***The Ties That Bind***

On September 14th, we launched our **48th Season**, celebrating Canadian plays, Canadian playwrights, and Canadian artists.
We are celebrating Canadian voices — voices that, more now than ever, **must be heard**.
And I can’t tell you how excited I am.
First and foremost, a huge thank you to my fellow members of the Interim Artistic Committee — **Conni Massing, Marie Gynane-Willis, Alyson Connolly and Julie Brown** — for the incredible work you put into creating this season.

Together, we’ve put together an exciting lineup of shows and events that celebrates the past, the present and the future of Canadian theatre — the voices that have shaped us, the artists who are creating the work of today, and the voices that will carry Canadian theatre forward. It is a season that truly celebrates what Workshop West has always been about: Canadian stories, Canadian artists, and the power of theatre to bring us together.

When it came to naming our season, I had the challenging task of finding a title that was meaningful. One that resonated beyond those brief moments on stage while our shows and events take place. I searched for a title that could help celebrate why we are here, and why we continue to do what we do.

The Ties That Bind came to mind.

Because it is those ties that create the community it takes to make theatre happen. It is the relationships we have built over time — sometimes over years, sometimes over decades — that connect us to one another and to this place. The playwrights who have trusted us with their stories. The artists who have shared their talents. The audiences who continue to walk through our doors. The staff, volunteers, board members, supporters and donors who give their time, energy and passion. The countless people who come together, often behind the scenes, to make those moments on stage possible. Those are the ties that bind us. And perhaps most importantly, they are what bind us to Workshop West — to its history, to the work that has come before us, and to the responsibility we have to carry that legacy forward.

As we enter our 48th season, we are not simply celebrating where we have been. We are celebrating the people who have brought us here — and the people who will help take us into the future. The Ties That Bind is a celebration of all of that.

***BOY PLAYER - a full-circle moment***

This season celebrates our **past**.
And there could be no better way to begin that celebration than by welcoming back **Frank Moher**, with his remarkable play *Boy Player*, starring Frank himself and directed by **Jonathan Greenway**, playing November 4–15, 2026.
*Boy Player* is, in many ways, a story that began right here in Edmonton decades ago. It is a deeply personal reflection on theatre, ambition, memory, and the journey of an artist — a journey that would take Frank from Edmonton to New York, and eventually bring him full circle, back to Edmonton and back to **Workshop West**.
Frank’s relationship with Workshop West runs deep. His plays *Sliding for Home* (1987), *Prairie Report* (1988), and *Farewell* (1991) all premiered here. He also worked closely for many years with our founding Artistic Director, **Gerry Potter**, helping to shape the artistic history of this company.
So having *Boy Player* as part of our 48th season feels particularly meaningful.
There is something wonderfully fitting about a playwright whose work helped shape Workshop West’s early years returning decades later with a story about his own journey through theatre.
**It is a full-circle moment.**
The boy who left Edmonton to pursue the theatre elsewhere has come home — and we are thrilled to welcome Frank, his story, and his work back to Workshop West.

**Naughty AND Nice: A KRAMPUS Cabaret**

Mark your calendars. Monday, December 21 at 7:30 PM we bring you: **Naughty AND Nice: A Krampus Cabaret**
Back by popular demand! Following its wildly successful run at Workshop West and its Sterling Award–winning acclaim, the dark side of the holiday season returns for one night only. We are thrilled to partner with **Edmonton Pops Orchestra**'s ***Michael*** ***Clark*** and **Straight** **Edge** **Theatre**’s ***Seth*** ***Gilfillan*** and ***Stephen*** ***Allred*** for a cabaret that puts a deliciously wicked twist on seasonal cheer.
Act I delivers an irreverent lineup of non-carol holiday tunes guaranteed to shake up your traditions, while Act II brings you the unforgettable music from *Krampus: A New Musical*. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, OR **NAUGHTY AND NICE,** join us for an evening of brilliant music, sharp wit, and a fresh holiday tradition!
And these connections continue with the artists joining us this season. **Michael and I have worked together on a number of productions over the years**, building a creative relationship that makes having him back with us especially meaningful. And Steven and I recently shared the boards in *Something Rotten!* this summer at Hawrelak Park, a musical produced by. Edmonton Pops Orchestra, and presented by Freewill Players as part of their 2026 Shakespeare Festival. — so it’s wonderful to now see those relationships continue in a new chapter of our work together.
These are the kinds of connections that make theatre so special. We don’t simply work together once and move on. We build relationships, friendships and creative partnerships that often span years — sometimes decades.

**LAST SUPPER - a world premiere**

When the Interim Artistic Committee began deliberating about the various shows we should consider for this season, I turned to Conni and asked, **“Is there a new Conni Massing play in the works?”**
Knowing full well there was one.
Of course, we all immediately leapt at the opportunity to tease out a few details from Conni. And then, one evening, I found myself reading the hilarious new comedy *Last Super* — a story filled with culinary mishaps, big dreams, unexpected discoveries and newly formed relationships.
**We were all sold!**
*Last Super* fits perfectly into the middle of our season, when Edmonton is at its most unforgiving — when the temperatures are frigid, the snow seems endless, and we’re all wondering why we live here.
What better way to get through winter than to come inside, forget about the cold for a couple of hours, and spend an evening laughing, sharing a few surprises, and watching a group of wonderfully complicated characters try to navigate food, friendship, ambition and the unexpected ways our lives can intersect?
It’s warm, funny, chaotic, heartfelt — and, I think, exactly the kind of theatre we need in February.
And then came the question: **who should direct it?**
For me, there was really only one answer.
**Brian Deedrick and I go back. Way back.**
Maybe not quite as far back as Conni, Marie, Alyson and Julie — but at least to **2003**, when I first met Brian auditioning for the Edmonton Opera Chorus.
Over the last nearly quarter of a century, Brian has become a friend, a colleague and a mentor. We’ve shared stages, productions, conversations and countless experiences in the theatre, and not to mention our regular Boston Pizza lunches, and I’m incredibly excited to now have him directing the **WORLD PREMIERE** of Conni’s newest work.
*Last Super* stars **Belinda Cornish, Garett Ross, Jenny McKillop and Graham Mothersill**, with **Robert Shannon** designing the set, **Alison Yanota** designing the lighting, **Julianna Lazowskiw** designing the costumes, **Danielle Szeponski** designing the props, and **Liz Allison-Jorde** stage managing.
It’s an extraordinary group of artists coming together to bring a brand-new Canadian play to life.

**SPRINGBOARDS FESTIVAL re-imagined**

In April, we bring back our annual **Springboards Festival** — but this year, we’re doing something a little different.
I was thrilled when our Board gave its full support to reimagining and rebranding the festival in a way that celebrates **all of our programming** — including some of the work that many of you may not be familiar with.
Springboards becomes a window into the many ways Workshop West supports playwrights, develops new work, and creates opportunities for emerging and established artists.
We’ll kick things off with two exciting workshops:
On **April 17, 2027**, we present **Write Here, Write Now!** — an all-day writers’ retreat designed to ignite your imagination, get those words flowing, and give you the space and inspiration to put pen to paper.
And on **April 18**, **Write the Musical!** — where words meet music and stories find their song, offering an exploration of the process of creating new musical theatre.
Registration for both workshops will open soon — and I have a feeling they’re going to sell out quickly!
And then the festival itself takes over the theatre.
**Did you know that your Season Subscription includes one ticket to each evening of the Springboards Festival?**
From **April 20–24, 2027**, each night will shine a spotlight on one of the programs that forms the heart of Workshop West’s new-play development work.
We’ll feature the **Edmonton Playwrights’ Circle**, the **Indigenous Playwrights’ Circle**, **Writes of Passage**, and our **Reading Service** — giving you an opportunity to discover the playwrights and stories being developed right here in our community.
We’re also thrilled to partner with **APN Playwrights**, featuring readings of the winning plays from the **Edmon10 Playwriting Competition**.
Five nights. Five different windows into new Canadian work.
And this is exactly what Springboards is about: **creating a place where writers can experiment, artists can develop, audiences can discover, and new Canadian stories can find their way to the stage.**

**Billy Bishop Goes to War - more ties**

In May, we are excited to welcome **Edmonton Repertory Theatre** to our Season with their production of ***Billy Bishop Goes to War***, directed by none other than **Gerry Potter — the founder of Workshop West**. Another wonderful tie to our company.
And speaking of ties, the connection between our two companies goes even further.
**Jen Krezlewicz**, the Artistic Director of *Edmonton Repertory Theatre*, and I first met in **2007**, when I directed a big-budget production of *South Pacific*. Jen was part of that cast, and over the years, our paths have continued to cross through our shared love of theatre and our Edmonton theatre community.
So there is something particularly special about welcoming Jen and *Edmonton Repertory Theatre* into our home this May. I’m looking forward not only to the production, but to the opportunity to spend time together again — creating, collaborating and making some amazing theatre.
And we’re thrilled that the production features two true staples of the Edmonton theatre scene, **Steven Greenfield** and Cathy Derkach. Both have contributed so much to our city’s theatre community, and we are delighted to have them as part of our 48th season.
Once again, the ties come together — **our founder, our colleagues, our friends, and the artists who have helped shape Edmonton theatre — all sharing the same stage.**
And that, really, is what this season is all about.

**MINI GOLF FUNDRAISER - wait, there is a reason**

And before the season is up, we’ll celebrate with another Workshop West tradition — our annual **Silent Auction Fundraiser**.
But this year, we’re taking it to a whole new level.
We’re transforming the theatre into a **mini-golf course**.
Yep — you read that right. **Mini-golf. In the theatre.**
We’ll open up those big overhead garage doors, transform the theatre floor into a one-of-a-kind course, and invite you to grab a putter and make your way through the theatre.
We’ll also be partnering with a food truck, so there will be plenty of good food, drinks, great company, some fantastic silent-auction items, live music and, of course, lots of opportunities to support Workshop West.
And there’s another reason this event is going to be particularly special.
**It’s our chance to say goodbye to our old theatre floor.**
After years of productions, workshops, rehearsals, dance numbers, scenery, paint, tape, countless footsteps and more than a few spills, that floor has served us incredibly well. But it’s time for a new chapter.
So come out, play a little mini-golf, enjoy some food, bid on something fabulous, and help us send our old floor off in style.
It’s going to be ridiculous.
It’s going to be fun.
And, hopefully, it’s going to raise a whole lot of money for Workshop West!
**We can’t wait to see you on the course.**

And so, as we look ahead to this 48th season, I keep coming back to The Ties That Bind — the relationships between artists, playwrights, audiences, friends, colleagues and this community that make theatre possible. This season celebrates where we’ve come from, where we are today, and where we’re going next. It reminds us that theatre is never created by one person alone — it is built through the connections we make and the people who choose to be part of the journey. Thank you for being part of our story, for helping us carry our past forward, and for being one of the ties that binds us together.