On the Verge . . . . of ??

[Denis Salter]

Dear Colleagues: in the event that you might like to go to this after ACTR
2002 in TO.

Denis . . . . .

A sneak preview of the writers who are On the Verge
of defining the future of Canadian  theatre

Alberta - The National Arts Centre English Theatre today announced the names
of the ten "emerging" writers from across Canada, whose new plays will be
featured at the On the Verge New Works Festival at the Arts Court Theatre in
Ottawa from May 28 to June 2, 2002.  This year's festival is timed to
coincide with the Canadian Theatre Conference and PACT AGM, both of which
will take place in Ottawa. Festival Coordinator Lise Ann Johnson, Artistic
Associate and Literary Manager with the NAC English Theatre, revealed the
names of the playwrights and of their new works at the Alberta Theatre
Projects annual Playrites festival in Calgary.

Ms. Johnson explained that On the Verge this year aims to "target deserving
new voices who could benefit from national exposure at the Canadian Theatre
Conference."  She went on to say that "there is a real need to have such a
showcase for Canadian playwriting talent because this is an immense
country...while artistic directors in Toronto may know Toronto playwrights,
they might not be aware of plays being developed in the Yukon or in
Vancouver."

The ten plays selected for inclusion in On the Verge, were recommended to
English Theatre Artistic Director, Marti Maraden, by a panel of respected
theatre professionals from communities throughout the country. Ms.
Maraden is delighted that this year's writers represent a broad
cross-section of talent from coast to coast.

The Line-up for On the Verge 2002 is:

The Plum Tree by Mitch Miyagawa (Whitehorse)
The Matka King by Anosh Irani (Vancouver)
The Red Priest (Eight Ways to Say Goodbye) by Mieko Ouchi (Edmonton)
The Emperor of Atlantis by Stephen Massicotte (Calgary)
Pageant by Daniel MacDonald (Regina)
Medici Slot Machine by Mark Brownell (Toronto)
snowman by Greg MacArthur (Toronto)
Bangkok by Lilla Csorgo (Toronto)
Down Main Drag by Steve Laplante (Montreal) In English translation by
Crystal Béliveau.  Presented in association with the Centre des auteurs
dramatiques.
Fables by Jackie Torrens (Halifax)

These ten playwrights will have their work showcased in professionally
directed readings with local actors in front of an audience made up of the
general public, and of delegates from this year's Canadian Theatre
Conference.

On the Verge will also include a reading of Night Zoo, by acclaimed French
author Michel Azama, in English translation by Linda Gaboriau.  This reading
is part of a special collaboration with The Banff Centre's
France-Canada-Banff reciprocal translation project.

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