Breathe by Sienna Holden
We've been supporting emerging playwright and composer Sienna Holden's development of this new musical that explores recovery from opioid addiction in a family and asks, does one moment define a life? Come to the workshop reading, join in the creation process and help us bring this show to life!
Free Workshop Reading
Friday, May 31, 2024, 7:30pm (free admission)
at The Refinery in Saskatoon (609 Dufferin Ave)
followed by a brief talk back with the artists
Audience Advisory: Recommended for ages 14+. Contains mature themes, including coarse language, talk and depiction of substance abuse and self-harm.
Experience Breathe – new songs that linger in the ear and a story that tugs at the heart. A musical about the humanity of people, centred around three generations of women: a grandmother, mother, and daughter. Sarah, a recovering opioid addict, grapples with her past as she strives to reconnect with her estranged daughter Molly, her own mother Deborah, and walk a path towards healing.
This challenging drama unveils much about relationships within families and oneself, a deep dive into recovery from trauma, substance abuse, and a journey into renewed life. Breathe is a captivating tale that reveals much about the overdose epidemic besieging our communities, and that subverts the stigma addicts face.
Creative Team
Sienna Holden - playwright, lyricist, composer
Yvette Nolan* - director & dramaturg
Luke Ertman - musical director, music producer & arranger
Cast:
Amanda Trapp* - Sarah
Alyssa Billingsley* - Molly (Sarah's daughter)
Liz Whitbread* - Deborah (Sarah's mother)
Tim Bratton* - Todd (Sarah's brother-in-law)
Kevin Moxley* - Sean (Sarah's N.A. sponsor)
Kenni Chomyn - understudy
Sofia Mycyk - accompanist
Nathan Coppens - rehearsal accompanist
Stephen Waldschmidt - stage manager
Holden also performed key roles in Burnt Thicket’s world premiere of She Has a Name and its national tour.
This new musical is developed with the support of grants from SK Arts and Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation.
*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT).