A huge thanks to our funders and sponsors
who make it possible
Pivot 2020 in pictures
(Mostly Erik Pinkerton Photography)
Pivot 2020 Line up
TALES OF AN URBAN INDIAN —
A SHOW ON A BUS
Take a ride with Simon Douglas, an Indigenous man from the Secwépemc Nation, as he navigates his memories of life in Vancouver and rural British Columbia. The story begins in 1972 and spans 22 years of Simon’s struggle for survival, belonging, and hope, with the same actor playing over 40 characters, all as seen through Simon’s eyes.
Photo of Brandon Chandler by Erik Pinkerton
The play, written by Darrell Dennis, an Indigenous comedian best known for his role on CBC’s Northwood and The Rez, is performed on a moving bus. Tales of an Urban Indian will travel across Whitehorse, visiting locations that mirror those of the play’s plot. The play’s immersive staging allows for the exploration of tensions between the urban and rural, as well as issues of ostracization and assimilation faced by Indigenous people across Canada. These themes almost seamlessly reconstitute themselves within the local frame of the city of Whitehorse and the Yukon’s surrounding rural communities. Audience pickup and drop-off will be in front of the White Pass Building (1109 Front Street).
This Talk Is Free Theatre production debuted in 2009 in Barrie, ON, its success securing six extensions to its original run, and since then it has had two revivals in Barrie, and toured both nationally and internationally, making it as far as Iqaluit in 2016 and Australia in 2019. Its list of past performers have included playwright Darrell Dennis, director Herbie Barners, Jonathan Fischer, and Royal Canadian Air Farce star Craig Lauzon. For Pivot, Brendan Chandler will be portraying Simon.
Pickup at 1109 Front Street (White Pass)
Thursday January 16
7pm
Friday January 17
7pm
Saturday January 18
7pm
NEW MATINEE - Saturday January 18
1pm
Becky and Taz went to high school together
BECKY AND TAZ —
3 NIGHTS OF GREAT IMPROV
Becky Johnson of the Sufferettes and writer for Baroness von Sketch returns to the Yukon, this time accompanied by Taz VanRassel of The Sunday Service improv troupe from Vancouver BC.
With their combined credits, Becky and Taz are experts in improv theatre and will be treating Pivot-goers to three nights of diverse and heartfelt longform improvisation, including collaborations with local guests Borealis Soul and Peter Jickling, as well as Toronto-based technical and multimedia improviser Mark Andrada. This year’s improv nights will also see the return of the much loved Improv Cocktails by Yukon Brewing.
Thursday January 23 with Borealis Soul
8pm Old Fire Hall
Friday January 24 with Peter Jickling
8pm Old Fire Hall
Saturday January 25
8pm Old Fire Hall
Saturday January 25
1pm Old Fire Hall
Saturday January 25
4:30 p.m, Old Fire Hall with Mark Andrada
Monday January 20 Performance
7pm St. Elias Convention Centre
in partnership with Junction Arts & Music
Friday January 17 Improv Workshop
5pm KIAC
Saturday January 18 Performance
8pm KIAC
STORIES FROM THE MANGO STUMP —
DINNER WITH ANTOINETTE
SOLD OUT!
Antoinette named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (North) at StartUp Canada 2019
A food-filled evening of storytelling with a pillar of the Whitehorse community, Antoinette GreenOliph. Join Antoinette inside the warm space of her own restaurant for stories and a sumptuous meal. Each course will mark a moment in Antoinette’s journeys from the Caribbean to the North, from desk job monotony to successfully running her own business, and from coming out as queer at the age of 40 to finding belonging and love.
One night only, limited seating, and the price includes dinner!
Wednesday January 15
7pm Antoinette’s
PARTY LIKE IT'S 1979 —
NAKAI'S 40TH SEASON CELEBRATION
Disco balls were popular in 1979, or so they say
1979 was a remarkable, bittersweet year – it saw the death of disco but the birth of Nakai Theatre. Come celebrate 40 years later, in a fun evening themed around Nakai’s founding year! There will be 1970s-themed playlists, costumes, dancing, lip-sync battles, a photo booth, and a collection of old Nakai memorabilia. This event will be hosted by a very special and very funky guest host.
Saturday January 18
8pm the Whitehorse Legion
$5 at the door
STORY CRAWL —
A WORDY PUB CRAWL IN
THE SNOW
Photo from Pivot 2019 by Erik Pinkerton
A greatly loved Pivot tradition, hosted and curated by legendary local poet Peter Jickling. Join a small, brave group of listeners and tromp through the snow between four different Whitehorse venues, where local storytellers will captivate you with a story in each of the four spaces.
Tuesday January 14
7pm beginning at Woodcutter’s Blanket
PIVOTAL WORDS —
NEW YEAR, NEW WORKS TO SHOWCASE
Photo from Pivot 2019 by Erik Pinkerton
A showcase of new writing hosted and curated by Susanne Hingley and Jacob Zimmer at the North of Ordinary Experience Centre, in partnership with Brave New Words. This event provides a platform for a selection of Whitehorse’s finest writers to share their works-in-progress in public.
Following the spirit of all Brave New Words events, there will also be an open mic element to the event, where audience members will be invited to sign up to share their own writing.
Tuesday January 21
7:00pm North of Ordinary Experience Centre
PIVOTAL CONVERSATIONS —
A DIALOGUE ON ARTS AND MEDIA SPACE
A forum for local artists and arts leaders to focus on creative exchange and meaningful conversations beyond the scope of day-to-day interactions. Each year responds in topic to needs in the community.
In 2020 the conversation will be focused on cultural spaces and the potential for a cultural hub in Whitehorse. There is an active plan that is looking for input and contributions and this will be an opportunity to do just that.
Photo from Pivot 2019 by Erik Pinkerton
Sunday January 26
12pm Old Fire Hall
Pivot 2020 will be the 12th iteration of the festival in Whitehorse. The festival is an invitation to connect with people and theatre close to home and from around the world. We try every year to transcend assumptions about theatre by mixing inspirational productions, revisiting crowd favourites, and providing opportunities for the community to join in the creative fun.
Public Funders of the Pivot Festival are: Government of Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Yukon Arts Operating Fund, Lotteries Yukon, Department of Tourism and Culture, with support from the Yukon Lottery Commission, and the City of Whitehorse.
Sponsors and partners: Northern Vision Development (festival featured sponsor), Yukon Arts Centre, Air North, Yukon News, What’s Up Yukon, RBC Emerging Artist Project, and CKRW The Rush.