12 is an inter-generational love story towards the planet we share and between each of us.
12 is a playful and fierce theatrical invitation by youth to all ages to stop, listen, and consider what it means to take action at this point.
12 is theatre for audiences of all ages but –by necessity– co-created and performed by youth.
The script is built from conversations with 11 teens, interviews they had with citizens of Ottawa (all ages), text from COP24 in Poland, and words by global youth activists such as Boyan Slat, Autum Peltier, Greta Thunberg, Xuihtezcat Martinez and the Australian high school students who were told by their Prime Minister to be “less activist.”
Production History
Where it began
Shared by Kristina Watt Villegas
Sept 2018 – May 2019
In September 2018, I met 11 young teens (age 13-17). Our goal was to create a piece of devised theatre together. I told them it had to come from the biggest need/hope/ache that they’re currently living. After some writing and physical theatre exploration exercises, they revealed that they are “scared, lost, and confused” with regards to their future on this planet. And that they feel that it is up to them to “build the magic eraser”. [Script episode 8 includes some of this content]. We decided to build a theatrical event that playfully captures what they’re questioning and what they are urgently seeking. We worked two hours/week for 38 weeks. In addition to researching, building the text, creating the staging and rehearsing, this time included our trip to the Anthropocene exhibit at the National Gallery of Canada in Feb 2018. They documented what they learned, and the visceral impact it had on them. [episode 10 contains some of that content]. By the end of May we needed a public to try out what we had built.
June 2019
We had two public presentations by invitation only to “test drive” the project. One, June 8, was in-house in the space we had rehearsed in, and one was on June 15th in a LabO Studio 2201 (with thanks to permission from Fringe and the artists in 2201). The response to both was extremely positive. We committed to taking the project forward.
Sept – Jan 2019
We get back in the studio and refine, question and polish what we have, both the script and the staging. We will find opportunities for performances in public spaces around Ottawa, such as at City Hall, on Parliament Hill on one of the “Fridays for Future”, and within the National Art Gallery. Specifics available upon request. This fall into early winter is when COP25 happens in Chile. It also the time when CCTA (Climate Change Theatre Action) is happening across North America. These both make the timing ripe to share 12 across Ottawa.
Characters in the “Chatoom” 12 2019 (Photo: Catherine Robson) [Image Description: four youths sit on stools and type on an imaginary keyboard. They wear casual clothing in bright colours]
Production Path Of 12
12 began its development with Kristina leading a group of youth, within a collaboration between 100 Watt Productions & Ottawa Children’s Theatre in 2018.
OPENING: United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Youth, Writer’s Festival Event; audience of 700
Jan 25, 2020
Great Canadian Theatre Co Studio (donations for aid to evacuated families due to the Australian Wildfires)
Feb 20, 2020
Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), to a board room full of employees
POSTPONED due to the global pandemic
Mar 29, 2020
Southminster United Church, part of the church’s commitment to a “Green Lent”
May 9, 2020
Conflux Canada Conference at the Shaw Centre; one of the nation’s largest sustainability conferences
June 2020
While We Wait: the 12 team created their digital/video response to a global pandemic, their voice-as-theatre on hold, and how to take action when an ongoing climate crisis coincides with a global health crisis. To view this digital creation click here.
digital recording of While we Wait.
Nov 19-212021
Ottawa Children’s Festival in Ottawa, to coincide with COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland.
May 4-6 2023
12 performs as part of the Great Canadian Theatre Company‘s season, Ottawa!
Poster Design: Sophie Dean, in collaboration with Kristina Watt.
[Image Description: a poster for “12” — a drawing in black & white with green, anime-style faces of youth, looking up and at each other; a tree trunk vine moves between them. A hand-drawn lightbulb glows in the center top of the poster.]
[Video Description: Video of Jo-Anne, a Black woman wearing a blue shirt against a white wall, announces that ’12’ will have two A S L performances on May 5 at 12 o’clock p m and May 6 at 2 o’clock p m.]
Latest production: May 2023 at the Great Canadian Theatre Company, in Ottawa.
Thanks to the generous audiences who came to 12 at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in May 2023. Proceeds from ticket sales are now supporting future 100 Watt theatre projects with youth.
Cast of 12 and Director Kristina Watt Photo: Brigitte Pellerin [Image Description: 12 people stand outside smiling, among spruce trees]
Cast
11 youth, ages 13-18
Sofia Henson Preibisch as #1 Sebastien Cimpaye as #2 Olivia S. Smith as #3 Ethan Whidden as #4 Anna Wiebe as #5 Quinn Lesaux as #6 Sophie Dean as #7 Raluca Voina as #8 Jax Young as #9 Natasha Knight as #10 Ines Leokadia Fenton-Blazeka as #11 Ana Clara Bouffard Lima as Understudy
Creative Team
Kristina Watt Villegas | Creator/Writer/Director: Drea | Stage Manager and Disability Consultant Angelica Haggert | ASM & Media Assistant Kristina Watt | Sound Concept, Set & Costume Design Jon Carter | Sound Design Brigitte Pellerin & Catherine Robson | Videographer/Photographer Jennifer Robson | Sketch Artist 142_azure | Youth Music Composer Carmelle Cachero and Jo-Anne Bryan | ASL Interperters
Photographer and Videographer: Brigitte Pellerin | check out her website here.
Photographers: Brigitte Pellerin, Catherine Robson (2018 – 2020) and Curtis Perry (2023 GCTC)
1. Anthropocene 12 20202. At the Gallery 20193. Talkback20194. Jaya, Olivia, Sophie 5. Quinn 6. Olivia7. Anna in Rehearsal 20218. Jax in Rehearsal 20219. Natasha in Rehearsal 202110. Sophie 201911. Olvia 201912. 5 Characters 201913. Script Work Rehearsal, 2021 14. “12” say all the cast, 202115. Angelica in Rehearsal 202116. Sebastien as #2 , 201917. 5 characters line up, 202118.”We can still turn this around”202119. Kristina in Rehearsal 202120. Rehearsing “too activist”21. Ines, Angelica, Drea, Kristina 202122. Actors Ethan and Sebastien on break23. Actor Ines Leokadia on break25. The Cast, GCTC 202126. Catherine Robson at work27. Brigitte captures Catherine28. Episode 10 in rehearsal29. Kristina (C Robson)30. Jon Carter, Sound (C Robson)31. Rehearsing (C Robson)32. Final Episode “It makes me feel…” Photo: C Robson20232023202320232023202320232023202320232023
Sketch Gallery
All sketches are created by youth: Project Sketch Artist, Jennifer Robson, and cast members Sophie Dean and Natasha Knight
1. fire by Jennifer Robson2. eyes in the sky, Jennifer Robson3. The Sofa by Sophie Dean4. Coach by Jennfer Robson5. Unnamed by Jennifer Robson6. STUFF by Natasha Knight9. Ethan by Jennifer Robson10. Leokadia by Jennifer Robson11. Jax by Jennifer Robson12. Natasha by J Robson13. Olivia by J Robson14. Raluca by J Robson15. Sebastien by J Robson16. Sofia by J Robson17. Sophie by J Robson
IMAGE DESCRIPPTIONS OF PHOTOS 1.Three youth lie on a black stage floor; 2. Black & white image of eight youth standing in a circle looking up and out; 3. A row of youth sit beside each other looking out; 4. Four youth sit up, trying to stand; 5. A young actor, Quinn, sits and thinks. He wears a grey hoodie. 6. A row of youth line up and read off of a small piece of white paper; 7. Two youth sit on the theatre floor with their scripts. There are chairs behind them; 8. A girl with long brown hair sits, reads her script; 9. A youth in a burgundy hat stands and speaks, mouth open; 10. A group of youth stand in a circle, facing out; 11. Five actors stand in a line wearing bright casual clothing; 12. In a studio theatre room, actors sit on the floor and a director stands in front of a white table; 13. A line of youth stand and speak, holding scripts; 14. A Stage Manager holds her camera, filming a room of actors; 15. A youth stands with his arm in the air, wearing a checked shirt and glasses; 16. Five actors stand in a line, masked; 17. Seven actors face a black curtained wall, and one actor stand away from them and faces out; 18. A woman with dark brown hair and a beige jacket smiles; 19. Actors stand with their scripts in a rehearsal studio as the director guides them, arms in the air; 20. Production team of 4 people sit at two long white tables with various objects and books, as one actor in the forefront looks at them; 21. Two youth sit on chairs at a tall table and talk, masked; 22. A youth wearing a black t-shirt and checkered pants sits at a table, touches her dark hair; 23. A black & white image of a row of youth who either look down or look out; 24. A group of people stand outside a theatre building with a marquee that says GCTC, they pose for a group picture. 25. A young photographer in a turquoise hoodie and boots stands and takes photos; 26. A black camera with a square screen that shows the image of a photographer taking photos; 27. A girl with dark pants and a white t-shirt confronts a group of youth who stand watching, wearing masks; 28. Actors in a black studio wearing masks, some in a clump and one close to the camera who is confronting them in a scene; the director and SM watch from behind long white tables; 29. A woman, Kristina, has a hand and arm extended; she wears a black cap, mask and peach sweater; 30. A man, the sound designer, sits at a table, wears a black t-shirt and black mask, and has his glasses on his head; 31. Four actors stand looking out, wearing different colored tops; 32. Nine actors stand in a line, one with a script and the others looking ahead; they wear casual and colored tops, and masks.
IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS OF SKETCHES/VISUAL ART 1. A color sketch of a person standing with their backs to the viewer, flames surround them. A sign above says “Fire Safety”; 2. A group of people stand together looking up, there are eyes in the sky above them; blue color; 3. A line sketch of a sofa with two groups of heads below it with thought bubbles & reactions; 4. A line sketch of a head and neck of a person who blows a whistle, distended cheeks; 5. An orange figure sits on a black chair; they have claw feet and blue eyes; 6. Between two black horizontal bands are boxes of cartoon faces, masked, and objects; 7. A sketch drawing of two youth side by side. One, Ana Clara has long hair and looks out; Raluca has curly hair and has her back to us; 8. A sketch of two girls, side by side and smiling: Anna with long hair and Raluca with curly hair. 9-17. Individual sketches of the heads & faces of 9 of the actors in the cast, all sketched with pencil. The images have a blue hue. In the sketches, all the actors wear masks and their eyes are drawn very prominently.
For me, it’s almost comforting to be a part of 12. It’s so easy to feel hopeless with everything that’s going on but performing 12 makes me feel like I’m doing something to help, even if it’s small. Performing makes me feel like I’m reaching out to people and asking them to make a difference too. 12 expresses a lot of our emotions surrounding climate change, the lack of intergenerational communication, and the looming deadline of 12 years. The warning that we only had 12 years left until the effect we have had on the Earth becomes irreversible came to us in 2018, and now it’s 3 years closer and it still feels like not much has changed. It’s frustrating and it’s terrifying. In a way, 12 is kind of an outlet for those feelings, letting me channel them into this work instead of feeling sad and hopeless all the time. Being a part of 12 means a lot to me also because I can spend time in a place where I feel like I can be myself. It means a lot to me to be able to be a part of such a kind and supportive group of people.
From Kaatje Yates (Character #8, 2018-21)
12 is important to me for several reasons but especially because it gives me a voice. I don’t always know how to approach or talk about the climate crisis with my friends and family. When I’m performing 12 however, I know that people will listen and try to understand what I’m talking about. I can hope that after being at 12 they’ll attempt to place themselves in my shoes in order to understand my fears and anxieties in regards to the climate crisis. Sometimes when hearing the news or reading scary statistics it’s easy to want to close yourself off to information about the climate crisis. 12 gives people the opportunity to open themselves to the need for climate action (I’m not really sure how to put this) in a more “gentle” way. I’d be excited to practice and perform 12 again because I’d get to experience the magic that is the relationship between art and life.
From Anna Carsley-Jones (Character #5, 2018-2020)
The one word I would use to describe my thoughts & feelings towards both performances of 12 is “Powerful”. I felt that the performance itself and all of the information & concepts that the performance contained was very powerful. I myself felt strong and powerful, up there with the group, making our voices heard. It was overall a powerful project & performance and I really look forward to continuing with it.
From Raluca (Character #8 2021-22)
I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be working as a part of this project. It’s an incredible experience and it makes me so happy that we can speak our minds about such an important global issue.
From Anna Wiebe, Upon First Reading The Script Of 12
…literally I’m reading this and just massively relating to every word! Like all these things I’ve felt or thought or didn’t even realize I felt until I read them. and i just think it’s so honest and truthful and raw. It’s putting everything I never knew how to express into words. No part of it feels manufactured or like we’re trying to please a group of people. I also just love the concepts of each episode. it just seems so well thought out and I can see all the hard work and thought that was put into this!! It’s weird how the tone of the play feels very light but also extremely heavy. It’s a weird yet amazing balance.
Audience Responses to 12
“The most recent show I attended was 12, which sparked a light in me and gave me hope for future generations that through the power of theatre, and performance, we can make an impactful change in the world. From their collective-style performance, to including the audience in a guided discussion, it felt immersive and encouraged us as audience members to take what we saw and continue to tell their stories post-show. It’s shows like these at the GCTC that really cement my passion for performing and exploring more Canadian theatre.”
-Audience member, March 2024; letter to GCTC Artistic Director
“I was so pleased to experience the youth-powered 100 Watt Productions show “12” this afternoon. Telling it straight about our climate! Well done @KristinaWatt1 and all the “kids” demonstrating courage in the face of a vast unknown. If in Ottawa, check out “12” when you have a chance. Better yet, host “12” for your colleagues. Esp if they have degrees in economics!” —David Chernushenko, former MP; author of Burning Souls
“The brilliant play called “12” launched the Writers’ Festival Republic of Childhood youth forum last November. Listen and LEARN from our children and youth.” –Neil Wilson, Development Director of the Ottawa International Writers Festival
“Young people have a right to be worried about the future, and that very much includes the climate. Why not listen…”
The Ottawa Citizen, Feb 13 2020; writer Brigitte Pellerin
“I sat near the back of our sold out 700 seat auditorium and was, on several occasions, emotionally moved by the performance. I will also point out that I was surrounded by 11 – 13 year olds, who were captivated by the performance. You and your team of youth performers crafted and shared something very special.” –David Farley, Educator Summit Alternative High School
“It is such a pleasure to see kids parsing the grown-up’s world and evolving into somebody more meaningful than most of us.” –Dr Andrey Boguslavskiy, National Research Council
“It was a very moving show.”
–John Koensgen, professional actor & director
“Young people have a right to be worried about the future, and that very much includes the climate. Why not listen to what they have to say and engage them in genuine discussion? Here in Ottawa, there’s a group of actors ages 12 to 17 trying to do just that. And their play, a 100-Watt Production, 12, is starting to create some buzz, which thrills me no end. 12 is not a rant. Director Kristina Watt calls it “a love story between the generations. David Chernushenko, the former municipal politician and author…was at the GCTC to see 12 in action. “Kids are the ones who see things most clearly,” he told me. “Their priorities are not clouded by how bold and necessary action might supposedly have negative impacts on stock prices or GDP or getting re-elected.” —The Ottawa Citizen, Feb 13 2020; writer Brigitte Pellerin
“That was such an impressive play. You had the audience completely involved and determined to change. I hope you play all over the city. The youth were inspiring thanks to your creativity and spirit.” –Diana Kirkwood, Arts Advocate, Ottawa Realtor
“I wanted to reiterate how moved I was and how meaningful your work [12] is to me.”
–Jonah Lerner, Head of Carpentry & Assistant Technical Director, Great Canadian Theatre Company
“Congrats again for your outstanding work. It was great to know much more about the intelligence and reality of teenagers.”
–Françoise; Les soeurs kif-kif, cirque tendre et théâtre de rue
“Wonderful performance. The standing-o was well deserved, and I’m happy to have been a part of it.”
–Matt Venner, MA Candidate, University of Ottawa
“Congratulations for the wonderful performances. Many of our family and friends all thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very thought provoking and many of them said that they would make some changes to their day to day lifestyles. It certainly made an impact.”
–Janet Britnell, Clinical Manager, the Ottawa Hospital
“I loved the show so much. It made me cry at points, (and laugh!). It’s a wonderful script, super compelling.”
–Dr Janice Shroeder, Dept of English at Carleton University
“Beautiful project.”
–Eric Booth, ITAC
“What a treat that was. To see meaningful, impactful live in space theatre again. I loved the piece, the concept, the process, the work. Bravo! Thank you for a very memorable afternoon. One I won’t soon forget.”
–Nick Miller, Drama Teacher
“It was great. It started a good discussion at home on how to do better for the planet. Kudos to the cast!”
–Evelyn Marin Fornez
“Loved the show – what a treat it was. The performance is definitely one of the best. So much to think about and so many points to discuss. It should be performed in every boardroom.”
–Atiya Hussein
A long and thoughtful process in action.”
–Emily Pearlman, MiCasa Theatre
“I found it a bit chilling to see 12 again since I am so aware of the world marching on and the arguments still needing to be made.”
Amanda Lewis, Author, Calligrapher, Drama School Teacher
“Bravo! I was moved by today’s production of 12. I would love for my students to see the show (we just spent last week talking about COP26 and Greta Thunberg).”
–Michelle Richardson, Elementary School teacher, Ottawa
“Great show! Great to see how it’s developed.”
–Judi Pearl, National Arts Centre
After Performances In 2018/19 (Without Names Included)
“After seeing 12, I thought: never underestimate the power of theatre.”
“Very interesting, well put together, and very thought-provoking.”
“Absolutely loved 12…very moved.”
“I’ve been thinking about the play non stop since seeing it. I think it’s really important that we acknowledge the concerns of the youngest generation… A play by early teens about their anxieties and concerns about the climate crisis and their disgust at the climate inaction of their elders, leaders and corporations. I saw it; it was very good.”
“I feel unnerved. It was jarring.”
“The performance [12] made me think more about the environment issues. Helped me to see and realize that the issue is real and we have to act. Mostly I liked to see that the young people are aware of it, concerned and ready to react.”
“Poignant and really well done.”
“A wonderful piece and strong company.”
“I feel like a hypocrite.”
“It is great to see engagement on such an important topic.”
100 Watt 