Sum Theatre was born when Saskatoon theatre artists Joel Bernbaum and Kayvon Khoshkam were invited to present a staged reading of their play My Rabbi at the Belfry Theatre’s SPARK Festival in 2011. They were told they needed a company name, so they thought of one. The Sum is greater than its parts.
Joel brought the name home to Saskatchewan and incorporated Sum Theatre in 2012. Recognizing that there was not a lot of professional theatre being made for people who did not already go to the theatre, Joel applied for a SK Arts (formerly Saskatchewan Arts Board) Independent Artists Grant to create what would become the first Theatre in the Park. When the application was successful, Joel realised he needed a collaborator and invited Heather Morrison to be Sum’s founding Artistic Producer.
Heather and Joel led the company together from 2013 - 2019. From 2016 to 2018, thanks to the support of a Creative Saskatchewan Business Capacity Grant, Charlie Peters joined the leadership team as Sum’s first Artistic Associate. In 2019, Heather lead the company for a year with the assistance of Associate Artistic Director Judy Wensel and Mentor Yvette Nolan, while Joel took an educational leave. In 2020, Heather left Sum to pursue other opportunities.
In 2020, thanks to the support of another Creative Saskatchewan Business Capacity Grant, the leadership structure of Sum Theatre began to change. Three Artistic Associates - Mackenzie Dawson, Krystle Pederson and Judith Schulz - one Company Dramaturge - Yvette Nolan - and a Producer - Laura Negraeff - joined the team. They began working in circle with a collective leadership and decision making process. It is the hope that this new structure will share power, promote diversity and insure succession planning. Joel has given notice he will be transitioning away from the company by 2024.
SUM PRODUCTION HISTORY:
Alice In WonderlandA Sum Theatre Production
Adapted from Lewis Carroll by the ensemble
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Angus Ferguson
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Stage Managed by Aaron Shingoose
Featuring Joel Bernbaum, Louisa Ferguson, Kristen Holfeuer, Dalton Lightfoot,
Kaitlyn Semple
July 2013 | 17 Saskatoon Parks
A Sum Theatre Production
By Joel Bernbaum
With Music by Nathan Howe
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Joel Bernbaum
Designed by Terri Bauer
Stage Managed by Ronan Keenan
Featuring Nathan Howe, Dalton Lightfoot, Krystle Pederson, Lauren Allen
September 2013 | Patricia Roe/Mark Thompson Park
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted from by the ensemble
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Angus Ferguson
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Stage Managed by Aaron Shingoose
Music Direction by Christina Cuglietta
Featuring Joel Bernbaum, Kristen Holfeuer, Lauren Holfeuer, Dalton Lightfoot,
Christina Cuglietta
July 2014 | 19 Saskatoon Parks
A Sum Theatre Production
By Joel Bernbaum and Kayvon Khoshkam
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Julie McIsaac
Designed by Bryan Kenney
Featuring Joel Bernbaum and Kayvon Khoshkam
October 2014 | Edinburgh, Victoria, Vancouver, Saskatoon
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted by the ensemble
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Joel Bernbaum
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Music Direction by Christina Cuglietta
Stage Managed by Terri Bauer
Featuring Leon Wiley, Dalton Lightfoot, Jonelle Gunderson, Christina
Cuglietta, Donovan Scheirer and Aubree Erickson
July 2015 | 21 Saskatoon Parks
Featuring Leon Wiley, Dalton Lightfoot, Jonelle Gunderson, Christina
Cuglietta, Donovan Scheirer and Aubree Erickson
July 2015 | 21 Saskatoon Parks
The Hockey Sweater
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted story by Roch Carrier by Joel Bernbaum
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Joel Bernbaum
Designed by Terri Bauer
Stage Managed by Grahame Kent
Featuring Gaelan Beatty, Jenna Berenbaum, Dalton Lightfoot, Donovan
Scheirer, Emma Thorpe
January 2015 | Victoria School Rink
Directed by Joel Bernbaum
Designed by Terri Bauer
Stage Managed by Grahame Kent
Featuring Gaelan Beatty, Jenna Berenbaum, Dalton Lightfoot, Donovan
Scheirer, Emma Thorpe
January 2015 | Victoria School Rink
Thicker Than Water
By Heather Morrison
Directed by Yvette Nolan
Designed by David Granger
Stage Managed by Erin Crowley
Featuring Pamela Haig-Bartley, Kris Bratton, Judy Wensel
May/June 2016 | Saskatoon, North Battleford, Moose Jaw, Regina
Little Badger and the Fire Spirit
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted story by Maria Campbell by the ensemble
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Joel Bernbaum
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Musical Directed by Christina Cuglietta
Stage Managed by Emma Thorpe
Featuring Nathan Howe, Lancelot Knight, Joseph Naytowhow, Krystle
Pederson, Theresa Stevenson, Donovan Scheirer, Kristi Friday, Allison Jenkins
July 2016 | 23 Saskatoon Parks
Directed by Joel Bernbaum
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Musical Directed by Christina Cuglietta
Stage Managed by Emma Thorpe
Featuring Nathan Howe, Lancelot Knight, Joseph Naytowhow, Krystle
Pederson, Theresa Stevenson, Donovan Scheirer, Kristi Friday, Allison Jenkins
July 2016 | 23 Saskatoon Parks
The Lion and the Woodcutter
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted Syrian folktale by the ensemble
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Kelli Fox
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Musical Directed by Deborah Buck
Featuring Yvonne Addai, Connor Brousseau, Lancelot Knight, Krystle
Pederson, Anna Seibel, Andrew Taylor, Rana Mustafa,
July 2017 | 25 Saskatoon Parks
Directed by Kelli Fox
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Musical Directed by Deborah Buck
Featuring Yvonne Addai, Connor Brousseau, Lancelot Knight, Krystle
Pederson, Anna Seibel, Andrew Taylor, Rana Mustafa,
July 2017 | 25 Saskatoon Parks
Earth Diver
Adapted from an Indigenous story by the ensemble
Adapted from an Indigenous story by the ensemble
Produced by Heather Morrison & Charlie Peters
Directed by Joel Bernbaum & Co-Directed by Charlie Peters
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Music by Nona Naytowhow and Ali Kharsa
Featuring Nona Naytowhow, Ali Kharsa, Colin Wolf, Megan Zong, Donovan
Sheirer, Yulissa Campos, Dakota Ray Hebert, Fred Nicholas and youth from the
Open Door Society and White Buffalo Youth Lodge
July 2017 | George Ward Pool
Directed by Joel Bernbaum & Co-Directed by Charlie Peters
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Music by Nona Naytowhow and Ali Kharsa
Featuring Nona Naytowhow, Ali Kharsa, Colin Wolf, Megan Zong, Donovan
Sheirer, Yulissa Campos, Dakota Ray Hebert, Fred Nicholas and youth from the
Open Door Society and White Buffalo Youth Lodge
July 2017 | George Ward Pool
Theatre on the Trail
A Sum Theatre Production
Created by Ali Kharsa, Danny Knight, Andrea Ledding, Aaron Marie
Neepoose, Ahmad Touqani, Kevin Wesaquate, Bob Wong and Respectfulchild
Produced by Charlie Peters
Directed by Charlie Peters
Featuring Wanita Bird, Torien Cafferata, Ali Kharsa, Chelsea Mahan, Krystle
Pederson
January 2018 | Meewasin Trail
Directed by Charlie Peters
Featuring Wanita Bird, Torien Cafferata, Ali Kharsa, Chelsea Mahan, Krystle
Pederson
January 2018 | Meewasin Trail
Queen Seraphina and the Land of Vertebraat
A Sum Theatre Production
By Adam Pottle
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Joel Bernbaum and Judy Wensel
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Stage Managed by Emma Thorpe
Featuring Haley Brown, Chris Dodd, Kristel Heather Harder, Lancelot Knight, Michael
Martin, Krystle Pederson, JR Hewison, Megan Zong, Drew Mantyka
July 2018 | 27 Saskatoon Parks
Directed by Joel Bernbaum and Judy Wensel
Designed by Evgenia Mikhaylova
Stage Managed by Emma Thorpe
Featuring Haley Brown, Chris Dodd, Kristel Heather Harder, Lancelot Knight, Michael
Martin, Krystle Pederson, JR Hewison, Megan Zong, Drew Mantyka
July 2018 | 27 Saskatoon Parks
#consent
A Sum Theatre Production
By Heather Morrison, S.E. Grummett, Paige Francoeur, Krystle Pederson, Greg
Ochitwa, Danielle Altrogge, Connor Brousseau, Leah Horlick
Directed by Heather Morrison
Designed by Jensine Emiline
Stage Managed by Johanna Arnott
Featuring Krystle Pederson, Megan Zong, S.E. Grummet, Connor Brousseau
April/May 2019 | 13 Saskatoon Schools and Libraries
The Young Ones
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted from a story by Yvette Nolan by the ensemble
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Joel Bernbaum and Judy Wensel
Musical Directed by Clinton Ackerman
Designed by Terri Bauer, Jim Drake and Mike Remando
Directed by Joel Bernbaum and Judy Wensel
Musical Directed by Clinton Ackerman
Designed by Terri Bauer, Jim Drake and Mike Remando
Featuring Michael Martin, Bruce McKay, Mara Teare, Amanda Trapp, Colin
Wolf, Donovan Scheirer, Megan Zong, Mir Ali
July 2019 | Saskatoon Parks and Regina Harbour Landing
Wolf, Donovan Scheirer, Megan Zong, Mir Ali
July 2019 | Saskatoon Parks and Regina Harbour Landing
Turn, Turn, Turn
A Sum Theatre Production
Devised by the ensemble
Produced by Heather Morrison
Directed by Judy Wensel
Designed By Terri Bauer and Taegan O’Bertos
Stage Managed by Ricardo Alvarado
Featuring Jenna Berenbaum, Yulissa Campos, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Danny
Knight, Krystle Pederson, Donovan Scheirer, Amanda Trapp
July 2020 | 26 Saskatoon Neighbourhoods and the City of Martensville
Directed by Judy Wensel
Designed By Terri Bauer and Taegan O’Bertos
Stage Managed by Ricardo Alvarado
Featuring Jenna Berenbaum, Yulissa Campos, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Danny
Knight, Krystle Pederson, Donovan Scheirer, Amanda Trapp
July 2020 | 26 Saskatoon Neighbourhoods and the City of Martensville
Le Chandail/The Hockey Sweater
A Sum Theatre/La Troupe du Jour Co-Production
Adapted from a story by Roch Carrier Joel Bernbaum, Mac Dawson and
company
Directed by Mackenzie Dawson and Laura Negraeff
Designed by Terri Bauer
Stage Managed by Ricardo Alvarado
Featuring Jenna Berenbaum, Lancelot Knight, Kendra Choymyn, Anthony
Foucoult, Gabriel Gosselin, Gabriel Dufresne
January 2021 | Victoria School Rink & Gocki Park Regina
A Sum Theatre/La Troupe du Jour Co-Production
Adapted from a story by Roch Carrier Joel Bernbaum, Mac Dawson and
company
Directed by Mackenzie Dawson and Laura Negraeff
Designed by Terri Bauer
Stage Managed by Ricardo Alvarado
Featuring Jenna Berenbaum, Lancelot Knight, Kendra Choymyn, Anthony
Foucoult, Gabriel Gosselin, Gabriel Dufresne
January 2021 | Victoria School Rink & Gocki Park Regina
Through the Window
A Sum Theatre Production
Devised by the ensemble
Directed by Joel Bernbaum and Judith Schulz
Designed by David Granger
Original Music by Gilles Zolty
Featuring Peace Akintade, Drew Mantyka, Kristel Heather Harder, Danny Knight,
Megan Zong
March/May 2021 | 22 Saskatoon Homes and 4 Regina Homes
A Sum Theatre Production
Devised by the ensemble
Directed by Joel Bernbaum and Judith Schulz
Designed by David Granger
Original Music by Gilles Zolty
Featuring Peace Akintade, Drew Mantyka, Kristel Heather Harder, Danny Knight,
Megan Zong
March/May 2021 | 22 Saskatoon Homes and 4 Regina Homes
The Other Side of the River
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted by the ensemble
Directed by Joel Bernbaum and Judy Wensel
Designed by Taegan O’Bertos, Miranda Hughes-McKnight and Jim Drake
Featuring Kris Alvarez, Sarah Bergbusch, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Nathan
Howe, Aunya Jade, Bongani Musa, Donovan Scheirer, Amanda Trapp, Zoë Alverez
July/August 2021 | 27 Saskatoon Parks including City of Martensville, and 6 Regina Parks
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted by the ensemble
Directed by Joel Bernbaum and Judy Wensel
Designed by Taegan O’Bertos, Miranda Hughes-McKnight and Jim Drake
Featuring Kris Alvarez, Sarah Bergbusch, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Nathan
Howe, Aunya Jade, Bongani Musa, Donovan Scheirer, Amanda Trapp, Zoë Alverez
July/August 2021 | 27 Saskatoon Parks including City of Martensville, and 6 Regina Parks
wâhkôhtowin
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted by the ensemble
Directed by: Joel Bernbaum and Laura Negraeff
Designed by: Taegan O’Bertos, Milaine Curé, and Laura Crossman
Composition and Musical Direction by: Ruaridh MacDonald
Featuring: Kris Alvarez, Sarah Bergbusch, S.E. Grummett, Chris Krug-Iron, Mitchell Larsen, Krystle Pederson, Donovan Scheirer, Megan Zong
Stage managed by: Ricardo Alvarez and Johanna Arnott
May, June 2022 | 26 Saskatoon Parks including Warmen and
Martensville, and 6 Regina Parks, Indian Head, Waskesiu, Prince Albert, LaRonge
A Sum Theatre Production
Adapted by the ensemble
Directed by: Joel Bernbaum and Laura Negraeff
Designed by: Taegan O’Bertos, Milaine Curé, and Laura Crossman
Composition and Musical Direction by: Ruaridh MacDonald
Featuring: Kris Alvarez, Sarah Bergbusch, S.E. Grummett, Chris Krug-Iron, Mitchell Larsen, Krystle Pederson, Donovan Scheirer, Megan Zong
Stage managed by: Ricardo Alvarez and Johanna Arnott
May, June 2022 | 26 Saskatoon Parks including Warmen and
Martensville, and 6 Regina Parks, Indian Head, Waskesiu, Prince Albert, LaRonge
Zero Gravity
A Sum Theatre Production
Written by: Yvette Nolan
Devised by: The Ensemble
Directed by: Joel Bernbaum and Mackenzie Dawson
Designed by: Taegan O’Bertos, Jensine Emeline, and Conor Farrell
Puppet Master: Kei Tanaka
Composition and Musical Direction by: Krystle Pederson
Featuring: Johanna Arnott, Peace Akintade, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Mitchell Larsen, Leze Pewapsconias, Donovan Scheirer, Dean Stockdale, and Amanda Trapp
Stage managed by: Jalisa Gonie and Samantha Fairweather
Production Assistant: Paige Francoeur
May, June 2023 | 28 Saskatoon Parks including Warmen and
Martensville, Rosetown, Davidson, 6 Regina Parks including Indian Head, Prince Albert, LaRonge and Stanley Mission
Elder Brother and the Bison/ Le Frère et les Bisons
A Sum Theatre/ La Troupe du Jour Co-Production
Knowledge Keeper: Joseph Naytowhow
Directed by: Mackenzie Dawson
Music Director: Dean Stockdale
Designed by: Conor Farrell
Featuring: Jolanta Bird, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Bruce McKay and Dean Stockdale
Stage managed by: Samantha Fairweather
January, February 2024 | 20 Performances at 5 Saskatoon Rinks, 2 Regina Rinks, Prince Albert and North Battleford
The Reel Whirled
A Sum Theatre Production
Written by: Kris Alvarez
Devised by: The Ensemble
Directed by: Mackenzie Dawson and S.E Grummett
Designed by: Amberlin Hsu, Rowan Pantel and Kei Tanaka
Composition and Musical Direction by: Oli Guselle
Featuring: JB Berenbaum, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Ed Mendez, Katie Moore, John Reaney, Rebecca Spilchak and Megan Zong
Stage managed by: Samantha Fairweather and Avery Fehr
Production Assistant: Hannah Fehr
Production Manager: Ricardo Alvarado
Artistic Associate: Paige Francoeur
May, June 2024 | 27 Saskatoon Parks including Warman, Stanley Mission, La Ronge, Prince Albert, Rosetown and 6 Regina Parks including Indian Head
Breathe
A Sum Theatre Production
Written by: Danielle Roy
Devised by: The Ensemble
Directed by: Mackenzie Dawson and Grahame Kent
Designed by: Emily Johnson and Rowan Pantel
Composition and Musical Direction by: Jesse Fulcher Gagnon
Featuring: Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Oli Guselle, Ed Mendez, Katie Moore, Cooper Muirhead, John Reaney, Alexa Steponchev
Stage managed by: Johanna Arnott and Jalisa Gonie
Production Assistant: Aiden Maddison
Design Assistant: Bengee Smith
Artistic Associate: Paige Francoeur
May, June 2026 | 30 Saskatoon Parks, Rosetown, La Ronge, Prince Albert and 5 Regina Parks including Indian Head.
TRADE!
A Sum Theatre Production at Winterruption 2026
Curated by: Paige Francoeur & Jesse Fulcher Gagnon
Directed by: Jesse Fulcher Gagnon
Designed by: Julianna Phillips
Featuring: Emma Eaton, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Jonny MacPherson & Ibrahim Oshodi
The Colour of the Town
A Sum Theatre Production
Written by: JB Berenbaum
Devised by: The Ensemble
Directed by: Mackenzie Dawson
Designed by: Morgan Carter, Jonathan Cestnick and Rowan Pantel
Composition and Musical Direction by: Jesse Fulcher Gagnon
Featuring: Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Jenna Hsu, Miranda Hughes-McKnight, Zoë James, Cooper Muirhead, John Reaney and Rebecca Spilchak
Stage managed by: Samantha Fairweather and Bengee Smith
Design Assistant: Jenna Stang
Production Assistant: Marz Gebhardt
Artistic Associate: Paige Francoeur
May, June, July 2026 | 35 Saskatoon Parks including Warman and the Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan, La Ronge, Prince Albert and 6 Regina Parks
Theatre in the Park 2027....
Coming soon