Delta, Dec 10-2024 Delta Stageworks, a rising star in the Delta arts scene, is bringing their acclaimed production Heirlooms & Baggage (My Mother’s Story) to new audiences. The play, created by the company, celebrates the extraordinary lives of five ordinary women—the mothers of the five diverse cast members who share their stories on stage. After earning rave reviews from audiences during its 2023 South Delta debut, the show will take the stage at the North Delta Centre for the Performing Arts (NDCA) on February 12 and 13, 2025, before touring to ArtSpring Theatre on Salt Spring Island.
“People tell us how moved and transformed they are by the play,” says Delta Stageworks artistic lead Peg Christopherson, “I sense it’s partly because these are authentic personal stories we’re telling, but also because of its theme of connecting with each other in our communities. The show celebrates the diversity of our mother’s stories.” The production is supported by the Delta Community Foundation (DCF) through the Canada-wideCommunity Prosperity Fund. DCF Foundation President Gillian Lowery adds, “We are so pleased to be able to support the arts in our community and enable the production to extend its reach to other communities”.
Heirlooms & Baggage (My Mother’s Story) features Stageworks actor/writers Camryn Chew, Renee Iaci, Ragini Kapil, Eric Keenleyside and Christopherson who all came to the project with a personal desire to delve into their mom’s life story. Kapil, whose mother’s journey began in Fiji, then took her to Nelson BC in the 1960s and onto a noted career as an educator in North Delta, says, “I’ve often taken my mother’s strengths and accomplishments for granted, and this creative process has really opened up my understanding of who she is as a woman – not just as my mother – and what it’s been like for her to negotiate the cultural expectations and judgements faced by a woman of colour coming to Canada in the 1960s.”
By turns celebratory, humorous, relatable and transformative, the devised theatre play explores those oh-so-essential relationships, the ones we have with our mothers. Delta actor Camryn Chew tells stories from both her mother’s life journey as well as her own that involve their lived experiences of anti-Asian racism. “Before this project, Chinese characters in plays I have been cast as were written as racist stereotypes. Now I get to finally be the person writing the story. And the most poignant part is that I couldn’t be doing this without the power and strength of my mother.”
The catalyst for the shows’ development was the My Mother’s Story writing project founded by award-winning actor/author/playwright Marilyn Norry. Her 2023 TEDX Talk tells us about the important and transformative work of writing our mothers’ histories. Norry is also a core member of the Delta Stageworks theatre’s artist company.
Heirlooms & Baggage (My Mother’s Story) also features veteran Vancouver film and TV actor Eric Keenleyside, whose mother’s story offers glimpses into the extraordinary ordeal and strength of a woman escaping Europe in the wake of World War II; coming to Canada as a refugee in the 1940s with little but a piece of her family’s silverware.
Award-winning Delta actor Renee Iaci brings us on an emotional journey of revelation and heart-break with her mother’s story; a journey that takes us from Powell River to the infamous Vancouver nightclub scene of the 1960s.
“Audiences have been so inspired by the show”, says Christopherson. “This is theatre that will capture your heart and make you want to discover more about your own mother’s life story”.
Heirlooms & Baggage (My Mother’s Story) | North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11425 84 Ave, Delta, BC V4C 2L9 | February 12, 2025 PREVIEW @ 7:30 PM | February 13, 2025 PERFORMANCE @ 7:30 PM | TICKET PRICES Feb 12 Preview $25.00 + fees, Feb 13 Performance $34.50 + fees | BUY TICKETS online at www.deltastageworks.ca
Testimonials
In my capacity as Vice-Chair of Delta’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Committee, a key aspect of our mission is to create an environment that honours and values the perspectives of every member and contributor. I was so impressed to see these values in action during the Delta Stage works performance of Heirlooms & Baggage (My Mother’s Story). This stands as a testament to the writers and actors dedication to fostering diversity and inclusivity through the art of storytelling.
Jennifer Johal, City of Delta Councillor
Social Media & Survey Comments
”Thoroughly enjoyed the show”
“Great show…Don’t miss it!”
“Loved it!”
“What a great performance!”
“Fabulous show! Highly recommend.”
“It was brilliant”
“So intimate and meaningful”
Photo credit BobNewPhotography.com
