PlayME

Episode 3 - the Conclusion Warning: NSFW Laura, a 15 year-old school girl,  is in an inappropriate relationship with her English teacher, Mr. Wells. Laura thinks she is in love, but he's in a complicated marriage he can't leave. Mr. Wells promises they have a future together and isn't just in it for the sex. Things ignite when his wife calls during the couple's secret night of passion in a rented hotel room. Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) by Rose Napoli. Featuring Vivien Endicott-Douglas and David Jansen. The original workshop production was directed by Andrea Donaldson. Produced by Chris Tolley and Laura Mullin.

When English teacher Mr. Wells invites fifteen-year-old Laura to join the Creative Writing Club after school, she quickly realizes she is the club's only member. He tells her she's a talented writer and wants to nurture her gift. She wants him to not just teach her, but express his artistic side. But things start to heat up when Laura prys for information about his private life. Why didn't he mention he has a wife? Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) by Rose Napoli. Featuring Vivien Endicott-Douglas and David Jansen. The original workshop production was directed by Andrea Donaldson. Produced by Chris Tolley and Laura Mullin. About the Actors: David Jansen - Mr. Wells David has performed leading and supporting roles in theatres throughout Canada and the U.K., including Tarragon, Canadian Stage, Mirvish Productions, Soulpepper, Theatre Passe Muraille, Necessary Angel, Factory, Videocabaret, The Theatre Centre, five years at the Stratford Festival, four years at the Shaw Festival, and a season with The Peter Hall Company. David also directs, teaches, and works at the Tarragon as Interim Literary Coordinator. He and his wife Fiona live in Niagara on the Lake, and have two daughters, Molly and Nora. Vivien  Endicott-Douglas - Laura Vivien was born and raised in Toronto, Vivien is currently rehearsing Killer Joe at the CoalMine Theatre in Toronto’s East End. Her other notable theatre credits include:  Harper Regan (CanadianStage) Stopheart (Factory), Forests (Tarragon), A Boy Called Newfoundland (Theatre Smash), Hush (Tarragon) and Ajax por nobody (Summerworks). She has appeared in the TV shows Hemlock Grove (Netflix),Copper (BBC America), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Rookie Blue (CTV) and The Line (TMN). Other notable film/ TV credits include: Forget & Forgive, The Shape of Rex, Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning, How Eunice Got Her Baby, An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving, Finn on the Fly and Shoebox Zoo.

It was ten years ago that Laura was Alan Wells' student at Corpus Christi High School. She was uncharacteristically intelligent for fifteen years old - perceptive and vulnerable - dream student for a flailing English teacher. Years later, all that remains is the dust of controversy that surrounds their relationship.  Now, at twenty-five years old, Laura has written her first book. She's called it 'Dear Mr. Wells' and Alan is the first person she wants to read it. Told through the lens of a young woman in retrospect, Lo explores how in the same breath, a relationship can both save and sink us.  Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) by Rose Napoli. Featuring Vivien Endicott-Douglas and David Jansen. The original workshop production was directed by Andrea Donaldson. Produced by Chris Tolley and Laura Mullin. About Rose Napoli. Rose is a Toronto-based playwright, actress, and producer. Her first play, Oregano, was shortlisted for the Tarragon Emerging Playwright's Competition and premiered at the Storefront Theatre enjoying sold-out houses and critical acclaim. Her plays include: Ten Creative Ways to Dispose of your Cremains, Lo (Or Dear Mr Wells), and SHREW (A Big Fat Italian Comedy Inspired by William Shakespeare). She has taken part in Nightwood Theatre's Write from the Hipprogram and the Playwright's Unit with the Thousand Islands Playhouse. Coming up, Rose will be developing her short play, A Death and the Marias, into a full-length piece with the Playwright's Unit at the Tarragon Theatre. As an actress, Rose is a two-time participant in the Banff/Citadel Professional Theatre Progra

In our final episode of Quiver we interview playwright, librettist and actor, Anna Chatterton.  Anna is a playwright in residence at the Tarragon Theatre, Nightwood Theatre, and the National Theatre School of Canada. In our conversation, she discusses her work in opera, devising theatre with her company Independent Aunties, and the process she undertook to create her solo play Quiver. Anna performs Quiver in front a microphone, creating and controlling an aural world for these three family members struggling to keep up. Music design is by Mike Rinaldi, and direction of the stage play was by Andrea Donaldson.

Episode 3 of Quiver - the conclusion to Anna Chatterton's solo show. Bea is having second thoughts about dating an older guy, Sheila realizes she hasn't been home in a month, and Maddie is home alone on her birthday.  This solo show is performed by writer Anna Chatterton in front a microphone, creating and controlling an aural world for these three family members struggling to keep up. Sound Design by Michael Rinaldi.

Episode 2 of Quiver, the solo show by Anna Chatteron. Maddie’s sweet sixteen sister, Beatrice, is dating someone she shouldn’t. Their brassy single mom, Sheila, makes up with her ex-boyfriend again. So fourteen-year-old Maddie is left to fend for herself with nothing but her bow and arrow. Sound Design by Michael Rinaldi.

Quiver, the solo show by Anna Chatteron. Maddie’s sweet sixteen sister, Beatrice, is dating someone she shouldn’t. Their brassy single mom, Sheila, makes up with her ex-boyfriend again. So fourteen-year-old Maddie is left to fend for herself with nothing but her bow and arrow. Sound Design by Michael Rinaldi. 

In this, our final episode of Better Angels - a Parable, Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley interview playwright, Andrea Scott. Andrea talks about being a playwright, the genesis of Better Angels, and racism in Canada. At the end of this episode, we announce the next play to be featured on PlayME.

What do you do when you feel trapped and alone? You could walk out the front door, but you're even less uncertain of what lies beyond.   Akosua is a young woman late of Ghana who has come to Canada to work as a nanny for Leila and Greg Tate in their beautiful Toronto home. The couple insist she is a member of their family, but when they increasingly deny her pay she comes to a chilling realization: she is a prisoner.Written by Andrea Scott and featuring Akosua Amo-Adem, Sascha Cole, Peyson Rock and David Christo, the play premiered at Summerworks in 2015 and was originally directed by Nigel Shawn Williams.

What do you do when you feel trapped and alone? You could walk out the front door, but you're even less uncertain of what lies beyond.   Akosua is a young woman late of Ghana who has come to Canada to work as a nanny for Leila and Greg Tate in their beautiful Toronto home. The couple insist she is a member of their family, but when they increasingly deny her pay she comes to a chilling realization: she is a prisoner.Written by Andrea Scott and featuring Akosua Amo-Adem, Sascha Cole, Peyson Rock and David Christo, the play premiered at Summerworks in 2015 and was originally directed by Nigel Shawn Williams.

In this, our final episode of Agamemnon, Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley interview Governor General  award-winning playwright, Nicolas Billon. Nicolas talks about building his career, writing Agamemnon, and writing tips and insight into the life of a writer. We also talk to Sarah Kitz, the director of the original stage production of Agamemnon. At the end of this episode, we announce the next play to be featured on PlayME. This episode features the following creative commons music: Urban Noise by Angus Toodle Don't Stop by Mr. Logisitcs

Episode 3 - AgamemnonBlood, an axe, an orphan - experience the climactic conclusion to Nicolas Billon's Agamemnon.After a ten-year siege, the city of Troy finally lies in ruin. Clytemnestra waits for Agamemnon with murder in her heart.  A visceral, contemporary re-imagining of the opening chapter of Aeschylus’ Oresteia by Governor General award winning playwright Nicolas Billon. Featuring: Nigel Shawn Williams, Brigit Wilson, Earl Pastko, Susanna Fournier, Ron Kennell, Amy Keating, Zita Nyarady, Marcel Stewart, Samantha Brown. Original stage direction by Sarah Kitz and sound design by Andy Trithardt.

Episode 2 - AgamemnonAfter a ten-year siege, the city of Troy finally lies in ruin. Clytemnestra waits for Agamemnon with murder in her heart.  A visceral, contemporary re-imagining of the opening chapter of Aeschylus’ Oresteia by Governor General award winning playwright Nicolas Billon. Featuring: Nigel Shawn Williams, Brigit Wilson, Earl Pastko, Susanna Fournier, Ron Kennell, Amy Keating, Zita Nyarady, Marcel Stewart, Samantha Brown. Original stage direction by Sarah Kitz and sound design by Andy Trithardt.

Episode 1 - AgamemnonAfter a ten-year siege, the city of Troy finally lies in ruin. Clytemnestra waits for Agamemnon with murder in her heart.  A visceral, contemporary re-imagining of the opening chapter of Aeschylus’ Oresteia by Governor General award winning playwright Nicolas Billon. Featuring: Nigel Shawn Williams, Brigit Wilson, Earl Pastko, Susanna Fournier, Ron Kennell, Amy Keating, Zita Nyarady, Marcel Stewart, Samantha Brown. Original stage direction by Sarah Kitz and sound design by Andy Trithardt.