In 1986, then Artistic Associate Allen MacInnis held the first TheatreBlitz! wherein about 100 students spent the weekend at Arts Commons (then EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts), working together to create brand new works. Since then, the program has evolved to include a full season of instruction before a combination of new and established artists once again descend upon the Arts Commons to bring these scripts to life.
It has also gone through a few name changes over the last 37 years: 1990 saw the inaugural Student Writers Group spend their first year together before presenting their works. In 2005, the showcase was renamed Fresh Prints and introduced professional actors into the mix where the playwrights had previously read their own works. In 2020, the Student Writers Group held their showcase online and would do so for the next 3 years, this being the first full season in person since 2019.
Notable previous attendees of the program include Rebecca Northan, Bruce Horak, Aaron Coates, Ellen Close, Michaela Jeffery, and Brett Dahl.
Today, you’re about to see the culmination of six-and-a-half months of incredible work from these young writers who’ve dedicated what time they have between school, working towards graduation, working on other shows, and just generally living in the year 2023.
In addition to weekly lessons revolving around dramatic structure and different aspects of the playwriting process, the students also engaged with a series of guest artists (members of the local and national theatre community), and attended invaluable opportunities such as the 10-Minute Play Festival in January and taking a tour behind the scenes at both the Vertigo and Martha Cohen Theatre.
The students who attend this program are a combination of different experiences: some have already written a dozen plays before coming to us and others had never picked up the metaphorical pen. What we hope is that they all leave with a greater understanding of the discipline, a bit of inspiration, and perhaps a drive to continue forward.
Thank you for being here to support the next generation of rockstars!
To learn more about Alberta Theatre Projects’ Youth Engagement Programs, visit albertatheatreprojects.com/youth-engagement
Student Writers Group Showcase
Saturday May 13 2022 | 5:00pm | ATP Rehearsal Hall
Program Instructor – Camille Pavlenko
Portrait of Madame X by Sofia Vanegas
Directed by Javier Vilalta
Performed by Kat Armstrong and Maezy Reign
Benched by Claire Franko
Directed by Bronwyn Steinberg
Performed by Damian Brandenburg and Braden Griffiths
A Gambit by Marellah Roda
Directed by Bronwyn Steinberg
Performed by Hodan Dualeh, Damian Brandenburg, and Maezy Reign
15 Minute Intermission
Bee Economics by Hayley Ness
Directed by Bronwyn Steinberg
Performed by Damian Brandenburg, Braden Griffiths, and Hodan Dualeh
The Flower by Annika Keatley
Directed by Javier Vilalta
Performed by Braden Griffiths and Kat Armstrong
Distant Memories by Keira Dax
Directed by Javier Vilalta
Performed by Hodan Dualeh, Braden Griffiths and Maezy Reign
This Play is Unique by Emma McDonald
Directed by Javier Vilalta
Performed by Hodan Dualeh, Maezy Reign and Kat Armstrong
This workshop is made possible through the generous support of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.
Alberta Theatre Projects acknowledges the traditional territories of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Tsuut’ina Nation, Stoney Nakoda First Nations, including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations; and the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations. In addition, the City of Calgary is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. Alberta Theatre Projects is grateful to have the opportunity to work and create in this territory.
KEIRA DAX PLAYWRIGHT, DISTANT MEMORIES
Keira is a jack of many trades. Often working onstage in acting roles, Keira is thrilled to have an opportunity to watch her work being acted out in front of her. Keira’s experience comes from her love of being onstage, such as school performances of Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, The Lottery, and Murder by Indecision. Her passion for acting and writing has never wavered, only increasing with time. Her family has influenced her with constant support and love, and she is grateful for everything they do for her. Keira is excited and scared, but that’s to be expected.
CLAIRE FRANKO PLAYWRIGHT, BENCHED
Claire is delighted to be making her playwriting debut. Select ATP credits: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as well as performing with the Youth Singers of Calgary. Her training includes level seven Royal Conservatory Piano. Claire likes writing people she knows into scripts without them knowing and making up dance moves in her bathroom when she should be getting ready. A big thanks to the other two thirds of the Three Musks, Grandma’s Basement Theatre, and to her people for their support.
ANNIKA KEATLEY PLAYWRIGHT, THE FLOWER
Annika is thrilled to have her work performed at ATP. She has acted in A Little Princess, and The Canterville Ghost (CYPT), and recently worked as a choreographer for the original musical The Poison Squad (CYPT), and will be appearing soon in the Cannonball Festival 2023 (CYPT) in As You Were. She spends her time reading, running, and participating in her school’s band and choir programs. She would like to thank her parents, friends, and dogs for their endless support.
EMMA MCDONALD PLAYWRIGHT, THIS PLAY IS UNIQUE
Emma McDonald is a creative with a passion for the absurd, the gothic and the off-beat. She is an actor, a writer, and a soon-to-be director, having been involved with CYPT, Calgary Actors’ Studio and ATP. Emma’s interests also lay outside of theatre, namely in film. She frequently volunteers with CIFF, and recently completed her first short film, Hiraeth. With This Play is Unique, Emma hopes to explore identity, purpose, and how the audience can serve as a character in its own right. In her spare time, Emma can be found in record stores, digging through the $1 bin.
HAYLEY NESS PLAYWRIGHT, BEE ECONOMICS
Hayley Ness is an actress and playwright based in Calgary. She enjoys theatre because it allows her to share ideas through the powers of acting. She has acted in several school and community productions including Rock of Ages, Madagascar, and Little Red Riding Hood. Recently she has starred in an independent feature film called The Maiden directed by Graham Foy. She is also working on a few writing projects of her own. So far, her biggest project is called Cinderella the Real Story. This is the first time one of Hayley’s plays will be shown to a public audience. Hayley is on the autism spectrum, enjoys playing Pokémon and is learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
MARELLAH RODA PLAYWRIGHT, A GAMBIT
Marellah is ecstatic to make her playwright debut with Alberta Theatre Projects. She has theatrically acted in her school’s production of A Lighter Shade of Noir last year in the lead role of a British detective, and recently co-directed this school year’s production of She Kills Monsters. Though she makes her playwright debut, Marellah primarily writes poetry and short stories, and spends a lot of her time reading and watching films. She hopes to one day become a film director, and gives a heartfelt thanks to her family, friends and teachers for their enduring love and support.
SOFIA VARGAS VANEGAS PLAYWRIGHT, PORTRAIT OF MADAME X
As an emerging theatre artist, Sofia is thrilled to be a part of the ATP Student Writers Group Showcase! While only getting involved in theatre two years ago at their high school, Sofia has found a passion for the dramatic arts, and has been involved in several productions since. Sofia has also fostered an interest in scriptwriting, having been part of YOUth Riot (2022), and is excited to have their playwriting debut with Portrait of Madame X. Sofia is extremely grateful to their family - both blood and chosen - for the support.
Camille (she/her) is an award-winning playwright, actor, and theatre artist. Recent projects include real boi: The Tragedie of Pinocchio in Five Comedic Acts (Calgary Young Peoples’ Theatre), The Hitchhiker (Vertigo Theatre), Go for Gold, Audrey Pham (Lunchbox Theatre, Alberta Theatre Projects), Vasilisa & Baba Yaga (Alberta Musical Theatre Company), and USS ARTEMIS (co-created with Ali DeRegt), a sci-fi radio play that uses binaural audio to create an immersive experience, available to stream for free at www.USSARTEMIS.ca and the Apple Podcasts App.
This summer, Camille will be taking part in the Caravan Farm Theatre’s National Playwrights Retreat and (remotely) joining the Creative Writing program at the University of British Columbia, in pursuit of her MFA. Camille is also the Artistic Associate at Verb Theatre and getting pretty OK at Mario Kart 8 for Nintendo Switch. Thanks to BG for all the love, support, and drifting lessons.
See more of her work at camillepavlenko.com
Thank you, Camille, for four years of dedication and kindness, and congratulations on your next endeavor!
BRONWYN STEINBERG DIRECTOR
Favourite Play? Whatever show I’m working on next!
JAVIER VILALTA DIRECTOR
Favourite Play?
The Seagull by Anton Chekhov
KAT ARMSTRONG ACTOR
Favourite Play?
Undone created by Kate
Purdy and Raphael
Bob-Waksberg
DAMIAN BRANDENBURG ACTOR
Favourite Play?
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
by Rainer Fassbinder
HODAN DUALEH ACTOR
Favourite Play?
Macbeth by William
Shakespeare
BRADEN GRIFFITHS ACTOR
Favourite Play?
Angels in America
by Tony Kushner
MAEZY REIGN ACTOR
Favourite Play?
Wild Abandon
by Daniel MacIvor
CLAIRE BOLTON STAGE MANAGER
Favourite Play?
A solid character story with a good mix of drama...also musicals
