Sankofa: The Soldier’s Tale Retold reimagines Igor Stravinsky’s “L'Histoire du Soldat” in a new libretto by poet Titilope Sonuga. Through the journey of a fictional soldier attempting to enlist in WWI, this Soldier's Tale is set against the historical context of the No. 2 Construction Battalion — the only Canadian battalion composed of Black soldiers to serve in the First World War. In a psychological battle with the devil on the road to enlisting, the soldier embodies the battalion’s resilience and enduring struggle against racism, discrimination and historical erasure. Like the symbol of the Sankofa bird from which this story draws its name (a word in the Twi language of Ghana which means to go back and retrieve what was forgotten), this work blends past and future as the rhythm of Sonuga's poetry weaves through Stravinsky's original music. Sankofa is an invitation to honour a difficult history while moving toward a more promising future.

Run Time: One hour, no intermission
Content Notice: Mature subject matter. Gun sound effects.

Sankofa: The Soldier’s Tale Retold was originally commissioned by Art of Time Ensemble and Against The Grain Theatre.

To learn more about the No 2. Construction Battalion: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/no-2-construction-battalion

CAST

Diego Matamoros, Devil
For Art of Time: Debut. Mr. Matamoros has an international acting career spanning now more than forty years, working in Canada, the U.S., as well as in London, England. He co-founded the Soulpepper Academy in 2006, a theatre training program for professional artists, and was Head of Acting there for almost a decade. He has directed and taught at several universities, theatre schools and colleges, including the National Theatre School in Montreal and the University of Toronto. He is the recipient of several Dora Mavor Moore awards for his acting work as well as a Gemini award for his work on television. He has performed professionally in Spanish and French, as well as in English.

Olaoluwa Fayokun, Soldier
For Art of Time: Debut. Selected Stage: Ties (JO Productions); Trojan Kids (NTS); Macbeth (NTS); Antigonick (NTS); As You Like It (NTS), Love Letters to Juliet (Red Lips Productions), New Beginnings (Sarasvati Productions). Film/TV: The Porter (CBC gem x BET), DJ Burnt Bannock (Eagle Vision), Blackfriar Macbeth (SIR). Training: National Theatre School of Canada, BA in Theatre from the University of Manitoba. Other: Lu would like to thank his family, past instructors, and peers for their constant encouragement and support.

Ordena Stephens-Thompson, Narrator & Yaa
Ordena Stephens-Thompson is a professional actor, acting coach and aspiring director who has worked in the theatre, television and film industry for many years. She is a two time Dora-nominated actress and Dora Award recipient for best ensemble. Her selected theatre credits include: A Streetcar Named Desire (Soulpepper), Three Sisters (Soulpepper/Obsidian Theatres), Fairview (Canadian Stage/Obsidian Theatres), ’Da Kink in My Hair 20th Anniversary (Soulpepper/TO Live), Contraction (Studio 180 Reads), Sweat (Canadian Stage/Studio 180), Fences (Grand Theatre), Harlem Duet (Tarragon Theatre), Risky Phil (YPT), Other Side of the Game (Cahoots/Obsidian Theatre), For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf (Soulpepper Theatre), How Black Mothers Say I Love You (Factory Theatre). Selected Film/TV: Skymed, Christmas at the Drive Inn, Ruby and the Well, Kings of Napa, Hudson & Rex, Salt n’ Pepa, Grand Army, Umbrella Academy, The Handmaid's Tale, Designated Survivor, da kink in my hair (TV series, two seasons). The art of storytelling is a passion and a privilege.

MUSICIANS

Andrew Burashko, Conductor

Cameron Breiter, Double Bass
For Art of Time: Debut. Saskatchewan-born musician Cameron Breiter began the double bass at seventeen with the beginnings of his double bass studies with former Principal Bass of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, Richard Carnegie. Cameron completed his Bachelor of Music Honours degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 2021, and is currently attending The Glenn Gould School studying with Jeffrey Beecher, Principal Bass of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Cameron has performed with the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra as soloist in 2023 where he performed Koussevitzky’s Concerto for Double Bass, and is a frequent substitute musician with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. Cameron has played in several other ensembles including the Thomastik-Infeld Canadian String Orchestra in 2018, 2020-22, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 2022-24, and Prairie Virtuosi since 2024. Outside of music making, Cameron likes to go walking by the South Saskatchewan River, eat ice-cream with friends, and watch The Lord of the Rings films.

Andrew Busch, Percussion
For Art of Time: Debut. Andrew’s versatility shines through his performances on classical and marching percussion stages across North America and Europe. Most recently, Andrew was awarded the 2022 Michael Measures 2nd Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, and was included on the 2024 edition of CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30” list. He has also received first-prize wins in the 2018 National Music Festival of Canada and the 2020–21 Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition. Currently, Andrew is a co-founder, operations manager, and active performer with the Kairos Percussion Quartet based in Toronto, Canada. Andrew recently completed his master’s degree at the University of Toronto studying under Aiyun Huang, Beverley Johnston, Charles Settle, John Rudolph and Ryan Scott, and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School studying with Charles Settle.

Ken Kagawa, Trombone
For Art of Time: Debut. Ken Kagawa is an international trombonist who has studied all over the continent. Ken is involved in the Toronto music scene, doing shows ranging from genres of jazz to classical music. His most recent engagements include performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Hamilton Philharmonic. It is his honour to have his debut with the Art of Time Ensemble.

Graham Lumsden, Trumpet
For Art of Time: Debut. Graham is a Montreal/Toronto-based trumpet player from London, Ontario, Canada. Known for his sound and musicianship, he is pursuing his Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto studying with Steven Woomert with the goal of winning a principal trumpet position. Graham has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in trumpet performance from McGill University studying under Richard Stoelzel. Since 2022 he has performed as both principal and second trumpet with the Orchestre Symphonique de la Côte-Nord. Graham recorded with the Orchestre Classique de Montreal for their 2024 Juno winning Classical Album of the year and has also performed with the London Symphonia and Orchestre Philharmonique & Chouer des Mélomanes. He played principal trumpet with Hans Zimmer during his 2024 North American tour for the Toronto and Montreal shows. Graham was a member of NYO Canada 2023 and of Orchestre de la Francophonie during their 2024 season. He has also been a semi-finalist of the International Trumpet Guild Orchestral Excerpts Competition for both 2023 and 2024.

Julia Mirzoev, Violin
For Art of Time: Debut. Recent Rebanks fellow Julia Mirzoev was awarded the Broadus Erle graduating prize at the Yale School of Music. Other awards include top prizes: the commissioned work prize at the Michael Hill International competition, the Klein international competition, the OSM competition, and grand prize at the Canadian Music Competition. As a soloist, has performed with the Montreal Chamber Music Festival’s Jeunes Virtuoses orchestra, Scarborough Philharmonic, Sinfonia Toronto, the Canadian Sinfonietta, the University of Toronto Symphony, Orchestra Toronto, the Colorado College Summer Music Festival Orchestra, the Brampton Rose Orchestra, and the Toronto Symphony. A passionate chamber musician, Julia has been a winner of the Yale Chamber Music competition, and has been invited to participate in the Sarasota, Manchester, Toronto, Yellow Barn, and Perlman Music Program festivals. Her notable collaborations include performances with Colin Carr, Anthony Marwood, Roger Tapping, Natasha Brofsky, and members of the Danish, Doric, and New Orford String Quartets. Julia is also a founding member of the Myriade String Quartet, who have been selected to compete in the live rounds of the Wigmore and Trondheim competitions, as well as being selected as the  Colorado Music Festival’s fellowship quartet in residence this last summer.  She is grateful for the support of the Canada Council in the loan of the 1747 “Palmason” Janarius Gagliano violin.

Ann Murdocca, Clarinet
For Art of Time: Debut. Ann currently holds a Master of Music Performance degree from the University of Toronto where she studied under Joaquin Valdepeñas. She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance and Diploma in Chamber Music from Wilfrid Laurier University where she studied with Peter Shackleton. At Laurier, Ann was selected as one of the Laurier Concerto Competition winners and was also a three-time recipient of the Spae-Naur Performance Scholarship. Ann has performed with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, National Academy Orchestra of Canada, UofT Symphony Orchestra, Opera and Contemporary Music Ensemble, as well as Saluzzo Opera Academy Orchestra, Summerhill Orchestra, Orford Winds and Vera Causa Opera. Ann is an active performer in both her hometown King City, the GTA and KW region and has a deep passion for making music with others.

Wolfgang Scheitinger, Bassoon
For Art of Time: Debut. Wolfgang offers up his unique voice when it comes to music of the 21st century. As a performer, he is dedicated to exploring and bringing to light underplayed and unrecorded works for the bassoon, with a focus on chamber music and transcriptions. His commitment to new music is reflected in his premieres of works by Avner Dorman, Dana Wilson, and Sean Penzo. Scheitinger can be heard playing contrabassoon on the world premiere recording of Augusta Read Thomas’s “Carnival.” In 2022, he was a finalist in SUNY Fredonia’s Concerto Competition and has also performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. His principal teachers include Glenn Einschlag, Laura Koepke, Harry Searing, and Mark Timmerman. Featured at the 2021 Society of Composers Inc. National Conference, he also enjoys composing and has had works premiered by Transient Canvas, Clare Longendyke, Mateo Mendez, and the SUNY Fredonia Wind Ensemble.

Waleed Abdulhamid, Recorded Drums
Waleed Abdulhamid is a Canadian Multi-instrumentalist; Composer; Vocalist; Music and Film Producer, known for his striking vocals, innovative bass technique, and his speed and precision on percussion. He has been an active member of the Toronto music scene since his arrival, in 1991 from Sudan, where he began to perform as early as six years old. He is the recipient of the Canadian New Pioneer Award; African Tama Award; Reel World Film Festival Award and Canadian Film Board of Excellence Award. In addition, he has not only received other international awards, but was also twice honoured with a DORA Award. In turn, he is frequently invited to serve on juries in Music and Theatre, and has acquired a distinctive profile in the media.

CREATIVE TEAM

Titilope Sonuga, Librettist
For Art of Time: Debut. Titilope Sonuga is a Nigerian-born poet whose genre-defying work has propelled her to a vibrant life in the arts globally. She has written three collections of poetry: Down to Earth (2011), Abscess (2014), and This Is How We Disappear (2019) and two spoken word albums, Mother Tongue (2011), Swim (2019) and Sis (2024). She is a writer who blends a remarkable elegance of craft with an ever-present human quality that carries her words into expansive realms, scripting campaigns for global brands, including The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Google, and the White Ribbon Alliance. Sonuga served two years as an ambassador for Intel Corporation’s She Will Connect campaign, a program dedicated to empowering women and girls through technological literacy, commerce, and opportunity. She has written three plays: The Six (Google Nigeria), Naked (Make It Happen Productions) and Ada the Country (Doyenne Circle). She played a lead role as an actor in the hit Nigerian television series Gidi Up. She was the first poet to perform at a Nigerian presidential inauguration in 2015 and was the 9th Poet Laureate of the City of Edmonton where she resides.

Tawiah M’Carthy, Director
Tawiah M’Carthy is a Ghanaian-born, Toronto-based theatre practitioner, notable as a director, creator/playwright and performer. Tawiah’s directing credits include Here Lies Henry (Factory Theatre), Topdog/Underdog (Canadian Stage), Fairview (ObsidianTheatre/ Canadian Stage), Death and the King's Horseman (Stratford Festival), and Rihannaboi95 (Young People's Theatre). Playwright/creator credits include Maanomaa, My Brother (Blue Bird Theatre Collective), Yɛn Ara Asaase Ni (21 Black Futures, Obsidian Theatre), Black Boys (Saga Collectif) and Obaaberima (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). His performing credits include Onyinyechukwu in Three Sisters (after Chekhov) (Soulpepper/Obsidian Theatre), Sizwe in Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (Soulpepper Theatre), and Kwame in Maanomaa, My Brother (Blue Bird Theatre Collective/Canadian Stage). Tawiah is a Paul McGibbon Award recipient, a multi-Dora-nominated playwright and performer, a founding member of Saga Collectif, and co-artistic director of Blue Bird Theatre Collective.

Andrew Burashko, Musical Director/Conductor
Before founding Art of Time Ensemble, Andrew Burashko had established himself as one of Canada’s foremost concert pianists. Known for his passionate performances and eclectic repertoire, Burashko performed as soloist, under the batons of some of the world’s leading conductors such as Marin Alsop, Sir Andrew Davis, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Pinchas Zukerman among many others. He was also involved in a 25 year long collaboration with renowned contemporary dancer, Peggy Baker. As a duo, they performed to acclaim around the world.

Andrew Burashko’s recordings as soloist and chamber musician have been released on labels including Chandos, CBC SM500, Naxos, Centrediscs, Opening Day, Analekta, Pheromone and ATR and can be heard regularly on the CBC in Canada and NPR in the United States.

Kevin Lamotte, Lighting Designer
Lighting designer since 1988 at the Shaw Festival, originally with Artistic Director, Christopher Newton. He is currently director of lighting design at Shaw. Kevin Lamotte grew up near Leamington, Ontario, and studied lighting in a technical theatre program at Niagara College and the Banff Centre for the Arts during the summer. He then studied lighting, set, costumes, and script analysis at the New York Studio and Forum of Stage Design with Lester Polakov.

For Shaw he has lit over 75 productions, notably John Bull's Other Island, Passion, Poison and Petrifaction, The Doctor's Dilemma, Peer Gynt, An Inspector Calls, You Can't Take it With You (1999), Heartbreak House, All My Sons, and SS Tenacity.

He has also worked at the National Arts Centre, Canadian Stage (Wit 2001 and Domesticated 2015), Citadel Theatre, Young People's Theatre, and Centaur Theatre. For Soulpepper Theatre Company, he has designed for memorable productions of Marat/Sade (2015), Father Comes Home from the Wars I, II, and III (2016), and Waiting for Godot (2017). He also designs for opera and ballet productions. Lamotte is a recipient of the Pauline McGibbon Award, the Dora Mavor Moore Award, Jessie Richardson Award, Prix de la Masque, and Betty Mitchell Award. In 2006, he was nominated for the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre. He is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada.

John Gzowski, Sound Designer
Composer, sound designer, musician and instrument maker John Gzowski has worked on over 250 theatre, dance and film productions for which he has composed, created sound designs, performed live foley and live music and as acted as musical director. He has played banjo for opera in Banff, studied Carnatic classical music in India and played oud and guitar in jazz and folk festivals across Canada and Europe. His theatre work has won him six Dora Awards, from 20 nominations for companies like Ex Machina, Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Luminato, National Arts Centre, Mirvish, MTC, the Arts Club, Canadian Stage, Soulpepper, Dancemakers, Red Sky, Tarragon, Factory Theatre and YPT. Gzowski has played on numerous CDs, with releases with Patricia O'Callaghan, Tasa, and Autorickshaw as well as a Juno nomination with Maza Meze. He has run Canada’s first microtonal group, touring Canada playing the works of Harry Partch, composed and performed with several new music groups, and worked as co-artistic director of the Music Gallery.

Des’ree Gray, Costume Designer
For Art of Time: Debut. Selected Stage: Costume Designer for Jesus Christ Superstar (Talk is Free Theatre), Costume Designer for Appropriate (Coalmine Theatre); Assistant Costume Designer for Frankenstein: Revived (Stratford Festival); Associate Costume Designer for Treemonisha (Volcano Productions); Assistant Costume Designer for Fairview (Canadian Stage); Assistant Costume Designer for Maanomaa, My Brother (Canadian Stage). Thank you to Emmanuel for the constant love and support.

Pulga Muchochoma, Choreographer
Pulga Muchochoma is choreographer, dancer and teacher born in Quelimane, Mozambique. His dance career and training began in Quelimane with Montes Namuli Dance Company. In August of 2006 he came to Toronto with the company for the International AIDS Conference.With Montes Namuli/Shakespeare Link Canada, he performed in several shows in venues in Toronto and Mozambique . When Montes Namuli returned to Mozambique, Muchochoma stayed in Toronto to study at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. In 2009 Pulga joined the company Toronto Dance Theatre where he spent 11 years as a company member under the Artistic Director of Christopher House. Pulga is now an independent artist and founder of Pulga Dance since 2015

Naomi Onah, Assistant Costume Designer
Naomi Ose-Ivie Onah is a British-Nigerian costume designer based in Toronto, Canada. Equipped with her bachelors degree in Performance Production from Toronto Metropolitan University, Naomi has been able to further explore her love for costume creation and design. Her Nigerian heritage is something that lives at the core of her artistic practice, and allows her to further explore the capabilities of costume and dress in our western world.  

Arwen MacDonell, Stage Manager
Arwen is very happy to be back with AoT. For Art of Time: Hosted by Glenn Gould, A Singer Must Die, The Best of Words and Music, Who is We. Other favourite credits include: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish Productions); Other People (Canadian Stage); Let’s Run Away (reWork Productions/High Performance Rodeo); A Streetcar Named Desire, The Royale, Cage, Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts I, II, III), Eurydice, Angels in America Parts I & II, Parfumerie, A Christmas Carol, The Glass Menagerie, Salt-Water Moon (Soulpepper); over 30 productions with Opera Atelier, including Medee; Persee; Armide (Opera Atelier/Royal Opera House, Versailles; Glimmerglass Festival); I Claudia (Crow's Theatre/Edinburgh Fringe); Seasons with The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival. Arwen is a proud honours graduate of the Baking and Pastry Arts program at George Brown College.

Emily Cornelius, Apprentice Stage Manager
Art of Time Ensemble- Debut
Selected Theatre Credits- The Full Monty- The Capitol Theatre, Remembering Allan Sherman- Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, El Terremotto- Tarragon Theatre, Withrow Park Tarragon Theatre, Dear Jack, Dear Louise- Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, Hooves Belonged To The Deer- Tarragon Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat- Mirvish Productions (Child Chaperone)
Other- Emily Cornelius is an emerging stage manager and musical theatre vocalist based in Toronto. She is thrilled to be working on this gorgeous show and with this lovely company of artists. Enjoy!

Aden C. Altamirano, Production Manager
Based in Toronto, Aden is a dynamic, hands-on production manager with an ingrained passion for the performing arts. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Production from Toronto Metropolitan University, Aden jumped straight into Toronto’s vibrant performing arts scene, getting his hands dirty and learning the ropes. Navigating the intricacies of the city’s bustling arts scene, Aden has successfully donned the hat of an independent production manager. His journey in the arts has given him the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting performance companies in Toronto. These collaborations include time spent with Holla Jazz, Fall For Dance North, Talk is Free Theatre, Volcano Theatre, and the TranscenDance Project, each offering unique experiences and learnings in the vast landscape of the arts. These days, you can typically find Aden at the Winchester Street Theatre working as the full time production manager for Toronto Dance Theatre. And when he’s not managing productions he’s either playing guitar and writing tunes or eating a borderline unhealthy amount of tacos. Aden is super grateful to Art of Time Ensemble for having him as co-production manager on this show (special shout out to AJ for being an absolute star of a co-production manager on this show)! Much love to Mom, Dad, Landon, Grandma, Grandpa, and Deanna.Bio 2024/2025 Season:

A.J. Morra, Production Manager
Based in Toronto, A.J. is a graduate of the Technical Theatre Program at Toronto Metropolitan University, and has enjoyed an active career as a Technical Director, Production Manager, and Stage Manager for contemporary dance, opera, circus, and theatre. Selected credits include three seasons with Toronto Dance Theatre, eight seasons with the Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal, and assorted projects with Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, Fujiwara Dance Inventions, ProArte Danza, Dreamwalker Dance Company, Groundling Theatre Company, Holla Jazz, Zero Gravity Circus, Soundstreams, and Signal Theatre.  

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Katie Saunoris, Publicist
For Art of Time: Debut. Founder of KSPR, Katie is an Ontario-based publicist and communications strategist with over 15 years of experience in arts and culture public relations. She has worked for major Canadian institutions including the Stratford Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, Soulpepper Theatre Company, Luminato Festival, and the Toronto International Festival of Authors. Central clients of KSPR include the Indigenous Voices Awards, The Festival of Literary Diversity, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, The Theatre Centre, Capitol Theatre Port Hope, Necessary Angel Theatre Company, and the Toronto Ukrainian Film Festival, as well as many notable independent theatre and arts organisations across Toronto and beyond.

Bryn Kennedy, Marketing and Outreach
Bryn Kennedy is an actor, director and marketing consultant who loves to be a part of making art happen in any way that she can. In addition to her artistic practice, she has spent the last six years specialising in marketing and community outreach for arts organisations, working with companies such as Studio 180 Theatre, Nightwood Theatre, Necessary Angel Theatre Company, Crow’s Theatre, Directors Lab North and Art of Time Ensemble. As a theatre artist, Bryn has worked with Tarragon Theatre, Musical Stage Company and the Stratford Festival, in addition to producing her own work. Bryn strongly believes that all artists should have a website and she hopes you visit hers at brynkennedy.com. She worked very hard on it.

FOR ART OF TIME ENSEMBLE

Andrew Burashko, Artistic Director
Allison Walsh, Manager of Operations
Punch & Judy Inc., Graphic Design
Young Associates & Julia Gaunt-Rannala, Bookkeeping 

Board of Directors:
Ian Bandeen, Chair
Monica Banting, Vice-Chair
David Ellins
Cheryl Hudson
Doron Melnick

FOR HARBOURFRONT CENTRE

Cathy Loblaw, Chief Executive Officer
Massimo DeMaria, Chief Operations Officer
Heather Waddell, Director, Planning & Special Projects
Allan Gillespie, Director, Visitor Experience & Hospitality

Christopher Hackett, Manager, Visitor Services
Andrei Ivan Mamal, Production Manager
Kurt Nicholson, Head Electrician
Patty Saad, Audio Engineer
Jade Wilson, Stage Carpenter

Stage Technicians at Harbourfront Centre are represented by Local 58 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its territories, and Canada.

We acknowledge the land we are meeting on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

SHOW SPONSORS:

SM Blair Family
Foundation

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT:

SPECIAL THANK YOU:
Canadian Opera Company
Shaw Festival
Classical FM
Jessica Wright
Akosua Amo-Adem
Wade Bogert-O’Brien
Tony Ofori