THE STARLING EFFECT

By Lara Schmitz

APRIL 30 - 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 killed her sister. Or so she thought. 

Then Ravonna discovered that the consciousness experiment she tampered with actually trapped not one, but two souls inside a starling bird specimen: her sister’s and her ex-mentor’s wife. With time running out, Dr. Sandra Beetle and Ravonna have to put aside their hatred to rescue their loved ones by inserting Ravonna into the starling’s consciousness. But once inside, Ravonna uncovers a maze of haunting memories that may have been better left forgotten.

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.

Audience Advisory: This play contains staged violence, discussions of mental health, and course language. Recommended 16+.

CAST

RAVONNA - Lara Schmitz
DR. SANDRA BEETLE - Laura Parken
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 - Anton deGroot
SOUND DESIGN & COMPOSITION - Kristen Eveleigh
COSTUME DESIGN - Jolane Houle

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