Queer and Trans
Playwrights Club
Showcase: May 31st & June 1st
At Community Wise
223 12 Ave SW
Featuring Writers:
Conrad Belau
Jaime Cesar
Ivan Guevara Garcia
Jack Orion
Directors and Mentors:
Caleigh Crow
Javier Vilalta
Tickets for this event are free of charge thanks to support from:
The Calgary Arts Development
ABOUT THE SHOWCASE
Over the course of Verbs 2024/2025 season, four Queer & Trans playwrights and two mentors have been gathering monthly to discuss their work, the industry, community, and queerness. This is the first time Verb Theatre has curated a playwrights club of this nature, and did so in response to a deep need expressed by the queer community in Calgary. We cannot wait to show everyone what these incredible playwrights have been creating!
May 31st @ 7 PM
The Brightest, Most Shiniest Star You Ever Did See
By Conrad Belau
Directed and Mentored by Caleigh Crow
About The Show
Hi! It’s Gladys and I hope this gets to you! I’m so sorry, tonight’s presentation of Salem Lutheran Church’s Christmas Program has been CANCELLED! Gloria is so disappointed, so please do not show up. She may be there playing the organ, and still trying to bring the Christmas cheer. But again, I must emphasize, there is no show. Also! I’m not sure if you heard about Sally and Bud! (December 23, 1997)
JAIRO
By Jaime Cesar
Directed and Mentored by Caleigh Crow
About the Show
This play tells the story of Jairo as he fights his conditioned insomnia. Jairo digs into his memories as a therapy to heal, and finds himself in the wrong dream world. During the journey, Jairo is accompanied by a good friend, Nel, who carries a piece of Jairo's heart and mind. They celebrate science, culture, queerness, and art. In this story, we all want Jairo to fall asleep, let’s give him a hand.
June 1st @ 7 PM
Bury Your Gaze
By Jack Orion
Directed and Mentored by Javier Vilalta
About the Show
Maybe it was the long drive back to her hometown. Maybe it was the shock of hearing too late that her closest friend had died. Maybe it was the way that everything gets a little weird late at night. Whatever it is, Raven is digging up a body and maybe a lot more.
Here is a Heart
By Ivan Guevara Garcia
Directed and Mentored by Javier Vilalta
About the Show
An exploration of acceptance and found family. Sometimes it takes making your own friends out of corpses until you find a true friend with a beating heart. Can cherishing human life past death teach us about gender? Find out about the importance of storytelling, and what Alma means by "there is more than one way to build a body after all".