The experiment didn’t go wrong… it’s still happening.

THE STARLING EFFECT

By Lara Schmitz

APRIL 28 - MAY 9, 2026 / VERTIGO STUDIO THEATRE

A Sci-Fi Thriller - Live On Stage

Vertigo Studio Theatre | 115 9 Ave SE #161
Produced by Verb Theatre in Association with Reckless Daughter Creative

Ravonna believed she had killed her sister.

But when she tampers with a consciousness experiment, she discovers something far stranger: her sister’s soul - and the soul of her former mentor’s wife, are trapped inside the body of a starling bird. With time running out, Ravonna and Dr. Sandra Beetle must put aside their bitter history and attempt the impossible - sending Ravonna’s consciousness into the starling itself. Once inside, Ravonna encounters a labyrinth of memories and secrets that threaten to unravel everything she thought she knew.

Brought to life in a stunning world premiere, The Starling Effect will offer Calgary audiences a rare chance to see science fiction live on stage. For the first time, Verb Theatre will be working in association with the up and coming collective Reckless Daughter Creative to bring you this non-stop thriller.

Winner of the 2022 Alberta Playwrights Network Novitiate Prize

Audience Advisory: This play contains staged violence, discussions of mental health, and coarse language. Recommended 14+.

CAST

RAVONNA - Lara Schmitz
DR. SANDRA BEETLE - Esther Purves-Smith
LARK - Caleigh Crow
AMELIA - Bronwyn Steinberg

CREATIVE TEAM

PLAYWRIGHT - Lara Schmitz
DIRECTOR - Kathryn Smith
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - Madeleine Taylor-Gregg

STAGE MANAGER - Raynah Bourne
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER - Frances MacDonald
SET DESIGN - Julia Kim
LIGHTING DESIGN - Ajay Badoni
ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGN - Anton deGroot
SOUND DESIGN & COMPOSITION - Kristin Eveleigh
COSTUME DESIGN - Jolane Houle
FIGHT & INTIMACY DIRECTOR - John M. Knight
HEAD OF PROPS - Abigail Monarrez
PUPPET BUILDER - Ali DeRegt

PRODUCTION MANAGER - Lowen Carlson
PUBLICIST - Aldona B Creative

VERB ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - Kathryn Smith
VERB ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE - Camille Pavlenko
RECKLESS DAUGHTER CREATIVE - Madeleine Taylor-Gregg
RECKLESS DAUGHTER CREATIVE - Zoë Arthur