Arts Commons is heating up this spring with Downstage’s Stage It Festival of new works! Downstage will host four days of theatre, music and more in Motel Theatre, Arts Commons. This fresh festival includes a new audio play from award-winning local playwright, Tara Beagan plus three new plays that were created as part of Downstage’s Stage It Program.
Stage It 2022-23 creator-producers, Stephanie Alexandre and Keith Baniol ask the question “When is a stranger no longer a stranger?” They have created a new play hinged on the concept of connection. Kindling follows two pairs of strangers as they begin to unpack a kindredness towards each other, while they realize that they are not as alone in their struggles as they thought. It’s a warm, funny and playful examination of life’s ever-changing relationships.
Islay McKechnie and Ciarán Volke approach their Stage It 2022-23 thesis production from a different angle. This creator-producer duo invite you to bask in a storyteller’s playground. Each night is a new show as they interview local queer artists and creators on stage and, using the interviews as fodder, create a completely improvised musical before your very eyes. Secret Saloon is improvisation meets musical meets social connection. Come for the surprise and stay for the charming new play created each evening.
Stage It 2019-21 creator-producers Dana Prather and Rosemary Morrison join the lineup of exciting new work with their staged reading of Good Grief!. Do to the pandemic, this dynamic duo developed their original Stage It project into an audio play. Now, they have the chance to share this live staged reading directed by Downstage Artistic Director, Clare Preuss. Rosemary and Dana explore the ways that love, loss, and life shape who we are. They bring a uniquely morbid sense of humour to this play that puts the fun back in funeral!
Downstage is excited to host a one-time-only listening party for Tara Beagan’s new audio play Ride or Die. Tara will be at the event to engage in a post show conversation with the audience. Join Win and his Grams as they grow weary of life in a temporary camp. Although they are not in the midst of some tough circumstances, they never tire of each others' jokes. In a world of floods and fires, they are family, and Win will get his Grams to her lucky spot at bingo through hell and highwater. Ride or Die is one play in the series Climate Change and Other Small Talk created by Sunny Drake and produced in association with nine companies around the world. If you aren’t able to join the fun on May 14, you can listen to all nine audio plays for free at sunnydrake.com/climatechangeandothersmalltalk.
Tickets for all four of the Stage It Festival shows are affordable with prices ranging from $10 to $20. Plus, Downstage is offering a surprise lineup of local music as well as an arts market that will feature local artisans. Entry to auxiliary music performances and the arts market are free of charge. Check out downstage.ca for more information about each show and all festival events. The Stage It Festival is a great way to welcome new growth during this 2023 spring season.