Someone writes a play. They would like to see it produced on stage. But no forward-thinking director will invest a chunk of money unless it is script-ready.
For 12 years, Edmonton’s Script Salon has given new playwrights a way to show their plays through readings prior to a full production.
“It’s beneficial because playwrights can hear their works and receive comments from what listeners hear,” said co-producer Katherin Koller.
The 2025 Edmonton International Fringe Festival launches Aug. 14, and the annual Script Salon Fringe Script Tease takes place Aug. 3 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
The salon features 13 plays currently headed to the Fringe in various stages of development. Each script is given a seven-minute mini-reading.
“It’s a variety pack of performances. Some are fully memorized on their way to final production. Others may still be writing. Every group is in different stages of the rehearsal process, but they’ll be pulling out all the stops for this rehearsal show,” Koller said.
Three of the playwrights are from St. Albert. In Giorgi of the Jungle, Lynda Celantano takes viewers back to the 1980s with 10-year-old Giorgi Passarelli, who receives her first social cue that she needs to pay more attention to her personal grooming.
Standing in the way are her traditional Italian parents. When her older sister, Marcella, advocates for Giorgi, a generational and cultural view of beauty and personal care clash.
Josh Languedoc, also from St. Albert, has penned a satire on one of our most famous southern neighbours – Elon Musk. Viewing the play from an Indigenous lens, Elon Muskrat explores the world of casinos, corruption and control.
Following a series of unfortunate events, Elon Muskrat is selling his empire to the highest bidder. The playwright asks the politically-charged questions, “Who will be the lucky winner, and what do they really win?”
Lastly, St. Albert’s Louise Casemore joins forces with Christine Lesiak to write the quirky Lost Sock Rescue Society. The characters, Sandra and Sabrina, do their best to find Forever Foot Friends for lost and lonely single socks. Learn more about their inspiration at www.sockrescue.ca.
Check Script Salon’s Facebook page for a full list of Fringe play readings.
The Script Fringe Tease takes place in the Upper Arts Space at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037 – 84 Ave. Doors at 7 pm. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Admission is free; donations accepted at the door.
