The Martian and the Mound
Written by Andraea Sartison, with contributions from the citizens of Southern Manitoba
In Partnership with Candlewick Productions, and with One Trunk Theatre as part of the Live Art Trade Route
In Neubergthal: OCTOBER 17-19, 2025 – The Krahn Barn
In Morden: NOVEMBER 1 AND 2, 2025 – The Kenmor Theatre
In Winnipeg: NOVEMBER 14-16, 2025 – Gas Station Arts Centre (with cash bar!)
90 minutes, no intermission.
WINNIPEG TICKETS ON SALE HERE!
NEUBERGTHAL AND MORDEN TICKETS ON SALE HERE!
The Martian and The Mound is a time-bending, prairie-rooted theatrical romp that follows Dr. Phoenix Albright, an archaeologist from Mars, as they investigate a mysterious “pull” beneath a Manitoba mound.
Guided by ghosts, memories, and extinct animals, Albright travels through pivotal moments in the region’s past—from the tallgrass prairie to the future’s last sunset. This play blends myth, memory, and local voices, asking: in the eyes of history, what makes a moment worth remembering?
Performed by Morden’s Candlewick Players accompanied by a multimedia artistic team devised of both Winnipeg and rural artists.
Created with support from TPM, Manitoba Arts Council, and Manitoba Association of Playwrights.
MEET THE ARTISTS
The Creative Team
Andraea Sartison – Co-Creator, Lead Playwright
Andraea Sartison is an award-winning Winnipeg-based theatre artist, playwright, and event producer. As the founder of One Trunk Theatre, she has captained the creation of 20 original productions and one festival, since the company’s inception.
Her portfolio includes solo shows (Ponderosa Pine), collaborative creations (Red Earth, Mission Potluck, Boundary Avenue, I Dream of Diesel), audio plays (204FM, Taste), immersive theatre (Saplings, Stage Frights), and digital works/TV series (Plé, The Show Must Go On).
Her upcoming play The Ballad of Sylvie Gynt is in development with Theatre Projects Manitoba and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.
She is an alumni of the MAP/PTE Playwrights Unit who supported the development of this play, and the Co-Owner of local event production company Fête Jockey with visual artist Jennie O.
Gwendolyn Collins – Co-Creator, Director
Gwendolyn is a theatre and film actor and devised theatre artist living in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She is the Co-Artistic Producer of One Trunk Theatre and a frequent collaborator having co-created Saplings, Stage Frights, 204FM, Mission Potluck and I Dream of Diesel as well as performing in Hamlet as Told on the Streets.
She has appeared on stage at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, Prairie Theatre Exchange and Manitoba Theatre for Young People. She is a graduate of The University of Winnipeg’s BA Honours program in theatre, and has trained with Ghost River Theatre in Calgary.
Tanner Manson – Co-Creator, Production Manager, Choreographer
Tanner Manson is a queer theatre/dance artist and arts/events manager based in Winnipeg, MB. He is passionate about nurturing relationships and long-term collaboration while creating new and exciting work.
He is Co-Artistic Producer of One Trunk Theatre devising new work across the province and artistic disciplines. He has made some raucous work with Walk&Talk and was the recipient of Prairie Theatre Exchange’s Cherry Karpyshin Arts Management Prize in 2024.
Tanner is a frequent collaborator with many fellow prairie-dwelling artists and organizations including Theatre Projects Manitoba, Fête Jockey, Young Lungs Dance Exchange, and Weather Parade Dance Theatre.
Andrew Braun – Co-Creator, Composer, Sound Designer
Andrew Braun is a musician, composer, producer, songwriter, and educator based in Altona, MB. His career has taken him around the world performing on famous festival stages and in tiny bars, recording and writing in renowned studios and off-grid cabins.
He’s worked with indie bands, jazz legends, symphony players, and pop writers and has composed music for film/tv, podcasts, commercials, and theatre. He maintains a private teaching studio and facilitates rock bands for kids.
Paul Bergman – Co-Creator, Composer, Sound Designer
Paul Bergman was born in a half-hour, and has done little since with even approximately that much haste. He has released five records and performed around southern Manitoba and across the Canadian prairies. ‘I just want to walk in the dark with you’, the single released by Birthday Cake, is the torchbearer of an upcoming collection of songs. Paul Bergman (paulbergmanmusic.com)
Margruite Krahn – Set Designer, Prop Designer, Video Designer
Margruite Krahn, whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, is a painter, restorer, and curator of Mennonite material culture. Since 1998, she has lived and worked in Neubergthal, Manitoba, where she and her husband, Paul, operate the Herdsman House artist residency and guest house.
Her practice explores community life, history, and connections to land, often using bold colours, tempera, and oxides (gathered during travels in Zimbabwe and France). Krahn’s touring exhibition Resurfacing: Mennonite Floor Patterns was postponed, creating space for her first theatre set design. Her work is both reflective and respectful, engaging viewers in shared experience.
Lovissa Wiens – Lighting and Projection Designer
Lovissa Wiens (they/them) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist from Treaty 1 territory. Recent projects include lighting and projection design for Neither Here Nor There with Sick + Twisted Theatre, set and props design for Shakespeare in the Ruins 2025 season, and lighting design for Blue Beads and Blueberries at MTYP.
This is their first time working with One Trunk, and they are excited to be collaborating with so many amazing Southern Manitoba artists.
Clay Mykietowich – Costume Designer
Clay Mykietowich (he/him) is a trans, Métis artist born and raised on Treaty One Territory in Winnipeg, MB. Clay specializes in textiles and creative writing and has been designing and building costumes since 2016.
Following his artistic residency in 2021, which introduced him to the world of theatre, Clay has continued to work with One Trunk Theatre as an artistic collaborator and board member.
Lise Raven – Filmmaker
Writer/Director/Producer Lise Raven is a North American/European filmmaker who has made three award winning feature films. She/They are currently based in Winnipeg and are an Associate Professor of Film at the University of Winnipeg, where the students provoke Raven to ask as many questions as possible.
Tava Neufeld – Stage Manager
Tava is an actor and stage manager from Winnipeg, now residing just outside of Winkler. She has performed in numerous productions at her school.
The Martian and the Mound is her first professional production, and her first collaboration with Candlewick. Outside of theatre she works at Winkler Bible Camp.
The Cast
Ben McKay – Chad Chatawack
Hailing from Morden, Manitoba, Ben McKay has performed in a wide range of community and youth theatre productions.
Recent roles include Paul Sycamore in You Can’t Take It With You (2025), Mike Umbarr in Murder on the 518 (2025), and Lon in Meet Me in St. Louis (2024). Other credits span Arsenic and Old Lace, Craig Sodaro’s Chicken Heart, The Nutcracker, and Mary Poppins Jr.
In addition, Ben has trained in stage combat with Richard Klassen.
Devon Littlejohn – Clyde Gravy
As a child, Devon was inspired to pursue acting after appearing in church plays. Over the years, he’s had the chance to work with a variety of theatre groups and companies across Steinbach, Winnipeg, Morden, and beyond.
Some of his favorite roles include Hotep in Prince of Egypt, Paul D’Argenson in Sabrina Fair, Joseph Pulitzer in Newsies, and Curtis in Sister Act. As he puts it: “No matter what role, whether big or small, you can always expect me to give it my all.”
Devin Lowry – Dr. Phoenix Albright
Devin is a multi-disciplinary artist based out of Treaty 1, Winnipeg, MB and is thrilled to be getting back-to-his-roots in this wonderful production of ‘Martian and The Mound’. Originally from Darlingford, MB, Devin is a graduate of The University of Winnipeg Theatre and Film Honours Program (2019) and alumnus of The Village Conservatory (2021).
Recent credits include: (Upcoming) ‘The Lightning Thief’ (MTYP); (Upcoming) ‘Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad’ (RMTC); ‘Frozen’, ‘Rock of Ages’, ‘The Hockey Sweater’ (Rainbow Stage); ‘End of the Line’ (TPM); ‘Dogfight’, ‘The Prom’ (DryCold Productions); ‘FAME’ (WST); ‘Pool, No Water’, ‘Your Brain on Anxiety’ (WPG Fringe); Middletown, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Frankenstein (U of W).
Devin would like to recognize that he would not be here following his passion without the love and support of his family and friends. Devin is a member of the Canadian Actors Equity Association. Enjoy the show! @devinlowry_
Logan Addison – Bruce
Logan is a 20-year-old theatre student in his third year of university, pursuing his goal of becoming a professional actor. Originally from Morden, Manitoba, he now lives in Winnipeg while completing his studies.
A passionate performer and singer, Logan has appeared in a number of productions, including The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) with Candlewick Productions. Logan’s dream role is to play Noel in Ride the Cyclone.
Paul Krahn – Bison, Set Builder
Paul Krahn writes, builds, sings, and plays guitar in Neubergthal, MB, a Mennonite Street village designated as a national historic site. He has directed and produced more than twenty plays and musicals during his career as a high school Drama and English teacher, but this is his first role walking the boards since retiring from education.
Memory of an Alexander Method workshop serves as a reminder that postural hygiene keeps the voice healthy, and that one can use mass and momentum to sit and stand with ease.
Quentin Stoesz- Peter Peters, Stiltwalker
After being placed on the stage as an early teen as a past-time, Quentin soon became in love with the theatre. He found footing in who he is and has since been a part of many local community theatre productions. He is ever so grateful to all the friendships he has found and thankful for the opportunities that have honed his passion for the stage and increased his skill as an actor.
He believes that story is an essential core element for life, and emotion is to be embraced for all of us to grow as individuals.
Richard Klassen – Elder Dr. Phoenix Albright, Rehearsal Director
Richard Klassen is an actor, director, producer, instructor, lighting technician, and playwright.
He serves as the Executive Director for Candlewick Productions Inc./ DanceWorks as well as Adjunct Theatre Professor for Steinbach Bible College since 1998. Richard has over 25 years of experience including the creation/development of the Oak Valley Outdoor Amphitheatre, founding Manitoba’s Passion Play, touring Canada with theatre teams, providing theatre instruction for artists of all ages both in Canada as well as in Belize. He and his wife Vanessa own the Kenmor Theatre as well as operate out of the Manitou Opera House.
In 2018, Richard was awarded the Morden Entrepreneur of the year for his work in theatre and with youth.
Rudy Sheppard – Paul
Rudy Sheppard was born in Morden and currently lives in Winnipeg. He is currently in Grade 12, at Linden Christian. They have been acting since they were 6 years old. Some acting roles at Kenmor include Our Town, and Arsenic and Old lace He will be playing Romeo in Romeo and Juliet this upcoming December!
Sam Fehr – Cottonwood
Since she was a very young girl, Sam has always aspired to be in the arts. She would sing karaoke, watch musicals, sing, act, and dance along with them. She would partake in plays in school and dream of her chance to be on stage.
Her dream is coming true with The Martian and the Mound and she can’t wait to see what is to come next in her acting career.
Sifiti B. Liu-Asomua – Justine
Sifiti B. Liu-Asomua is a young actor making her theatrical debut. Originally from Auckland, New Zealand and now growing up in Altona, Manitoba, she is proud of her Samoan culture and Canadian heritage. Sifiti brings a strong artistic background in music and composition, having developed her skills through Sparkle Studios alongside Producer Daggers (Laura Smith, and alongside one of her favorite uncles, musician Andrew Braun).
A multi-talented performer, she sings and plays ukulele, guitar, drums, and piano. This marks the beginning of her journey on stage, where she is excited to share her voice, energy, and creativity with audiences.
Vance H. Roberts – Sage
Vance Harrison Roberts, is a 24 year old Indigenous man from Roseau River First Nation. He has grown up in the Altona area, taking part in a few plays throughout the years.
From major monologues and soliloquies as Mr.Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, to a helpful side role as a bodyguard in Get Smart.
The theatrical has always interested him in some shape or form. Where life can be too serious at times, it helps to get on stage and essentially just play make believe.