Arts Club Theatre Company has launched its latest theatrical projects featuring a series of four world premiere audio plays from Western Canadian playwrights.
The Arts Club will release four audio plays, forming a series titled Listen to This, written by artists affiliated with the company’s Emerging Playwrights’ Unit and Silver Commissions Project. Each of the audio plays will be directed by Arts Club Artistic Director Ashlie Corcoran.
“We are thrilled and grateful to be producing artistic content during this time, and are excited about exploring a new artistic format in the form of audio plays and podcasting,” said Corcoran. “We know that this is a trying time for many, and we’re eager to help our patrons weather this storm by providing consistent, high-quality theatre in a digital format.” Says Corcoran
Each full play can be purchased individually ($10 each) or as part of a series ($30) at artsclub.com. You can also catch Listen to This for free by subscribing to Spotify and Apple Podcasts for shortened weekly episodes of each show.
The Listen to This audio play series is now underway, with new plays releasing throughout the year. The series includes:
UNEXPECTING: by Bronwyn Carradine
Released February 10, 2021
Developed in the Arts Club’s 2019–2020 Emerging Playwrights’ Unit, originally written for the stage and later adapted to an audio format. Unexpecting is a comedic exploration of marriage, friendship, and modern motherhood. Married couple Annie and Josephine, have been trying to start a family for the past five years. As their patience and pennies start to dry up, they begin to second-guess their choices, until another chance at a baby literally bursts through the front door.
NIGHT PASSING: by Scott Button
Debuts: March 17, 2021
Also developed in the Arts Club’s 2019–2020 Emerging Playwrights’ Unit, originally written for the stage and later adapted to an audio format. Night Passing is inspired by the true stories of LGBTQ+ Canadians who endured brutal harassment at the hands of their own government, and the vital resistance that followed. Set in Ottawa, 1958, a young man moves from a rural town to the big city, hoping to reckon with his emerging sexuality—and comes face to face with the horrific, oppressive acts against the queer population there.
SOMEONE LIKE YOU: by Christine Quintana
Debuts: May 19, 2021
Developed as a Silver Commission project, originally commissioned as a stage play, but modified to an audio format prior to being written. This new comedy launches Cyrano de Bergerac into the 21st century: mistaken identities, millennial manifestos, and the quest for self-love. Who might be waiting in the wings?
A boyfriend from hell. A nightmare apartment. A botched Tinder date. Isabelle and Kristen have been through a lot together. But the arrival of Kristen’s new romantic interest leaves Isabelle wondering how long she can stay in a supporting role.
MY FATHER IS THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD: by Tai Amy Grauman
Debuts: July 14, 2021
Also developed as a Silver Commission project, stage play that was modified to an audio format prior to being written. Rose grew up on a farm in small-town Alberta with her Métis family. Now a country singer in Nashville and pregnant with her first baby, Rose returns home with questions for her father, John. Once a trapper on the land, John has worked in the oil field since Rose was born. What from his past can help unlock her child’s future?
Visit artsclub.com for full details, cast and crew of the Listen to This series plays and to purchase tickets to listen. Subscribe on Spotify or Apply Podcasts for the free versions.