12

What happens when you’re told there’s 12 years and it’s the 11th hour?

Theatre through the hearts of youth, 12 is an urgent love story between generations and towards the planet we share.

12 is an original theatre creation that gives voice to youth regarding the climate crisis and the future they have inherited. It is a playful invitation to stop, listen, and to consider what it actually means to take action, together, now. 12 is theatre for all ages but –by necessity– performed by youth. Grounded in hope & determination, it voices their confusion with inaction of leaders, corporations, and with their elders. The script is built from writings/conversations with 11 teens, interviews they had with citizens of Canada (all ages), transcript from the international meeting, COP24 in Poland, and words of global youth activists such as Autumn Peltier, Boyan Slat, Greta Thunberg, Xuihtezcat Martinez and the Australian high school students who were told by their PM to be “less activist.”

Latest Production: May 2023 at the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa Canada. Performances November 2021 coincided with COP26 in Glasgow, 3 years after the promises of COP24 2018.

12 was nominated for Best Direction, Prix Rideau Awards 2021.

Contact Kristina to book 12 in your organization, corporation, government, school or theatre: kristina100Watt@gmail.com.

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Audience Responses to 12

“It was glorious and moving. What remarkable work you are doing with these kids. I’m grateful just to be proximate.” (Sarah Kitz, Artistic Director of GCTC)

“The show is fantastic. Those youth are amazing and it’s incredible what you’ve created with them.” (Judi Pearl, Associate Producer for English Theatre at the National Arts Centre)

“The performance deeply touched the students in my class.” (Colleen Pierce-Price, Ottawa School Board teacher)

“What an amazing show. The subject matter is, without a doubt, the most important issue of our times.” (Steve and Deborah Moore)

“It was brilliant. Fabulous show.” (Victoria Steele, Arts and Non-Profit Management Consultant, Executive Director at Arts Network Ottawa)

“I was deeply moved. It has been on my mind since. I have been trying through my undergrad and grad school to present climate knowledge and emotions to audiences beyond academic spaces.” (Julia Sterling, Institute of Political Economy; “The Climate Virus:Towards Urgent Climate Action in Canada.”)

“I’ve been thinking about 12 non stop and have been trying to find my own ways to help the climate crisis happening all around us. The ensemble really gave me hope that we can make a better future for all of us. “(Marianna Kokkinos, Ottawa actor)

“We’d love to talk about bringing the work to Theatre Direct at some point!” (Theatre Direct, Toronto)

“What an absolutely marking, unforgettable, focusing and perspective widening play. You have created –or created the circumstances for– a truly beautiful thing in this world.” (Nick Carpenter: Writer, Musician; NTS Instructor of Playwriting)

“My name is Naomi and I am a 13 year old who is very passionate about the environment. For the past 3 years I have been running my environmental organization, Ecoguardian on and off and trying to do what I can to help the environment. I saw 12 with my school and it really inspired me to try to keep my organization going!” (Naomi Baird, Ottawa youth)

“I attended the production of 12 last night at GCTC. I also work with Ocean Wise, a Canadian non-profit focused on ocean conservation. I don’t come from an artistic background myself, but I was blown away by your work and the work of the youth in holding space for critical and revolutionary hope in what seems like a hopeless situation. The themes that were expertly talked about in the play were themes that I only became comfortable talking about at the end of my undergraduate degree.” (Dakota Livingston; Program Specialist – Ottawa, Youth to Sea)

“I was so glad I had a chance to watch 12.I laughed and I cried, which is what great theatre does.” (Nick Leno, Artistic Director, Company of Fools Theatre 2019-2023)

“I don’t know when I have ever seen a better ensemble – adult or youth. It is because of you all that I can have some modicum of hope for the future. Thank you for renewing my faith. It was extraordinary to listen to the audience responses today. You have dropped a pebble into the pond and the ripples will keep on going.” (Amanda Lewis, Writer, Theatre Artist, Calligrapher)

“A can’t-miss production that brilliantly conveys the contemporary youth perspective towards the climate crisis.” (Curtis Perry, Photographer, Teacher-Woodroffe High School)

“A wonderful love story from your kids to you, about our shared planet.” (Brigitte Pellerin, Freelance Writer, Freelance Columnist, Ottawa Citizen)

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12 and the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble thank the Canada Council of the Arts for their funding support for the 2023 production. 100 Watt thanks the Great Canadian Theatre Company for inviting us to be Resident Artists 2022-23 and for their guidance and artistic care. 100 Watt thanks HHG Theatre for their consultancy support.