A story about the women in an Indigenous family navigating addiction and inter-generational trauma. Using movement, poetry and prose, creator/performer Yolanda Bonnell weaves the stories of these women who are grappling with a painful past, and who are making tough choices to survive. When The Girl’s addictions manifest as MANIDOONS (Ojibwe word for bug, insect or worm), this creature burrows beneath her skin, pushing her beyond the brink to give into desire. This work is honest, unflinching and raw – it will take your breath away.

“A long while since a work inspired such hope, love and nourishment.” –Tara Beagan, Article 11

About the artists:
Yolanda Bonnell is a performer and playwright of Ojibwe and South Asian descent, from Fort William First Nation Indian Reserve in Thunder Bay, ON. Now based in Toronto, Yolanda graduated from Humber College’s theatre performance program and was named one of NOW Magazine’s artists to watch in Summerworks in 2016.Yolanda developed Scanner, her first full length play, in Factory Theatre’s Foundry program and is currently part of their Deep Development Unit. Performance credits include: Ipruq/Atugauq in The Breathing Hole (Stratford Festival),Fanny/Roberta in Treasure Island (Stratford Festival), Theresa inThe Crackwalker (Factory Theatre), and Roe in Two Indians(Summerworks 2016).

Cole Alvis is a Métis artist with Chippewa-Irish/English heritage from the Turtle Mountains in Manitobah. An acclaimed actor, theatre creator and artistic leader, they are an Artistic Producer of the Dora-nominated queer theatre company lemonTree creations, former Executive Director of the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (2013 – 2017) and finalist for the 2016 Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Artist Award. Recently, Cole was invited to the inaugural Indigenous Directors Lab at the Stratford Festival of Canada and directed the critically acclaimed Row by T. Berto at the Summerworks Festival (NNNN’s, Outstanding Direction NOW Magazine).

Ashley Bomberry is Mohawk from the Six Nations Territory of the Grand River. She is a writer, producer and director for film and theatre. Her most recent film, Hoop Dance, world premiered at the Female Eye Film Festival and she continues to write and create projects within an Indigenous storytelling framework. Ashley works as a stage manager for local and international theatre presentations. She is a producer and curator for multicultural and diverse showcases of talent. She creates discussion and aims to builds bridges between marginalized and non-marginalized groups with her work. Ashley focuses on her Indigenous roots and endeavors to impart strength, hope, and healing in Indigenous communities around the world through the arts.

Credits:
Directed by Cole Alvis
Stage managed by Ashley Bomberry

bug has been generously supported by Native Women in the Arts, Native Earth Performing Arts, Luminato, National Arts Centre Collaborations, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts.