Playing Fields

Playing Fields is The Chop’s latest touring work that looks at land through a youth-driven, outdoor, participatory sound performance.  Created using interviews led by youth ages 13-17 about land use, ownership and belonging, this aural performance features voices of teens from Richmond (BC), Whitehorse (Yukon), Dublin (Ireland) and Hong Kong. The youth groups learn interview, editing and recording skill and ask each other the questions they want answered. The focus is about the land they live and play on, and its meaning to them. Playing Fields uses sport as a creation entry point, but the focus is on where the game takes place: the field itself. This is also the place where the performances will happen. The recorded audio interviews will be interspersed with prompts for the audience on the field – each wearing individual headsets – who will be led through a series of movements that will accumulate into a group choreography inspired by a field game.

Artistic Team:

Anita Rochon – Co-Director
Emelia Symington Fedy – Co-Director
Nancy Tam – Sound Design
Lisa Gelley & Josh Martin – Movement Design
Arthi Chandra – Outside Eye
Ira Jordison – Technical Director

Upcoming Presentations:

In Development Showing @ PuSh Festival 
Presented as part of the Industry Series. Click here for registration info.
Thursday January 25, 2024, 3:00pm
Friday January 26, 2024: 12:00pm

Presentation @ Hong Kong Arts Festival
March 23 & 24, 2024, various times
Click here for presentation details

Development partners & Commissioners: Dublin Theatre Festival, Hong Kong Arts Festival, PuSh Performing Arts Festival & Yukon Arts Centre

Initial development was sponsored by A New Conversations grant, an initiative of the British Council, The High Commission of Canada in the UK and Farnham Maltings. We partnered with UK-based Forest Fringe artists Andy Field and Deborah Pearson, developing the beginnings of this project.