The Hooves Belonged to the Deer - Edmonton Show

Hi,

My name is Makram Ayache, I'm the Artistic Director of In Arms Theatre Collective and the producer, writer, and one of the performers for my play "The Hooves Belonged to the Deer," coming to Edmonton at the Westbury Theatre this fall! This production is generously supported by the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Adventures.

Producing Indie theatre is always risky and tough, but since the pandemic, it's become especially more difficult.

I'm turning to our community to ask for support as we bring together the wild and varied moving parts of this production.

Today, we are hoping to raise $5000 to support our overall budget needs!

I have a breakdown of how the money will be used below.

But for now, here are details on who we are, what the show is, and why we're looking for your support:

IN ARMS THEATRE COLLECTIVE

Founded in 2015, In Arms is an Ad-Hoc queer mandated theatre group. Makram Ayache (me!), Stuart McDougall, and Sarah Culkin worked together to produce over nine projects and various community events, workshops, and activities from 2015-2019 working mainly in and around the Edmonton theatre community.

In Arms has produced shows at the Edmonton Fringe Festival, in found spaces, at Edmonton's queer bar, Evolution Wonderlounge, and more - and we have garnered several Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award nominations through the years!

After the pandemic hit, the AD-team found themselves in various cities across the world! Our team shrunk down to only Makram Ayache and Stuart McDougall, and when the opportunity to present a show came up, we were excited at bringing In Arms Theatre Collective back to the game.

So, "The Hooves Belonged to the Deer" came along!

Click here to visit In Arms Website

THE HOOVES BELONGED TO THE DEER

When Izzy's family move to a small rural Albertan town, the young queer Middle Eastern boy becomes the salvation pet project to the local Pastor Isaac. In his attempt to reconcile his sexuality and faith, Izzy invents an imagined Garden of Eden, where Aadam and Hawa's (Eve in Arabic) relationship is turned upside down by the arrival of Steve, a beautiful, blue eyed, white skinned northerner.

"The Hooves Belonged to the Deer" had a smashing world premiere in Toronto in the spring of 2023 with Tarragon Theatre in association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

As the playwright, I set out to write a story that unflinchingly looked at queer shame. The first person I ever came out to was a Christian youth pastor. This is the source of exploration in this play. And it dares to explore the darkest depths of where shame can lead.

I'm excited to bring the play to Edmonton, where it will speak directly to the Albertan communities it is centered around.

Click here to learn more about the show

Critics' Reviews:

"The Hooves Belonged to the Deer, a smart and sensual new play by Makram Ayache...is the most excitingly theatrical piece of new writing to premiere in Toronto so far this season" - Kelly J. Nestruck, The Globe and Mail, Critics' Pick.

"It's a challenging, stylistically bold and audacious new work that has so many layers it warrants study and multiple viewings" - Glen Sumi, Critics' Pick.

"A disturbing theatrical work that rocked me right to my core. Theatre can do just that." Joe Szekeres, OurTheatreVoice.

"It is sexy, provcative, and dares to explore the darkest reaches of where internal conflict can be pushed." - Samantha Wu, Broadway World.

"Epic in its deliverance and its panorama, I experienced the same sort of sharp emotional jabs as when, for the first time, I saw "Angels in America" and "The Inheritance." Ross, Time Square Chronicles

"...is a major accomplishment for both Ayache and Tarragon, perhaps the most high-reaching and brave production of this remarkable season at Tarragon." - Aisling Murphy, Intermission Magazine

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT WILL MEAN:

With an additional $5000, we can funnel money into paying artists additional accommodation costs, supporting the design team in sourcing material and labour costs to fully realize their vision, bringing in two Brown/Middle Eastern and queer artists, and covering much-needed marketing costs!

OUR TEAM:

Directed by the extraordinary Peter Hinton-Davis

Introducing our Edmonton cast:

Brett Dahl - Steve/Jake

Adrian Pavone - Aadam/Reza

Bahareh Yaraghi - Hawa/Becky

David Ley - Pastor Isaac

Eric Wigston - Will

Makram Ayache - Izzy

Bringing back the Dora Award nominated set design is Anahita Dehbonehie

Stage Management by Andrea Handal Rivera

Intimacy and Movement Choreography by Corey Tazmania

Sound Design by Chris Pereira

Light Design by Whittyn Jason

Technical Director Liv Bunge

Associate Production Manager Tori Morrison

Scenic Carpentry:

Head Carpenter - Hannah Bailey

Carpenter - Breanna Thomas

I thank you so much for any donation, share, or like that you can contribute to this fundraiser!

Sincerely,

Makram Ayache (He/Him)

In Arms Theatre Collective Artistic Director