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glean·ings
/ˈɡlēniNGz/ noun
things, especially facts, that are gathered or collected from various sources rather than acquired as a whole.
A forum for nuanced discussion about complex ideas and issues relating to arts and culture, theology, and the social sciences.
The Story
Medicine, Money, and Morality clash when the Heart Transplant Selection Committee of St. Patrick’s Hospital has only minutes to decide which of three patients will receive a heart that has suddenly become available.
The God Committee is written by Mark St. Germain who also wrote the off-Broadway hit Freud's Last Session for which 9th Hour Theatre Company presented the Canadian premiere in 2013 touring the nation's capital and Eastern Ontario region. The God Committee was made into a film released in 2021 starring Kelsey Grammer and Julia Stiles.
Following the play reading will be a facilitated discussion about the themes and ideas expressed in the story. What does it mean to "play God"? How do you measure the value of human life? Who gets to make these decisions and how are they made? What are the ethics involved in developing processes and systems for medicine and health care?
The Story
September 12, 2025
Special Guests
The Guests
TEIK CHYE OOI
Dr. Ooi is professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Ottawa. He practised endocrinology & metabolism and conducted medical research at The Ottawa Hospital for 42 years prior to his retirement in 2022. He grew up in Malaysia and Singapore where he began his Christian journey. He identifies as an existentialistic Christian and likes to explore questions about the meaning and realities of life through a Christian lens. He emphasizes the compatibility of science and faith and actively promotes small group conversations on theology and philosophy.
ALI LADAK
Ali is a Regional Ethicist at the Champlain Centre for Health Care Ethics, where he provides ethics support, education, and consultation services to several healthcare institutions in the Champlain region. He is a graduate from the University of Toronto with a Masters of Health Science in Bioethics. Throughout Ali’s academic career, he focused on various topics of healthcare ethics including reproductive health and end of life care. Ali has an extensive track record of ethics advocacy in community and non-profit settings with a focus on issues faced by older adults in long term care and assisted living spaces. In his free time Ali is a passionate filmmaker, director, and producer having led a film festival in the Middle East and various productions across North America and parts of Europe.
The Artists
The Artists
SHAUNA AKKERMANS
Shauna studied theatre at Bishop’s University and has completed Baby Clown at One North Clown and Creation. 9th Hour credits include being part of the directing team for the development of the original theatrical work Frankenstein A.I. (2025), Associate Director of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2024), Assistant Director for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2023), Assistant Director and voice of "The Youth" in Beauty Will Save the World (2024). Shauna works diligently to create a courageous space in the rehearsal hall where actors can take full-body risks and do the dangerous work of making theatre.
TOM CHARLEBOIS
Tom is no stranger to the Ottawa theatre scene or to the company. 9th Hour credits include Porfiry in Crime and Punishment as part of Gleanings (2025), Mr. Beaver in the musical Narnia (2014), Father Christmas in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2018), as well as part of the ensemble casts for Prodigal Son (2017), and the musical Godspell (2018). In addition to the stage, Tom's voice is also recently featured as "The Grandpa" (narrator) in the brand new audio drama Beauty Will Save the World (2024), an original work developed and produced by 9th Hour Theatre Company.
BEN DION WEISS
This is Ben's debut role with 9th Hour Theatre Company. Sharpened by a decade-long professional odyssey, Ben returns to the craft that forged him. Engaging, intelligent, and highly inventive, he is an eye-opening delight in all aspects of the creative process. Dion Weiss is no debutant; a double-veteran of the Ottawa Fringe festival, he brings to 9th Hour a wonderful sense of play and a vast understanding of all things theatrical. His hobbies include martyring himself to his cats as a human scratch-post, boxing (poorly, and against an inanimate object) and playing violent video games (masterfully).
HENRI FEIST
This is Henri's debut role with 9th Hour Theatre Company. Born in 1996, Henri was both raised and educated in Ottawa. He graduated from the University of Ottawa with two degrees in English literature and later taught at his alma mater as a lecturer. He currently works as a writer and editor at the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). He has published two short stories (excerpted from a larger, though as yet unpublished collection) in an arts magazine known as La Piccioletta Barca. In his spare time, he enjoys fencing.
SANJIV KALRA
Sanjiv cherished acting from a young age but paused for over 35 years due to life's demands. Rediscovering his passion, he trained at the Ottawa School of Theatre and Kanata Acting Studio. 9th Hour credits include development of the original theatrical work Frankenstein A.I. (2025), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2024), The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2023), and the audio drama Beauty Will Save the World (2024). Sanjiv has also dabbled in stand-up comedy, performing at Yuk Yuks and Laugh Lounge. His journey highlights the enduring joy of theatre and the possibility of reigniting one's passion.
SARAH MCKAY
Sarah is an Ottawa based actor and singer, and a graduate of Canterbury's Dramatic Arts program. After a long hiatus from all things theatre, she returned to the scene in 2023. Most recently she played Bonnie in Ottawa Little Theatre's production of Stag and Doe. 9th Hour credits include development of the original theatrical work Frankenstein A.I. (2025), playing "The Expert" in the 2024 musical audio drama Beauty Will Save the World and being on stage in the ensemble cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2024). She would like to thank Xavier, her family and her friends for their incredible love and support.
ALEXANDRIA POSKUS
Alexandria graduated from the Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting program at Trinity Western University. 9th Hour credits include development of the original theatrical work Frankenstein A.I. (2025), Mrs. Beaver in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (2023), and in the ensemble cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2024). Other work includes Comedy of Errors, The Cover of Life, A Kind of Alaska, and the re-telling of an indigenous tale, The One You Feed which she also co-wrote and produced. Alexandria loves to explore her faith in the art of storytelling, and exploring the depths of human experience. To God be the glory.
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