LOIN DU COEUR
Change the action. Prevent the violence.
FORUM THEATRE INTERACTIVE PLAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 09/29/23 - Five hundred francophone and Acadien students at CSLF schools across PEI are talking about and confronting some tough topics this week -- like self-image, dating, consent, control and sexual assault. Engaging in the program Loin du coeur, young people will express themselves through preparatory activities, interactive theatre and post-show debriefings. It’s all part of an initiative to address the relentless problem of violence in intimate relationships. Since 2006, Far From the Heart / Loin du coeur has reached thousands of Canadian students thanks to its unique approach to consent and violence prevention. The award-winning program has been such a success that the Canada Council for the Arts has funded a film production, IN ADDITION to a tour across PEI from October 3 to 6, 2023. Two Island Artists are part of the troupe: Kristen Thompson plays Rachelle, and Rebecca Parent is producer, director and facilitator.If you have been sexually assaulted, remember that it is NEVER your fault. Regardless of who committed the assault, being forced, pressured, or subjected to any form of violence or sexual abuse is UNACCEPTABLE and unjustified. IT’S NEVER OKAY.
Loin du coeur contains dating violence, sexual assault, drinking, marijuana, rape, consent and healthy relationships. Viewer discretion is advised.
The Problem
On the day she is raped, you know her as a typical neighbourhood girl. He knows her as his Date. She knows herself now as a “Victim” (is she?). What if they’d known? -- What does the audience know?It’s preventable. We’ll show youth how abuse can happen, and talk about prevention.
Fifty-one percent of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of sexual or physical violence. Roughly 55 % of all victims of sexual assault are under the age of 18. Only 45% of people in Canada fully understand what it means to give consent to sexual activity. According to Statistics Canada, cases of sexual assault reported to police on P.E.I. last year went up 21 per cent from 2020.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation reported: “The harm of this preventable violence is significant and has long-lasting, widespread impacts on those who experience it. It costs billions of dollars to deal with sexual assault and related offenses.”
The importance of connecting young people with knowledge about consent, dating abuse, and healthy relationships has never been clearer.
Together, let’s educate the community about healthy relationships and consent.
“You guys were incredible at O'Neill High School. You're doing great things and you're very down to Earth. Keep going; you're changing the world. :)” - Travis, student, Saskatchewan
The Play
Loin du coeur / Far From the Heart is a proven violence prevention educational theatre program for youth to learn about and tackle this issue. FFTH/LC was founded in 2006 to help kids navigate the challenges of relationships. We have a rich history of engaging young people in crucial conversations.We start them thinking with a class activity.
We show them through a play rife with problems.
We instantly transform the story together through interaction and open talk back.
We continue the conversation through post-show dialogue.
The program includes a comprehensive, interactive package including theatre, an educational guide, crucial preparatory activities, post-show discussions facilitated by professional service providers, and follow up. All elements are integral parts of the program. Together they respectfully help to deliver the core curriculum in the areas of sexual health and violence prevention, and to introduce youth to real people from local services. Importantly, it creates impactful peer-to-peer learning.
Created in 2006 by youth and professional artists, Loin du Coeur / Far From the Heart (FFTH/LDC) is a story about coming of age, violation and redemption. The girls and guys are focused on image, popularity, and sexual conquest at The Big Party. Felicity is inexperienced and dulled by alcohol. She finds herself tormented by her controlling boyfriend, abandoned by her friend, and assaulted by the guy who seemed to be a helper. What could happen differently? What can a person do in the face of assault? Could Felicity’s best friend help her? Who will intervene? The audience changes the action. This Problem Play (Act One) is acted out by four professional actors. The Forum (Act Two) then follows: returning to the beginning of the story, scenes are replayed, but this time, students are encouraged to stop the action and become a character on stage. Facilitated by “The Joker”, they improvise with the actors to try to find a healthier or safer outcome. This is referred to as a “Rehearsal for Reality”. This interactive style of theatre engages youth directly with the topics. FFTH/LDC seeks to help young people develop healthy attitudes and behaviours based on honesty, equality, respect and safety.
A recent Sheatre College Musical Theatre graduate, Kristen Thompson of Charlottetown joins the cast of four actors, playing Rachel. They wish they had had access to this kind of programming when they were in junior high and high school. “Children do need this; young people do need this,” says Thompson. “I’m so grateful that it gets to be me, I get to give back to my community. It’s a full circle moment.”
Sheatre has toured FFTH and LDC throughout Ontario and Saskatchewan since 2006. Island theatremaker Rebecca Parent toured with the shows in Ontario before returning permanently to PEI in 2018. “I am so eager to finally be bringing this important artwork to my home province,” says Parent. “I have witnessed the powerful conversations it has sparked in young communities, and the power of this interactive style of theatre.”
“It was eye opening for us to see a real-life situation acted out on stage in front of our eyes instead of it being on TV or movies. The actors showed us that the way the character was dressed had nothing to do with her sexual assault. They told us that clothes don’t assault people. People assault people.” Ryan Bionda, Grade nine Huntsville High School student
Kids like her need help in decoding common ideas like that one. A key aspect in doing just that is our partnerships with local resources in health and social services. Representatives attend each show, facilitating post-show talks, and providing support to students.
FFTH is the recipient of the Ontario Ministry of The Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction. A 2019 study by the Student Commission of Canada found that “Far From The Heart positively impacted youth participants, equipping them with skills and knowledge to better navigate resources and address gender-based violence.”
The Film and Live-streaming
Sometimes a community requests a show when we are not touring the full live production. Sometimes a remote community would like to be involved but distance is an issue. Sheatre’s Artistic Director, Joan Chandler, answered the call by producing the film Far From the Heart, and a performance approach that uses the film in place of the staged problem play followed by live interventions with a small cast facilitated by The Joker. The film/live version can be mounted very quickly to meet pop-up calls. Another response is live-streaming when we’re in full production mode. Sheatre is live-streaming some shows with invited audiences. Another format, the interactive film Far From the Heart can provide the central piece of a community - or family - conversation about the issues, supported with pre- and post-show activities as per our model discussed above.When communities in Northern Ontario asked if the show could be provided in French, Joan invited Magali Rousseau to translate FFTH. Loin du Coeur has been on the road since 2012. With the production of the LDC film, funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, Sheatre will be able to serve broader francophone audiences.
The film Far From the Heart is a Best Shorts and Accolade Film Festival award winner, as well as a nominee for best digital media in the prestigious Yorkton Film Festival.
The Schedule
• Tuesday, October 3Charlottetown - École François-Buote
• Wednesday, October 4
Summerside-École-sur-Mer
• Thursday, October 5
Deblois - École Pierre-Chiasson et École Évangéline
• Friday, October 6
Souris - École la Belle-Cloche
• Saturday, October 7
7:00 pm Public Show - live-streamed at le Carrefour l’Isle St. Jean, 5 Acadian Dr, Charlottetown
Admission: $15 adults, $5 youth (12+) or pay what you can
The Company
REBECCA PARENT - DIRECTOR/JOKER/PRODUCER - Rebecca (she/her) is a theatre maker from Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island). She is co-founder of PEI indie company Kitbag Theatre. She has been Sheatre’s bilingual coordinator since 2018, and is so happy to finally be bringing this artwork to her home province. Selected directing credits: The Songs of Johnny and June, Tuesdays & Sundays, Final Wave (Kitbag Theatre); A Christmas Carol, The Drawer Boy (Watermark Theatre). Selected acting credits: W in LUNGS (Kitbag); Anne Shirley in Anne & Gilbert (Guild PEI); Alma in What A Young Wife Ought to Know (2b theatre); six seasons at the Watermark Theatre. 
SIOBHAN RICHARDSON FIGHT AND INTIMACY DIRECTOR Siobhan Richardson is a co-founder of Intimacy Directors International, and is recognized as an Intimacy Director by Tonia Sina, founder of the Intimacy For The Stage method. She is also a fight director and a stage combat instructor whose services are in demand worldwide. Originally from Kitchener-Waterloo, and trained at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, the actor/fighter/singer/dancer is currently based in Toronto.
MAÏA GRECO - FÉLICITÉ Maïa (she/her) is a Toronto-based actor, director, and singer hailing from Paris and Vancouver. She has recently completed the Theatre and Drama Studies program at Sheridan College and the University of Toronto. She looks forward to releasing her debut EP Rainbow Bassin at the end of the year. Selected acting credits: The Angel in Angels in America (SMCT) I in Gallathea (EDSS); Maid in Alcestis (Theatre Erindale); Mme Pernelle in Tartuffe (Theatre Erindale) The Justice/ Anne Ratcliffe in The Witch of Edmonton (Theatre Erindale). Maïa is so excited to perform for young audiences across the country and help educate teens on the difficult subject matter of Loin du coeur/Far from the Heart. 
OLIVIER BLAIS - RENÉ (He, Him) Olivier is an actor and improviser from K’jipuktuk/ Halifax. He is a graduate of the Fountain School of Performing Arts and a co-founder of the Théâtre DesAssimilés (TDA), a francophone theatre company that produces bilingual work. He has also improvised in several TDA improv shows and has represented Nova Scotia at Les Jeux de la Francophonie. Recent credits include Colonial Park (Neptune TourCO); Nice Guy/Gentil; Les Mangeurs D'ail; Les Chaises (Théâtre DesAssimilés); Primal (Unnatural Disasters Company); The Crucible; People, Places and Things; The Dog in the Manger (FSPA.) He has also worked as a producer and an assistant director with other companies such as Shakespeare By The Sea and Outside The March. Merci à la famille et Emma! 
KRISTEN THOMPSON - RACHELLE Kristen (they/she/he) is a multidisciplinary performing artist from Charlottetown, PEI. They are a 2023 graduate from Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Musical Theatre Performance. Theatre credits: Nuit (Trip The Light Theatre Collective), Jesus Christ Superstar, In Studio: The Words and Music of Britta Johnson (Theatre Sheridan) Kensington: The Musical (The Musical Stage Company). Film credits: Currie (Human Moves Media), 3:21:00 (FilmPEI), Queen of the Crows (Periscope Pictures). Kristen is living the dream working in their hometown, and they’re grateful to be sharing Sheatre’s Loin du coeur with the youth in their community.
RYAN HORTON - ADAM Ryan is thrilled to be joining the wonderful team at Sheatre to present Loin du coeur/Far From the Heart! Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, his roots are grounded in the suburbs of Montreal, QC. A graduate of Capilano University, past credits include Dog Sees God (Matt), A Chorus Line (Al), and Spring Awakening (Ernst). When not on stage, Ryan can be found honing his stage combat skills, writing music or belting out Queen at the local karaoke night! He is thankful for the opportunity to stage such an important piece, and hopes to leave the world a little bit better than he found it.
JOSH CRUDDAS - COMPOSER Josh Cruddas was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is an actor and composer, best known for Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021), Polar (2019) and Anything for Jackson . He composed the scores to Cyber Heist (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), HBO Asia's flagship sci-fi drama, Dream Raider and Moonfall. The soundtrack for 10000 Miles has been named the best fiction score of 2017 by a Canadian under 35 by SOCAN. It’s his work teaching acting and music to kids that he counts most meaningful - even when his students mercilessly roast him (which is most of the time).
CAMILLE LAPOINTE - RÉGIE Camille est une artiste montréalaise bilingue qui adore la régie, l’écriture et le dessin. Elle a gradué de l’université Concordia en 2020 du baccalauréat Création Performance et est super contente de pouvoir faire du théâtre forum pour la première fois en tant que régisseuse. Son art tend à être une invitation à jouer colorée et une réflexion sur qui nous sommes et comment nous fonctionnons en tant qu’être humain. Présentement aux études en neurosciences cognitives à l’Université de Montréal, elle ne pourrait être plus excitée de repenser l’humain et sa nature d’un œil théâtral tout en retournant à ses sources en théâtre jeunesse.
RYAN DOUCETTE, LAST MINUTE PRODUCTIONS - TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND FILM DIRECTOR - Ryan Doucette is an Acadian actor, comedian, and writer originally from Clare, Nova Scotia. Winner of the 2020 Creative Nova Scotia Awards’ Prix Grand-Pré, he is best known for hosting and writing the first season of "Le sens du punch" for Unis TV. He then directed and wrote the next two seasons. He directs the food documentary show “Les quatres coins de l’assiette” for Radio-Canada.
OAKAR MYINT - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Cinematographer & Photographer from Yangon, Myanmar, brought up in NYC, currently based in Charlottetown, PEI. Oakar is available internationally. He is currently working on freelance and personal projects.2nd Camera : Ryan Doucette
Sound recording : Curtis MacNevin
Hair and Make Up : Jessica Gallant
Editor : Jacob Puiras
Colourist : Jacob Puiras, Oakar Myint
Sound mixer : Paul Goguen
Design and Set Dressing: Kelly Casey
Photographer: Patricia Bourque
Film Script editing and translation: Rebecca Parent
Extras : Jayda Graham, Kennedy Leard, Wren Eekma, Cohen Gallant, Alexis Rashed, Bijou Perry, Hayden Little, Alex Little, Thea Knickle, Samuel Sunii and Sam Drake
The Sheatre Team
JOAN CHANDLER - PLAYWRIGHT / PRODUCER - Award winning producer, director, writer, arts educator and workshop facilitator, Joan Chandler is the founding Artistic Director of Sheatre (1985 to present), and the innovator behind Far From the Heart / Loin du coeur. She has led the collective creation of over 120 plays reaching over 180,000 people, facilitated over 1,500 projects, and led over 10,500 participants in groups in primarily underserved rural and small urban environments in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Joan is delighted to be bringing this production to you during its inaugural Maritime tour!DAVID SEREDA - COMMUNITY LAISON, TOUR COORDINATOR, COPRODUCER has over 35 years of experience and a national reputation as a theatre artist, singer/songwriter, composer, producer and activist. He has worked with Sheatre and Joan Chandler since 2002. As a singer/songwriter, he has performed at major festivals and concert halls across Canada. He has released three albums on his indie label Rocky Wednesday Records. He is a seasoned collaborator on new music theatre productions and was nominated for a Dora Award for best musical (Love Jive, book by Don Hannah, music, lyrics and music direction by Sereda, Tarragon). As a producer and administrator, david helped organize successful school tours for Sheatre’s groundbreaking Far From the Heart in Saskatchewan and Ontario, and the inaugural tour of Loin du Coeur here in PEI.
MAGALI ROUSSEAU - TRANSLATOR - I was a high school co-op student with Sheatre in 2012, when I translated Loin du Coeur, with Joan and Julie Blondeau (editor). This experience informed my future choices and my love of writing in many ways; I obtained my BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature from York University in 2017, and had the opportunity to work with Sheatre again as a translator from May to August of the same year. Far From the Heart/Loin du Coeur matters deeply to me because it empowers youth, and encourages them to stand up, to speak and to act; this play can change the world. It has been an honour to participate in this project.
Sheatre - Community Arts for Social Change
Sheatre believes in the power of theatre and the arts to change lives and help build a compassionate and healthy society. The groundbreaking community arts organization was established in rural Ontario in 1985 and since then has reached more than 85,700 youth and adults through the creation and production of over 110 original plays and 600 events in small urban and rural communities in Canada, the U.S. and UK.
Joan Chandler, Artistic Director, Sheatre
"I began Far From the Heart as a summer project for youth in Grey-Bruce, Ontario, in 2006 in response to a growing problem with sexual violence among youth, and a reluctance to admit that it was happening in our rural community. No surprise. Who wants to talk about rape and sexual assault? At first, no one, but then kids came forward, and the dam broke as we provided a way to explore these themes together safely, respectfully and with fun. We created a play that doesn’t shy away from the truth. Student at the pilot shows were wildly enthusiastic. There were their peers, changing problematic scenarios into moments of positive action and absolute triumph. People started talking. Often for the first time. The next step was evident. I developed Far From the Heart into a fully professional production supported by a committed team, an educational program, and broad professional community resources that has toured schools in Ontario and Saskatchewan since 2008. Responding to requests, FFTH was translated into French as Loin du Coeur. Crowds are critical to help us form our sense of who we are, how we see the world, our relationships. Psychologist Stephen Reicher said that belonging to one affects those definitions as we think in terms of 'we' rather than 'I'. This can alter our view and actions. In our small audiences, we see people challenging each other and rethinking their perspectives. This kind of peer influence contributes to making people resilient to hardship, and healthier as a society. From the stage, we can see change happening in the crowd. Far From the Heart/Loin du Coeur endures because it works. Because the issue is universal, the problem rampant, the project provides a useful, in-demand, entertaining vehicle to combat it. We believe in the art form. I love this little play and what it does."
Endorsements
Mary Anne Alton, Former Director of Education, Bluewater District School Board"I cannot imagine an investment that has the potential to impact so many students within Bluewater and provide our staff with the necessary resources to tackle the crucial conversations that must take place related to relationship issues."
Katrina Rubinstein-Gilbert, Provincial Constable, Bruce Peninsula OPP
"I am very glad to have been part of the day and included as a community representative. I was thoroughly impressed with the play and felt it touched on so many aspects of what youth, the police, educators and many supporting organizations are faced with on a daily basis. Having a forum such as this was a way for youth to understand how their choices can make a huge difference in what they or their friends may face."
Marc-André Proulx, teacher, École Saint-Dominique-Savio, Owen Sound
“une perle rare que nous devons exploiter au maximum”
Bruce Scott, Manager Youth Support Programs, Boys and Girls Club of Kawartha Lakes
"The actors and all of the supporting staff did a great job in engaging the youth. I think that the work you are doing is very topical and extremely important for our community, and our youth, to be exposed to. The day covered topics that can be very difficult to talk about and did so in a way that was open and respectful and encouraged thoughtful discussion. The level of engagement displayed by the youth in attendance was a testament to the design of the program and their desire for open and frank discussion on the topics. The work that you do is extremely important.”
Debra Gonsalves, Markham District High School
"I am the Child and Youth Worker running our school’s student support center. Over the days following the play we have had several students come in to ask questions about the play and discuss issues/events about healthy relationships. You were informative and a wonderful opener to the conversations that youth need to be having."
Deb Matthews, Former Ontario Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues
"You are to be commended for your creative use of the power of theatre and the arts in promoting healthy, safe relationships between boys and girls."
University of Regina 2012 Research Study
"Forum Theatre allows participants to explore the action component to prevention. Within the forum there is an opportunity to learn from mistakes in a safe space. Sheatre’s Far From the Heart Forum Theatre presentation is an innovative approach that challenges youth to speak and act out their thoughts and attitudes surrounding dating violence... Far From the Heart’s efforts should not go unnoticed as a potential catalyst for change.”
Media Coverage (selected)
Grands Lacs café with Éric Robitaille, CBC/Radio-Canada OntarioLoin du coeur - pour sensibiliser à la violence sexuelle
CTV News Northern Ontario
Using interactivity to spread message about sexual violence
As It Happens with Carol Off, CBC Radio
Interactive play Far From The Heart challenges teens to stop sexual assault
CBC News Sudbury
Audience can change the outcome in play about sexual assault
Ça parle au Nord with Patricia Sauzède, CBC/Radio-Canada Ontario
Expliquer le consentement par le théâtre
Supporters
Thank you to the following for their generosity and support:Actions Femmes I.P.É
Prince Edward Island Rape and Sexual Assault Centre - aka PEIRSAC
Carrefour de L’Isle Saint Jean
Commission scolaire de langue française (CSLF), Public Schools Branch, Conseil des arts du Canada, et individus
