“The last orca was seen four years ago.”

Whale Fall is a short drama about a father and daughter reflecting on, and communicating with each other about, the extinction of Canada’s southern resident orca population. Written and workshopped as part of Near’s association with the Theatre Aquarius Creators Junction, the play is an intimate duet between two characters as they navigate the playful and painful waters of memory as they intersect with matters of family and climate change. Presented as part of Hamilton Arts Week and World Oceans Day (June 8), this intimate duet will explore environmental themes, inspired by the question – “Does the ocean sing a sad or happy song?”.

See the Event Listing at WorldOceanDay.org

Written by Stephen Near
Directed by Aaron Joel Craig
Performed by Stephanie Hope Lawlor and Stephen Near

The Creative Team

Stephanie Hope Lawlor (REBECCA) Stephanie (she/her) is so excited to work with her friends at Same Boat on this workshop reading of Whale Fall! Some credits include: Never Not Once, One Night Only, The Sound of Music (Theatre Aquarius), Mary’s Wedding, Venus in Fur (Rook’s Theatre), Snow White (Drayton Ent.), Provenance, Suitcases (Berkeley St Theatre). Other projects: Theatre Department co-ordinator at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, and maybe one day, Every Brilliant Thing with Rook’s Theatre. 

Stephen Near (Playwright, STEPHEN) Stephen (he/him) is a writer and educator living in Hamilton. He is a graduate of York University (BFA), the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (B. Ed) and the MFA Creative Writing program at the University of Guelph. Stephen is a member of the Playwright’s Guild of Canada and an alumnus of both the Sage Hill Writing Experience and the Banff Centre. Recently, he was named the inaugural Writer-In-Residence for the Cotton Factory in Hamilton.

Aaron Joel Craig (Director / Dramaturge) Aaron (he / him) is a director, dramaturge, designer and performer. His passion for developing new work with local artists led him to being one of the founders of Same Boat Theatre. His work focuses on questions of identity, power and how to stay hopeful in a difficult world. You can find him most places on the Internet @aaronjoelcraig. 

Same Boat Theatre would like to thank Theatre Aquarius, Luke Brown, Ryan Sero, Carlyn Rhamey, Allison Hossack, Annie Rosenberg, the Theatre Aquarius Junction, the Hamilton Arts Council, Joanna Johnson, and David Hudson for helping in the development and promotion of Whale Fall.