Groundswell: A Festival of Contemporary Women’s Theatre
Nightwood Theatre opens their 37th season with Groundswell: A Festival of Contemporary Women’s Theatre, from September 19-24, 2016, at The Ernest Balmer Studio in The Historical Distillery District.
Kicking off the festival, Nightwood will host a season launch party Monday, September 19, at 6pm with samplings from our captivating upcoming season of the female creator-performer.
Our festival of contemporary women’s theatre features readings from Nightwood’s 2015-16 Write from the Hip playwrights. Facilitated by dramaturge and director, Andrea Donaldson, this year-long script development program supports emerging playwrights in completing a full play. This festival offers up new plays from Aviva Armour-Ostroff (LUNE), Tabitha Keast (THE UGLY), Jijo Quayson (OSIA), Meara Tubman-Broren (ROSE'S STORY), and Marcia Walker (RECESS).
Write from the Hip Readings Schedule
Facilitated and directed by Andrea Donaldson
Tickets to readings are pay-what-you-can and are available at the door
Ernest Balmer Studio, 9 Trinity Street, #315, The Historical Distillery District
Monday, Sept 19, 6-8pm – The Kick Start Reception and Cocktail Party
Celebrate our season launch with an exciting gathering of artists and theatre-lovers. Enjoy social revelry and hear from Nightwood Theatre AD Kelly Thornton and the artists of the 2016-17 main stage season. Meet the Write from the Hip playwrights and the participants of our new Young Innovators Program, and raise a glass to powerful theatre by women.
Tuesday, Sept 20, 7pm – THE UGLY by Tabitha Keast
The Ugly: In 2014 a provincial task force was created to review and update the laws relating to sexual misconduct by physicians. This was the third task force since 1991. The ugly truth is that doctors found criminally responsible for sexual abuse can still practice medicine in Ontario. How does a woman react to being raped by someone whom she is expected to implicitly trust?
Wednesday, Sept 21, 7pm – RECESS by Marcia Walker
Recess: A couple are called into the school for their 10-year-old son’s unusual behaviour. When the teacher suggests an assessment and medication to help their son cope in class, the couple must come to terms with their own views on identity and raising a child.
Thursday, Sept 22, 7pm – LUNE by Aviva Armour-Ostroff
Lune: Miriam is a South-African born Jew living in Canada. When she has a bi-polar episode, her politics rage out of control. Miriam’s 17-old daughter, Eliza, tries to manage her mother’s illness at the expense of her own mental health.
Friday, Sept 23, 7pm – OSIA by Jijo Kukua Quayson
Osia: A Ghanaian family grapples with their desire for a better future, whilst the youngest of the family, Harmosia, straddles two worlds - real and fantasy - as she tries to understand her surroundings.
Saturday, Sept 24, 4pm – ROSE'S STORY by Meara Tubman-Broeren
Rose’s Story combines found text, interviews, and original writing to explore the experience of Rose, Meara’s sister, as she presses charges against the man who sexually assaulted her as a child. Rose’s Story attempts to confront our assumptions about victimhood, justice, and to ask what is the right way to tell this story?
ABOUT NIGHTWOOD
As Canada’s foremost feminist theatre, Nightwood provides an essential home for the creation of extraordinary theatre by women. Founded in 1979, Nightwood Theatre has created and produced award-winning plays, which have won Dora Mavor Moore, Chalmers, Trillium and Governor General’s awards. The company is led by Artistic Director Kelly Thornton and Managing Director Beth Brown, who have received public acclaim in artistic excellence, advocacy, and the successful training and development of emerging female talent.
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