100 Watt Youth Ensemble Cast
Sébastien Cimpaye as Keeper of the Manifesto
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I am Séb and I play the Keeper of the Manifesto in the TTF, the Teenage Task Force.
Q: What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
It means having fun and learning.
Q: What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
I think it is both noble and quixotic. I think of it as much as a necessary gesture as a romantic one.
Q: Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
Think of an object you really like and keep an image of it in your minds throughout the play.
Q: When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will–
Get home safely and keep faith in people.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
All types of weaponry and weaponry related vehicles.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
My grandfather’s light blue vest.
Sophie Dean as Peacekeeper
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I am Sophie and I play Peacekeeper in the Teenage Task Force. I am also STUFF’s poster artist!
Q: What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
It gives me hope and peace of mind, knowing I’m doing something. And even more than that, it gives me a safe space to fail, to be wrong, to learn. It’s really special, being part of a collective like this. ♡
Q: What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
I think it’s EXTREMELY ambitious!! Their hearts are in the right place but this is a very demanding and HUGE ask. To part with STUFF that’s part of everyday life and make up who you are?
Q: Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
Think about everything you interact with on a daily basis and the items that you value most. What would you be willing to part with? What wouldn’t you?
Q: When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will–
…leave with a deeper appreciation for the stuff you have, and look at it with a new lens. Think twice about what you’re buying – I know I’ve started to do that since working on STUFF.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
Chip clips.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
A lot of things, but for this I’ll say my laptop.
Kat Derikx as Chamber Director
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I’m Kat and I play Director in the TTF, Teenage Task Force of Canada. I’m supposed to be the Leader.
Q: What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
Building and performing STUFF means a lot of learning, a lot of give and take, and sharing in many forms. I am happy we get to share. It is so necessary.
Q: What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
I think it’s a very admirable goal, but ultimately one that feels and sounds impossibly difficult!
Q: Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
What selfish stuff could you never give up?
Q: When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will–
Wonder, hope and share, as we did.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
Wrapping individual items that are packaged together (such as individually wrapped paper towels).
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
My Hozier sweater.
Alex Farnel as Time Keeper
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I am Alex and I play Timekeeper in the TTF, the Teenage Task Force.
Q: What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
Being a part of Stuff is the most important thing I’ve been a part of. Building this show has encouraged me to see another point of view of the world. I’ve learned so many things that I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
Q: What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
I think the TTF try to make a change that needs to happen. They are trying to show themselves and the next Generation that they can live with less stuff.
Q: Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
If you could only have ten things, what would they be? Then…how many of those things did the TTF vote Stuff Removed?
Q: When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will–
I hope they’ll take a step back and ask: is the problem is getting “rid” of stuff the “healthy” way for the world? or are we just making too much stuff?
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
Probably plastic water bottles. Theiy’re handy but do we really need them?
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
My Books. I’ve had a hard time reading them since covid. I love my books. Not online books. Actual handheld books.
Adele Harden as Fact Checker
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I’m Adele and I play Fact Checker in TTF Canada.
Q: What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
I always like trying new experiences and this is truly like anything else I have ever done. The whole team is so kind and I can’t thank them enough.
Q: What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
We hear a lot of talk about change but how often does it actually happen? This group of young people take the initiative to actually do something and for that I think they’re brilliant.
Q: Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
I would like to ask them if there’s stuff in their lives that they use every day and hate.
Q: When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will–
I hope you’ll see what this group of young people do and are inspired to do what you can for positive change.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
Humans need to let go of single use plastic water bottles. Charging anyone for water is simply inhuman. The amount of plastic is horrifying.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
Something that would be very hard for me to give up is Jeans. They’re so bad for the environment and they’re like the only pants I wear.
Brianna Lortie Chartrand as Bailiff
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I am Brianna and I play Bailiff in the TTF, the Teenage Task Force.
Q: What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
I love that we, the actors, contribute to the evolution of the text, the characters, the world building, and get to contribute more than only acting (which already itself is amazing). The script triggers important reflections. I love that.
Q: What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
I think they are really bold. I don’t know if youth all over the earth would agree though…
Q: Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
I’d ask: What defines your happiness? I’d tell them: Be patient and kind with yourself.
Q: When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will–
Think of everything you own and why you have it. Think of everything you buy. Be aware. Make conscious decisions.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
Q-tips. Doctors even say we should not put them in our ears. Finger plus tissue y’all, finger plus tissue is better.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
Books. Material books. Universes that open up to you in the pages of books where you can be free. Giving them up would change my life so drastically, I can’t imagine it.
William Mann As Ambassador
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I am William and I play Ambassador in the Teenage Task Force.
Q: What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
It means being a part of a piece where the story and the message mean a lot to me.
Q: What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
I think it’s pretty crazy. I think it would be really tricky to wrap your mind around the fact that you have a say in the actual removal of items in this world.
Q: Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
Do you think you could live 1 week without any STUFF?
Q: When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will–
View the world as it is. A world made up of STUFF.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
Tape is actually like incredibly harmful to the environment, and most people don’t know that. I’ll go with that.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
My guitar.
Taiya Peckham as Archivist
Can you please introduce yourself?
I am Taiya and I play Archivist in the TTF.
What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
This means having the ability to voice my concerns for the climate crisis in a very artistic way, while having amazing community support in doing so!!
What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
Personally, if it was me, what the TTF try to do isn’t something I could whole heartedly support…Sacrificing a year of your time and the things you love the most to try to fix something that you didn’t break? That is tragic to me.
Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
Come with an open mind. Try to see the big picture of this issue. This isn’t just about “STUFF”, or stuff.
When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will-
I hope you will leave a little bit more thoughtful on how we currently deal with the climate crisis, who we leave the responsibility to, and if you agree with that. That’s all.
What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
I think humans can let go of flip flops… sandals are way better, and aren’t always made of plastic. They last longer too!
What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
Cars/automobiles. With our current infrastructure, not having access to a car would cut me off from relatives, my school, friends, my participation in “STUFF”, and my ability to travel, which is something I live for. No cars in my life would be incredibly isolating, so I don’t know if I would be able to give them up.
Jax Young as Fact Seeker
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I am Jax and I play Fact Seeker in the TTF, the Teenage Task Force.
Q: What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
It means a place I can exist without fearing judgment. I’m very grateful to be able to work with such awesome people.
Q: What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
I think it’s very ambitious, and I respect them for taking on such a challenge. I don’t think I would be able to do what they do.
Q: Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
This isn’t an attack.
Q: When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will–
Notice how many things you own. I never realized how much STUFF I have lying around. I’m not saying you need to get rid of it all, but sometimes we don’t realize how much we consume.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
guns
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
My headphones.
100 Watt Productions’ Artistic Director
Kristina Watt Villegas
Actor, Creator, Writer and Director; leader of the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I’m Kristina and I’m STUFF’s Creator (with the magnificent Youth Ensemble) and Director. I lead 100 Watt Productions, professional theatre built in collaboration with youth – theatre that questions our relationship with the planet and with one another.
Q: What does being a part of building and performing in STUFF mean to you?
Everything. Too big?
I get to build a story that’s led by the hearts and minds of a group of exuberant, vulnerable and thoughtful youth. We get to stand inside the reality of our times, and together reach into the possibly-impossible, then share with all generations what we come up with. I get to go to work and play. I am so lucky.
Q: What do you think of what the Teenage Task Force tries to do in 365 days?
It makes me gasp at their determination. And ache that they feel it’s up to them to do it.
Q: Before audiences see STUFF, what would you like to tell or ask them?
It’s all just stuff. Really.
Q: When the audience leaves STUFF, you hope they will–
Care. Love. Laugh. And dare to put take tangible action in front of comfort.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that you think that humans should give up or let go of?
Noise enhancing mufflers & engines. Ego pollution.
Q: What’s an object (stuff) that would be very hard for you to give up?
The ring my aunt in Colombia gave me when I was a teenager. I have it on as I write this. You’d have to take my finger first.
[Image Descriptions above: the first 9 images are of youth who stand, sit, jump and play guitar with a sketched background that is part of a landfill mountain with a green sky above. The 10th image is of a woman with dark brown shoulder-length hair, who leans on a tree branch and smiles]
STUFF’s Production Team
Stage Manager: Emily Fink-Jensen. Read about Emily here.
Assistant Stage Manager: Katherine Brett. Read about Kat here.
100 Watt Youth Ensemble Production Assistant: Ziv Bankey-Mohamdee. Read about Ziv here.
Dramaturg: Nick Carpenter. Read about Nick here.
Poster Artist: Sophie Dean (Youth Ensemble)
Lighting Design: Emilio Sebastiao. Read about here.
Sound Designer: Evan Kuhn in collaboration with William Mann and Kristina Watt. Read about Evan here.
Composer & Live Music: William Mann (Youth Ensemble)
Set, Props: Kristina Watt
Costume Design: 100 Watt Youth Ensemble with Kristina Watt
Thanks
Enormous thanks to the youth co-creators/performers whose contributions are part of the development of STUFF but who are no longer in the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble: Anna Wiebe, Natasha Knight, Ethan Whidden and Olivia Smith.
Thanks to Horseshoes & Hand Grenades Theatre for Producing and Direction Consultation.
100 Watt 