By the Joshua Slocum Society
It was a magical theatre weekend on Brier Island on August 8th and 9th, 2026. Two performances at the Westport Community Hall were filled with a combined total of 172 guests. The play was “Before the Sea: the Joshua Slocum Story on Brier Island.” It was written by Kristina Inrig who was inspired by all the efforts to celebrate Joshua Slocum this year.
“I wanted to find a way to bring the Joshua Slocum story to life for our community,” said Kristina Inrig. “With the formation of the Joshua Slocum Society and the opening of the Slocum Boot Shop this year, it felt like an important moment for the island.”
The story was certainly brought to life! Director Marie-Laure Hansson led a cast of 15 actors, including 9 children & youth and 6 adults. There were also over 19 volunteers helping with the production from crew members to other helpers. A special shout out goes to Jane Zdansky and Rikki Clements for creating the incredible set for the play. Wanda Christensen and the Islands Historical Society donated the use of the costumes which Wanda had made many years ago for Loyalist Days and Rikki adjusted for the play this year. Many people helped with various props and we thank Locke Highleyman for his special touch with the little boat props. Please see the full list of cast, crew, and volunteers!
The play told the story of Joshua Slocum reflecting back on his life on Brier Island. We saw an older Slocum aboard the Spray writing at various points on his trip around the world. Slocum was the first person to sail single-handedly around the world from 1895-1898. He told his story in the famous book “Sailing Alone Around the World.” In the play, Slocum looked back on when he arrived to Brier Island at age 8 with his family. The story continues through the 8 years that he lived here before heading out to a life at sea at age 16.
There were several key moments in Slocum’s true story that were featured in the play: his attendance at the Westport School, church services, Pew #13 and the sleeping Deacon at the “little church on the hill.” The Slocum Boot where he worked with his father was an important element as well. Also featured was the eccentric tailor Mr. Lowry and his encounter with a lighted dudeen and some gun powder. There were also challenging moments like when the toy sailboat that Slocum built was destroyed by his father and also the death of his mother before he moved away.
The wonderful cast brought energy, emotion, and humour to the story. They spent two months preparing for the performance weekend and we are so incredibly proud and thankful for the time, effort, and commitment they showed. They put in so much work and their efforts really paid off as the story unfolded on stage. There were so many volunteers who were involved in the production in some way or another. From helping with practices to volunteering at the performances, this was a true community effort. The success of the event was only possible by the incredible engagement of the cast, crew, and volunteers! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This was the first performance of the Westport Theatre Troupe. The play was produced by the Brier Island Foundation in partnership with the Joshua Slocum Society. All proceeds from the event will go to support the Slocum Boot Shop which needs some urgent repairs this fall.
Some people have already started asking about next steps for the Westport Theatre Troupe! After a well-deserved break for the remainder of the summer, a meeting will be called to discuss next steps this fall. Additional volunteers to serve on the organizing team are needed. It is also expected that different productions in different seasons or times would welcome other community members in various roles from writing to directing to everything in between. So if you have an idea or a passion, please get in touch! We need your energy to help make a future production possible! Please email westporttheatre@gmail.com to reach out.
CAST
Joshua Slocum
Young Joshua (Age 8–11): Greyson Highleyman
Teen Joshua (Age 12–16): Brier Tudor
Joshua Slocum (Adult): Torre Hansson
Slocum Family
John Slocum (Father): John Schwinghamer
Sarah Slocum (Mother): Cindy Bezant-Titus
Margaret Slocum: Siena Titus
Elizabeth Slocum: Jasmine Inrig
Community Characters
Teacher: Crystal McDormand
Mr. Lowry: Jess Tudor
Minister: Phil Welch
School Boys
Will: Joshua Inrig
Caleb: Ben Inrig
School Girls
Alice: Isabelle Sollows
Lydia: Maddie Thimot
Phoebe: Vaida Titus
CREW
Set Design:
Jane Zdansky
Rikki Clements
Stage:
Laura Titus
Sophia Titus
Lighting:
Bridget Titus
Letisha Joys
ORGANIZING TEAM
Director: Marie-Laure Hansson
Writer: Kristina Inrig
Costume Lead: Rikki Clements
SPECIAL THANKS
Alex & Philippe Lehner
Amy Tudor
Doug Scholes
Gracie Welch
Jane Zdansky
Jessica Thimot
John Schwinghamer
Katherine Feiel
Kendall Temper
Kristen Crocker
Laura Titus
Laurie Lamoureux Scholes
Letisha Joys
Lisa Clark
Locke Highleyman
Ralph Clements
Shannon Sepers
Sophia Titus
Sylvan Dustin
Wanda Christensen
Thank you to the Brier Island Foundation, the Joshua Slocum Society, Islands Historical Society, Westport Recreation Auxiliary, Brier Island Lodge, Mariners Cruises, DB Kenney Fisheries Ltd., and Printer Works (Yarmouth).
Thank you to our volunteers, families, donors, and everyone who has helped bring the first production of the Westport Theatre Troupe to life.