Photo credit: Children of God a new musical written and directed by Corey Payette, Production Design by Marshall McMahen, Lighting Design by Jeff Harrison, actors:Cheyenne Scott, Kaitlyn Yott, Herbie Barnes, Aaron Wells, Kim Harvey, Kevin Loring, and Cathy Elliott. An Urban Ink production in association with National Arts Centre English Theatre and Raven Theatre, photo by Emily Cooper Photography.
Creative
Director, Writer & Composer: Corey Payette
Production Designer: Marshall McMahen
Musical Director: Rachel Iwaasa
Lighting Designer: Jeff Harrison
Orchestrator: Elliot Vaughan
Sound Designer: Bradley Danyluk
Associate Production Designer : Alaia Hamer
Associate Lighting Designer: Bryan Kenney
Stage Manager: Melanie Thompson
Assistant SM: Jennifer Wilson
Fight Director: Mike Kovac
Head of Wardrobe: Halley Fulford
Emotional Support Program & Outreach Coordinator: Shane Leydon
Powwow Coach & Workshop Leader: Nyla Bedard
Cast
Tom: Sheldon Elter
Rita: Andrea Menard
Julia: Cheyenne Scott
Wilson: čačumḥi – aaron m. wells
Sister Bernadette: Lauren Bowler
Father Christopher: David Keeley
Joanna / Secretary (u/s Julia): Kaitlyn Yott
Vincent (u/s Tommy/Wilson): Dillan Chiblow
Elizabeth: Danica Charlie
Understudy: Winona Myles
Understudy: Vinnie Alberto
Children of God is a gorgeous, powerful musical about an Oji-Cree family whose children were taken away to a residential school in Northern Ontario. The story of Rita, a mother who was never let past the school’s gate, and her kids, Tom and Julia, who never knew she came, pushes toward redemption. Children of God offers a thrilling blend of ancient traditions and contemporary realities, celebrating resilience and the power of the Indigenous cultural spirit. Inspired by First Nations music, Payette’s profoundly moving score also includes echoes of provocative Broadway masterpieces such as Fun Home and Next to Normal.
Presenting sponsor: The McGrane-Pearson Foundation held at the Vancouver Foundation
In partnership with The Cultch, Children of God will returns to the York Theatre from March 21-29, 2025
Western tour details:
Victoria
April 1-2, 2025 at the McPherson Playhouse
Yellowknife
April 5, 2025 at the Northern Arts & Cultural Centre
Community Events
We are excited to offer two free community events to the public surrounding Children of God. These events include: a powwow workshop led by Nyla Bedard, and a community feast.
Both events are free, and hosted at Notional Space but RSVP is required for attendance.
Powwow Workshop
Join us on March 29 from 11am-12pm at Notional Space for a free, introductory powwow workshop led by Nyla Bedard! Nyla Bedard (Tahltan, Kaska, French, Scottish) is a multifaceted performing artist currently residing in North Vancouver. She’s an actor, writer, powwow dancer and workshop facilitator. Nyla started to dance at powwows when she was a tiny tot and now has over 35 years of experience. She shares her experience by teaching the various powwow styles with focus on the fancy shawl, sharing the dance steps and the history.
Limited spots available, RSVP by March 21! RSVP by emailing outreach@urbanink.ca
Community Feast
Also on March 29 at Notional Space, from 5-7pm, we invite you to our community feast catered by the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society Catering. Come and join us for an evening of community and traditional Indigenous cuisine.
Limited spots available, RSVP by March 21! RSVP by emailing outreach@urbanink.ca
VIDEO INTERVIEWS
Videos featuring short interviews with the cast and crew are available on our YouTube channel.
Reviews
“Children of God is must-see theatre for Canadians.” – GLOBE AND MAIL
“This is a brave work, and a starting point for important conversations …see it” – THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT
“Children of God will stand as a catharsis for some, an introduction for others, yet a point of connection for us all” – VANCOUVER PRESENTS
“Every once in a while someone as special as Corey Payette comes along with a project as special as this. Children of God was developed as part of The Collaborations because it was so extraordinary, passionate and beautiful.” – Sarah Garton Stanley, Associate Artistic Director, NAC English Theatre
“I saw this production in Kamloops on the third night of a small festival season presented by the Western Canadian Theatre Company. I’m sure they could have sold out three times for the number of people clamouring to get in, all after word of mouth had spread from the first two nights about this powerful musical by Oji-Cree writer Corey Payette. I knew after the first scene that it was destined for Canada’s stage.” – Jillian Keiley, Artistic director, NAC English Theatre
All REVIEWS from past productions were shared on our Facebook page.
Story Guide
The CHILDREN OF GOD Study Guide can be found HERE. It provides information for educators or group leaders about the production’s content, themes, related terminology, and possible discussion or project topics. [Due to the sensitive nature of the content, we would recommend this production for ages 14+, with parental or adult accompaniment, but the Study Guide could be used with younger children to spark discussions around residential schools.]
Program
You can check out The Cultch’s Children of God program, here.
INDIGENOUS & COMMUNITY TICKETS
Vancouver
Complimentary tickets are available for Indigenous patrons thanks to the support of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation.
Use promo code INDIGENOUS at checkout to book up to two complimentary tickets. Those who wish to book tickets for a larger group or family can contact outreach@thecultch.com
Got Questions? Contact The Cultch’s Box Office at 604-251-1363 or boxoffice@thecultch.com
Victoria
Intrepid Theatre has set up a free ticket program for Indigenous community members with the Royal & McPherson Theatres – there are up to 70 tickets are available for free for each performance.
Use the promo code community to book online, or contact the RMTS box office at 250-386-6121
HISTORY
History
Children of God celebrated its world premiere in Vancouver, BC at the York Theatre May 17 – June 3, 2017. After a very successful run in Vancouver, the production traveled to Ottawa, ON and was mounted on the mainstage Theatre at the National Arts Centre June 7 – 18, 2017. (An Urban Ink Production in collaboration with NAC English Theatre, in association with Raven Theatre/The Cultch.)
In 2018 the show was brought to stage in two co-productions: co-produced with Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, AB (March 3-24), and co-produced with Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops, BC (March 29-April 7).
In 2019 there were two co-productions – in Montreal at The Segal Centre for the Performing Arts and at The Cultch in Vancouver – and then a tour of five communities around the province of BC.
Past Productions
For details about the May 17 – June 3, 2017 world premiere at the York Theatre in Vancouver, BC see this page.
For details about the June 7 – 18, 2017 production at Canada’s National Arts Centre in Ottawa, ON see this page.
For details about the 2018 productions in Edmonton, AB and Kamloops, BC, see this page
For details about the 2019 productions in Montreal, QC and Vancouver, BC, and the tour of four other BC communities (Vernon, Nelson, Cranbrook and Surrey), see this page.
*CHILDREN OF GOD contains swearing and sexual content. Due to the potentially triggering content of the performance, Emotional Support Workers are always available to provide support to audience members who may require it.
Additional Resources
If you wish to follow up with resources mentioned in post show conversations, please see the links below:
National Arts Centre Resources
Qualities of Authentic Relationships Across Differences (Pace and Pizana)
