Indigenous·Video

New Indigenous-produced play explores digital mourning during pandemic

A new Indigenous-produced play commissioned by the Stratford Festival and produced using teleconferencing technology is exploring how people mourn the loss of loved ones from afar. Hear what inspired the online stage play in this original video from CBC Indigenous.

Stratford Festival-commissioned play produced using teleconferencing technology

First Nations actors Craig Lauzon and Gordon White perform in the pandemic-related play titled 'In a little plastic bag, in a tiny little jar, on a mantel in the house' being presented online for free by the Stratford Festival. (CBC)

A new Indigenous-produced play commissioned by the Stratford Festival and produced using teleconferencing technology is exploring how people mourn the loss of loved ones from afar.

The play, titled In a little plastic bag, in a tiny little jar, on a mantel in the house," was written by Métis playwright Keith Barker of the Toronto-based company Native Earth Performing Arts and directed by Mi'kmaw artist Lisa Nasson of Millbrook First Nation in Mi'kma'ki/Nova Scotia. 

The play is being hosted free of charge by the Stratford Festival's digital theatre subscription service as part of a commissioned collection called Viral Transmissions.

WATCH: The play's creators talk about what inspired the online play:

Online play explores digital mourning during pandemic

4 years ago
Duration 3:16
A new Indigenous-produced play commissioned by the Stratford Festival is being produced using teleconferencing technology.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nic Meloney

Former Videojournalist, CBC Indigenous

Nic Meloney is a mixed heritage Wolastoqi videojournalist raised on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia/Mi'kma'ki. Email him at nic.meloney@cbc.ca or follow him on Twitter @nicmeloney.