Homeward.
Homeward is a new play-in-development by Tapestry Theatre Collective (Kosar Dakhilalian and Skye Rogers). Through arts-based research engaging several diverse communities, Homeward takes a multi-scopic view at what home means to many people, investigating the paradox of nuance and collectivity behind the feeling of “home.”
Photo by Shirel Kline for “We’re All Neighbours Here” promotion.
Project History
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Project History *
the sweetest sensation
“Summer Dances Mixed Bill,” Frog in Hand, July 2024
Photos by Vincent Enorme.
the sweetest sensation was a dance piece created as preliminary research around the concept of “home.” it was created by Skye Rogers, in collaboration with the dance artists who performed it, as part of Frog in Hand’s Summer Company. the sweetest sensation was presented as part of the “Summer Dances Mixed Bill” at the Art Shelter in Mississauga.
The Tapestry
“We’re All Neighbours Here” Exhibit, Helping Hands Street Mission, October 2024
Photos by Joel Galenkamp.
The Tapestry is a place to reflect and explore the diversity of what "home" means to different people. The fabric-draped space holds an invitation to consider one's own sense of home, and collects the contemplations of all who walk through The Tapestry, to create a gallery of perspectives.
Photos from our final collage-making snack-luck!
“Homeward” Class Series
With the Willow Arts Community, November 2024
What is home? It is a place? A person? A feeling? An idea?
We dove into these questions alongside members of the Willow Arts Community in St. Catharines over four Mondays through collaborative theatre-making! We explored our personal and collective ideas of “home,” through different stylistic approaches of creation, including physical theatre, object theatre, and voice work, capping it off with collective collage-making at our final snack-luck!
creative process
PHASE ONE: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
March to July 2024
funded by OAC Theatre Creator Recommender Grants (thank you Suitcase in Point Multi-Arts Company & Tottering Biped Theatre Company!
Project planning & research
Creating budgets & timelines for current resources
Researching other projects that have done similar work
Participating in skill-based workshops/sessions to prep for community-based programming
Connecting with potential partnerships & planning workshops
Applying for further funding
Researching & applying for future residencies for the project
PHASE TWO: COMMUNITY INTERVIEW & WORKSHOP-BASED RESEARCH
August 2024 to August 2025
funded in part with SCCIP CBC funding, OAC Artists in Communities and Schools Projects, OAC RGTC
Conducting interviews with specific community groups (Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre, St. Catharines; 541 Eatery & Exchange, and Helping Hands, Hamilton)
Facilitating a community workshop as part of Femme de Feu’s “Belongings” project
Facilitating other community-based workshops as sole presenter / with project partners (Willow Arts, Folk Arts Multicultural Centre, Keeping Six)
Willow Arts - Fall 2024
Keeping Six - Winter 2025 (unconfirmed)
Niagara Folk Arts - Spring 2025
Potential residency with Open Heart Arts
Building a community of creatives interested in further exploring this work
Beginning to write stories and scenes inspired by our research
PHASE THREE: COLLECTIVE CREATION
September to December 2025
applying for OAC Theatre Creator Recommender & Community-Based Art Projects Grants, CCA Explore & Create
Continuing the exploration from community-based workshops with a small, consistent collective of artists
Writing a collection of vignettes that will be a part of the final play
PHASE FOUR: PERFORMANCE
January to May 2026
applying for SCCIP Arts Development Funding, Hamilton City Enrichment Funding, OAC Theatre Project Grants
Producing a final process-based presentation of the play “Homeward,” ideally in both St. Catharines and Hamilton