THE STORY
In the last year of my undergraduate degree, I studied The Laramie Project, a play by Moisés Kaufman which tells the story of Matthew Shepard. The horrible actions which Matthew endured affected me on a deep, personal level. I was 21 years old, the same age as Matthew was when he was murdered, and I was gay and struggling to accept my sexuality. While his story was tragic, the resilience of his community and especially his mother started my path to self-acceptance. I knew that I wanted to honour his legacy and extend a message of hope to those who, like me, were navigating the complexities of their identities. This idea percolated in my head for over a decade before I found the right music and words to properly convey the message and bring it to life in collaboration with Echo Chamber, a performance series that combines music and dance. Although this story is undeniably sad, it is also one of hope, and the belief that every individual has the capacity to bring about positive change in the world.
“It opens ears to social and artistic conversation, challenges spectator expectations, and offers a beautiful mediation on a moment of utmost historic significance.”
A World Transformed shares the story of Matthew Shepard, a young man from Laramie, Wyoming who was murdered because of his sexuality. His death was pivotal to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, sparking global action and change. Through contemporary dance, music, and spoken word, A World Transformed shares this tragic and historically pivotal story through the lens of both Matthew, and his mother Judy Shepard, who became a leading 2SLGBTQ+ rights activist in the wake of her son’s tragic passing.
Choreographed by acclaimed Canadian dance makers William Yong and Laurence Lemieux, this immersive performance presents a daring and ultimately touching combination of music and dance as one integrated expression. Sharing both deep grief and a hopeful belief in the power of individuals to bring about positive change in the world, A World Transformed spans centuries and genres, from Baroque arias to Joni Mitchell.
A World Transformed sheds light on the challenges faced by the minorities in our community, emphasizing the significance of acceptance and equality, and highlighting universal themes of resilience, empathy, and unity. The musical selections and choreography reflect a tragic story that ultimately transitions to a message of hope- though we live in a world that is still fraught with hatred, fear, and bullying, we have the capacity both individually and collectively to create change.
A World Transformed has been presented in Toronto, Oakville, Mount Allison and Acadia Universities, the Halifax public library, and Ottawa Chamberfest, and was selected for an IMAGINE Arts Incubator Residency at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Kingston, ON.
THE CAST
Marcel d'Entremont, tenor
Andrea Ludwig, mezzo-soprano
William Yong, choreographer
Dakota Scott-Digout, piano
Jeanie Chung, piano
Aaron Schwebel, violin
Director of Echo Chamber
Zachary Cardwell, dancer
Johanna Bergfelt, dancer
Laurence Lemieux, choreographer
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
THE PROGRAM
FULL PROGRAM
MUSICAL SELECTIONS
Reviews of A WORLD TRANSFORMED
“Listeners young and old are eager to see and hear more thoughtful approaches to representation and inclusion in classical music spaces. In terms of repertoire, format, and content, A World Transformed answers the call.”
“A World Transformed was indeed a collaborative effort, a communal project into which all of the artists poured their thoughts, their feelings, their ideas, their hearts. No wonder it became so impressive, so powerful.”
“An incredible balance of tension, pacing, and storytelling.”
“A very moving performance that had me in tears.”
WE WANT TO PERFORM FOR YOU!
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PRESENTING THE SHOW, CO-PRESENTING THE SHOW, OR JUST WANT TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH! WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
