A Theatre Direct Production
By Erik Uddenberg
Created and Developed with Unga Klara Theatre
FOR AGES 9+
A PLAY ABOUT ADULTS, FOR CHILDREN
PERFORMED IN 11 COUNTRIES ACROSS FIVE CONTINENTS
February 15 Public Performance
Sometimes adults seem like gods—powerful, protective, and kind. But they can also be unpredictable and dangerous. What adults often overlook is children’s unique power: their ability to see right through them.
Guardians of the Gods is a play about what unites children across the. globe: living in a world ruled by adults. Written by Erik Uddenberg and directed by Gustav Deinoff, the play has been developed based on interviews with children and adults from 11 different countries across five continents. Over the next year, the play will be performed in all 11 countries in their respective languages.
The play is part of The Childhood Project – a major international collaboration between all participating theatres, from Bangladesh to Finland. The project aims to enhance culture for children and young people all over the world.
“It is very rewarding to unite people from all over the world on this universal experience:
being a child adjusting to adults.”
ERIK UDDENBERG
Available for School Bookings!
Upcoming Performances 2026
February 10 – Available to book for schools!
February 13 – Educator and Student day at Theatre Direct
February 14 – Artist Development day at Theatre Direct
February 15 – Public Performances at Aluna Theatre (Ages 9+)
pa day camp
for students
Friday, February 13 | 9AM–3PM
Calling all dramatic kids in Grades 4–8!
Spend your PA Day getting creative with Theatre Direct.
This full-day camp includes drama games, a live performance of Guardians of the Gods, pizza lunch, outdoor play, and a movement workshop led by a professional actor.
Location: Theatre Direct Rehearsal Studio and Aluna Theatre (1 Wiltshire Ave)
Cost: $50 per student (includes lunch)
After care available until 4:00 PM
PA Day Camp Schedule
- 9:00 AM: Drop-off at Rehearsal Studio
- 9:15 AM: Intro and drama games with Artistic Director Lisa Marie DiLiberto
- 10:15 AM: Walk to Aluna Theatre
- 10:30 AM: Guardians of the Gods performance
- 11:30 AM: Pizza lunch
- 12:30 PM: Outdoor scavenger hunt
- 1:30 PM: Animal Transformations workshop with Rob Feetham
- 3:00–4:00 PM: Flexible pick-up and doodle time
Questions? Contact Theatre Direct Producer Alexis at alexis@theatredirect.ca
educator
professional
development
Friday, February 13 | 10AM–3PM
Spend your PA Day building tools for a dynamic drama curriculum.
This professional development day is designed for educators teaching Grades 4–12 and combines a live performance, hands-on facilitation training, networking, and catered meals.
Location: Theatre Direct (1 Wiltshire Ave., unit 127)
Cost: Free with registration
What’s Included
- Live performance of Guardians of the Gods
- Coffee and catered lunch
- Drama facilitation workshop led by Artistic Director Lisa Marie DiLiberto
- Insight into Theatre Direct programming and partnership opportunities
Learning Objectives
Elementary Educators (Grades 4–8)
- Use contemporary theatre to deepen critical thinking and student voice
- Apply role play and collaborative play-building to support language and SEL
- Connect production themes to Drama, Language, and Social Studies
- Strengthen culturally responsive and trauma-informed facilitation practices
Secondary Educators (Grades 9–12)
- Use contemporary theatre to explore global issues and youth perspectives
- Apply devised and documentary theatre strategies
- Connect production themes to Drama, Media Arts, English, and Social Sciences
- Strengthen culturally responsive and trauma-informed facilitation practices
artist
development
day
saturday, February 14 | 10AM–3:30PM
Join Theatre Direct for a workshop on the principles of Guided Play and Interactive Theatre for Young Audiences, facilitated by award-winning artist, Kim Selody (The Hobbit, Where The Wild Things Are). This two-hour session will explore fundamental concepts and techniques in developing participatory theatre experiences that open a door for audience input. For professional theatre creators who are interested in crafting interactive experiences with audiences.
The workshop will be followed by a performance of Guardians of the Gods and talk-back with the artists.
Artist Development Day is free by application available here. Space is limited.
February 14 – Artist & Creator Development Schedule
10AM: Guided Play Workshop with Kim Selody at Aluna Theatre
12PM: Pizza Lunch
1:30PM: Performance of Guardians of the Gods at Aluna Theatre
2:30-3:30: Talk Back with performers and Theatre Direct Artistic Director, Lisa Marie DiLiberto
Kim Selody has worked as a writer, director and actor in Canadian theatre for over 30 years, directing more than 100 productions, many world premieres for youth and young audiences. Playwriting credits include Silverwing, The Hobbit, Fool’s Angel, Synthetic Energy, Suddenly Shakespeare and The Last Drop. Kim wrote and co-created L’en Vol Du L’ange for Montreal’s Dynamo Theatre and co-created and directed a musical version of The Cat Came Back with Jay Brazeau and Fred Penner for MTYP. Kim has served as Artistic Director of the Playwrights Theatre Centre, Carousel Players in Southern Ontario, and at Presentation House Theatre.
CREATIVE TEAM
BY / DRAMATURGE: Erik Uddenberg
DIRECTOR: Gustav Deinoff
ARTISTIC ADVISOR: Lisa Marie DiLiberto
CANADIAN SHOW STARRING: Robert Feetham and Deanna
Jones
SCENOGRAPHER and COSTUME DESIGNER: Deniz Göl
COMPOSER and SOUND DESIGN: Tayza Naing
COREOGRAPHER: Diana Meriline
CHILD ADVISOR: Carmel Ketchabaw
Participating theatres
Theatre Direct, Toronto – Canada
Alley Theatre, Houston – USA
Mordem Arts Centre, Diyarbakır – Turkey
La Covacha Teatro, México City – Mexico
Theater Festival/Assitej, Warsaw – Poland
Unge Viken Teater, Lillestrøm – Norway
Svenska Teatern, Helsinki – Finland
Drama for Life, Johannesburg – South Africa
Prachyanat Theatre, Dhaka – Bangladesh
Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires – Argentina
Unga Klara, Stockholm – Sweden
