New Works spotlights new talent

When you’re young, taking risks is a natural part of growth. Without preconceived notions that develop over the years, it’s easy to be fluid and veer off in any direction.

This risk-taking drive and the raw power of passion are the main reasons the 12th annual New Works Festival now running at the Timms Centre until Feb. 12, keeps generating a fresh buzz year after year.

The five-day event is completely driven by the University of Alberta drama department students as they take charge of every role from playwrights nurturing the seed of an idea to a fully mounted production complete with lights, costumes and props.

The festival’s main goal is to stage original, unproduced plays. This year it unveils six one-acts in various stages of development written by drama students and alumni. While some are more polished than others, organizers hope that each script will continue to evolve beyond the festival, says media contact Bevin Dooley.

As in past years, the festival splits the plays into two nights, alternating them between odd and even days. In a quick overview of various playwrights’ platforms, the escapist works range from romantic comedy and fanciful mystery to poignant drama and gut wrenching tragedy.

Perhaps the festival’s greatest role is that it offers a window into the world of upcoming young adults. In playwright Priscilla Yakielashek’s Felix and Max, two dial-a-dopers stuff baggies of Ecstasy into figurines of the CN Tower. When a shipment is bungled and Mary is delivered instead, there’s a standoff between the duo. Former St. Albert Children’s Theatre alumna Cynthia Hicks is Mary in this confrontation between the morality of drug dealing and love.

In Sitter, playwright Lisa Lorentz weaves together a romantic comedy of two couples in different stages of life. Directed by former St. Albert resident Chad Coughlin, this touching one-act centres around David and Kim, a couple embarking on their first post-baby date night.

“She is his world and I’m her support, her rock. She’s a powerful female, but when she needs support I’m there,” says St. Albert resident Hans Potter who plays David.

Also in the mix is Marissa the babysitter and Kevin, a young man with family problems who knocks on the door hoping David, his mentor, is around.

“It’s a play about finding someone to lean on in the most unexpected places,” Coughlin adds.

Playwright Evan Tsitsias’ The Murmuration of Starlings takes on darker tones when a man returns home from prison to a wife and a child who has grown up. The house looks the same, but everything is falling apart.

There’s a change of pace in Syd Gross’ Laundry Cycle as two tenants in a small building become friends. Ada’s clothes start to go missing during laundry day, but Arthur, who knows the thief, can’t quite bring himself to tell the truth.

And in Dooley’s The Playmates, two close friends are driven apart by tragedy. Nine years later at a memorial for a friend who passed away, they must confront a few gruesome truths that poisoned their friendship.

Potter was also dramaturge for Playmates.

“It’s a play that delves into the deepest human emotions – heartbreak, loss of a child, loss of friendship, guilt, regret, depression.”

In recapping the festival, Potter adds, “All the works are so engaging, so fresh and innovative. The festival is so current and the issues are so relevant. The talent is spectacular, some of the best that’s around.”

Check out dates, times and a synopsis for each play at www.drama.ualberta.ca/StudentFestivalsandProductions/NewWorksFestival.aspx.