Local playwrights will see their works come to dynamic theatrical life during the Heartland Regional One-Act Festival, set for April 10-12 at Red Deer's Memorial Centre.
Curtain is 7:30 p.m. both nights, with shows running in the Nickle Studio.
"We have three shows to put on, so it will be a great night of theatre for everyone," said Suzanne Hermary, Heartland Regional representative on the Alberta Drama Festival Association (ADFA) board - the ADFA runs these festivals across the province that culminate with the Provincial One Act Play Festival.
Hermary said one-act plays are a superb way for creative folks to delve into 'all things theatre', whether that be through set or costume design, acting, directing or of course penning a script.
"Going into a play for the first time can be a little overwhelming. So working on a smaller show gives you an opportunity to try something new," she said.
"Trying your hand at a smaller piece - which still has all of the research and the 'world-building' that comes with telling a story - is an important opportunity to grow. I also think for new playwrights, it's a chance to see your play 'on its feet'. A play is meant to be performed - not just read. Every other form of writing is (primarily) intended for eyes to take in, and the brain to process - and it's sort of a solo thing to do.
"Theatre is about community. It's a connection. And so to be able to see where your story lands is an important part of the whole process," she explained.
"From taking part in one-acts, people also sometimes go on to developing a full-length play. It's a really good starting point to be able to take the leap from the page to the stage!"
Sylvan Lake resident Barb Pettie's play Grief Sandwiches will among those featured during the Heartland run.
"The story is about three women who are preparing sandwiches for a funeral reception - 'grief sandwiches'," she explained. "The cast includes the three women, and a daughter."
Pettie said the script started out as a short story. But further training through Sylvan Lake Theatre in the art of crafting plays helped her to dig deeper, further building on the initial concept and inspiration.
"I learned so much in that class, and there was an opportunity to develop your own play. And so I developed this story into a play, because the characters spoke to me, and I thought it would be even more interesting as a play as well."
Pettie teamed up with director Emily Chase who came onboard to direct the project, and she was also involved in the casting process - a rich experience in and of itself. Seeing actors interpret her work in their own unique ways have proved to be a delightful experience.
"I'm excited to see what they do with it on the stage! It's really a neat feeling - seeing how others interpret what you have written. Sometimes, they interpret it the way you have written it, and other times they don't."
But Pettie is completely open to the process and the unexpected turns it can take.
She noted the inspiration for the story came from her own father's funeral. And she later got to thinking about those dedicated volunteers who prepare sandwiches for the receptions after the services - what are their own stories and experiences?
And as the story took shape, she always kept in mind those all-important words - 'what if?'
"That is what sparks a story."
For Pettie, the process unfolds organically. There isn't typically a distinct theme in mind as she writes - it's more about fleshing out a story that will also wield an impact. Grief Sandwiches has light touches, but also explores some heavier, more poignant themes, too.
"I'm just going down a path - what if this happened? What would the consequence be? What would a character say to that, and what would people be asking about a situation?"
As to opening night, Pettie is thrilled to share her project with a broader audience.
"There is a lot of excitement - and nervousness," she added with a laugh.
Last year, her play Bachelor Party was featured in Sylvan Lake's Theatre Trail event, and it was great fun to see folks respond to it.
For Grief Sandwiches, she hopes audience members think about the people in their lives they may not see too often. She also hopes folks think about the importance of kindness in relationships, and perhaps how they can build on that aspect in how they relate to others.
Meanwhile, prior to the Heartland festival, Central Alberta Theatre (C.A.T.) is hosting the CATNIPS One-Act Festival April 3-5 which features original works by local playwrights as well, along with other shows previously written for the stage.
Curtain is at 7:30 p.m.
Jeremy Robinson, production manager, said both festivals will serve up pretty unforgettable material.
"There is such a mixture of genres, themes, and tones - you just don't know what to expect because every show is just totally different," he said.
"I also think (the festivals) give an opportunity for these original voices in Central Alberta to be able to get their works heard and performed, for them to grow as artists, and to maybe take their works to another level."
Tickets for both festivals are available by visiting showpass.com.
