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Apply to the 23/24 Playwrights Unit now! Chromatic Theatre is so excited to Introduce our 2023/24 Playwrights Unit Cohort! Take some time and get to know each playwright Program Alia Sofia Mara Nakota Tech & Design Actors Directors Stage Manager: Sabrena Shah Baigzada Tech/Design help: Natalia Cortes Dramaturg/ Producer: Kodie Rollan Tania Alvarado Filsan Dualeh Sunny Faust Amy On Tiffany Thomas Keshia Cheesman Javier Vilalta Marshall Vielle Jenna Rodgers Roma Inspired by the playwrights time as a transient muralist working at and living in a Roman Hotel, “Roma” follows a series of intimate, confrontational, and often humorous events shared between international guests and workers. Narrated by a jaded yet brutally honest Turkish handyman, the hotel's longest-standing resident, who critically observes how love and connection flourish in defiance of language, culture, and time barriers. Alia Aluma is an award-winning artist, designer, and writer who works in various industries, including academia, philanthropy, and creative. She has lived, worked, and studied on three different continents, gaining notable experiences with the fashion and fine art networks of Hong Kong, as a muralist in Italy, a fashion photographer in England, and creative director, curator, and designer in Calgary, AB. With three degrees from top ranked global universities, Alia also devotes a great deal of time to education as a public speaker, guest instructor, or mentor in her fields of study: Art & History, Communications, Commerce, Film, and World Culture. Her global and enriching experiences have lent her toward a pursuit in philanthropy where she works with organisations that support youth through mentorship and fundraising, and is in the early stages of starting the Aluma Scholarship Foundation with her father, a leader within his community, and twin brother, while also donating hundreds of hours to in-kind services annually. @aliaaluma Death and The Poet Death and grief are parts of life we can’t escape, no matter how fast we run. In this theatre and movement show, we follow the Poet as they navigate encountering, accepting, and eventually befriending Death. Drawing from the playwright’s Mexican cultural understanding of Death, this show is a love letter to living, grieving, and making art to make sense of the world. Content Warning: explicit descriptions of death, mentions of sexual and gender violence, mentions of suicidal ideation Sofia Huarte Aguilar (they/them) is a first generation Mexican immigrant residing in Moh’kins’tsis, and pursuing a combined degree in Drama and Philosophy at the University of Calgary. Also an activist and a student organizer, Sofia’s artistic and academic practice revolves around constructing radical pedagogical tools for performance. They are deeply passionate about diversifying the theatre, and utilizing it as a critical tool for liberation. Their recent acting credits include Argonautika, directed by Randi Edmundson at the SCPA, and Hookman, directed by Jenna Rodgers and produced in collaboration with Chromatic Theatre and the SCPA. @sofia_huarte18 The Eaten A bachelorette party rents a house in the country for a weekend of salacious revelry. However, unknown to them, the owner of the house has different, more sinister plans in mind. The party goes rapidly sideways in this absurdist dark comedy. Content Warning: Misogyny, Misogynistic/derogatory language, Profanity, Transphobia, Sexual content and language, and Violence Mara Teare is an emerging interdisciplinary artist. Originally from Saskatoon, she has recently found a new artistic home in Calgary. She made her Calgary debut as Mowgli in Alberta Theatre Projects production of The Jungle Book. Graduating from the National Theatre School of Canada's acting program, Mara is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices through her work. She's eager to develop her skills as a writer. Her stage credits include; The Jungle Book (Alberta Theatre Projects), Crypthand (Gale Force Theatre), Cymbeline (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan), Everybody, Indecent (National Theatre School), and Young Ones (SUM Theatre). Additionally, she has written one previous play sad girls watch The Princess Bride. @marateare Tale of Two Spirits ‘Tale of Two Spirits’ is a weird, potentially confusing, and funny story about the friendship and connection of two souls, Sunny and Starr, in a universe filled with supernatural wonder and chaos Content Warning: Strong Language Nakota Starr Tobias (they/them) is a Queer Trans Two-Spirit Indigenous actor and playwright currently residing in Calgary, Alberta but is from Treaty 6 Territory, and is Nakota Sioux/Anishinaabe Ojibwe. They are in their 3rd year of a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree, mainly focusing on acting but interested in writing as well. They aim to tell stories of joy, connection, and love through the lens of their intersectional identities, whether this is through bringing it to life as an actor or being the one to write the story themself. Which has motivated and encouraged them to write their play Wild Spirits, that is somewhat based on one of their friendships and has aspects of their personal experience entwined within. They also strive to inspire and uplift the generations to come, and bring forth representation they never had growing up. @theweirdonamedkoda

10 Years of Chromatic Theatre To mark this monumental milestone, we’re hosting a season-long fundraiser to raise $10,000 throughout our 26/27 10th anniversary season! #10kfor10Yrs Donate! A note from our Founding Artistic Director & Our Current Artistic Director: It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years since Chromatic incorporated. Reflecting on the past decade, I'm incredibly proud of the community of exceptional racialized artists who have contributed their brilliance to our organization. There's such a wealth of talent and generosity in Mohkinstsis and Chromatic has been an incredible avenue through which to meet new people. Theatre is all about building connections through storytelling - and you are all a part of Chromatic's story. Our very first production was almost 12 years ago in the fall of 2014. "Cowboy Versus Samurai" by Michael Golamco - we didn't really know what we were doing, but we had some grant money, an idea, and trust in each other. Perhaps this is the seed of all theatre? We know more now than we did then, but we have a long way to go. There are more stories to tell, more brilliant artists we want to uplift, and more change we want to see in the world. I can't wait to see what Chromatic does in the next 10 years! Jenna Rodgers, Founding Artistic Director It is such an incredible honour to usher in Chromatic’s 10th season! Having grown with the company within my tenure as artistic director, I can’t help but feel proud of our steadfast commitment to the community of racialized artists we have in this city. The past ten years is a true testament to reality that Moh’kins’tsis (Calgary) has a home for racialized artists to share their stories with their communities, and our work is not liability or a “risk”, but rather an opportunity to truly connect with one another. Like many artists, Chromatic Theatre gave me my start. It gave me the opportunity to grow, to dream, and most importantly, to be the artist I’ve always dreamed of being. These are the very same intentions and feelings that we hope to continue evoking as we look towards the next ten years and beyond. We are grateful to all the artists, audiences, and partners who have joined us on this journey. We are humbled by all the stories we have encountered and gotten to share on our stages and in our programs. The roots we are building in this city would not be achieved without the dedication and passion of all of you who are part of Chromatic’s community. So with that, thank you to our community for your continued support. Thank you for making Chromatic a beacon for racialized artists to proudly shout, we are here and our stories matter. Kodie Rollan, current Artistic Director

Donate! We're excited to announce that we're officially a registered charity! Being a registered charity allows us to issue tax receipts for donations. Have greater access to other types of funding. This new designation allows us to continue to scale our operations. We hope you consider helping out by making a tax deductible donation. Special thank you to Calgary Arts Development for supporting our charitable status application and a shoutout to our friends over at Alcove Arts Centre who also became a charity earlier this year, and whose language we used for this post. Check out their page and learn more about the work they are doing to build communities that feel connected and nurturing our local arts scene!

Static By Ashley King September 4-14, 2024 “Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir” is a coming-of-age story inspired by true events, written and performed by Mexican-Canadian artist Ashley King. It follows Ashley, a young woman whose life revolves around booze, boys, and late-night parties, while navigating a turbulent relationship with her mother, Carolina. But when she wakes up blind while on holiday, she’ll have to face her darkest depths of grieving a new life she didn’t choose or want. Not your typical inspirational story, Static offers a poignant and humorous take on the struggles and triumphs of a young woman learning to navigate the world without sight. With moments of laughter and tears, this dark comedy explores whether everything happens for a reason and if joy can really be found in unexpected places. Photos by Motif Photography CAST AND CREW Featuring: Ashley King Jaime Cesar Director • Javier Vilalta Stage Manager • Jennifer Yeung Assistant Stage Manager • Sabrena Shah Baigzada Scenic Designer • Natalia Cortes Sound Designer • Miranda Martini Lighting Designer • Anton deGroot Video/Projection Designer • Skylar Desjardins Dramaturg • Kodie Rollan Design Consultant • Lindsey Zess Cultural Consultant • Daniela Atiencia Disability Dramaturg • Jessica Watkins Engagement Coordinator • Iván Guevara García Production Manager • Col Cseke Producers • Camielle Craig & Kristen Padayas Poster Design | Marketing • Ebony R. Gooden & Maezy Reign Ashley King • Playwright ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Program Plain Text Program

Contact Chromatic Theatre's staff. We would love to help you out if you have any questions or concerns. Contact Us info@chromatictheatre.ca First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

Intersection Us (Mural) Exhibition Info Exhibition by: Format: Mural Content: This is a drop in experience similar to that of an art gallery. Teacher candidates will be around to explain the portion of the mural they created. Teacher candidates will be available for questions/ comments throughout the exhibit. See also: Getting to the space See also: Parking Info for MRU

Divided Perceptions (Interactive Art Exhibit) Exhibition Info Exhibition by: Format: Interactive Art Exhibit Content: Audiences will be given pins and invited to put the pins on sections of a map as prompted by the teacher candidates. This is a drop in experience similar to that of an art gallery with optional, mild, participation. Accessibility: Exhibit contains sharp push pins. Teacher candidates will be available for questions/ comments throughout the exhibit. See also: Getting to the space See also: Parking Info for MRU

Kisapmata By Bianca Miranda January 30 - February 18, 2024 The Tagalog word “kisapmata” means “blink of an eye.” It’s also the title of a punk banger by Filipino band, Rivermaya. Inspired by this song, this new Canadian play tells the love story of two Filipino women—one living here in Canada and the other, born and raised in the Philippines. Through intimate vignettes, we see the longing, the diving in, and eventually, the letting go. Photos by Benjamin Laird We are proud to present the world premiere of this unique queer love story by Calgary playwright Bianca Miranda at Chromatic, with direction by Gina Puntil, co-produced by Lunchbox Theatre and presented as part of One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo. Kisapmata has been in development since 2021, when it was part of our IBPOC Playwrights Unit, and it was featured in both the Stage One Festival of New Canadian Work and Stage Two at Lunchbox Theatre in 2022. Playwright Bianca Miranda also recently premiered The F-Word, co-written and performed with Keshia Cheesman, in a Downstage Production at Alberta Theatre Projects, which was nominated for "Outstanding New Play" at the Betty Mitchell Awards. Directed by Gina Puntil Co-Production with Lunchbox Theatre and presented by One Yellow Rabbit as part of the 38th Annual High Performance Rodeo . Poster Artwork by Maezy Reign CAST AND CREW Michelle Diaz • A Isabella Pedersen • B Gina Puntil • Director Kodie Rollan • Assistant Director & Dramaturg Thomas Geddes • Video & Projection Design Cassie Holmes • Set & Costume Design Gladzy Kei • Grapic Designer Kp Smith • Lx Design Sallie Mae Salcedo • Sound Design Jennifer Yeung • Stage Manager Rebecca Orion • Apprentice Stage Manager Bianca Miranda • Playwright ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Program Local Vendors

Meet Chromatic Theatre's new 2025 Playwrights Unit Cohort! Melanee Murray-Hunt, Kathleen Faith Ballangan, and Jessica Szeto. Melanee Murray-Hunt SHE/HER Melanee, writer, actor filmmaker has written, directed and produced seven award-winning short films as well as wrote and starred in her award winning solo show, "The ‘Hoodwink" which received critical acclaim in Calgary and New York. She is currently completing her Masters Degree in Creative Writing at UBC (University of British Columbia). At UBC, Melanee was a recent recipient of the prestigious SSHRC, (Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council) Award and in Calgary, she won the 2023 Brenda Strathern Literary Award for her current literary project, "Moesha’s Mass." Melanee's film, "The Invincible Jayson Garvey," will be having its New York City Premiere at the Kwanzaa Film Festival and was an official selection for the Root Experience Film Festival in Seattle. As an actor she can be seen on camera in various independent, network and studio producers such as CBC, NBC, CBS, and Hallmark. She had a recent role in the upcoming, hilarious short film, "Now I am a Bear." Kathleen is a Filipino-Canadian artist, actor, and drama educator born and raised in Mohkintsis. She graduated with a BFA in Drama from the University of Calgary in 2022 and has since performed on stage with local theatre companies like Theatre Calgary and Lunchbox Theatre. Outside of performing, Kathleen spends her time teaching young people drama, nursing sore muscles from her pole dancing classes, and acting for the screen in her partner’s films. Ignited by the need for more racially diverse representation in the Calgary theatre scene, Kathleen hopes that her work as a performer, teacher, and creator will assure other young artists of colour that they belong in this community too. Kathleen Faith Ballangan SHE/HER Jessica Szeto is a multidisciplinary artist born, raised, and currently based in Calgary, Alberta. As a writer, software developer, and media artist, she is interested in storytelling across a variety of mediums. Her work often explores relationships between technology, history, and emotions. She holds a BSc Honours in Computer Science from the University of Calgary. Jessica Szeto SHE/HER

Stomp, Roar, and Be Brave (Children's Book) Exhibition Info Exhibition by: Kira Berry, Sarah Keegan, Kiara Medveszek & Natalie Rupert Format: Children's Book Content: This is a timed presentation. Reading 1: 4:50pm - 5:10pm Reading 2: 5:30pm - 5:50pm Teacher candidates will be performing a live reading of their children's book followed by a short Q&A period.

Little Elves Book & Lyrics by Kodie Rollan Music & Lyrics by Alixandra Cowman A Co-Production by Chromatic Theatre & Handsome Alice Theatre Runs October 28, 2026 - November 7, 2026 The Victor Mitchell Theatre at the Pumphouse Theatre (2140 Pumphouse Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 3P5) About the Show: Little Elves is a new horror-holiday musical, loosely based on the folktale of St. Nicholas and the Evil Butcher. The original folktale recounts one of St. Nicholas' first miracles where he rescued three children from a butcher's house. It was said that the butcher had cut up the three children and put them in a salting tub and St. Nicholas, by the grace of God, pulled each child out whole and brought them back to their families. Little Elves reimagines this story by transforming our protagonists to three young Asian children, and asks the question, "what if they made up this entire folktale to justify killing their captor from a racist town whose laws would see their act of self-defense as heartless murder?" Within the story, knowing that we see these characters conspire to find a way to cover up their crime and escape from a town that is not so welcoming to them. A reimagining of a folk tale gone wrong, Little Elves brings the audience into a world of lies, deceit and desperation. It explores a variety of intersectional themes among which are interrogations of "justified" vengeance, BIPOC relationships to religion, our ideals of justice, abolitionist interventions within cycles of violence, and the longstanding history of anti-Asian policies and sentiments in Turtle Island (Canada). The music of this piece is deeply rooted in a variety of folk, country, and pop sounds. The overall aesthetic of the piece really leans into the folktale/ spooky stories by the campfire vibe. Overall, this piece asks, "when the odds are stacked against you, what will you do to survive Confirmed Team Members: CAST: Selina Wong as Colette Safia Comtois-Mohamad as Toni Isabella Pedersen as Abby Raeff Fontaine as the Butcher/ the Bishop/ the Constable MUSIC TEAM: Kathy Zaborsky - Production Music Director & Pianist Tobi Sinclair - Percussionist Seanne Buenafe - Copyist CREATIVE TEAM: Kodie Rollan - Book writer/ Lyricist/ Co-Director Alixandra Cowman - Composer/ Lyricist/ Sound Designer Jenna Rodgers - Co-Director/ Dramaturg Ajay Badoni - Production Manager/ Technical Director Julia Kim - Set & Costume Designer Ali DeRegt - Puppet Designer Abigail Monarrez - Puppet Assistant & Puppeteer Meg Farhall - Producer

Greater Forest Lawn Playwrights Lab 2015 Featuring: Female Robbery by Jessica Del Fierro Dramaturgy by Caroline Russell-King Timmy, Tommy & the Haunted Hotel by Ali DeRegt and Kathryn Smith Dramaturgy by Alyssa Bradac Blind Pass by Hayley Feigs Dramaturgy by Zachary Moull Absurdable Universe by Kyle Hinton Dramaturgy by Neil Fleming Parched by Jennifer Roberts Dramaturgy by Jenna Rodgers Technology Trade-off by Phyllis Wheaton Dramaturgy by Trevor Rueger Featuring talented performers from across the city: Josh Bertwistle, Michelle Brandenburg, Alex Cherovsky, Filsan Dualeh, Devon Dubnyk, Chelsea Dwarika, Deborah Ferguson, Rodrigo Flores, Natalie Gauthier, Mike Griffin, Alan Johnson, Duane Jones, Alvan Le, Kelly Malcolm, Andrew Merrigan, Dan Perry, Ryan Reese, Holleay Rohm, Lara Schmitz, Makambe Simamba, Ayla Stephen, Liam Volke, Alicia Ward, Justine Westby, Sarah Wheeldon, and Greg Wilson The Greater Forest Lawn Playwrights Lab is a development opportunity supported by CADA for emerging playwrights representing the plethora of diverse communities that exist in Calgary. The Lab will be a safe creative space for writers to explore their ideas and grow their talent – in full colour. The Lab will be led by Jenna Rodgers, a local Director/Dramaturg, who will work with a group of up to five emerging playwrights, each developing their first draft of a play. “Emerging” refers to individual career status, and playwrights of any age are welcome to apply. Playwrights will not be restricted to writing about issues of diversity, but will be encouraged to use their work to explore issues that challenge them. This program will take place over the course of six months, spanning Oct 2014 – March 2015. Selected playwrights will meet twice monthly for the program’s duration. Meetings will take place in Forest Lawn, and will be tailored to support the group of artists that have been assembled. In the final month of the Lab, playwrights will be paired with a mentor in a professional director/dramaturg. You will be given 12 hours of professional development time and a cast of non-equity actors. The GFL Playwrights Lab will culminate with a public presentation to showcase the Playwrights’ work to their friends, family, and the greater Calgary arts community. Back to Past Projects Listen Now! Digital Program