Women & Legacy
Tuesday October 5th - 7pm
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 Pleasantville, 66 The Boulevard
Free in-person admission by pre-registration
Also streaming via Facebook Live
In homage to the original Ladies' Reading Room that was founded as a haven for women's opinions, the Ladies' Reading Room evenings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month from May-November 2021.
Each month features a theme that was relevant to the struggle for women's rights in both 1921 and 2021. For our October evening, the theme is Women & Legacy.
The event will happen live and free of admission charge for registered guests, who may register to attend on a first-come, first served basis. Parking is also free.
The evening begins in 1921 with an excerpt from a new play inspired by the evening's theme:
An excerpt from The Mirror
Written by Trudy Morgan-Cole
Directed by Jenn Deon
Costume designed by Alison Helmer
Performed by Alison Woolridge & Bridget Wareham
We conclude in 2021 with a live panel discussion on the evening's theme:
Women & Legacy - a 2021 Panel Discussion
Moderated by Trudy Morgan-Cole with guest speakers
Tea will served in both period-appropriate and environmentally-sustainable china cups to all.
Important COVID-19 Info:
These events will be run in strict adherence to public health guidelines and regulations. The venue is large and well-ventilated. Audience members will be grouped in bubbles at tables that maintain social distancing. Masks may only be removed while seated.
Accessibility:
This second floor venue is accessible via an exterior ramp up to the side entrance of the Legion Ballroom, which is located on the second floor. Please connect with us at [email protected] or 709-743-7287 to advise if you would like to utilize the ramp and/or if you require any assistance.
Each month features a theme that was relevant to the struggle for women's rights in both 1921 and 2021. For our October evening, the theme is Women & Legacy.
The event will happen live and free of admission charge for registered guests, who may register to attend on a first-come, first served basis. Parking is also free.
The evening begins in 1921 with an excerpt from a new play inspired by the evening's theme:
An excerpt from The Mirror
Written by Trudy Morgan-Cole
Directed by Jenn Deon
Costume designed by Alison Helmer
Performed by Alison Woolridge & Bridget Wareham
We conclude in 2021 with a live panel discussion on the evening's theme:
Women & Legacy - a 2021 Panel Discussion
Moderated by Trudy Morgan-Cole with guest speakers
- Dr. Margot Duley, historian and chair of the Votes for Women 100 Steering Committee.
- Dr. Vicki Hallett, Associate Professor in the department of Gender Studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
- Sheilagh Ethne O'Leary, Deputy Mayor of the City of St. John's.
Tea will served in both period-appropriate and environmentally-sustainable china cups to all.
Important COVID-19 Info:
These events will be run in strict adherence to public health guidelines and regulations. The venue is large and well-ventilated. Audience members will be grouped in bubbles at tables that maintain social distancing. Masks may only be removed while seated.
Accessibility:
This second floor venue is accessible via an exterior ramp up to the side entrance of the Legion Ballroom, which is located on the second floor. Please connect with us at [email protected] or 709-743-7287 to advise if you would like to utilize the ramp and/or if you require any assistance.
The Play
Playwright - Trudy Morgan-Cole (she/her)
Trudy Morgan-Cole is a writer and teacher who is passionate about telling women's stories and making her community a better place. She is the author of several novels focusing on women's experiences in Newfoundland history, including By the Rivers of Brooklyn, A Sudden Sun, and A Roll of the Bones, as well as forthcoming play about the life of Newfoundland feminist pioneer Armine Gosling. Trudy teaches English and Social Studies to adult learners at The Murphy Centre in St. John's. Being involved with the work of Persistence Theatre combines Trudy's love for feminist storytelling, community activism, and theatre. Learn more on her website.
Trudy Morgan-Cole is a writer and teacher who is passionate about telling women's stories and making her community a better place. She is the author of several novels focusing on women's experiences in Newfoundland history, including By the Rivers of Brooklyn, A Sudden Sun, and A Roll of the Bones, as well as forthcoming play about the life of Newfoundland feminist pioneer Armine Gosling. Trudy teaches English and Social Studies to adult learners at The Murphy Centre in St. John's. Being involved with the work of Persistence Theatre combines Trudy's love for feminist storytelling, community activism, and theatre. Learn more on her website.
Director - Jenn Deon (she/her)
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017) and Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement, and in 2018, the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's. Jenn was also a nominee for the 2020 Human Rights Award from the NL Human Rights Commission. She is a founder of and the producing artistic director with PerSIStence Theatre. Jenn is also a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops for arts and non-profit organizations. More at jenndeon.ca.
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017) and Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement, and in 2018, the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's. Jenn was also a nominee for the 2020 Human Rights Award from the NL Human Rights Commission. She is a founder of and the producing artistic director with PerSIStence Theatre. Jenn is also a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops for arts and non-profit organizations. More at jenndeon.ca.
Performer - Alison Woolridge (she/her)
For over forty years Alison has performed in theatres from Vancouver Island to her native Newfoundland and in the US and Ireland. A Shaw Festival company member for six seasons (1993-98), in the Toronto company of Mamma Mia for three years (2001-2004), Alison has also originated several new Canadian musicals. Her selected stage credits include Richard III, Henry V, Merry Wives, When We Were Singing, Jacques Brel, Educating Rita, Trafford Tanzi, The Winslow Boy, 1949, Artistic Fraud’s Oil and Water, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (national tours) and has directed Girl Meets Tuba and Garden by Mattel. Alison was a member of the National Arts Centre 2015/16 English Acting Ensemble, appearing in Adventures of A Black Girl in Search of God (Centaur), Anne and Gilbert, Twelfth Night. She was also in the NAC’s 2017 provincial tour of Tartuffe. Selected screen credits include Street Legal, Republic of Doyle, PSI Factor, Danny, Crawlspace, Away From Everywhere, Newfoundland at Armageddon, Sex in Cars, Malignant, C Sharp, Audience of Chairs, Little Dog, Body and Bones, Hudson and Rex, Under the Weather, Ennis Sisters video “California Wine”for the Alzheimers Society, Little Orphans, the CBC Gem pilot The Existence of Magic, Tarragon Theatre’s radio play Leaving Home, Terra Bruce’s web series These Are My Mountains and a recurring role in The Surrealtor.
For over forty years Alison has performed in theatres from Vancouver Island to her native Newfoundland and in the US and Ireland. A Shaw Festival company member for six seasons (1993-98), in the Toronto company of Mamma Mia for three years (2001-2004), Alison has also originated several new Canadian musicals. Her selected stage credits include Richard III, Henry V, Merry Wives, When We Were Singing, Jacques Brel, Educating Rita, Trafford Tanzi, The Winslow Boy, 1949, Artistic Fraud’s Oil and Water, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (national tours) and has directed Girl Meets Tuba and Garden by Mattel. Alison was a member of the National Arts Centre 2015/16 English Acting Ensemble, appearing in Adventures of A Black Girl in Search of God (Centaur), Anne and Gilbert, Twelfth Night. She was also in the NAC’s 2017 provincial tour of Tartuffe. Selected screen credits include Street Legal, Republic of Doyle, PSI Factor, Danny, Crawlspace, Away From Everywhere, Newfoundland at Armageddon, Sex in Cars, Malignant, C Sharp, Audience of Chairs, Little Dog, Body and Bones, Hudson and Rex, Under the Weather, Ennis Sisters video “California Wine”for the Alzheimers Society, Little Orphans, the CBC Gem pilot The Existence of Magic, Tarragon Theatre’s radio play Leaving Home, Terra Bruce’s web series These Are My Mountains and a recurring role in The Surrealtor.
Performer - Bridget Wareham (she/her)
Bridget is from St. John’s Newfoundland and a graduate of Memorial University, National Theatre School of Canada and Ryerson University. She has been working in theatre, film, television and voice over for over a decade. Recently, she finished her second season with Perchance Theatre Company where she played Gertrude in Hamlet and Phoebe/Duke Frederick in As You Like It. Select theatre credits include: Cassius in Julius Caesar (Danielle Irvine/Perchance Theatre Company) and Portia in Merchant of Venice (Jeannette Lambermont Morey/New World Theatre). Film/tv credits include: Business Ethics (dir. Nick Wernham), Hunting Pignut (dir. Martine Blue), Orphan Black (Space/BBC America) and Rookie Blue (ABC/ Global). Favourite voice work includes voicing the feral character Ursula in Teletoon’s 2015 George of the Jungle. She is delighted to be part of this production and to portray such an influential woman.
Bridget is from St. John’s Newfoundland and a graduate of Memorial University, National Theatre School of Canada and Ryerson University. She has been working in theatre, film, television and voice over for over a decade. Recently, she finished her second season with Perchance Theatre Company where she played Gertrude in Hamlet and Phoebe/Duke Frederick in As You Like It. Select theatre credits include: Cassius in Julius Caesar (Danielle Irvine/Perchance Theatre Company) and Portia in Merchant of Venice (Jeannette Lambermont Morey/New World Theatre). Film/tv credits include: Business Ethics (dir. Nick Wernham), Hunting Pignut (dir. Martine Blue), Orphan Black (Space/BBC America) and Rookie Blue (ABC/ Global). Favourite voice work includes voicing the feral character Ursula in Teletoon’s 2015 George of the Jungle. She is delighted to be part of this production and to portray such an influential woman.
Costume Designer - Alison Helmer (she/her)
Alison Helmer is a multidisciplinary artist who has been deeply and continuously influenced by her studies and experience working on the east coast. Though born and raised on the prairies, she began her theatre education with the Stagecraft program at Grenfell college before completing the Scenography program at the National Theatre School of Canada. With an in-depth knowledge of and interest in historical costuming and costume construction, she approaches the world of both set and costume design through a lens of fantasy, history, and the tradition of storytelling. She is excited by theatre that pushes the boundaries between conventional and experimental, and that seeks to fulfill our human search for truth, escape, and shared connection.
Alison Helmer is a multidisciplinary artist who has been deeply and continuously influenced by her studies and experience working on the east coast. Though born and raised on the prairies, she began her theatre education with the Stagecraft program at Grenfell college before completing the Scenography program at the National Theatre School of Canada. With an in-depth knowledge of and interest in historical costuming and costume construction, she approaches the world of both set and costume design through a lens of fantasy, history, and the tradition of storytelling. She is excited by theatre that pushes the boundaries between conventional and experimental, and that seeks to fulfill our human search for truth, escape, and shared connection.
The Panel
Moderator - Trudy J. Morgan-Cole
Trudy Morgan-Cole is a writer and teacher who is passionate about telling women's stories and making her community a better place. She is the author of several novels focusing on women's experiences in Newfoundland history, including By the Rivers of Brooklyn, A Sudden Sun, and A Roll of the Bones, as well as forthcoming play about the life of Newfoundland feminist pioneer Armine Gosling. Trudy teaches English and Social Studies to adult learners at The Murphy Centre in St. John's. Being involved with the work of Persistence Theatre combines Trudy's love for feminist storytelling, community activism, and theatre. Learn more on her website.
Trudy Morgan-Cole is a writer and teacher who is passionate about telling women's stories and making her community a better place. She is the author of several novels focusing on women's experiences in Newfoundland history, including By the Rivers of Brooklyn, A Sudden Sun, and A Roll of the Bones, as well as forthcoming play about the life of Newfoundland feminist pioneer Armine Gosling. Trudy teaches English and Social Studies to adult learners at The Murphy Centre in St. John's. Being involved with the work of Persistence Theatre combines Trudy's love for feminist storytelling, community activism, and theatre. Learn more on her website.
Panelist - Dr. Margot Duley
Dr. Margot Duley attended Memorial University, Duke University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. She was the editor and chief contributor to " The Cross-Cultural Study of Women; an early theoretical and historical study of changes in the status of women across cultures and time periods, funded by the U.S. National Endowment of the Humanities. A historian, her publications include “Where Once Our Mothers Stood We Stand: Women’s Suffrage in Newfoundland 1890-1925”, a biography of its leader, Armine Gosling, and work on Newfoundland women in World War One. She is the Dean Emerita, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois, Springfield. She has retired home to the Rock that she loves.
Panelist - Dr. Vicki Hallett
Vicki Hallett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Gender Studies at Memorial University, where she teaches courses on subjects such as Feminist Theory, Genders and Sexualities, and Masculinities. She also researches and writes about the complex ways identity and place are created and expressed through life narrative. Her primary focus in these endeavours is women of Newfoundland and Labrador whose stories have shaped and been shaped by this place, yet have not received the attention and honour they deserve. She has authored multiple scholarly works, including the book Mistress of the Blue Castle: The Writing Life of Phebe Florence Miller (ISER Books, 2018).
Panelist - Sheilagh Ethne O’Leary
Sheilagh Ethne O’Leary is an award-winning art photographer, a social activist and a proud mother of three, born and living in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Her work has been exhibited and collected internationally and has appeared in numerous art journals and publications for over three decades. Sheilagh identifies as Irish-Indigenous with ancestral roots on the west coast of Newfoundland and where cultural connectivity and empowerment remain central to her work. Her social creativity drives her to produce striking collections of Black and White nudes and portraits with an intimate exploration of the subject and their relationship to the Newfoundland landscape. Her most recent book projects are by Boulder Publications, “Human Natured: Newfoundland Nudes”, which explores almost two decades of her Black & White nude photography and more recently by Breakwater books, “Island Maid: Voices of Outport Women”, with Rhonda Pelley, documenting rural women’s lives pre-moratorium. She is presently an MFA graduate student, enrolled in Memorial University’s low residency program at the Corner Brook Grenfell campus. Sheilagh has been honoured to be an elected City Councillor since 2009 and was recently re-elected through acclamation as Deputy Mayor for the City of St. John’s. Sheilagh has been actively involved in advocacy for environmental stewardship, affordable living, and support for increasing diverse and healthy communities.
