ARTIST'S NOTES - The Lawyer of La Salette 
The period of time in which an artwork is created is an undeniably great influence on the kind of art it will be. But I find equally important are the sometimes serendipitous meetings with an eclectic assortment of art (stories, music, plays, visual art etc.) which I encounter during the creation process of a play. I consider the creation period of a play, to begin with the first encounter with an inspirational source. This sometimes happens years before the pen is put to paper (or finger to keyboard). Often I do not even know at first that the creation of a new play has begun with such an encounter. But the ideas start to percolate, and then the catalyst for the creation process really picks up speed when encountering further influences, which contrast, complement and conflict with that first piece of inspiration.

When it comes to The Lawyer of La Salette the creation of this play goes back a very long way. Starting when I first learned that my Great-great Grandfather was known as The Lawyer of La Salette. Not a real lawyer but someone known for giving good counsel in Norfolk County. Next, I encountered the inspiring story of Neil McAlpine and how he saved his community in Fingal Ontario from the economic ruin. Then there were chance meetings with an array of old brilliant and biting folk songs. Then I recalled misty tales of my Great-great-great Grandmother's journey from Ireland. These influences came together as Kydra and myself created this piece for this year, a time when the cost of living is climbing and many are encountering food insecurity. These old tales offer a lot for our times.
-Adam Corrigan Holowitz

Adam Corrigan Holowitz. Photo by Richard Gilmore.