Art Series: Theatre
Anonymous is a three-part web series following the dynamics of Support Anonymous, a group dedicated to achieving sobriety. It’s been 4 weeks since COVID-19 has gripped the world and forced its inhabitants stay indoors. The group now meets virtually, in hopes that their dedication to the group and its process is enough to remain sober. When tragedy hits, the group must find new tactics to support and forgive one another. Tune in to witness a show about the human condition and what it means to face the consequences of ill-fated decisions.
Show Times –
- June 10 – 6:40-6:55
- June 12 – 7:30-7:45
- June 13 – 7:30-7:40
Run time – 3 x 10-15 minute episodes
Rating – R
- Adult language/content
- Death/dying
- Drugs/alcohol
- Emotional Abuse
- Mental illness
- Self Harm
- Trauma/PTSD
- Verbal Abuse
- Elder Abuse
If you have questions relating to addiction or mental health, Alberta Health – Access Mental Health is an excellent resource with trained professionals who can answer questions about these matters.
If you need immediate help and support the Calgary Distress Centre
can provide immediate access to a crisis counsellor. Accessible by phone at 403-266-4357 and by their chat function – located here.
Owl Pod is offering free virtual counselling sessions – needing to talk is okay. No problem is too small.
Cast and Creative Team
Writer, Director – Chantel Dixon
Chantel Dixon is a dedicated mom to two extraordinary young children. Aside from raising a 4 and 2 year-old, she currently is in her 3rd year of her degree in Fine Arts at the University of Calgary. In addition to her studies, she also teaches musical theatre and dance classes to young children, though that has been put on halt since COVID-19. In her extra time, she competes in Karaoke Competitions at a national level. Last year, she placed 13th in all of Canada in Karaoke World Championships. She also adores a good book!
Assistant Director, Costume Designer – Taylor Guidotti
Although the state of the world kinda sucks right now, Taylor is thrilled to have the virtual opportunity to work with the IGNITE! festival for the third time! She is a stage and production manager, film producer, and director who operates out of Victoria BC. She focuses on work with smaller companies as well as large-scale festival works. She was previously seen at IGNITE! as the stage manager for the 2017 Double Billed productions, as well as served as the West Villlage Theatre Production and Venue Manager in 2018. Taylor has also served as the Technical and Audience Safety Coordinator for the 2019 and 2020 Common Ground Festival, and continues to explore the various possibilities that bring theatre to life while advocating for the importance of audience consent and safety in all lines of her work. She is also the proud dog-mom to Arlo, who she hopes to train and certify to be a PTSD service dog.
Video Editor/Processor – Cole McCracken
Cole McCracken is a Canadian filmmaker, currently a student at the University of Calgary. In the year of 2019/2020 Cole worked as video editor/videographer for the Gauntlet Publications Society. One of his short films “The Egrest” recently set to be gaining global distribution in the fall. Cole has previously worked with Chantel Dixon, creator and director of “Anonymous” on the University of Calgary’s Sketch Comedy Club “Failure on the Western Front”‘s 2019 show as a writer, actor, and editor.
Producer, Technical Advisor, Director of Photography, Script Supervisor, Sound Engineer – Brandon Wilson
Brandon Wilson is an Indigenous film-maker from the Fort McKay First Nations and he is based in Calgary Alberta, Canada. He has written and produced his own web series, The Katabasis, and joined IGNITE! 2020 to help produce a world class social distancing theatre festival. When he’s not helping tomorrow’s artists find their voice, he enjoys tinkering with micro computers and reading a good book.
Performer – “Duke” – MacKenzie McDonald
MacKenzie McDonald is a 4th year Drama student at the School of Creative and Performing Arts with interests in acting, playwriting, and directing. Anonymous is his IGNITE! festival debut and he is thankful to the staff and to his team for having him. Current quarantine activities of his include waking up at 9am and not getting out of bed until 11am, slogging through online course work, and trying to get through the entirety of Harry Potter. Thanks and love go to his partner and to his family.
Performer – “Jackson” – Braden Butler
Braden Butler is a queer actor and recent graduate from the UofA’s BFA Acting program. Theatre credits include Ken in RED (Wishbone Theatre/Edmonton Fringe), Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Buckingham in Richard III, Evan in The Aliens, and Hooker in Shakespeare’s Dog (University of Alberta/Studio Theatre). He can also be seen in the feature film Hot Box, available now on Amazon Prime Video. This is his first year at the IGNITE! Festival and he is delighted to be on the team!
Performer: “Karen” – Ada Perez Hidalgo
Ada is a Mexican/Canadian actress has performed in some independent theatre and film productions in Mexico and Canada. Recently she finished the Master Class program at Company of Rogues, Actors Studio in Calgary.
She loves exploring and unwrapping the layers of each character to discover their humanity and souls, so she can share that thruth with the audience, to share that story.
Performer: “Justice” – Marlo Hepburn
Marlo is halfway through the Acting Diploma at Ambrose University. She attended SAIT and U of C in therapy/disability studies fields before she found her way back to the arts. Anonymous is the first project she has been involved with since she discovered her love of theatre back in high school.
Performer – “Lex” – Meegan Sweet
Meegan is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at the University of Alberta, class of 2020. She is also a 2016 graduate of the Theatre Performance and Creation program at Red Deer College. In her free time Meegan is a florist to make money so her cats can live a good life. She would also like to share her immense gratitude to everyone who has helped her on her journey so far. Stay safe everyone!
Performer – “Liam” – Chance Freihaut
Chance Freihaut is currently finishing up his final year of acting studies with the Company of Rogues Actors’ Studio in Calgary.
Artistic Mentor – Meg Farhall
Our festival is free to attend although donations help us with funding and enables us to keep bringing you amazing performances every year! We are also encouraging donations to the Calgary Black Empowerment Fund.