SubHuman
by Natalie Meisner
March 29, 7:30pm
In 1985, the Halifax Chronicle Herald led with the headline “Hard Core Lesbians Fired from CFB Shelburne”. They were some of the most highly trained Canadian military officers of the day, who undertook the important work of listening to protect the eastern seaboard from Russian submarines. A play full of humanity and compassion, inspired by the true story of the Canadian military and the dedicated women who served.
Natalie Meisner is a Playwright, Professor, Poet, and a Mom (not necessarily always in that order). She was born on the Mi’kma’ki / South Shore of Nova Scotia where she began her curious life by reading, with wild abandon, everything in the town bookmobile. She has seven full length books in various genres to her name, served Calgary/ Mohkinstsis' 5th Poet Laureate and teaches creative writing at MRU where she loves helping other writers find their voice. It Begins In Salt Speed Dating For Sperm Donors BADDIE ONE SHOE Legislating Love: The Everett Klippert Story My Mommy, My Mama, My Brother & Me Double Pregnant: Two Lesbians Make a Family Growing Up Salty
Natalie Meisner - Playwright
Lana Michelle Hughes is a director, actor, playwright, sound designer, and producer, currently serving as the Associate Artistic Director at Shadow Theatre. Not only is she proud queer artist based in Edmonton, she is also a triple Earth sign, music nerd, and coffee snob.
Selected directing credits include: After Mourning – Before van Gogh, Robot Girls (Shadow Theatre, co-director with John Hudson), A Streetcar Named Desire (Citadel Theatre, Assistant Director), Nightshrine (Workshop West), Jack & The Beanstalk (Alberta Musical Theatre Company), The Remarkably True, Real Life Adventures of Callie Montgomery (Promise Productions/Skirts of Fire Festival), Encounters (Citadel Theatre), Bust ‘Em Up Burlesque (Send in the Girls Burlesque/Citadel Theatre), A Bronte Burlesque (Send In the Girls Burlesque/Theatre Network), and Tudor Queens: A Burlesque (Send In The Girls Burlesque). She also served as the Managing Director at Catalyst for 6 years, where she produced films, soundtracks, and large-scale musical productions that toured throughout Canada.
Lana Michelle Hughes - Director
Nadien Chu is a mixed race theatre artist who calls home Amiskwaciy-wâskahikan (Edmonton) on Treaty 6 Territory. Working on new plays is an absolute passion on Nadien’s and she is thrilled to be back at WWT on Springboards!
Select theatre credits include: Pretty Goblins/Sterling Award (Workshop West); As You Like It (Theatre Calgary), The Thin Man (Vertigo Theatre); All the Little Animals I have Eaten (One Yellow Rabbit); Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike (Alberta Theatre Projects); The Tempest, Macbeth, Titus Andronicus/ Sterling Award (Freewill Shakespeare Festival); The Three Muskateers, The Importance of Being Earnest, Pride and Prejudice, Network, Jane Eyre, The Garneau Block, The Tempest, The Penelopiad, August Osage County (Citadel Theatre); Pig Girl, Palace of the End (Theatre Network).
Nadien Chu - Performer
Stephanie is an Edmonton based award-winning actor who’s work has taken her around the country. Most recently she was in Frozen at the Citadel Theatre and will be reviving her role later this year at The Grand in London. She is a founding member of the Canadian Comedy Award Winning Improvised Soap Opera, Die-Nasty and continues to play to this day. Stephanie loves the process of getting new work on its feet. She is very excited to be a part of Springboards this year. Some new work that she is proud to have been involved in include The Garneau Block by Belinda Cornish and The Silver Arrow by Mieko Ouchi, both for the Citadel Theatre, and The Rules of Irene by Stewart Lemoine for Teatro Live!. You can see her on film in the recently released thriller, Dark Match and in numerous Christmas movies including Hallmark’s Meet Me at Christmas and Northern Gateway’s Christmas in Alaska. You can also hear her voice on a plethora of video games including the Mass Effect series. Thank you Workshop West for this awesome opportunity!
Stephanie Wolfe - Performer
An Edmonton native, Michelle has worn multiple hats in the arts community. A graduate of MacEwan's Theatre Arts program, Michelle recently performed in After the Trojan Women (Common Ground Arts Society). Next up is the Fringe with Paloma and Joy (Whizgiggling Productions), and Carole of the Belles (100% More Girls) Other credits include Tiny Beautiful Things, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike (Shadow Theatre), Black Widow Gun Club, Lady Porn, Destination Wedding, Destination Vegas (Whizgiggling Productions), Mass Debating (100% More Girls), and performing with Northern Light Theatre, Edmonton Repertory Theatre, Theatre Network, Catalyst, and Saint Maggie Productions).
Michelle Todd - Performer
David Ley is originally from Vancouver where he graduated from the Studio 58 Theatre Program. He has an MFA degree in performance from York University and has worked as an actor in theatres across the country. Most recently he performed in 638 Ways to Kill Castro written by his son Sebastian at last year’s Fringe Festival. He is looking forward to another fun romp at the Roxy Theatre this summer with Sebastian’s new play Cadaver Synod. Other recent performances include: The Hooves Belonged to the Deer for In Arms Theatre Collective, Happy Birthday Baby J for Shadow Theatre, and Dedication for RCA, (Newfoundland Tour). He has acted in numerous film and TV roles; including Passchendaele, and Blackstone and is a Professor in the Drama Department at the University of Alberta where he teaches both Voice and Speech, and Acting.
David Ley - Performer
Paul Morgan Donald is a Treaty Six-based actor, musician, composer and sound designer. Acting credits include: Einstein's Gift (Citadel Theatre), All Shook Up, Buddy (Mayfield Theatre) Working, My New Brain, Cafe Wanderlust (Plain Jane Theatre) As You Like It, Twelfth Night (FreeWill Shakespeare Festival), Urinetown (Grindstone Theatre), and Assassins (Studio Theatre.) Paul is part of Edmonton's vibrant improv scene as musician with Rapid Fire Theatre and Die-Nasty! (Varscona Theatre). His sound design for Festival Antigonish's 2024 production of Ms. Holmes & Ms Watson – Apt. 2B is nominated for Nova Scotia's Merrit Award.