THE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL RETURNS!
Produced by Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre
Dates: March 22 - 27, 2022
Location: The Gateway Theatre (8529 Gateway Blvd, NW)
NOt-To-Be-MISSED READINGS OFFERING A PEEK INTO THE HEART OF A PLAYWRIGHT’S CREATION PROCESS
Workshop West is excited to relaunch the popular Springboards New Play Festival this March inviting Edmonton audiences to play a vital part in the creation of Edmonton’s hot up-and-coming works in progress. This 7-day, small-scale festival, will feature staged readings of plays in development in a welcoming cabaret setting, showcasing Edmonton’s playwrights in a series of not-to-be-missed readings, discussions and social events which offer audiences a peek behind-the-curtain into the heart of a playwright’s creation process.
“I’ve known since I started at WWPT that I wanted to bring back this wildly popular program from the 90’s. It’s the essence of what makes Workshop West special. We have a commitment to supporting playwrights by developing AND producing their plays. The festival will bring artists and audiences together to celebrate the creative process: the generation of innovation and new thought in our city. ”
Sunday, March 20, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
SMASH, BANG! - A workshop About Eliminating Writers Block
Presented in Partnership with Writers Guild of Alberta.
Registration: Through the Writer’s Guild of Alberta.
Facilitated by: Beth Graham, Darrin Hagen, and Conni Massing
Tuesday, March 22, 7:30 PM
Fumbo by Mũkonzi wa Mũsyok
In Nairobi, a Kenyan woman is willing to go to the ends of the earth to take care of her sister. Born out of the modern African world yet still influenced by traditional culture, Fumbo explores the knotty ways we try to ‘be there’ for our loved ones even as we trip over the weight of that responsibility.
Director: Vern Thiessen
Wednesday, March 23, 7:30 PM
Under Pressure: A Cabaret
This cabaret evening showcases 4 short dramatic works about courage, resilience, and how pressure inevitability creates diamonds. The evening begins with excerpts from the work of four up-and-coming playwrights’ Marina Mair-Sanchez, Amanda Samuelson, Amena Shehab & Joanna Blundelland. Part 2 features a short one-act play by Leslea Kroll The LightFishers that asks us to consider what it means to care for the most vulnerable among us.
Directors: Amy DeFelice / Glenda Sterling
Thursday, March 24, 7:30 PM
IN-COR-RI-GI-BLE by Joshua Languedoc
Synopsis coming soon.
Director: Yvette Nolan
Friday, March 25, 7:30 PM
The Feast of All Saints by Cat Walsh
Synopsis coming soon.
*** The Feast of All Saints is inspired by classic horror films and audiences should expect content that honours the traditions of the genre.
Director: Jim Guedo
Saturday, March 26, 7:30 PM
Subscribe or Like by Liam Salmon
Rachel and Miles are struggling. They work long hours at low-paying jobs and struggle to find meaning. Will their lives ever really take off? With few options available, they turn to the ‘wild west’ of the internet. How far will they go for digital fame and fortune?
Director: Heather Inglis
Sunday, March 27, 7:30 PM
Alive and Kicking Cabaret - Presented in Partnership with Script Salon
Psssssst. Edmonton is host to one of the finest theatre communities in the country. This evening of songs and excerpts from 12 exhilarating works in progress penned by some of Edmonton’s most exciting artists, is a celebration of the creative riches our city has to offer. Featuring works by Stephen Allard & Seth Gilfillan, Jessy Ardern, Brett Dahl, Pat Darbasie, Chris Dodd, Bevin Dooley, Colin Doyle, Linda Grass, Katherine Koller, Rebecca Merkley, Hayley Moorhouse, and Trevor Schmidt - Alive and Kicking will be a spirited finale to the festival not to be missed.
Curator: Darrin Hagen
Director: Tracy Carroll
FEATURED PLAYWRIGHTS:
DIRECTORS:
FESTIVAL DESIGNERS, MANAGEMENT AND OTHER ROLES:
FUNDERS
SEASON SPONSORS
SEASON PARTNERS
