‘Linda Griffiths’ segment in “Shadows in the Nooks” produced by Nicole Arends and Kristine Greenaway. Upcoming Toronto, February 2025.
A dire medical diagnosis leads legendary Canadian actor and playwright Linda Griffiths to reconsider her artistic career choices. Should she have stayed in Canada to write experimental plays, or should she have gone to LA and made a fortune ‘lolling seductively on the hood of a talking car’? What should she do now? Part of a collective show about the pioneering women who helped build Canadian theatre.
Directed by Barbara Larose. Starring Melanie Stevenson. Producers Nicole Arends and Kristine Greenaway.
“A Little Bite of Paradise” at the 36th juried New Ideas Festival, Toronto, Canada, May 1-5, 2024.
Synopsis: After a mother loses her son to an opioid overdose, Wayne (the son’s teenage drug dealer) loses a big delivery. Does the dead boy’s mother have anything to do with its disappearance, and why does she insist on hiring Wayne to help in her garden?
Directed by Ilana Linden. Starring Jeremy Ferdman and Danielle Cox. Stage management by Bini Shah. Producers Brenda Darling and Lamesha Rudd.
“Cheezie” at the Write Now Festival, Toronto, December 3, 2023.
What happens when a junk-food-addicted raccoon invades the life of a health-conscious, animal-loving vegan and their much less vegan-ish boyfriend? A short, three-hander comedy.
“Recipe for a Riot Grrrl” at the 35th, juried New Ideas Festival of new Canadian plays, in Toronto, March 22-26, 2023.
Like punk? Riot Grrrl? Feminism? Comedy about all that and major life transitions?
Synopsis: When the leader of a ’90s Riot Grrrl band decides to quit and become a baker, her sister and bandmate fights to save their feminist punk rock dream. Will the “Filthy Sonic Surfer Girls” ride again, or is “Revolution girl style now” just fair trade chocolate and silicone bakeware?
Lawrie Carruthers and Natalie Stephenson star as Kathy and Allison (aka “Excreta”). Dora-award-winner Ian Prinsloo directs. Assistant director and stage manager, John Acuna.
Watch this 50-second clip (Riot Grrrl Natalie Stephenson FB version – SD 480p ) of Natalie talking about her character and what she thinks audiences will take away from the show. (@alumnaetheatre) #NIF #NIF2023 #melstevenson #mel_stevenson
