Thanks to funding from the Calgary Arts Development Authority (CADA), we conducted a workshop of my new musical, Susan’s Dream Date, at the cSpace studio theatre on January 12th. In this new musical (first conceived while working on my graduate degree at the University of Calgary), Susan is on a perfect date, only to discover her date is actually taking place within a dream she is having, where her two subconscious allies lead her through the labyrinth of her mind, challenging Susan to address her unresolved issues of being a caregiver to an aging parent and guiding her towards the life she truly wants.

Elinor Holt*, Robyn Ord, Eric Wigston*, and music director Konrad Pluta.

It was a wonderful experience to explore this piece with a room of talented collaborators for a full week before presenting what we had developed (a nearly sung-through 65-minute piece!) to an audience of theatre professionals, caregivers, and friends.

I’m currently planning the second workshop of this piece, funded by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, which will include arrangements by Konrad Pluta for a three-piece ensemble. Please get in touch with me if you’d like to be invited to our next staged reading.

* The participation of these Artists are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy.

The best defence? The one that earns you your degree! I’m pleased to announce that I have been awarded my Master of Fine Arts in Drama- specializing in Playwriting, from the University of Calgary. It was a very busy two years, during which I was able to immerse myself in my studies while also getting a start on two new musicals that I’ve always wanted to create. Huge thanks to my professors, and especially my supervisor, Clem Martini, for his guidance and support. I’m looking forward to applying what I have learned!

Today is the first Wednesday in three months I’m not hitting the stage in Rosebud with the cast of Little Women. What a gorgeous crowd! Thanks Rosebud!

From Left, Standing: Shauna Murphy (Piano), Devon Hunter (Dresser), Steven Morton (Mr. Brooke/Braxton/Flute), Jocelyn Hoover Leiver (Meg/Clarissa), Grant Tilly (Professor Baehr), Cassia Schmidt (Jo), Joel Stephanson (Mr. Laurence/Knight), Grace Fedorchuk (Beth/Rodrigo 2), Tim Dixon (Mr. Laurence/Knight), Griffin Kehler (Laurie/Rodrigo), Jarred Albright (Violin)
From Left, Seated: Glenda Warkentin (Marmee/Hag), Annette Loiselle (Aunt March/Mrs. Kirk), Karyssa Komar (Amy/Troll), Brad G. Graham (Stage Manager)

IT’s BACK!!! And my play, “A DIRE WARNING FROM THE FUTURE THAT MUST NOT BE IGNORED!” was selected as one of five plays to be read as part of Alberta Playwright’s Network at the Calgary Fringe. The reading happened on Monday Aug 5th at 1pm. Below is more information on the event:

Come check out this year’s offering from Alberta Playwrights’ Network. You’ll get FIVE plays (10 minutes each) for the price of ONE! This is a staged reading of 10 minute plays from some of Calgary’s best playwrights! It’s a flight of 5 micro plays…it’s an appetizer platter for your brain…it’s a soupçon of short scenes!! Come indulge your theatrical palate and feed your soul! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it’ll become a part of you!

I am someone who loves my summer theatre. When I was in Ontario I was amazed by how many summer theatres were running, not just at the big festivals like Stratford and Shaw, but also all of the “Ports and ‘Burgs” some of which I performed at (Port Dover) and some where I had works of mine performed (like the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, which premiered Bingo Ladies under Artistic Director Simon Joynes). I then spent 10 years performing with Rising Tide Theatre in Trinity Newfoundland, discovering my great great great great grandparents in the graveyard there and experiencing those beautiful summer months by the ocean.

Last summer was one of my first summers in awhile without a summer gig, which is why I’m so happy to be working at Rosebud Theatre this summer, and getting to experience a prairie summer in the province I grew up in. If you’re in Alberta and looking for some great theatre in a beautiful prairie oasis, come for a visit! Tickets are available at:
https://www.rosebudtheatre.com Hope to see you there!

As the culmination of my Master’s Degree in Playwrighting, I had the opportunity to write a new musical, THE BOOK OF JOAN. In this musical within a play (though as I wrote it, it became more a play and a musical running together) a Christian University’s drama department hires a group of local theatre professionals to work with their students in creating a musical adaptation of The Book of Job. And of course, as the show progresses it seems the theatre professionals might have their own agenda with the production…

On March 21st and 22nd we had the chance to share the piece through a staged reading at the U of C’s University Theatre. It was a fantastic team, with Vanessa Porteous as director, Joe Slabe as musical director, along with a mix of music and drama students, professionals, and my supervisor in the cast! We had a great reception for the piece, though I’m still a little shocked at having written it while doing my grad degree (though thankfully, the last term was less busy and allowed me the time to compose and write lyrics for the songs).

After a bit of time off (as I write my Artist’s Statement, which will accompany the script of my musical as my thesis) I’ll look forward to getting back to writing this piece, and see where these characters might go!

Tickets are going fast for Jekyll and Hyde, and soon there will be only two weeks left of the run, so get those tickets if you’d like to come!

Well, this is going to be fun! I’ve been cast in this the above production, a North American premiere of an adaptation by Nick Lane (a script that I love). I’m looking forward to treading the boards once again in my hometown of Calgary, it’s been awhile. Hope you can make it, tickets are available at Vertigo Theatre.

Jillian Rees-Brown, Michelle Nash, Allison Crowe, and Brandon Lee Carabin. Photo by Mandy Keeping

The summer has wrapped up for Bingo Ladies at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in Cow Head NL! I was lucky enough to make it out for opening night, and the talent there was incredible. Thanks to the actors, artists, and all involved at Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador who made this production such a success and brought so much joy and laughter to the local audiences and tourists.

Meet Thor, the Bingo Troll! He’s very excited (and so am I) that he’s heading out for his fifth production of Bingo Ladies, this summer at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in Cow Head NL!

Will Thor hike the Tablelands? Take the boat tour of Western Brook Pond? Perhaps a dip in the ocean at Shallow Bay? My feelings are honestly mixed on Screech Ins (I finally gave in at my cousin’s wedding) but I’m thinking a kiss from a capelin would be suit Thor. I hope to get a picture.