Four original one-act plays by local playwrights are being showcased at Opening Nite Theatre’s third annual Writers’ Festival, running June 17 to 26, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
The short plays, a mix of comedy and drama, are the culmination of a “page to stage” experience for both new and experienced writers.
Scripts are submitted in March, with the chosen writers being able to sit in on the rehearsal process and learn what does and does not work, when the lights come up in June.
Inspiration for stories can come from anywhere – a walk in Heritage Park or a boisterous night in the local pub. Mark Humpage, an actor in two of the plays, describes the event as a “cross-pollination between actors, directors and writers,” learning form each other’s talents and expertise as they work on each other’s plays.
Todd Davies, writer of The Waitress, the Guy and the Gun, said he was intrigued to discover how director Katie Thompson would interpret his story and excited to hear the actors bring his words to life and “smack the audience between the eyes.”
The three other plays being performed are Shreds of Sanity, a comedy written by Camille Atebe and directed by Chris Loat; The Bench, written by Susan Truman and directed by Tony Loyer; and Who Are You?, written and directed by Karen Humpage.
Tickets are $15 and available at openingnitetheatre.com or ontstickets@hotmail.com or by phone at 604-826-ONTS. They can also be purchased at the door (33223 Railway Ave.) across from the West Coast Express.
