Globe Theatre performers and playwright perform and
discuss Us musical for Arts Ed students
A make-shift theatre in the round set the stage for Globe Theatre actors to perform short excerpts of Us for Arts Ed students and faculty.
On Friday, March 2, a make-shift theatre
in the round in the Faculty of Education
drama room set the stage for Globe
Theatre Actors Daniel Fong, Angela Kemp,
David Light, and Kaitlyn Semple as well
as Performance Pianist Craig Salkeld to
perform two short excerpts from the Us
musical, which was being performed at the
Globe Theatre Main Stage.
“Us is a heartwarming, brand new musical
that explores what happens when LGBTQ+
youth come together in a group of peers at
a summer camp. Created by award-winning
playwright and radio producer Kelley Jo
Burke and internationally renowned singer-
songwriter-pianist Jeffery Straker, Us is an
uplifting play about “coming in”—finding
acceptance within yourself and in your
community” (Globe Theatre).
Arts Ed students were privileged to
be part of this up-close performance
and discussion as part of their PLACE
experience. Alumna Kelley Jo Burke talked
about her experience at Camp fYrefly,
where she had made herself available to
listen to any LGBTQ+ youth and counsellors
who wanted to talk about their experiences
of coming together at summer camp, the
research she drew on in writing the script
for this fictional play. Other members of
the creative team, such as Director and
Musical Director Valerie Ann Pearson and
Set and Costume Designer Wes D. Pearce,
discussed the thought behind decisions
made in each of their areas of development
of the musical.
A panel presentation followed the
performance moderated by Dr. Kathryn
Ricketts. Panel participants discussed
the importance of the play (and summer
camp) for youth who have identified as
LGBTQ+, who are needing to find an “Us”
to which they belong, and the group also
addressed current issues around diversity
and inclusion.
Playwright and alumna Kelley Jo Burke talked about her
experience at Camp fYrefly, where approximately 30 LGBTQ+
youth and counselors accepted her invitation to listen to
them talk about their experiences of coming together at
summer camp, research she drew on in writing the script for
this fictional play.
Participants in the panel discussion included Professor
Emeritus James McNinch (director of Camp fYrefly), members
of the creative team, and educators.
Page 20