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Canadian Badlands Passion Play
Media Kit 2014
Canadian Badlands Passion Play
The Canadian Badlands Passion Play is an unique theatrical and spiritual event worldwide, combining a stunning natural location
with an engaging portrayal of Christ’s life to tell the “greatest story ever told.” It is the world’s only Passion Play which intentionally
breathes new life annually with a new script, cast, and set - all purposefully designed so that each audience member might
encounter Jesus within the cultural, geographical and historical setting of his life.
Deep in the Canadian Badlands - a location famous for its pre-historic attractions - lies a
hidden valley where the events of a not-so-distant past echo, a place where ancient
Israel is reborn and a dramatic portrayal of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Christ is performed. Produced each summer by a nonprofit society and hundreds of
volunteers, the Canadian Badlands Passion Play is the product of determined
storytellers. The production is the result of countless hours offered by dedicated artists,
and the support of a community which came together to nurture and care for it.
In the beginning, the community of Drumheller and surrounding area rallied to see
through the endeavor. Countless hours were invested to transform the valley into an
amphitheatre capable of holding up to thousands of people. The premiere season drew
thousands of spectators and every show sold out. Plans were made to increase the
seating capacity of the natural amphitheatre.
Around the world, a good story always draws a crowd, and this is the greatest story ever
told. Word of the unique setting and a passionate troupe of dedicated storytellers and
musicians has spread out from the Badlands like a prairie wildfire, attracting people
from towns near by and countries far away. People come away declaring both the
setting and performance to be heart-grabbing, regardless of faith or religious affiliation.
For believers, it is often part of an annual pilgrimage tradition.
As the audiences grew, so too did the facilities that welcomed them and drew them into
an ancient world: a massive wall reminiscent of the gates around Jerusalem eventually
sealed off the valley and formed a gateway between two worlds; Bedouin tents sprang
up; a tomb was carved into the set; and the backstage area was developed to hold a
growing cast of people and animals. The stage was developed to meet the growing
needs of a flourishing script. With more room to work, new scenes could be added and
new stories became ripe for exploration.
Behind every great production, and at the root of the tree of creativity and
opportunity, lies inspiration. That inspiration drew amateurs and professionals from
around the country, prompted choirs to begin dedicated rehearsals to the music,
created a summer school for teen actors and mobilized a large volunteer force ready to
host the annual event.
Like the tree that thrusts its gnarled roots into the rocky edge of this valley, the
Canadian Badlands Passion Play is an unlikely miracle. The Canadian Badlands Passion
Play has been named one of North America’s Top 100 Events, as well as Alberta’s Top
Cultural Attraction, won the Alto Award for “Alberta Pride” and has become a highlight of
Western Canadian cultural tourism. In 2014, the event expanded to offer a third
weekend for the first time, as it will continue to do to meet the need of a loyal and loving
audience.
FACTs & STATS
FAST FACTS
SELECTED RECENT AWARDS
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The Canadian Badlands Passion Play site is 30 acres of unparalleled natural
beauty in the Alberta badlands, culminating in a stage the size of six football
fields and a 2,700 seat natural amphitheatre.
One of the only Passion Play’s in the world not sponsored by a specific
church, but rather a broad base of believers and community members.
To produce the CBPP each year takes the equivalent of 14 full time, yearround staff.
Over 40 theatrical professionals are contracted for the production from May
to July.
The play features 200 actors ranging from professional to first-time performers to professional theatre practitioners to produce one of Canada’s largest
theatrical events.
Over 500 volunteers contribute to the production each year, making it the
largest volunteer-driven production in Alberta, and one of the biggest in Canada with more the 45,000 volunteer hours annually.
The Canadian Badlands Passion Play is largely an Albertan effort, including
hundreds of Albertan artists and performers, and featuring an Albertan playwright and Albertan composer.
The production is funded by ticket sales (50%), grants and donations.
2014 North America’s Top 100 Events, American Bus Association
2013 Pride of Alberta Tourism Alto Award
2009-2012 Alberta Tourism Award Finalist
2007 Top Ten Attractions in Canada, Attractions Canada
AUDIENCE STATS
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The CBPP has been witnessed by over 250,000 people. In the last five years
alone, the CBPP has attracted over 50,000 visitors.
On average, 60% of attendees who experience the Passion Play are return
visitors.
An outstanding average 75% of attendees are from Alberta, with guests
traveling from as far as Africa, Europe and Asia.
2014 DATES & TICKETS
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Evening Performances (6pm): July 11, 12, 18, 25, 26
Afternoon Performances (3pm): July 13, 19, 20, 27
Tickets range $43-$63 for Adults. Special rates for youth and seniors.
Tickets available online (canadianpassionplay.com/tickets), via phone (1888-823-2001), or at the door ($5.00 fee per ticket)
2014 Crew
EXECUTIVE
Executive Director - Vance Neudorf
DIRECTION
Lead Director - Barrett Hileman
Asst. Director/Script Coordinator - Royal Sproule
Asst. Director/Crowd Director - Jessica HIckman
Asst. Director/Fight Director - Kevin Robinson
Muscial Director - Bill Hamm
Director Asst. - Samantha Showalter
PRODUCTION
Production Director - Adrian Young
Production Manager - Justin Born
Production Assistant - Denise Lines
Volunteer Coordinator - Meg Thatcher
Company Liaison - Alisa Birnie
Show Design Coordinator - Randall Wiebe
Head of Props/Props Build Team - Stephen Benson
Props Assistant/Scenic Artist - Jenna Purnell
Carpenter Asst - David Imiolo
Armoury Supervisor/Props Asst. - Frances Girard
WARDROBE
Head of Wardrobe - Melissa Mitchell
Wardrobe Asst./Cast Facilitator - Devon Hunter
Wardrobe Asst. - Shannyn Dowsett
Wardrobe Asst. - Lyndall Cave
Wardrobe Asst. - Amy McIver
STAGE MANAGEMENT
Stage Manager - Steph Link
Asst. Stage Manager - Jenn Best
Asst. Stage Manager - Alana Freistadt
Jr. Asst. Stage Manager - Laura Cheverie
Apprentice Stage Manager - Moriah Ohlhauser
Child Chaperone - Sienna Holden
MUSIC & SOUND
Composer/Sound Designer - Luke Ertman
Head of Sound/Sound Engineer - Tim Uniac
Sound Assistant/Playback Operator - Chloe Mohan
Sound Apprentice - Linden Dahler
2014 CAST
CORE CAST
ENSEMBLE CONTINUED
ENSEMBLE CONTINUED
Jesus - Aaron Krogman
US Jesus - Thompson Duff
Young Jesus - Blake Regehr
Old Man - Brian Jenson
Thomas - Nick Frere
Simon Peter - Harry Contos
Philip - Greg Lammiman
John - Kevin Cambridge
Jame Alpheus - Darrell Friesen
Andrew - Zach Habermehl
Simon the Zealot - Carter Banks
Nathanael - Joel Washington
James Zebedee - Braeden Meckelborg
Thaddeus - Travis Burgess
Judas - Stephen Ellerbeck
Lamech - Dustin Winter
Levi - Merrell Dickie
Eliezar - Bob Clarke
Abner - Kaeley Stors
Joseph of Arimathea - Micah Kozak
Nicodemus - Michael Fletcher
Mor - Sarah Anna
Mami - Damaris Tonner
Adam - Vicki Black
Adara - Shalayne Lammiman
Adena - Carrie Morrison
Adulterous Woman - Christina Muldoon
Adva - Norma Bricker
Brazilian Woman - Mariana Jesuino
Bread Boy - Adam Lammiman
Carbus - Vicki Friesen
Child in Blue - Anjala Spiller
Eden - Emily Boyle
Enosh - Russell Clarke
Enosh’s Parents - Darell & VIcki Friesen
Invalid - Travis Burgess
James Joseph - Andrew Merrigan
John the Baptist - Andrew Merrigan
Josiah of Bethany - Bob Clarke
Lazarus - Alex Hart
Martha - Joy Robinson
Mary Mag - Jennifer Poope
Mary Wife of Cleopas - Elaine Hileman
Noah - Andrew Merrigan
Old Bina - Helen Northcott
Royal Official - Jody Ohlhauser
Samaritan - Susan Backs
SELECTED ENSEMBLE
Jesus Mother (Mary) - Charmaine Cantos
Caiaphas - Tim Berlando
Shekem - Spencer Groenenboom
Rueben - Rod Northcott
Annas - Rick Borger
Sadducees - Bob Jesse, Hector Garcia, Stanley Riegel
Laban - Walter Albrecht
The complete cast of the 2014 Canadian Badlands
Passion Play features over 200 performers.
For full cast & crew bios and information, please review the 2014 program, available online here.
2014 STORIES
The Canadian Badlands Passion Play has many stories to tell about the work that goes into telling the ‘greatest story ever told’. There are
performers of all ages groups (some as families), all with connections to local cities throughout Alberta, and all with unique perspectives on
the production and personal reasons for participating.
What’s New for the 21st Season?
Stories of the Storytellers
The Canadian Badlands Passion Play is the only production of its kind in the
world to continually develop new creative elements like scripts, compositions,
and staging each year - breathing new life into each annual production. The biggest change for 2014 though, is that the Passion Play has added a third weekend
of performance for the first time, meaning there are more chances than ever to
enjoy the production.
If you’re from the Drumheller area, you head home after a long day. If you’re not,
you return to the Passion Play campground, where you remain in a community
with your fellow performers each weekend. Some stay there anyway, just for the
fun of it. It’s the life of a Passion Play performer. Many participate with the entire
family. Some make a ritual of it, and come back year after year. The most notable
of these volunteers, is perhaps Walter.
Not only does this mean more shows, but also more time. Actors are now dedicat- Walter is 78 years old. He lives in Drumheller. He has participated in every single
season of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play - he would point out that the only
ing more time than ever - for some the majority of their summer will be spent in
year he did not perform was the first year, because he had a broken leg. That’s
the badlands. And yet, the cast is gathering again right now to prepare.
over 100 performances. After 20 years, he has learned some things about the
Executive Director, Vance Neudorf, chalks it up to a ‘restless pursuit of excellence’ character of the community, the joy of performance, and the power of the Play.
among the artists. The constant changes to increase production value levels and
improve the performer’s experience have caused an explosion of popularity in the You could also talk to Brian Jenson (Old Man), one of the 40 theatre professionals
last five years - more than 50,000 have attended since 2008. Ultimately, since most employed at the Passion Play. Brian is a Betty Mitchell Award nominee and
regular in the Calgary film and television community. It’s clear that Passion Play is
of the show’s success comes from word of mouth advertising, the changes are
more than a ‘gig’ to Brian, and his reflections on the spirituality and humanity on
pursued to make an impact with the audience.
display may challenge the stereotypical view.
Over 35,000 hours are volunteered each year by volunteer cast and crew.
2014 STORIES
The Passion Play’s success is due to audience members spreading the word, including media representatives who attend the production and share
their experiences through their respective media outlets. Our media team is on standby to facilitate customized media experiences to suit individual
needs. For more information on these stories and more, please connect with our media relations team.
The Fifth Element - Mother Nature
Alberta Enterprise
Mother nature has impeccable timing.
One of the Passion Play’s most recent honours was the 2013 Alto award for “Pride
of Alberta Tourism”. It was especially poignant for the Passion Play team because
of the huge amount of Alberta talent represented in the show. The playwright,
directors, and composer are all Albertans, and the cast and crew are largely from
Alberta as well.
She is there to bring the laughs in the climactic moment when Lazurus is to
emerge from the tomb to face Jesus but a gopher runs out instead or when a
stone-faced Roman soldier is forced to deliver deadly dialogue with a star-hungry seagull perched on his helmet.
She is there to halt the rain moments before the show begins and produce a
momentous rainbow.
She is there to set the scene with awe-inspiring sunsets and cover the stage in
mist so thick it looks like curtains.
Fluke or otherwise (and we suspect otherwise), the Canadian Badlands Passion
Play has only had to cancel two shows due to weather in over 115 performance
over 20 years. Every actor has their own legendary saga about the outdoor
elements, but the show (almost) always goes on. In fact, the environment is the
Passion Play’s most valuable player.
Extending those Alberta roots even further, is that fact that the majority of the
audience is Albertan - something unusual for Passion Plays of this kind internationally. The Passion Play is another example of a common theme developing for
large-scale national events held in Alberta (ie: Calgary Stampede, Calgary Comic
& Entertainment Expo, Edmonton Fringe Festival): there is a larger-than-average
local audience. There is much to be learned about the Alberta audience - one of
the most engaged audiences in the country and world for local arts and culture
events. Is it that the world has yet to notice the work produced in Alberta? Is it that
Albertans are creating for an Albertan sensibility? Or is it that regional events are
so spoiled with audience attendance that they haven’t had to market elsewhere to
remain sustainable?
On average, 75% of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play audience is from Alberta.
MEDIA Information
visit www.canadianpassionplay.com/media
CONTACT: Alex Kingcott, Communications
P: 403.554.7368 E: [email protected]