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Love Bomb
November 1, 2018 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
LOVE BOMB
LEADER COMMUNITY CENTRE
NOVEMBER 1, 2018 7:30PM
RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 9-12
This original musical, Love Bomb, written by Meghan Gardiner (book and lyrics) with Steve Charles (music) is an engaging and entertaining 65-minute play that confronts the sex trafficking of Canadian youth. This production earned two 2016 Ovation awards for “Outstanding Production” and “Outstanding Lead Actress” and was nominated for a Jessie Richardson award (Vancouver) for best musical. The play unfolds as a rock mystery when singer-songwriter Justine is forced to play her songs for an unexpected guest who insists they are clues in a missing person’s case. After the presentation, a talkback will be facilitated that can include a constable and a representative from the local victim services unit. Both groups will be able to provide information about needed services in the area, allowing for follow up. Warning: Language and Mature Themes
Definition of Love Bombing: attempts to influence a person by lavish demonstrations of attention and affection; an expression used to describe the tactics used by pimps and gang members to control their victims. In several rural communities in B.C., shameless hussy has been partnering with the RCMP and presenting a show at school(s) during the day and then one for the community in the evening. RCMP estimate that over 90 per cent of the victims of sex trafficking are procured within Canada.
This is happening in our world today and sometimes living in rural Saskatchewan we feel we are safe from this type of thing. We think that puts our youth more at risk. We have sent information and invitations to neighboring schools but want everyone to have the opportunity to attend.
The Leader & District Arts Council has booked this as a community show instead of a school show, by doing this we can open it up to students and their parents in the surrounding communities, not just students at Leader Composite School.
The productions is on November 1, 2018 at 7:30 pm in the Leader Community Centre (402 1st Avenue West).
We are partnering with groups & organizations in both Leader and the surrounding communities to share the cost of presenting this production free of charge to attendees
Article Links:
National Action Plan to combat human trafficking:
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/ht-tp-eng.html
How Sex Trafficking Works:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-trafficked-how-sex-trafficking-works-in-canada/article28700689/
Human Trafficking Hidden in Alberta:
http://calgaryjournal.ca/index.php/news/3754-human-trafficking-hidden-in-alberta
Testimonials
Kevin Crosby, Rocky Lane School, Rocky Lane, Alberta
“Love Bomb is a powerful and gritty performance that every High School student should see. It contains strong themes and graphic language as it deals with the issue of Human Trafficking. It’s easy to say that this isn’t a concern in our communities. Sadly, the reality is that students from all backgrounds and communities of all sizes are victims of this horrific practice. Without question, childhood should be a time of innocence and trust yet there are those who prey on those least able to protect themselves. Love Bomb examines this shadowy and vile reality in a manner that can inform and arm our students with information they may not otherwise gain. Knowledge is power, and Love Bomb gives our students power. “
Jerry Wasserman, Vancouver Plays
“Vickruck is fantastic. A ferocious singer and very good guitarist, whether on electric or acoustic, she bottles up Justine’s wounds inside a tough, self-protective exterior. The rock songs Gardiner has written for her, with music and additional lyrics by Steve Charles, are also consistently strong… Love Bomb tells an important story via excellent songs and performances.”
Peter LaPrairie, BC Crown Prosecutor
“The play was great. Very well done and amazing music. I thought they did a really good job of setting out the dynamics of human trafficking. It was very clever the way they brought out how a trafficker lures his victim. We all really enjoyed it. The prosecutor from the Provincial Crown who handles the human trafficking cases was also in the audience and a lot of what was portrayed in the play closely resembles what she deals with in her HT prostitution cases. They did a great job.”
Corporal Sue Harvey, Aboriginal Policing Supervisor/Investigator, RCMP, High Level, AB and formerly in B.C.
“Some of the language used in the play may be shocking to some, but Harvey says there is no subtle way to talk about sex trafficking. “It’s not a delicate conversation to have over tea, this is a heinous industry and horrible things are happening to the victims involved. The language isn’t necessarily for the shock factor, but more just bringing the audience into reality that this is legit, this is what is going on. I can guarantee you this is happening in pretty much every community in, one way, or another, across Canada.”
“From the moment the lights dimmed to the closing applause, my mind had been ‘Love Bombed’ as the talent of the actors, paired with amazing music and the exceedingly poignant message hit me. Within minutes of walking in I was working out in my head how I could bring this, not only to my community in Chetwynd, BC, but to every community in the Province.”
“We have taken the show across the Province to some very conservative communities. Recently, we brought it to High Level, Alberta as part of a conference, and several local school administrators attended. I had already convinced them of the need of such a play in the schools, but this was solidified once they saw it themselves because it is just so well done. There are many teens that are even lured out of High Schools. A recent case we had here in Alberta, it was a school resource officer that realized what was happening and stepped in to save the girls, so it is just as important that our school staff be as aware as our youth!”
Rose College, Tumbler Ridge Community Association Responding to Extended Services, Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
“We received no backlash at all. Yes, there was some strong language, but nothing compared to what I hear on the school grounds! It was an amazing show. It sends a clear understanding of how quickly someone can be love bombed and any age can benefit from the lesson. We are a community of 2,000 people, a small one-industry town and met with no resistance. We sponsored the presentation at the high school and an evening show for the rest of the community. I hope you are able to see their work, it is amazing, as are the performers.”
Bernadette Marie, Principal, Gudangaay Tlaats’gaa Naay Secondary School, Masset, B.C.
“It was great, we gave some warnings for the show that it may have triggers, we also had counsellors in the audience that were available during or after the show. It was truly an incredible show; our students didn’t leave the show and were extremely engaged. It is a heavy topic, but one that we try not to shy away from. The actors were phenomenal…. truly talented. I saw the show twice and each time got more out of it. Of all the shows we’ve had, this was the best one. Book, them!!! Really pump up the show, those who attend will be glad. We had another event that night and those who didn’t attend were very disappointed. I want them back next year!!”