Make It Happen: 'The Noose' 2025 Tour to Ottawa and New York

Hi, I'm Abigail Whitney, the producer and director of the Canadian premiere of "The Noose," a powerful Haitian classic play. I'm thrilled to share some exciting news: our production has been invited to perform at two prestigious festivals in 2025 - the undercurrents Festival in Ottawa and the New York City Fringe Festival! This is a dream come true, but we need your help to make it happen.

My journey with "The Noose" began in 2021 during the pandemic. Dr. Eric Pierre, the Honorary Consul of Haiti in Toronto had seen my award-winning undergraduate directorial debut of 'Les Frères' in 2018, a play about three estranged brothers of Haitian descent. When Dr. Pierre's colleague, Dr. Asselin Charles, approached him with an English translation of "The Noose," they thought of me to bring it to life in Canada.

As a member of the Haitian diaspora, theatre has been my gateway to understanding and connecting with my culture. Despite never having visited Haiti or being fluent in Haitian Creole, directing plays about my culture has given me a new language to learn about Haitian culture.

My mom was on the phone with Dr. Eric Pierre when he suggested I read “The Noose” and potentially produce and direct it. I was hesitant at first; I was a recent University of Toronto undergraduate, and we were in the midst of a pandemic - theatre had stopped. But as soon as I read the play, I was immediately blown away.

"The Noose," originally written in Haitian Creole as "Pèlentèt" (meaning "head trap") by Frankétienne, is a Nobel Prize nominee and widely considered Haiti's greatest living writer. The play tells the story of two Haitian immigrants - a middle-class intellectual and a lower-class labourer - who clash, banter, and ultimately unite in a New York City basement apartment in the 1980s, fighting for dignity in a world determined to crush their American dreams.

Written in 1978 during the Duvalier dictatorship, "The Noose" addressed Haiti's social structure, characterized by extreme inequality and political repression. Nearly 50 years later, its themes remain startlingly relevant. With the ongoing Haitian migrant crisis across the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada, this play offers a poignant perspective on the immigrant experience.

For three years, I've poured my heart into making the Canadian premiere of this production a reality. We are successfully staging it at the Next Stage Festival in Toronto in October 2024. Now, we have the incredible opportunity to share this important story with even more people in Ottawa and New York City.

However, taking a theatre production on tour isn't easy or cheap. That's why we're asking for your help to raise $20,000. This will cover:

- Travel, accommodation, and per diem for our cast and crew

- The cost of costumes, set, and props and lighting and sound equipment -Transportation of costumes, set, and props and equipment

- Marketing to ensure we reach as many people as possible

By supporting us, you're not just helping a theatre production. You're amplifying Haitian voices, promoting cultural understanding, and being part of a historic moment. This will be the first time "The Noose" is performed in Ottawa and only the second time in New York City - home to the largest Haitian immigrant community in the U.S.

Every donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goal. If you can't donate, sharing our campaign would mean the world to us. Together, we can bring this powerful piece of Haitian culture to new audiences and create unforgettable experiences.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Be a part of Haitian theatre history in the making. This is a rare opportunity to experience a culturally significant play that bridges Haiti's past and present. Let's make this happen together!