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Brain Storm

conceived of and directed by Taliesin McEnaney
A Lucid Ludic Production in Association with Why Not Theatre

A visually arresting and comically haunting look at the ramifications of brain surgery and how one woman finds her way in a reality that is forever different. BRAIN STORM takes you into the operating theatre, to dissect the question; are our brains magic, machines – or both?

Writer/Director Taliesin McEnaney draws on the work of famous Canadian neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, the writings of her spiritual medium grandmother, and a brain injury in her own family to craft this unique piece of physical theatre.

Created in collaboration with the cast, BRAIN STORM will have its World Premiere in February 2020 following a critically-acclaimed workshop production at Toronto Fringe.

Winner of the Toshi Knife Cutting Edge Award at the 2017 Toronto Fringe Festival

Click here to hear a clip of Writer & Director Taliesin McEnaney being interviewed on Metro Morning.

This project is part of Why Not’s SHARE stream of activities. SHARE projects are partnerships with other independent artists and companies to help produce, present or tour their work.

SHOW DATES

Thursday, February 27 at 8:00pm
Friday, February 28 at 8:00pm
Saturday February 29 at 8:00pm (Open Captions)
Sunday, March 1 at 2:00pm (Open Captions)
Tuesday March 3 at 8:00pm (Open Captions)
Wednesday March 4 at 8:00pm (Open Captions)
Thursday March 5 at 8:00pm
Friday March 6 at 8:00pm
Saturday March 7 at 8:00pm
Saturday March 7 at 2:00pm (Open Captions)
Sunday March 8 at 2:00pm

All performances take place at Dancemakers Studio Theatre in the Distillery District.  The studio is on the 3rd floor of 9 Trinity St in the Distillery District.  Full directions by car or TTC are available here

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can-Afford ($8/$18/$40/$60) and are available at Brown Paper Tickets.

At-the-door tickets will be available for $10/$20/$40/$60

ACCESSIBILITY

BRAIN STORM is a relaxed run, with every performance a relaxed performance.  Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members who will benefit from a more relaxed sensory experience and casual environment, in order to make the process of attending theatre more accessible to those with sensory or neurological conditions. Open Captions (subtitles) will be available for the following performances:

Saturday February 29, 8pm
Sunday March 1, 2pm
Tuesday March 3, 8pm
Wednesday March 4, 8pm
Saturday March 7, 2pm

If you have any accessibility needs or questions, please email [email protected]

LUCID LUDIC is partnering with the Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST) and Community Head Injury Resource Services (CHIRS) on this production to raise awareness of the challenges facing those living with brain injury.

Visual Story – Dancemakers’ Theatre Studio

Visual Story – Brain Storm

CAST & CREATIVE

A Lucid Ludic production in association with Why Not Theatre

Written and Directed by Taliesin McEnaney

Co-created by and Starring Hayley Carr, Maïza Dubhé, Alexandra Montagnese, and Shayna Virginillo 
Stage Managed by Tara Mohan
Assistant Stage Managed by Melanie Nablo
Set and Costume Design by Will Bezek
Assistant Set & Costume Designs by Ellen Brooker
Projection and Lighting Design by Melissa Joakim
Composition and Sound Design by Olivia Shortt
Open Captions by Nicole Smieja
Production Management by Suzie Balogh
Associate Production by Annie Clarke
Brain Injury Consultant and Dramaturgy by Shireen Jeejeebhoy 
Dramatury by Jess Watkin
Front of House Management by Emma Westray
Photography by Dahlia Katz

Brain Storm is a fascinating look at what makes us who we are.

–Mooney on Theatre

★★★ - gently moving and generous

–Globe and Mail

"The visually striking and thoughtful Brain Storm was one of the best shows at the festival."

–NOW Magazine

Awarded for OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION + OUTSTANDING DIRECTION + OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE

–NOW Magazine, Fringe Festival 2017

“In Brain Storm, we look to theatre not to give us a comforting narrative arc, but to provide us with the tools to explore something that defies explanation.“

Taliesin McEnaney