New Mythic Works Series
Thousand Faces Festival
The New Mythic Works Series, part of the Thousand Faces Festival in Edmonton, is a new play development initiative that took place in 2022 and 2024, supporting playwrights of all levels in creating short works inspired by mythology. Selected plays were developed through a collaborative workshop process with directors, dramaturgs, and performers, culminating in public presentations during the festival. The series offered artists the opportunity to explore mythic storytelling, refine their scripts, and share new work with live audiences.
History
History
The New Mythic Works Series was created in response to what I felt was a lack of new work development opportunities for playwrights in Edmonton. Working as Associate Producer for Theatre Prospero (Thousand Faces Festival’s sister organization) at the time, I pitched the idea to Artistic Director Mark Henderson. I then applied for grants (for which we were successful) and put out a call for submissions. Once the plays had been chosen through a blind selection process, we hired directors and held auditions for an ensemble of actors.
This process was identical for both the 2022 and 2024 Series.
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2022 New Mythic Works Series
SELECTED PLAYS:
Homeric Hymn of Demeter, Kind Of by Samantha Fraughton
Mango of the Dead by Kijo Gatama
Changeling by Liam Monaghan
Iphigenia by Liam Salmon
Sisyphus, Happy by Calla Wright
CORE TEAM:
Directors: Lebogang Disele, Alix Reynolds, Andrew Ritchie
Stage Manager: Galen Hite
Assistant Stage Manager: Charlotte Braid
Sound Design: Autumn Strom
Lighting Design & Board Operator: Ami Farrow
Juror & Dramaturg: Amanda Samuelson
Juror: Marina Mair-Sanchez
Thousand Faces Ensemble: Jaysel Arroyo, Angie Bustos, Emma Ryan, Autumn Strom
Featured Actor: Prudence Olenik
Many other artists (dramaturgs, fight choreographers, etc.) were engaged based on the specific needs of each play.
—————————————
2024 New Mythic Works Series
SELECTED PLAYS:
Hero and Leah by Bailey Bieganek
Seanchaí by Gavin Bradley
Issun Boshi by Sophie May Healey
Rebel Rebel by Christine Lesiak
Tiresias, Turning by Calla Wright
CORE TEAM:
Director: Jennifer Spencer
Stage Manager: Davis Shewchuk
Production Designer: Rebecca Cypher
Juror & Dramaturg: Amanda Samuelson
Juror: Tololwa Mollel
Thousand Faces Ensemble: Jaysel Arroyo, Mark Guerrero, Dean Stockdale
Featured Actors: Rhiannon Eldridge, Amanda Samuelson, Susan Sneath, Gillian Spencer
The New Mythic Works Series was created in response to what I felt was a lack of new work development opportunities for playwrights in Edmonton. Working as Associate Producer for Theatre Prospero (Thousand Faces Festival’s sister organization) at the time, I pitched the idea to Artistic Director Mark Henderson. I then applied for grants (for which we were successful) and put out a call for submissions. Once the plays had been chosen through a blind selection process, we hired directors and held auditions for an ensemble of actors.
This process was identical for both the 2022 and 2024 Series.
—————————————
2022 New Mythic Works Series
SELECTED PLAYS:
Homeric Hymn of Demeter, Kind Of by Samantha Fraughton
Mango of the Dead by Kijo Gatama
Changeling by Liam Monaghan
Iphigenia by Liam Salmon
Sisyphus, Happy by Calla Wright
CORE TEAM:
Directors: Lebogang Disele, Alix Reynolds, Andrew Ritchie
Stage Manager: Galen Hite
Assistant Stage Manager: Charlotte Braid
Sound Design: Autumn Strom
Lighting Design & Board Operator: Ami Farrow
Juror & Dramaturg: Amanda Samuelson
Juror: Marina Mair-Sanchez
Thousand Faces Ensemble: Jaysel Arroyo, Angie Bustos, Emma Ryan, Autumn Strom
Featured Actor: Prudence Olenik
Many other artists (dramaturgs, fight choreographers, etc.) were engaged based on the specific needs of each play.
—————————————
2024 New Mythic Works Series
SELECTED PLAYS:
Hero and Leah by Bailey Bieganek
Seanchaí by Gavin Bradley
Issun Boshi by Sophie May Healey
Rebel Rebel by Christine Lesiak
Tiresias, Turning by Calla Wright
CORE TEAM:
Director: Jennifer Spencer
Stage Manager: Davis Shewchuk
Production Designer: Rebecca Cypher
Juror & Dramaturg: Amanda Samuelson
Juror: Tololwa Mollel
Thousand Faces Ensemble: Jaysel Arroyo, Mark Guerrero, Dean Stockdale
Featured Actors: Rhiannon Eldridge, Amanda Samuelson, Susan Sneath, Gillian Spencer