main projects
HEARTBEAST
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Cast:
Leigh Ann Taylor as Mom
Philip Sawaia Teen
Flow Gall as Beast
Thom Niles as Rev
Sarah Rossy as the musician
Crew:
Choreography by Flow Gall
Drag Costumes by Moohk
Lighting Design by Ninon Cholette
Set & Props design by Felix Felgo
Original music & visuals by Sarah Rossy
Poster design by Felix Felgo
Stage Manager Naomi Levy
Dramaturgy by Sarah Swinwood and Dana Dugan
Written and directed by Mael Cheff
With the generous support of:
QPIRG Concordia, Conseil des Arts et Lettres du Québec
Special Thank you to:
Angelique Koumouzelis, Dana Dugan, Quebec Drama Federation, Victoria chez Aide aux Trans du Québec, Benoît Vermeullen, Caro Gauthier at Yes Mtl, La Machinerie, Echo House, Zoe et Julia chez Olives et Café Noir, QPIRG McGill, Playwrights Workshop Montreal, ELAN, Louves Studio, Studio 303
Thank you to those who supported our fundraising campaign: Antoine, Hector, Hanlon, Emilie, Marilla, Elvi, Marly, Cathy, Allie, Amineh, Crabe, Alexey, Darcy, Eli, Claude, Rocco, Xavier, Evan, Emmanuelle, Amy, Gisèle, Mo, Julia, Stewart, Danilo, Vanessa, Angelique, Jean-Pierre, Vinicius Xavier, Noel, Pauline, Andrea, Sophie, Dru, Leigh, Martha, Matthias, Amy, Leah, Julia, Julie, Rebecca, Mireil, Alexandra, Sébastien
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A multidisciplinary coming of age fable about self-expression, trans identity, youth, interrelationship and belonging
A teenager is going through a mental health and gender identity crisis. The story takes place between two worlds: in one, they are helped by their mother and a counsellor, who live in a realistic world. In the other, there's a shapeshifting creature, the Beast, whose silent, experimental world offers a journey toward authenticity, through different forms of expression.
A multidisciplinary project about self-expression, trans identity and interrelationship
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PATRON’S PICK - ENGLISH COMPANY FRANKIE AWARD WINNER 2023; this category was awarded to the show that was most popular with the public, sold the most tickets and generated the highest box-office profits.
MainLine Theatre Creativity Award Nominee 2023, this prize is intended to honor artists and companies that have distinguished themselves through their innovation, audacity, inventiveness and ability to push back the frontiers of the performative arts.
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Fantastical music, set design and costumes - Sarah Deshaies, CJAD 800 Radio
Audiences raved throughout the duration of HeartBeast. A must see! - Conor Tomalty, The Link
(HeartBeast at) Montreal Fringe: 15 shows (out of 90+) to see at the festival this year - CULT MTL
CJLO 1690AM (interview)
at 00:44:28
THE ADOPTION
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written and directed by Mael F.Cheff
performed by Nicky Fournier
Eve Parker Finley
Amanda McQueen
stage design by Felix Felgo
special thank you to
Montreal LGBTQ+ Community Center, Les Affutes, Morgane et Audrey-Anne
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A heart-warming one-act comedy which presents a post-acceptance world, where a transgender person decides to adopt a child, causing upheaval within the chosen family.
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Spirit of the FRINGE award winner 2022, Frankie Awards, St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival
Most Promising Emerging Artist nominee 2022, Frankie Awards, St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival
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“The Adoption is the real Modern Family sitcom the world needs. A story that’s both heartwarming and hilarious and redefines what the word family means by looking at it through a queer lens.” - Kyng Rose (Blxck Cxsper), Canadian author, actor & musiciancription
Mael understands how his productions make people feel seen. It not only helps trans and LGBTQ people feel accepted, but also educates people who don’t know anything about it by allowing them to reflect on the human condition. Who doesn’t want to feel accepted and welcome? It’s a good way to bring into the conversation that LGBTQ rights are human rights.”- Rachel Levine, Montreal Rampage
