The Enemy: A Story About Peace

Illustration by Serge Bloch; Excerpted from The Enemy, 2007

Work in Progress (Fall 2024-Fall 2026)

There is a war on.
It could be any war.
And this place, this could be any place.
Look closely... there are two holes.
Do you see? In each hole, there is a soldier.

They are enemies.

Text Sample

PRODUCTION RUN (Fall 2026)

The Enemy – Fall 2026 Production Run brings a fully-realized staging of our recently-created script to public audiences in Calgary. Building on a year of research and artistic development, this phase of the project focuses on production, performance, and community engagement. Rehearsals begin in early October 2025, culminating in a tech week running October 27–31. The production run is scheduled for October 31 through November 15, 2025, coinciding with Remembrance Day, with a post-mortem/evaluation process to take place by November 30. The production is a multimodal adaptation of L'ennemi, a picture book by Davide Cali and Serge Bloch, that explores war, empathy, and human connection through the eyes of two opposing soldiers. Our staged version will blend live performance with projection, object manipulation, sound design, and manual/mechanical theatre techniques. This approach supports layered storytelling that is accessible to audiences Grade 3 and up, while maintaining emotional nuance and artistic depth.

Call for Participation!

Submissions for The Enemy: A Play About Peace

Directed by the fearless Meredith Johnson, the P.E.A.s in a Pod Collective is adapting the childrens' book L'ennemi (by Davide Cali and Serge Bloch) into a multi-modal TYA performance to be produced at the Central Calgary Public Library in November, and we are looking for the right team to help make that happen.

Rehearsal Dates: Oct 19-Nov 3, Performance Dates: Nov 1-3 (tenative schedule below)

This is a paid position, with the support of CADA.

Before submitting, please view the original source material here and here.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the story, please write us with an Expression of Interest. We’d love to hear what excites you about the project, how your background in theatre creation/performance might benefit the project, and why YOU are the right person for the team.

We also encourage you to provide an additional piece of material whether that is a short video, a photo collage, a glimpse into a portfolio, a sample of writing, etc. inspired by the book to help us get a better idea of what you bring to the table.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please email your submission to peasinapodcollective@gmail.com

Submission deadline May 31 at 11:59pm!

Tentative Production Schedule:

Oct 19-23 10am-6pm
Oct 24 Day off
Oct 25-30 10am-6pm
Oct 31 Day off
Nov 1 Load in - Times TBD
Nov 2 8am-8pm Ext Performance Day
Nov 3 8am-4pm Performance and Strike

Learn More About Our Workshop...

The Enemy – A Multimodal Theatre Workshop for Young Audiences

Project Overview:

With permission from the Creators and Publisher, we are adapting The Enemy (Davide Cali & Serge Bloch, 2007) into a multimodal theatre production designed to help young audiences understand the complexities of war, empathy, and human connection. This one-week intensive workshop will explore script development and innovative performance techniques, with a focus on live performance and visual storytelling.

Objectives:

Workshop Creation: Develop a multimodal adaptation of The Enemy, blending live performance with visual, sound, and mechanical elements.
Artistic Innovation: Engage Alberta-based artists in an experimental process that bridges theatre and new media.
Empathy & Understanding: Provide a unique platform for young people to reflect on the realities of war and foster emotional intelligence.

Artistic Vision:

Our approach will integrate multiple forms of media — technical elements, object manipulation, and live performance — into a layered, immersive experience. The story will focus on the dehumanizing outcomes of war and the rehumanizing outcomes of empathy, connecting Albertan students, whose experiences with war vary drastically, to historical thinking and affective compassion.

Timeline:

Phase 1 – Discovery (Completed): Initial conceptualization and formation of the collective.
Phase 2 – Research & Development (Ongoing): Cultural research and technical exploration.
Phase 3 – Workshop (May 2025 @ The Erratics Indie Arts Club): A collaborative, one-week exploration phase involving script and technical development.
Phase 4 – Production & Performances (Fall 2025): Pre-production, rehearsals, and public performances.
Phase 5 – Post-Production & Legacy: Documentation and potential expansion into multimedia or touring adaptations.

Outcomes:

Educational Impact: The project will be a tool for teaching empathy and understanding, engaging young audiences in nuanced discussions on war.
Cultural Legacy: The adaptation builds upon The Enemy’s global impact, offering a fresh medium to explore its themes in Canada and beyond.
Artistic Growth: Our workshop will push the boundaries of creative storytelling, fostering growth among the participating artists and collaborators.

Conclusion:

We believe this project has the power to resonate deeply with young audiences. The workshop is an essential next step toward a full-scale production that will impact the educational and artistic communities in Alberta and beyond.

The Pod

During the week of May 12 - May 16 2025, seven P.E.A.s made themselves a Pod at the Erratics Indie Arts Club, to explore and uncover the textual possibilities of The Enemy. From that workshop, a draft of an adapted script for final production emerged.

Stills from our Workshop Process

Interested in reading the full Prospectus? Curious about the Collective? Compelled to donate to the Project Fund?

Connect with us at peasinapodcollective@gmail.com

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