Prime Mover Theatre Company and The Musical Stage Company are pleased to announce the 2020-2021 participants for NoteWorthy, our paid musical theatre writing program for professional artists.
This week, we’re thrilled to announce the artists who will be taking part in the 2020-21 edition of our NoteWorthy program. NoteWorthy allows composers, lyricists and playwrights from across Canada to build foundational skills through master classes and guided collaborative writing assignments.
The 2020-21 NoteWorthy program is exclusively supporting BIPOC artists from across Canada. All participating artists will receive access to the program for free as well as an honorarium to help them reserve the necessary time required for participation in this two-month program. The program will also be led and facilitated by a completely BIPOC artistic team with top international facilitators leading discussions for artists coast to coast.
NoteWorthy is offered with the generous support of Program Sponsor TD Bank Group and Leading Light Andrew Gillespie. Learn more about our 24 participating artists below:
Joseph Aragon - Playwright, Composer, Lyricist
Maria Aragon - Composer, Lyricist
Makram Ayache - Playwright, Lyricist
alaska b - Composer, Lyricist
Maddie Bautista - Composer, Lyricist
Jewelle Blackman - Playwright, Composer, Lyricist
Nicole Brooks - Playwright, Composer, Lyricist
Chantal Forde - Playwright, Lyricist
Aaron Jan - Playwright
Marcia Johnson - Playwright
Frances Koncan - Playwright
Jordan Laffrenier - Playwright
Ahmed Moneka - Playwright, Composer
Andrew Moodie - Playwright, Composer
Renae Morriseau - Playwright, Composer, Lyricist
Varman Navaratnam - Composer, Lyricist
Riel Reddick-Stevens - Playwright, Composer, Lyricist
Luke Reece - Playwright, Composer, Lyricist
Hal Wesley Rogers - Composer, Lyricist
Jake Runeckles - Composer, Lyricist, Playwright
Meghan Swaby - Playwright
Chris Tsujiuchi - Composer
Jennifer Villaverde - Playwright, Lyricist
Kodie Rollan - Playwright
Taran Kootenhayoo
Taran Kootenhayoo, a 27-year-old Indigenous artist, actor, advocate, poet, playwright, and would-be NoteWorthy 2020-21 participant — passed away suddenly on December 31, 2020. Taran was Denesuliné and Stoney Nakoda. Born in Cold Lake Alberta, he was a member of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. He moved to Vancouver when he was 18 to study acting at Capilano University. He was best known for his role opposite Carmen Aguirre in Bella Ciao! When that film premiered at the Whistler Film Festival in 2018, Taran was named the year’s “Star to watch.”. Prime Mover Theatre Company is deeply saddened to share this news and sends love and support to all that knew and loved him.
A GoFundMe page in memory of Taran has been set up to support final arrangements as well as any expenses that may help family members that need to travel, accommodation, and the cost of living as they grieve. Click the button below to visit and donate to the Fund.
