Once Upon Our Time

Tedd Robinson, Consultant

Tedd Robinson is known for his idiosyncratic solo works. Born in Ottawa, Tedd graduated with a BFA from York University, and studied at The School of The Toronto Dance Theatre and with British visual theatre artist Lindsay Kemp. His work is influenced by his six years of study as a monk in the Hakukaze soto zen monastery, Ottawa. In 2013, he established Centre Q: A Centre for Questioning, a research space for dance and music in Canada’s National Capital Region. Tedd Robinson is a National Arts Centre Associate Dance Artist. He is recipient of the 2014 Walter Carson Award for “artistic excellence and distinguished career achievement in dance.”

Diane Lemire, Visual Arts Facilitator

Diane Lemire is a multidisciplinary artist who draws inspiration from her surroundings, nature, and her own life. She creates mixed-media sculptures, textile art, and paintings that evoke a sense of time, place, and forgotten memories. For the past 15 years, Diane has experimented with felting techniques, seduced by the ancient craft of working with wool. She is always exploring new ways to bring together natural fibres and recycled materials. All of her pieces involve reclaiming materials, selecting found objects, and imagining stories. This lengthy, intuitive, and selective process is central to her work. Diane has an education degree, has taught for many years, and runs her own studio at the Place des artists à Farrellton. 

Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson, Facilitator and Dancer

Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson is an emerging franco-ontarian dance artist. Under the name TAKE UP SPACE she creates/ performs/ collaborates with people/ places/ artforms from inclusive, feminist perspectives. Elizabeth’s work has been supported through the National Arts Centre, Dancers Studio West, TACTICS, Fresh Meat Festival, Lisbon Dance Platform, and many others. As a dancer, she has notably worked with Par B.L.eux, Tara Luz Danse, and The Ghomeshi Effect. Her community practice includes working with Amethyst Women’s Addiction Centre and the City of Ottawa’s Public Art Program. Elizabeth is an educator and guest artist with Propeller Dance. She is delighted to be working with TW on this project.

Teresa Bandrowska

Teresa has indulged her love of theatre since semi-retiring, by participating in a number of Theatre Wakefield productions over the past few years. She has really enjoyed this particular experience, “flowing” with this fascinating, creative and talented bunch! 

Peggy Campbell

This project marks Peggy Campbell’s debut into the world of Theatre and Dance. She has variously been a professional flutist, artist (encaustic, any old thing), herbalist, baker, yoga and meditation teacher. She is a Mom to four amazing adult children and a Gramma to six wonderful grandkids!

Louise Chatelain

Louise Chatelain has been a trailblazer of radical honesty since 1955. A spitfire who shows up to fiercely care and love her friends and family, Louise knows how to ask big questions, and welcomes the answers at a generous table or on a soft-spoken walk in the Gatineau Hills she now calls home.

Gilly Griffin

Gillie is grateful to be participating in this Seniors Create initiative. As a published poet and writer of creative nonfiction, she has valued the opportunity to leave the comfort of her desk and explore expressive movement with such a wonderful group of highly talented individuals.

Jean Lambert

At age 5, Jean was a fireman in a school play until kicked out for being too small. Then he turned to directing friends, in 19th century dresses, in his French grandmother’s attic. In his last — and only successful — role, he chased a goose thief as an Austrian policeman.

Jon Peirce

Jon is delighted to be able to pursue three of his passions -writing, dance, and theatre – in this one project; most recently, he has acted in community theatre. A lifelong writer, he recently published his fourth book, Plague Take It: A COVID Almanac By and About Elders.

BrendaLee Wilson 

BrendaLee performs as a singer in the 100 voice Ottawa Choral Society but this is her first experience with Theatre Wakefield (she loves it!). As a yoga teacher in Chelsea she sometimes feels yoga is a dance — movement and being goofy come naturally!

Paula Dugdale

Paula performed in two plays in the early days of the Great Canadian Theatre Company, and hasn’t acted since. She has found it really exciting to work on this show with Ted and the crew!

Bente Baklid

Bente is excited to be part of this performance production – a first for her!  She has enjoyed being part of the arts/set team, and loved the collaborative and creative approach.  Who knows, she may get involved in future journeys of creativity! 

Burt Blaisdell

After spending 50 years as a General Contractor, Burt retired to spend his time pursuing his lifelong passion of sculpting wood. Then, to meet new people, he joined the Seniors Create group back in September and has enjoyed himself with all involved!

Chris Corcoran

Chris Corcoran’s left brain (and some heart) has gotten her this far as an editor, pianist, singer, mom, reader, volunteer, and writers festival organizer. Her right brain is catching up: she made a twig trellis, dared her mind-body to dance, painted a table wildly, and joined crazy seniors to create unfamiliar visuals for a mysterious theatrical performance. What’s next?

Jisèle Charlton

Jisèle is an outdoor enthusiast who is always looking for ways to express her creativity. Meeting new people, looking at our environment through different lenses and sharing ideas stimulate wonderful opportunities to expand ourselves. I am grateful to be associated with the creative folks that make Chelsea/ Wakefield home.

Leslie Mills

Leslie was happy to be involved in Seniors Create working with a great group of people to design and create a complimentary backdrop for the production. So fun to be out working alongside real live people! 

Patricia MacGowan

Patricia is a long-time member of the Wakefield Players, Theatre Wakefield’s performance group. BUT it turns out she also has hidden talents we never knew about crafting children’s toys, Christmas decorations, and lovely miniatures. She has enjoyed her part in this production, particularly the mask making!

Rachel Lalonde

Rachel wanted to do something new so she joined Seniors Create with the goal of learning what was involved in set production. In doing so, she’s met interesting art-minded local people, found ways of expressing her creativity, worked hard and had fun. Something she’d do again? Maybe, will see!

Irène Halang

Marilyn Smith