'Raising Stanley / Life With Tulia' Combines Storytelling, Paintings, And Video For A Multi-disciplinary World Premiere

The world premiere of a new multi-disciplinary artistic collaboration is coming to the Studio Theatre of the Great Canadian Theatre Company. Raising Stanley / Life With Tulia uses storytelling, painting, and video to beautifully illustrate the journey from puppy to working guide dog for the blind. A collaboration between blind storyteller Kim Kilpatrick (disability rights activist and host of CKCU's Welcome to My World), painter Karen Bailey (the artist behind the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean's unconventional official portrait), and director Bronwyn Steinberg (Artistic Director of TACTICS and the upcoming GCTC production The Drowning Girls), Raising Stanley / Life With Tulia offers a fully accessible experience with a visual effects video of Karen's paintings and audio descriptions integrated with Kim's performance. Raising Stanley / Life With Tulia runs in the Studio Theatre of the Great Canadian Theatre Company from July 26 - August 5.

The unique marriage of art forms caught the attention of GCTC Artistic Director Eric Coates. "I overheard Karen Bailey talking about her Stanley paintings at a community workshop and I was immediately intrigued by the idea of visual art integrating with Kim Kilpatrick's storytelling" says Coates. "It is an unexpected collaboration, which is what makes it so exciting." When discovering more about the goal of integrating accessibility into the project, Coates saw a unique opportunity. "GCTC is committed to providing resources to under-represented communities, so we leaped at the chance to support Raising Stanley / Life With Tulia."

A shared connection with guide dogs brought the two creators together: Kim was born blind and has handled four working guide dogs over the years, most recently Tulia; and Karen raised three guide dog puppies for Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, including Stanley. That shared connection served as the foundation for this ground-breaking production aimed at inspiring future collaborations between artists working in various art forms and of differing abilities.

When you see a well-behaved guide dog for the blind walking easily with their handler along crowded streets, do you ever wonder, "How was this dog raised?" "What's life like working with a guide dog?"

Raising Stanley / Life With Tulia describes the journey from puppy to working guide dog for the blind. Storyteller Kim Kilpatrick and visual artist Karen Bailey collaborate to bring you on a theatrical journey using storytelling, painting and video.

Tickets are on sale now at GCTC's Box Office at 1233 Wellington West at Holland, 613-236-5196 or GCTC.ca.

Tickets are $15 for students and seniors, and $25 for adults.

Karen Bailey: Painter/Co-Creator
Kim Kilpatrick: Storyteller/Co-Creator
Bronwyn Steinberg: Director/Co-Creator

Louisa Haché: Stage Manager

Trudy Wohlleben: Visual Effects

Seth Gerry: Lighting Designer

Angela Schleihauf: Composer

Armin Badzak: Process Video

Cathy Brake: Exhibition Designer
Tulia: Guide Dog
Stanley: Model and Muse

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:30 p.m. Performances on Sunday, July 29 and Friday, August 3 will have ASL interpretation.

From July 18 - August 6, Karen Bailey's Raising Stanley paintings will be exhibited in the Lorraine "Fritzi" Yale Gallery on the second floor of the Great Canadian Theatre Company (vernissage Thursday, July 26 5:30pm - 7:30pm). Her paintings will be paired with audio descriptions of her works. A special 12-minute video featuring the creative process of Kim, Tulia, Karen, and Stanley by videographer Armin Badzak will be shown in the gallery.

Photos of Karen's Raising Stanley paintings can be found for download here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7qwfj9o2xr04u78/AACn02dqflScqBqStEy6KK9na?dl=0

Raising Stanley / Life With Tulia presents an innovative model demonstrating how multidisciplinary art forms can take a lead role in changing attitudes towards disability and accessibility.

Audio description of images are available in the 'Fritzi' Gallery at all times, and in the Studio Theatre during performances. Audio descriptions are accompanied by original music and integrated into the video component of the show. Braille programmes available.

Performances on Sunday, July 29 and Friday, August 3 will have ASL interpretation.

The Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre is an accessible venue with accessible elevators and seating.

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