About this project
While her man is out on a hunting expedition, a young bride gets into a fight with her mother-in-law over her strange lifestyle. Enraged, she flies off and doesn't look back. When the man returns home to find her gone, his mother points out the trail but begs him not to go. His choice is made. He bares his teeth and sets out to find the woman he loves.
The Duck Wife project is a 21st century dance rock opera based on an ancient Inuit folktale. It will be performed with live musical score by Grub Animal, a 4-piece rock band from Brooklyn, NY and a 5-member ensemble of dancers and actors.
The original The Duck Wife tale was recorded by anthropologist Diamond Jenness in the western Arctic during the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913. The story follows a young man who ventures across a surreal Arctic landscape to recover his wife, who has flown off in a fury.
It is a grand journey inhabited by a spirit fox, a treacherous mountain, and mischievous creatures.
It is a compelling story about love, family, clash of cultures, adventure, humanity, animality, and sex.
The power of the tale is reborn and infused with life through a perfect fusion of dance, theater and rock music.
Not confined by definitions or history of the terms 'rock opera' or multi-disciplined performance, our vision is to create a raw, powerful, and hugely entertaining show for all walks of lives. With vibrant colours, style and storytelling, the show promises to be of a breed and caliber never before seen. The chairs, the walls, the theater will all disappear, making way for the splendor of the Arctic landscape and the enchantment it posses. The show will pull in audiences and take them on a journey they won’t forget.
True to our times, the creation, production, and touring is completely run by independent artists from across the U.S. and Canada. After 18 months of hard work, the production is approaching a 5-city festival tour across Canada (June-August, 2010) with 25+ performances.
As the opening performance approaches, the funds gained from kickstarter will be used to cover the basic costs of: promotions & publicity material, transportation across 5 different cities, accommodation, food, and a modest wage for the 15 artists (9 performers, 4 designers, and 1 producer) involved in making this performance come alive.
WE ARE A COLLABORATION OF EPIC PROPORTIONS
The Duck Wife is co-presentation with Grub Animal and Inertia Productions, a dance & theatre company in Montreal, QC. The two groups came together through the friendship and professional history between Jenn Doan (choreographer, performer, & co-founder of Inertia) and Ted Strauss (artistic director & band leader of Grub Animal). Allison Elizabeth Burns is executive producer of Inertia Productions. Others involved are:
Performers:
Melina Stinson
Brian Abbott
Joseph Bembridge
Jeremie Chetrit
Randa Eid
Boss Nod
Audrée Southière
Costume Designers:
Emily Taradash
Robin Germanese
Set designer:
Kate Whitehead
Graphic Desginer:
Ellen Smallwood
Photographer:
Tristan Brand
Rehearsal Assistant:
Maria Simone
Stage Manager:
Heather Keiller
Translator:
Joannie Pharand
Help Us Bring the Duck Wife to Life
Please consider making a donation
Thank you for your consideration....Your help is greatly greatly appreciated.
Love
The Duck Wife Collective
Performances Dates:
Montreal Fringe June 10-18, 2010
Ottawa Fringe June 19 - 27, 2010
Toronto Fringe July 1 - July 12, 2010
Edmonton Fringe Aug. 12 - 22, 2010
Winnipeg (TBA)
Calgary (TBA)
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FAQ
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on June 3, 2010.
Pledge $5 or more
Duck's feather: Sneak peek of our first 4 songs (downloadable)
Pledge $10 or more
Duck's bill: The Duck Wife Album (downloadable)
Pledge $20 or more
Duck's pocket: Fun canvas bag & Listed as a sponsor in show materials
Pledge $50 or more
Duck's brood: Signed copy of The Duck Wife CD & Fun canvas bag (or t-shirt) & Listed as amazing sponsor in show materials (online and printed)
Pledge $75 or more
" Super Duck Hero" package: Signed copy of CD + Fun canvas bag (or t-shirt) + Listed as SUPER HERO sponsor in show materials (online & printed) + 1 Ticket to The Duck Wife (any performance)
Pledge $100 or more
1 Super Duck Hero package + 1 dozen cake balls (dipped in sweet flavor of your choice) made to look like duck eggs- made by female lead singer Randa.
Pledge $250 or more
"Quack Quack" package: 1 Super Duck Hero package + 2 dozen cake balls (dipped in sweet flavor of your choice) made to look like duck eggs- made by female lead singer Randa + 2 more ticket to The Duck Wife (total of 3) + 1 large The Duck Wife poster signed by cast
Pledge $500 or more
"This Duck's Goin to College" package: 1 "Quack Quack" package + 1 more ticket to Duck Wife (total of 4) + 4 VIP tickets to any future Grub Animal Concert + invitation to private dinner & drinks with cast + your NAME announced as a DUCK WIFE SPONSOR at the end of every performance
Pledge $1,000 or more
"This Duck's Goin to the Moon!" package: 1 "This Duck's Goin to College" package + lifetime guest list to all Grub Animal shows + private showing of The Duck Wife (ask us for details) + first born child of any cast or crew member (actually, that's just a joke)
Project By
Connected as Ted Strauss (359 friends)
This profile is created on behalf of an incredible creation and production team of The Duck Wife project. Grub Animal is a Brooklyn based 4-piece dabbling in punk, classic rock, and %$#&-wave. Inertia Productions is a dance & theatre collective in Montreal, QC. Several independent costume, set, lighting, graphic designers, PR agents, translators and assistants are also involved. We are: Allison Burns, Jenn Doan, Melina Stinson, Jeremie Chetrit, Audrée Southiere, Ted Strauss. Joseph Bembridge, Brian Abbott, Randa Eid, Emily Taradash, Robyn Germanese, Ellen, Joannie Pharand, Justin Maxwell, Alex Rau, Katrin Whitehead.
