Christine Tootoo
Biography
Christine Tootoo is an enigmatic and captivating actor in film and theatre actor, recently starring and collaborating in Kiviuq Returns, Qaggiavuut's Inuit theatre epic that toured southern and northern Canada in 2017. Kiviuq Returns also had it's world premiere in Nuuk, Greenland at the Nunatta Isigiinaartisisarfia in September 2018, as well as a month long run in January 2019 at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto; Christine was involved in both of these productions.
Christine starred as Ani in the feature film Iqaluit by Quebec Director Benoit Pilon in 2016.
She has toured as a drummer and throat singer with the Inuksuk Drum Dancers to Ottawa, P.E.I, Whitehorse and Grand Priarie during her highschool years.
Christine is an experienced button accordion player, mentoring with renowned Inuit masters, Simeonie Keenainak and Zeebedee Nungaq and Jeannie Nungaq.
She has also facilitated youth workshops throughout Nunavut, and has worked with over 400 youth in the past 2 years teaching traditional pisiit (songs), throatsinging, and acting.
Christine has recently completed 2 artist in residencies for new upcoming productions, Unikkaaqtuat, and Ikumagialiit.
Credits/experience
Feature Films
- Iqaluit (2016) Worldwide Release
- Directed by Benoit Pilon
Theatrical Productions
- Kiviuq Returns (70 mins) Founding/Touring Cast
- Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity (June 2017)
- Alianait Festival, Iqaluit, Nunavut (July 2017)
- Isabel Bader Centre, Kingston, Ontario (July 2017)
- National Arts Centre, Ottawa, Ontario (July 2017)
- Fleck Dance Theatre, Toronto, Ontario (July 2017)
- Nunatta Isigiinaartitsisarfia, Nuuk, Greenland (September 2018)
- Tarragon Theatre, Toronto, Ontario (January 2019)
- Unikkaaqtuat a production of ArtCirq (80 mins)
- Ikumagialiit - Performance Art Band (80 mins)
Music Recordings
- '867' with Thor Simonsen
- Vocals and throat singing
- Qaggiq Teacher Training with Qaggiavuut Society 2016
- Nunavut Sivuniksaut, Ottawa
- Inuksuk Drum Dancers (Choir)