Perspectives of Complexity

By Lynda Faye Schmidt

I arrived at the Asper Theatre on the University of Winnipeg campus with time to spare and no expectations. The quaint venue was buzzing with anticipation for barb janes’ play, Agency, and I was full of curiosity. My colleagues and I were waiting for the theatre doors to open, engaged in conversation, when who should appear but barb janes herself! I was fortunate to be introduced to the burgeoning new playwright, who candidly admitted the play took five years from conception to production. Read on to the end of the article for more insider information gleaned from my post-performance interview with barb.

The theatre oozed with character— rows of old-fashioned red fabric covered chairs and worn wooden planks, faded-black and scuffed from years of theatregoers. Seated two rows from the stage, I had an advantageous view of the set. The props were simple but thought provoking — a white directional signpost with a red Raggedy Ann wig perched on top and a maze constructed of red plastic tape in keeping with a crime scene, all of which served to pique my curiosity further.

A spotlight illuminated the stage where performers had magically appeared, and the action began. The opening scene placed us in an office of the Adoption Agency where director Dr. Thomas, 12-year-old Jasmine and her mother, Mrs. Doyle were embroiled in an altercation. In an emotional outburst, Jasmine ran off, soon to be lost in the maze. Jasmine, or Jazz as she preferred to be called, almost runs right into Louisa and Claire in her feisty determination to escape the bickering adults. It quickly becomes clear the girls are lost too — but it would seem they’ve been trapped in the Agency for much, much longer than our captivating protagonist.

Three very different histories, time periods and perspectives of adoption unfold in the 75 minutes of this original drama. barb janes points out the complexities of adoption with subtle yet insightful observations. The story brings to mind the phrase, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” In a poignant flashback, we learn that Dr. Thomas’ fervor in recruiting adoptees was born from a tragedy in the early days of the Agency’s inception, when he turned away a young boy seeking shelter who was later found dead in a barrel down by the docks.

I was haunted by Louisa’s soliloquy, infuriated with Dr. Thomas’ tunnel vision, and frustrated by the flawed system that the three girls had to navigate. This powerfully emotive production left me with hope burning in my heart with Claire’s final three words, “Fix this, possible.” An adoptive mother myself, I have my own story, but barb janes’ sensitive and thoughtful portrayal felt large enough to hold space for all of us.

I was privileged to sit down with barb janes to learn more about the backstory, and as is often the case with creative genius, many things collided together to bring Agency to life. The inspiration for the character, Louisa, was sparked by barb’s grandma, who was sent to Canada during a time when Britian exported orphans to colonies. A retired Minister of the United Church of Canada, barb was involved in local tribal child welfare services, and those experiences melded together to birth the character of Claire. Jazz was inspired by barb’s niece, who was an adoptee from Ukraine. When barb’s research led to the discovery that Korea is the biggest exporter of children for adoption, she decided to change Jazz’s birth country. barb also worked with Jenny Heijun Wills, advisor of intercountry adoption, who works at U of W, and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Val Vint for accuracy in her story.
 
Things really took off when barb submitted Agency to a “bake-off” contest. One of six finalists, it won first place and an opportunity to attend a week-long workshop with Sarasvati Theatre. barb won the prize of a year-long program with Dramaturg, where she met Agency director Marsha Knight. The script underwent the transformative process of dramaturgy and was presented in Femme Fest.

When Covid hit, progress was temporarily derailed, but the play ended up showing outdoors as well as live stream. Grants from the Manitoba Arts Council and Manitoba Association of Playwrights supported five actors, a director and editor. A new draft. More editing. Repeat. It was very competitive and loads of paperwork. Broken Record Productions submitted Agency for this year’s Fringe Festival. When all her hard work culminated in witnessing her play come to life on stage, trepidation morphed into second guessing, and then the thrill of the excitement she could feel emanating from the audience.

barb joined the Guild a year ago and values the monthly Critique Circles for helping her to hone her craft. Her membership with the Manitoba Association of Playwrights also provides opportunities for writing and sharing in a group. barb believes that having a deadline can be a helpful incentive for keeping her writing goals on track. Her favourite part of the creative process are the Aha moments when inspiration and perspiration collide.

Dedicated to writing a story about people from other nationalities with respect and accuracy, in this writer’s opinion, barb reached her goal. Agency offers a gateway to understanding, empathy, and compassion. It is a voice that breaks down barriers and diminishes division. I asked barb her advice for other aspiring creatives in the Guild community. Her answer? “Just keep making art. Don’t give up. Tell the story only you can tell. Your story.”

barb has already picked up where she left off, working on a novel she started writing as a side gig during production of the play. With the working title, Penultimate, it’s a comedy set in an upscale seniors assisted living residence. Whatever unfolds, barb will definitely be creating more material, driven by her passion for humanity and the arts.

Alison M. York – A Serendipitous Book Launch

By Stacey Lupky

Warm, inviting energy greeted the standing-room-only crowd gathered for the book launch of Alison York’s novel, Tartan Threads: Serendipity In Scotland. Throughout the event, hosted by the Manitoba Writer’s Guild, of which Alison is a member, Scotland played a welcoming role in bringing the crowd together. Scottish-themed dainties such as shortbread, scones and jam were on offer, while Scottish music gently lilted in the background. At the front of the room at Artspace, the Scottish flag draped over a table filled with memorabilia from ancestors whose lives played a pivotal role in the shaping of the novel.

MWG volunteer Jessica Smithies welcomed all with the land acknowledgement and housekeeping. Our attention was then drawn to Aiden, a videographer, who captured the event for posterity online. We were introduced to Alison’s husband, Roger York, who was an immense help to her writing and with his Toastmaster-trained voice, provided a reading from the novel.

Among the many thanks in Alison’s opening speech, she spoke of the close relationship she developed with her editor, Jenny Gates. Jenny spoke to the attendees briefly and brought up the important point of the trust relationship between an author and their editor. Authors must be open to suggestions and they must be courageous enough to take a germ of an idea and develop it.

Admitting she is a “pantser,” meaning she doesn’t strictly follow an outline, Alison said the story was borne out of a grade seven English Language Arts class assignment. Her student needed encouragement, so Allison wrote a short story alongside him. Gradually expanding her story into a novel, she wanted to see her book in print. Allison was told the market was swamped with new writers seeking publication, and that the process would take two years or more. Being eight years in since she began, the author decided to publish independently.

Alison’s reading introduced us to the character of Clare Wood, a young woman in 1978, who decides she “needs to go somewhere and some place that stretches her as a person”. That place is the Highlands of Scotland and Alison’s sense of humour and wit shine through the dialogue between Clare and her mother as Clare decides she needs to learn more about her extended family.

Roger York then took the podium and delivered a lively reading as the character Jim Bernie, complete with Scottish brogue. The novel involves aspects of time travel via a special geode, and in one of the readings, Jim considers an offer from his distant cousin to immigrate to America. The dialogue is sensitive and dramatic, conveying tender emotions.

There were few questions for Alison York in the Q & A portion, but someone did ask about the framed black and white photo of a gentleman on the display table. This was Alison’s great, great grandfather on her maternal side. The family is from the Isle of Lewis and while there are no real-life resemblances to the family in her fictional novel, some of the family names were used. The memorabilia on the table also featured a photo of her grandparents in the early 20th century gathered for a photo of the Gaelic Society of Winnipeg.

Another question came from someone asking about an inevitable sequel. Alison, a fan of MWG critique circles, said the novel originated from two separate stories that were combined into one on advice from the critique group. She is already hard at work on the next part of the saga. We may just see her again next year for that sequel launch!

The afternoon capped off with a prize being rewarded to people who had green tape on their chairs which led everyone scrambling to see if they had the lucky chair. Attendees who did were gifted a pin.

It was a marvelous launch which showcased the community of beta readers and editors, as well as family and friends it takes to commit oneself to the craft of writing. Attendees lingered to chat and meet the author who graciously signed copies of her book. How serendipitous that my first attendance of a book launch would be such an overwhelming delight.

An Enchanting Book Launch

By Steve Oetting

The energy in the room was palpable. In spite of the bitter March wind that whistled through the streets of the Exchange District, the room reserved at ArtSpace on March 17 was well-populated by members of the Manitoba Writers’ Guild with a shared fondness for the book’s author. It was the book launch of Andy Dutfield’s Death at the Point.

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A Celebratory Finale to the MWG Spring 2023 Series of Book Launches

By Sharon Hamilton

More than 30 participants made a special effort to attend the launch of Elizabeth Struthers’ historical novel, A Prayer for Thérèse. Several of those who attended had already purchased and read her book. So why did they spend this warm, sunny spring afternoon in the cozy Board Room of Artspace? The answer lies as much in the author as it does in the novel.

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D. G. Valdron’s Book Launch of the 2-book Elf Chronicles

By Sharon Hamilton

Saturday, April 15 dawned cold and sunny. Would the cold prevail or would the sun? As the audience of 25 gathered into the warmth of the Artspace Boardroom, the spring sun filtered through the window. Participants helped themselves to hot coffee. The presentation, meticulously planned and orchestrated by author Den Valdron, began. With the deft touch of an all-too-familiar scam telephone call, Den lured us into a cold, unfeeling, remorseless world that obliterated the strong beams of light streaming through the window.

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