Participating Companies for the 2006-2007 Season:

The Chop * Theatre Replacement * Brownbike Performance
The Leaky Heaven Circus * The Only Animal

Spring Playwrights Retreat:
Erin Macklem * Jason Brydon * Jamie Long * Meg Braem

The Theatre Artist Residency Program we started last season continues to evolve and gain momentum. Last fall the farm was host to a number of exciting Vancouver theatre companies who have been using the facilities to write, rehearse and otherwise develop their own work. It has been such a pleasure to share the beauty of the place with such talented, inspiring people. Moments to remember: In the yard outside the office window, chorographer Sarah Chase dictating movements to Theatre Replacement members Maiko Bae Yamamoto, Jamie Long, Veda Hille and Mirae Rosner before a massive bonfire of old set pieces; The Only Animal’s Kendra Fanconi hauling squash out of the garden after a day of writing - her partner Eric chopping kindling after a day of budgeting; the whole bunch, including Vancouver’s The Chop hooked up to Molly March’s walking plough for a CHBC Ploughing Match promo.

Many of the residents arrived on New Years Eve to lend their talents to the Cookshack Cabaret on the closing night of the Winter Show. The event was kicked off by Estelle conducting in her Horse-chestra… (see Photo)

This spring Jamie Long and Jason Bryden (affectionately known as “City Boys”) indulge in a writing exercise titled “Farm Clean-up” by helping Estelle, Amiel Gladstone and Kelly McIntosh hitch up the team and do some hard earned procrastinating.

“It was wonderful to be in such a beautiful working environment, surrounded by such talented artists. The space provided at the farm gave us the opportunity for an intensive focus on the script and the surroundings were inspiring.”

Anita & Emelia
The Chop

“Our three-weeks in residence at the Farm was immensely focused and fruitful, rich with time for creative reflection and very productive. The best part of it all was working in a place without the additional pressures brought on by the city.

We took full advantage of the environment, from early morning training sessions in the gazebo to late-night, secret showings of pieces in progress in the woods. We are grateful that the Farm exists, grateful, grateful that you are offering companies like ours the gift of time and space with which to dream big.”

Maiko Bai Yamamoto
Artistic Director
Theatre Replacement

“Artists who run their own companies, such as we do, tend to work non-stop. A chance to refresh is badly needed. We were under tremendous deadline pressure in our time at the Caravan yet still managed to re-energise ourselves under the powerful spell of the place and the people. If Caravan can offer this to artists and companies across BC and beyond then they are contributing to the longevity of the art form. This is a true service to audiences, ultimately. “

Kendra Fanconi, Eric Rhys Miller
The Only Animal