GENUS 394WZ

A poetic sci-fi allegory
presented as a visually and musically rich hybrid puppet theatre–film production.

A grid of 12 photos of actors and puppets,

GENUS 394Wz is a poetic sci-fi allegory presented as a visually and musically rich hybrid puppet theatre–film production. Performed live by Wendy Passmore-Godfrey and featuring video performances by eight local Calgary actors, the work traces the mythic history of an imagined Genus and its species across deep time. Guided by Aanigma, a timeless narrator, the species are revered, consumed, classified, engineered, abandoned, and more — asking how power, empathy, and ethical responsibility shape humanity’s treatment of “others.”

DELVE DEEPER: Exploring the themes in Song of the Species

GENUS 394Wz

Conceived and Created By
Karin Millson
Wendy Passmore-Godfrey

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2026 PRODUCTION

Director and Producer
Wendy Passmore-Godfrey

Cinematography and Post-Production
Gil Ngai – Day One Media

Cast
AANIGMA Wendy Passmore-Godfrey
MATRIARCH                          Michelle Warkentin
PRIESTESS                            Ashwini Mohan
HUNTER                                 Andréus Wallace
SCHOLAR                     Alèn Martel
INDUSTRIALIST                   Hussein Juma
PROMOTER              Jocelyn Mah
SCIENTIST                             Mike Tan
CYBORG JUVENILE            Kaja Irwin

Music
Stu MacQuarrie
Nikki Menard — Hang Drum
Hugh Conings — Flute & Drum
Georgi Dimitrov — Karcigar Ud Taksim, Turkish Oud
Edmond Van Putte — Soundscapes
Blair Francis — Soundscapes
Jaewoo Lee — Cyborg
Kiri Daust — Evridé, Violin
Epidemic Sound

Lighting Design
Lane Shordee

Still Photography
Sean Dennie
JAMAC Photography
Karin Millson

Sound Effects and Foley
Gil Ngai
Wendy Passmore-Godfrey

Artwork, sets, props and puppets
Karin Millson
Wendy Passmore-Godfrey

Shibori Fibre Arts
Karin Millson

Costume Consultant
Hannah Fisher

Dramaturgy
Paul Dean

Special Thanks
Tam Godfrey
Kira Kulicki
Val Lieske
Glenn Taylor
Rob Ward
Sky Weir

An Independent Production by
Wendy Passmore-Godfrey

Financial Support from
W.P. Puppet Theatre Society
Karin Millson

Meet the Actors

Michelle Warketin

Matriarch

Michelle Warkentin is a professional puppeteer, playwright, conference speaker, workshop leader, actor and voice-over artist with credits in stage and film.
Ashwini Mohan

Priestess
Ashwini Mohan is a dancer with Madhuban Performing Arts. She is a classically trained Bharatnatyam dancer, an ancient Indian classical dance form from Tamil Nadu.
Andréus Wallace

Hunter

Andréus Wallace is a BFA acting Alumni student from the University of Alberta. He took part in the Citadel Theatre’s Young Musical Theatre Company. He has received training in acting, singing, clown and dancing.
Alèn Martel

Scholar

Alèn Martel is a dancer, dance researcher, and dance educator. His research and pedagogy focuses on creative process and the intersection of dance and science.
Hussein Juma

Industrialist

Hussein Juma is a Canadian filmmaker working across narrative, experimental, and collaborative projects. His work often explores psychological tension and atmosphere through character-driven storytelling and unconventional visual approaches.
Jocelyn Mah

Promoter

Jocelyn Mah is a contemporary dance artist by training, but she always knew her practice would expand to include more than that. She is now also a puppeteer, mask performer and avid interdisciplinary collaborator.
Mike Tan

Scientist

Mike Tan is a people-person. He takes the photos. He’s pretty social and always out and about. When not photographing, he’s acting in local productions, catching as many shows as possible.
Kaja Irwin

Cyborg Child

Kaja Irwin is a Winnipeg, Manitoba born jazz dancer, choreographer, and dance educator. Through movement, Irwin aims to transport viewers to another part of themselves, engaging them mentally and physically.
Wendy Passmore-Godfrey

Aanigma (live puppet)

Wendy is an interdisciplinary creator working at the intersection of puppetry, visual art, and speculative storytelling. Her work blends scientific curiosity with imaginative storytelling.
(Photo by Sean Dennie)