JAKE’S GIFT: BACKSTAGE PASS
By Julia Mackey
October 30 - November 17, 2024
We are thrilled to offer you these special extras to help celebrate the beloved story, Jake’s Gift.
Poster Artwork by Kate Beck
““The only two things that can satisfy the soul are a person and a story.””
About Jake’s Gift
In June 2004, Julia Mackey traveled to Normandy, France, for the 60th anniversary of D-Day. It was one of the most moving and powerful experiences of her life. During that week long journey, Julia interviewed dozens of Canadian, British and American WW2 veterans who had returned for the ceremonies. For many, it was their first time back to France since the war. The stories they shared with Julia and her own life-long interest in Remembrance Day inspired the development of the play. In August 2006, the first draft of Jake’s Gift received a workshop performance at the Sunset Theatre’s Exploration Series in Wells, BC.
Photo Credit: Tim Matheson
Jake’s Gift is a surprisingly funny multi-award winning drama that tells the story of a Canadian World War II veteran’s reluctant return to Normandy, France, to find the grave of the brother who never came home. While revisiting the shores of Juno Beach, Jake encounters Isabelle, a precocious 10-year-old from the local village. Isabelle’s inquisitive nature and charm challenge the old soldier to confront some long-ignored ghosts – most notably, the war-time death of his eldest brother, Chester, a once promising young musician. At its heart, Jake’s Gift is about the legacy of remembrance and makes personal the story behind one soldier’s grave.
Since January 2007, Juno Productions has toured Jake’s Gift to theatres, festivals, community halls, schools and Legions in over 250 communities across Canada. Internationally, they’ve taken the show to Washington State, Tiverton & Birmingham, England, and to Normandy, France, for the 70th, 73rd & 75th anniversary of D-Day, where Julia has performed Jake’s Gift in French and English in venues right on Juno Beach! Juno Productions and Jake’s Gift have received rave reviews from critics and audience members alike whether in small rural towns or big city centres. Now in their 16th year of touring Jake’s Gift, Julia and Director/Stage Manager, Dirk Van Stralen, continue to enjoy sharing this timeless story with communities across Canada and beyond.
Playwright/ Performer
Julia Mackey was born in Birmingham, England. Both of her parents’ families have had strong ties to the performing arts for many generations. When Julia was three years old her family moved to Canada, eventually settling in Montreal, where she grew up. After completing a Bachelor of Education degree at McGill University, she moved to Victoria, British Columbia, to pursue a more creative life.
In the Fall of 1993, Julia started training with ground-breaking director and Ryerson University alumnus, Robert Osborne. A year later she met the founders of Theatre SKAM, and began writing and performing short plays for their acclaimed show, 29 Plays in 59 Minutes. Since 1997, Julia has worked as a professional actor in theatres across Canada.
In August 2012, Julia received the Calgary Betty Mitchell Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama for her work in Jake’s Gift. The Production was also nominated for Outstanding Production.
In February 2024, Julia became a 2024 recipient of the Governor General Meritorious Service Cross for her work with Jake’s Gift. “We are extremely grateful to the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable, Mary May Simon for this award, and to the people who nominated us,” said Julia.
When not on tour with Jake’s Gift, Julia lives in the historic town of Wells in British Columbia, with her partner, Dirk Van Stralen, an award-winning cartoonist, illustrator, actor, graphic designer, and the director of Jake’s Gift.
Director / Stage Manager
Dirk Van Stralen is a four time Jessie Richardson Theatre Award Nominee for acting. (Vancouver’s Theatre Awards) Also an award-winning cartoonist and illustrator, his single panel cartoon, vanstralen, appeared in Vancouver’s The Georgia Straight for 17 years. He is the illustrator of two wordless kids books: Ben’s Big Dig and Ben’s Bunny Trouble.
Lighting Designer
Gerald King’s designs are often seen with Pacific Opera Victoria (most recently for Carmen), Evita and Romeo and Julietta,(The Vancouver Opera), The Drowsy Chaperone (The Vancouver Playhouse, The Citadel and National Arts Centre), Da Kink in My Hair, King Lear, Cats, Much Ado About Nothing, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Theatre Calgary), Bard on the Beach, Theatre Under the Stars, the Arts Club Theatre, Kokoro Dance, Theatre Calgary and Western Canada Theatre.
His work has also been seen with opera companies across Canada, Omaha Opera, Baltimore Opera, Ballet British Columbia, the National Ballet of Canada, and the National Arts Centre. He has won eight Jessie Richardson Awards (Vancouver’s Theatre Awards) and is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada.
Giving Back to the Community
Since 2010, Juno Productions has raised money for the local Legions of the communities they perform in. Following each performance, Jake’s Gift button packages will be sold for $5.00 per package. 100% of the profits raised will be donated to Calgary Legions. To date, they have raised and donated over $51,000 to Legions across Canada.
Field of Crosses Memorial
The Field of Crosses Memorial is on display between November 1 – 11 each year. The public is welcome to walk amongst the crosses 24/7. The crosses are illuminated throughout the night. Visitors are encouraged to stop in front of each cross that moves them to pay respect to that soldier by quietly calling their name out loud while holding their hand over their heart and expressing whatever sentiment they are feeling. Sunrise and Sunset ceremonies are held each day from November 1 until November 10 and the public is always welcome.
Jake’s Gift Study Guide
A supplemental resource for high school students and teachers.
Awards & Nominations
2018 - Nomination, Outstanding Leading Performance - Saskatoon and Area Theatre Awards
2016 - Nomination, Best Actress (professional) - Capital Critics’ Circle (Ottawa, Ontario)
2015 - Nomination, Best Revival - Calgary Theatre Critics Award
2012 - Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Award - Betty Mitchell Awards (Calgary, Alberta)
2012 - Outstanding Production Nomination - Betty Mitchell Awards (Calgary, Alberta)
2012 - Best Solo Performance Nomination - Calgary Theatre Critics Awards
2011 - Outstanding Touring Production Nomination - Dora Mavor Moore Theatre Awards (Toronto, Ontario)
2011 - British Columbia Touring Council’s Touring Artist of the Year Award
2011 - CAPACOA’s 2010-2011 Touring Artist of the Year Award
2010 - Contact East Touring Performers Award
2009 - Royal Canadian Legion Media Award
2009 - Best of Venue/Fest - Winnipeg Fringe Festival
2009 - Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role Nomination - Jessie Richardson Awards (Vancouver, BC)
2008 - Best of Festival - Edmonton Fringe Festival
2008 - Best Drama • Best Solo Show • Best Female Performer - Victoria Fringe Festival
2007 - Best New Play • Best Drama • Best Solo Show • Best Female Performer - Victoria Fringe Festival
