actor has always been present, and now Iffy is excited to take a step toward that dream by securing a major role in Family Container.
Iffy Maduabuchi - JAMES
Yashia Allen (Anaella): Yashia is very excited to be a part of Family Container. She recently worked on Newsies as Medda Larkin, and at Laurel Theatre as costuming coordinator assistant music director. Yashia is a 4th year Theatre Major at Queens University. In her summers she enjoys working with students at summer camps, fostering their love for theatre and the arts.
Yashia Allen - ANAELLA
Michelle Nyamekye - MARCUS
Michelle Nyamekye is an educator who is so excited to be a part of this project! This May, she had the pleasure of performing in the Northwest Territories with her 10-year long peer education show Sex Education by Theatre (SExT). During her university venture at Queen's, her theatrical experiences included Bring It On! The Musical (ensemble), The Gay Agenda (a devised student piece; cast member), Down There (a collective of student stories; performer), Missed Connections (student written short play; director) and We without You (dissertation-based performance; cast member). Michelle is thrilled for the opportunity to do another theatrical piece this year and hopes you enjoy the reading!
Shanique Peart is a Kingston based multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for creation, dance and photography. Shanique began her dance journey as a self-trained dancer exploring movement through Hip-hop and freestyle dance. Over the years she has had the opportunity to train in a variety of settings that has allowed her to develop her skills in multiple dance styles. Including Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Afro fusion, Modern and Urban Contemporary. This diverse background has influenced her journey as a multi-disciplinary artist. Not only exploring and creating through movement but intertwining dance and performance through film and photography. Outside of dance and photography, Shanique is moving into more creation-based and collaboration projects. Both in and outside of Kingston, ON. As well as the theatre, education and administrative space within the dance and arts community.
Shanique Peart - SOPHIA
Sierrah is a multidisciplinary artist who has studied and worked in film, theatre, performance, and sound. Sierrah came to Kingston (Katarokwi) to attend Queen’s University for her Undergraduate Degree in Media and Performance Production. Since then she has completed her MA and is now working towards her PhD. You may recognize her from her most recent performances in Sooth, Other(worldly) with Kick and Push, or in her role as “Celia” in As You Like It with the Domino Theatre. If you want to check out some of her work head over to @sunandmoon.images on instagram.
Sierrah Zawacki - LIZ
A long-time member of the Kingston theatre scene, Matthew is very excited with being part of Family Container and creating an exciting new work with Seymour Irons. Highlights of past productions include: Touchstone the Clown in Shakespeare’s As You Like It for Domino Theatre, Bowl in Harmonia for The Grapevine Theatre Project, and directing The Odd Couple (Female Version) and Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet for The King's Town Players.
Matt Davis - HENRY
Tochukwu Nelson Agu is a dedicated IT professional, grounded in both technology and the arts. Born and raised in Nigeria, Tochukwu pursued his education in both Nigeria and South Africa, gaining valuable insights and expertise in the IT field. Alongside his professional career, Tochukwu has nurtured a passion for acting, leading him to feature as a supporting actor and an extra in a few films. His unique blend of technical skills and creative expression allows him to approach his roles with a distinct perspective, bringing authenticity and depth to the characters he portrays.
TOCHUKWU NELSON AGU - DR.SMITH
Jono Campbell - DONNOVAN