Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre is proud to announce its 2015/2016 season of plays and programming.
“Real People. Real Plays.” That’s the motto for the 2015/2016, the first planned by Artistic Director Vern Thiessen:
“Edmonton is a rapidly changing city, and we want Workshop West to be a leader in reflecting that diversity on our stage and in our programs.”
On Stage. Workshop West will produce the following plays as part of our Mainstage series in 2015/2016.
Café Daughter by Kenneth T. Williams
10-year-old Yvette Wong helps out in her parents’ café. She’s incredibly bright but is put in the slow learners’ class because of her skin colour. Her mother has charged her with a secret – to never tell anyone she’s part Cree. Based on the true story of Senator Lillian Eva Quan Dyck, Café Daughter is the powerful, funny and touching tale of one woman’s journey to reclaim her heritage. Produced in association with Alberta Aboriginal Arts.
Canoe 2016. Weird. Wild. Wicked. Our annual Mardi Gras of theatre once again will feature the best boundary-bending theatre performances from around the corner to around the globe. Produced in association with the Expanse movement arts festival and Fringe Theatre Adventures.
Ursa Major by Megan Dart. Directed by Beth Dart
After a horrific car accident, a retired couple must decide how to best deal with the injuries they’ve sustained. Based on a true story of the Dart’s grandparents, Ursa Major is a powerful and moving story of love and devotion, and the strange world that exists between consciousness and unconsciousness. Produced in association with Catch the Keys Productions. The World Premiere by one of Edmonton’s best emerging playwrights.
In addition to its mainstage work, Workshop West will be engaged in several programs that partner the great writers of this city with the new diverse communities growing in Edmonton.
In Development. Workshop West will be directly supporting the work of two playwrights-inresidence next season: Nicole Moeller and Beth Graham. Ms. Moeller will be working on a new play called Mr. Big. Ms. Graham is writing a new play called Pretty Goblins. Thanks to the Canada Council and the Edmonton Artists Trust Fund for helping fund these residencies.
In Schools. Workshop West will be partnering with the Citadel Theatre and 8 Edmonton & Area schools next year with #writesofpassage, a program that pairs junior and high school students in diverse schools with playwrights and actors to create new plays by emerging young playwrights.
In Community. This Is YEG: New Plays for a Changing City. 8 playwrights. 8 communities. 8 plays. Some of Edmonton’s best writers are imbedded in diverse communities across the city to explore the changing face of this city we call home. Jason Chinn, Megan Dart, Minister Faust, Heidi Janz, Conni Massing, Nicole Moeller, Cat Walsh and Kenneth T. Williams go deep, getting personal with real people and exploring YEG in ways you’ve never seen or experienced before. This Is YEG is made possible by a grant from the Edmonton Community Foundation.
For full information on programs, dates, venues, and ticket packages, call 780-477-5955 or go to www.workshopwest.org
