New Works Festival 2024 Presents: The Prism

New Works Festival 2024 Presents: The Prism

Location: Second Playing Space

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Burning Down The House

directed by Alexander Voutchkov

assistant directed by Brijesh Nagarathinam

written by Alex Ward

Burning Down The House is a slightly funny, slightly tragic, retrofuturist drama with a deliciously groovy new wave sound. The world is in decline, leaving Sebastian and Morris, childhood friends, stuck in their small midwestern hometown of Costco, named for the abandoned Costco supercentre on its outskirts. Sebastian has long been suffering from a mysterious medical condition which causes him to pass out seemingly at random. But when he experiences a dream-like vision during one of these bouts of syncope, things begin to take a turn. And when a stranger suddenly appears in town for the first time, the two friends know that nothing will ever be the same.

Starring: Dave Paragas as Sebastian, Baran Demir as Morris, and Sarah Dolman as Cass

Content warnings: Strong language, strobe lighting effects

Lola

directed by Nicole Maloney

assistant directed by Kalen Sabasch

written by Liam Witte

Two people (B and H) fall in love in a city on the edge of the universe. B is a hardworking labourer who toils in the boiler room of interstellar, faster-than-light trains. H is an idealistic astronomer who observes the only star left on the edge of the universe. As their relationship grows, the couple is strained by their contrasting expectations and demanding jobs. B works brutal hours in hope of promotion to a desk job, while H begins to develop an emotional connection to the lonely star at the center of their research. As the couple moves in together, they begin to realize their differences may be irreconcilable. Can they balance their relationship with the growing obligations of their jobs? Or will the undeniable differences between them lead to the end of their romance?

Starring: Sophia Iligan as Actor H and Cameron Kennedy as Actor B

Content warnings: None

The Picture of Elias Graham

directed by Amanda Bertrand

assistant directed by Gemma Lissoway

written by Angie Bustos

Elias Graham doesn’t know how to tell her boyfriend that the painting he’s doing of her isn't right. She doesn’t even understand her own feelings about it. Things get even messier when The Girl in the Painting comes to life and brings into question what Elias sees mirrored in her body... and why his own body feels wrong in comparison.

Starring: Angie Bustos* as Elias Graham, Gabrielle Gades as Girl in the Picture, and Trey Maruyama as Felix

*Please note this is a modified performance, with Angie Bustos on book for the role Elias Graham

Content warnings: Inadvertent transphobia, internalized misogyny, violence, and sexual content. 

Tomato Girl

directed by Madison Hucal

assistant directed by Michaela Demeo

written by Jacquelin Walters

Tomato Girl has disguise, deception, danger, delusion, dilemmas, disasters, dizzy spells, dark comedy, dark horses, dirty jokes, dirt (from the garden), dancing, door-knocking, and infiDelity. Noolietta, a young girl who peddles tomatoes on the street, is focused on upward mobility. Much to the confusion of her cool kid friends, she admires the housewives and ladies of leisure who patronize her so greatly - she wants nothing more than to be exactly like them. When she sets her sights on the lovely Madame Shooshi - the pursuit of her dream life takes an absurd and dark turn. You should see this play. Tomatoes are high in vitamin C and antioxidants - especially important as we head into the winter months.

Starring: Katelyn Cabalo as Noolietta, Braden Welsh as Shooshi, Madeline Anthony as Gogoblat, Christopher Armstrong as Milwin, Jeannine Kroening as Pol, and Bad Kids played by Andreas Schroeder, Sarah Wilson, Aidan Collins, and Sam Michaelchuck

Content warnings: Mature subject matter, language (sexual, violent, etc.), implied violence

AIRBORNE TOMATO ALLERGY WARNING

Pepperoni and Cheese

directed by Kaitlyn Stang

written by Ali Muhammad Khowaja

Asad is a recent Pakistani immigrant to Canada. He is witty, goofy, and gullible but struggles to make friends at school and feels lonely. When Asad's Mom, Amina, affirms that he can’t come back home and must complete his studies at any cost, Asad approaches his new roommate, Marshall. Marshall’s cool, smart, and funny but is going through tough times himself. As they get to know each other, food, laughter, and secrets are shared. However, their nascent friendship takes a dramatic turn when Asad does something at a school party. Can their friendship stand the test of school drama? Or will they make the same mistakes as many before them?
Pepperoni and Cheese invites you to explore friendship, support, and identity through the lens of culture, humour, and good food.

Starring: Omer Syed as Asad, Malcolm Guglich as Marshall, Gul Khan as Amina, Jenna Briggs as Emily, and Michael McCarthy as Alex

Spin Cycle

directed by Charlotte Thompson

written by Giulia Romano and Jonathan Ewing

Sunday scaries, complicated relationships, shifting perspectives, are we good or are we bad? Emmit, Leanne, Bishop & Meghan cross paths in an unusual way. Confined to the perpetual hum of tumbling laundry, awkward silence and spirited conversations these four are forced to confront their own morality while waiting for their laundry to finish. 

Starring: John Kim as Emmitt, Lauren Ripley as Leanne, Katie Calder as Meghan, and Joshua Hope as Bishop

Content warnings: Strong language, discussion of death, discussion of overdose

Wolfgang and Pat

directed by Kaylin Playter

written by Sheldon Stockdale

Wolfgang and Pat is a new work about young artists figuring out what it means to make art. It questions what it takes to be an artist and how difficult the first stages of an early career are in the arts.

Starring: Victor Snaith Hernandez as Wolfgang and Billie Williams as Pat

Content warnings: Strong Language

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New Works Festival was conceived to provide emerging theatre artists at the University of Alberta with the experience of being involved in a complete theatrical production; to give the ability to explore, and enjoy, the process, while getting them to opening night. Crucially, New Works extends to them full trust and permission to imaginatively engage in the work — to learn, play, and experiment.

New Works would be happy to help accommodate accessibility needs. Please contact nsharon1@ualberta.ca so we can have accommodations prepared before your arrival.

Ticket holder voluntarily assumes all risks and dangers incidental to any games or events for which this ticket is issued and waives all claims against the New Works Festival, and the Governors of the University of Alberta whether or not such claims arise from the negligence of any of the said parties.

Admission is subject to compliance with all laws and facility rules. Failure to comply with laws or facility rules may result in refusal of admission or expulsion. Ticket holder consents to reasonable examinations and searches to ensure compliance with laws and facility rules, and acknowledges illegal substances are not permitted on premises.

For a safe ride home, dial #TAXI on your cell phone.