Photo Credit: Todd Houseman

The Children of the Bear is the story of a young family growing up in a low income neighbourhood in central Alberta. The confined walls of the family’s living room quickly give way to a world of Knights and Wizards—just like the video games into which the family regularly escape—creating an expansive free-ranging immersive parable. Audiences are invited to explore simultaneous storylines, making choices and discoveries as they unravel the kingdom’s complicated colonial history and lore.

Throughout The Pop-Up Experience: The Children of the Bear, Todd Houseman will be working in collaboration with co-conspirator and site-specific theatre veteran Louise Casemore, director Mitchell Cushman, Stratford Festival fight choreographers Anita Nittoly , Jenn Dzialoszynski and a team of designers. Join them during this Lab Residency as they explore the aesthetic fantasy world that the larger project will exist within, and the mechanics behind the operation of the branching narrative.

As part of the SummerWorks Lab Residencies this year, four artists/collectives from Outside the March’s  TD Forward March program will take over pop-up storefront spaces. If you want a glimpse into the artistic process, stop by 1282 Bloor Street West between August 9 – 15, where you’ll be able to engage in the creative process and peek through the windows to watch the Forward March artists at work throughout the month of August.

Created by Todd Houseman

Co-conspirator — Louise Casemore

Director — Mitchell Cushman

Fight Choreographers — Anita Nittoly + Jenn Dzialoszynski

Performers — Drew Moore + Chris Mejaki

Sound Design — Melissa Joakim

Production Design — Nick Blais

Sound Design — Melissa Joakim

TD Forward March is supported by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment.