ALPHA

ALPHA
Company
Naparima College Drama Club (NCDC)
Director
Jeanelle L. Archer-Chan
Runtime
55 minutes

The play "ALPHA" shares the experience of 5 bright, privileged boys from a fictitious prestigious secondary school in Trinidad and Tobago and is a re-imagining of Zeno Constance's popular play "The Ritual".

‘Hilltop College’, an all-boys secondary school, finds itself in hot water when one of their model students, Alpha, is charged for rape. But how could he do such a thing? Glimpse into the lives, antics and imaginations of five of Alpha’s classmates as they attempt to understand what happened, while learning about themselves and examining their place in today’s society through storytelling, and the ritual of Kalinda (stickfighting).


Credits

Writer
Jeanelle L. Archer-Chan, Syre Hutton, Pranav Persad-Maharaj, Gabriel Rahman, Devaj Ramoutar, & the Naparima College Drama Club (NCDC)
Cast
#1 - Gabriel Rahman, #2 - Syre Hutton, #3 - Pranav Persad-Maharaj, #4 - Christopher Seepersad, #5 - Jhasan Dhaniram, Mr. Smith & Chorus - Devaj Ramoutar, with Chorus - Ethan Rambharose & Njisane Deonarinesingh
Choreographer
Simeon Moodoo (Kalinda), Triston Wallace (Movement)
Stage Manager
Joshua Dwarika with Keshav Bridgelal (Lighting Cues)
Music Director
Nirvan Mahabir
Musician
Avedis Ali (Steelpan), Isaiah Andrews (Keyboard), Kristian Changoor (Guitar), Nirvan Mahabir (Guitar), Kadeer Mohammed (Drums & Percussion), Zachary Persad (Percussion), Jeremy Singh (Bass Guitar, Drums & Percussion)
Costume Designer
Letitia Mike ( Makeup), Aleemudeen Mohammed & Colleen Norville-Hutton (Costume Coordination)
Accessibility Coordinators
Hannah Sammy

Performances

  Date Time
3rd July 3:45pm  
6th July 12:30pm  
7th July 5:45pm  
9th July 7:30pm  
10th July 6:00pm  
11th July 12:00pm  
13th July 3:00pm  

Venue

1 : Soulpepper Theatre's Michael Young Theatre

50 Tank House Lane
Distillery Historic District
Toronto
Ontario
M5A 3C4

Access

Level of Physical Access
Accessible

Covid-19 policy

Masks
Not required

Facilities

Air Conditioned
Yes
Washrooms
Yes
Outdoors
No

Accessibility information


More about the show and company

The Naparima College Drama Club (NCDC) comprises of students, staff and collaborators of Naparima College, an all-boy secondary school from San Fernando, Trinidad. "ALPHA" is a fictitious piece of work and was created by the members NCDC who have, over the past few years, been aware of and affected by the themes and issues addressed within.


Land acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional land of the
Indigenous/First Nations of Canada, and in particular of this Toronto Region.

We come with Respect, from our land – KAIRI, the indigenous name of our Twin-
Island Republic, now known as Trinidad and Tobago.

We honour the Ancestors, whose hard work and resilience in very challenging
times, has left their descendants with a rich heritage to enjoy, learn from and
maintain. May our theatre be an offering—of joy, of truth, of honour. May it echo the call of the ancestors, both here and in Kairi, and may it open space for listening, learning, and dreaming together.


Content advice

Not recommended for persons under 14 years of age Sexual content Abrupt cues Fog machine Strobe lights Mature language

Reference to rape and/or sexual assault, brief depictions of physical, mental, sexual & verbal abuse, depictions of alcohol & drug abuse, brief depictions of racism and homophobia.

Sensory description

ALPHA is a highly physical and immersive theatrical experience that engages the senses with intensity and purpose. The production features moments of loud, percussive drumming, sharp vocalizations, and sudden bursts of sound that may startle. Audiences will encounter dynamic lighting effects, including flashing lights and rapid blackouts, used to enhance tension and evoke emotional shifts. Scenes may include intense physical movement, such as choreographed fights, stickfighting (Kalinda), and group rituals, performed in close proximity to the audience, which may create a sense of unpredictability or urgency. At times, the atmosphere is deliberately unsettling, mirroring the weight of the play’s themes. These sensory elements are vital to the storytelling but may be overwhelming for individuals with sensitivity to noise, light, or high-energy staging. We advise all audience members to take any necessary precautions to ensure their comfort and safety during the performance.