Koqm

KOQM is a journey through time and land to experience the voices of fictional L’nu (Mi’kmaw) women. Throughout the course of the show we hear and meet the women who might have spoken and walked through one area of forest over centuries. Guided by the strength of an ancient tree (“koqm”), the women’s voices share with us their personal stories of grief, humour and resiliency through a unique theatrical performance.

Running time: one hour

(then additional 30min talk-back)

Photo by Dan Froese

KOQM won the 2023 Robert Merritt Theatre Award for

Outstanding New NS Play (playwright).

Photos by Dan Froese

Original Production

King's Theatre, Annapolis Royal, NS

November 12-13, 2021

Production: Nestuita’si Storytelling, Two Planks and a Passion Theatre, El’tuek Qokom, and King's Theatre

Written and performed by: shalan joudry

Director: Ken Schwartz

Mask Coaching: Ann-Marie Kerr

Movement consultants: Susanne Chui & Sarah Prosper

Set pieces: Ed Benham

Lighting Design: MacKenzie Cornfield

Music and audio transitions by: Rose Meuse, Cedar Meuse-Waterman and Nathan Waterman

Graphics: design by MacKenzie Cornfield, drawing by Milidow Joudry-Martel (after Mi’kmaw petroglyphs)

Special thanks to those who reviewed the script and provided careful conversation while in development:

Yvonne Wallace (dramaturgy), Santiago Guzman, Lorraine Whitman, and Dorene Bernard.

Mi'kmaw language translation/review: Louise Witzell

Thank you also to:

PARC (Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre), the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, and Theatre du Poulet.

We are grateful for the funding from ArtsNS which made this production possible.