Mary Stuart, By Dacia Maraini
April 25 – May 4, 2025
Motel Theatre
Directed by Javier Vilalta
Standard ticket is $30.
Freely inspired by the work of Friedrich von Schiller, Dacia Maraini’s Mary Stuart depicts a confrontation between the Queen of Scotland and her cousin, Elizabeth I, Queen of England. But more than a historical drama, it is a conflict between two women that is at stake here. Mary Stuart envies the power her cousin holds; Elizabeth is jealous of the femininity of others. The conflict is also internal, because each person is in struggle with herself, struggling with dreams that thwart her ambitions.
From director Javier Vilalta: “What excites me most is to give two female performers the opportunity to showcase their talents in a staging where gender and politics are explored at length.” The cast includes Lauren Brotman and Norma Lewis.
IMPORTANT!
Motel Theatre is an intimate venue which works perfectly for this production, but it means that we have less seats available than normal!
For this production we aren’t able to do pre-purchased tickets, but don’t worry! We have built a reservation system to make sure you can reserve your spot, and pay at the theatre!
We’re expecting sold-out performances on this show, so reserve your seats today. Don’t miss out on the masterful performances and theatrical panache of Mary Stuart!
Meet the Cast & Crew
NORMA LEWIS
AST: Elizabeth I, Jane Kennedy (Lady-in-waiting)
As the co-founder of 8ROJO, Norma Lewis has produced, co-created, and performed in several original works, including After, Gretchen’s Nightmare, The Lost Hours, Neruda Nude, and Macula, performing internationally in Reykjavik, London, Taipei, Stockholm, Prague, and Mexico City. She recently performed in the family favorite, Charlotte’s Web with Alberta Theatre Projects and Selma Burke (TC/ATP Co-production), and for Theatre Calgary Steel Magnolias and To Kill a Mockingbird. Norma can be seen in Dandi Productions’ The Twins and the Monster, an original Canadian creation, in affiliation with several philharmonic orchestras for family audiences, touring across Canada and the United States.
LAUREN BROTMAN
CAST: Mary Stuart, Nanny (Lady-in-waiting), Lettice Knollys
Lauren has performed at theatres and worked with celebrated directors across Canada and Europe. Calgary: A Killing at La Cucina (Vertigo/Prairie Theatre Exchange), Girl on the Train (Vertigo), Selected Awards: Dora Mavor Moore Award, Christopher Plummer Fellowship Award (Shakespeare’s Globe, UK) and the Jessica Fraser Award (Outstanding Contributions for TYA). As a creator, her company Bound to Create (B2C) has partnered with Obsidian Theatre, Tapestry, New Opera, Native Earth Performing Arts, Talking Stick, Theatre Northwest, Canadian Stage and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, receiving multiple Dora nominations and various awards. Upcoming: As Creator (upcoming): She Carries Me Again. Full bio: www.boundtocreate.com
EMILY PARKHOUSE
STAGE MANAGER / INTIMACY AND FIGHT CAPTAIN
Emily is a playwright, director, stage manager & occasional performer living and creating in Mohkinstsis (colonially known as Calgary).
A wild and wacky daughter raised by a pair of creative humans, Emily grew up playing in theatre lobbies and seeing show after show, fostering a life-long passion for theatre.
Originally aiming for a life on the stage, Emily has since found herself head over heels for the written word, stage management and creating theatrical magic behind the scenes.
When not in the rehearsal hall or in the booth, she can be found adventuring with her doggo Wrenley and spinning tales on her laptop.
TAURAN
LIGHT DESIGN
Tauran is a disabled queer designer born and raised on Treaty 7 territory in Mohkinstis (Calgary). She loves working with technology to make art that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Selected credits include: Sound Design and Original Composition for Imperfect Symmetry (Jupiter Theatre), Lead Programmer for STRUCK (Ghost River Theatre), and Lighting Designer for Someday (CYPT). She graduated from the BFA Drama program at the U of C, where she designed shows including Woyzeck (Lights and Sound), Mauser (Lights), and Rhinoceros (Lights), receiving an honourable mention at the LIT International Lighting Design Awards for the latter. She also works as a Technical Director here and there. In the (rare) moments when she isn’t working on theatre, she fences foil, makes electronic gadgets, and reads and re-reads all the books she can.
TONISHA KROEGER
COSTUME DESIGN
Tonisha is thrilled to debut with Sage Theatre as the Costume Designer for Mary Stuart. Born and raised in Calgary Alberta, she is a graduate of Red Deer Polytechnic with a diploma in Theatre & Entertainment Production. She’s had the absolute pleasure to work as The Young Canadians Stage Manager at the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show since 2023! Other credits include Costume Designer for Calgary Young People’s Theatre A Monster Calls, Costume Assistant and Dresser for Red Deer Polytechnic’s Robin Hood, and Apprentice Stage Manager for Lunchbox Theatre Go for Gold Audrey Pham! Thanks for coming to the show!
NATALIA CORTES
SET DESIGN
Natalia is a Colombian-Canadian multidisciplinary theatre artist whose practice centers around the exploration of design based, devised and community inspired theatrical work. She received her formal training from George Brown Theatre School and has received design mentorship over the last couple years building her unique approach as a multidisciplinary creator. In recent years, Natalia has worked with companies such as The River Clyde Pageant, Green Fools Theatre Society, Chromatic Theatre, The Major Matt Mason Collective and produced her own work in the Toronto Fringe Festival and Sage Theatre’s Ignite! Festival of Emerging Artists. As of late, she can be found doing set design and creating independent devised works with friends.
KRISTIN EVELEIGH
SOUND DESIGN
Kristin has been in love with making sound and music for theatre since 2008. Past sound designs include The House of Bernarda Alba (Sage Theatre), The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Vertigo Theatre), After (8ROJO), LiLunne (The Festival of Animated Objects) and The Frozen Deep among countless designs for her heart company, CYPT. She is a member of 8ROJO and the Artistic Director of Calgary Young People’s Theatre. Thanks as always to her incredible family Mikey, Piper and Everett for the infinite love and support and to Javier for always bringing her along for the ride!
ANASTASIA ST. AMAND
INTIMACY AND FIGHT DIRECTOR
Anastasia St. Amand (she/her) is a Queer, Certified Intimacy Director, Fight Designer, and founding member of Principal Intimacy Professionals from Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 Territory. Select credits include: Beaches The Musical, Selma Burke, Meteor Shower, Escape to Margaritaville (Theatre Calgary), Silent Sky (Fire Exit), Girl on the Train (Vertigo Theatre), Beauty and the Beast, A Man of No importance, Something Rotten (Storybook Theatre), Hurry Hard (Western Canada Theatre), Brontë (Studio University of Alberta), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Measure For Measure (Free Will Shakespeare). Special thanks to her PIPs Pals and loved ones for their ongoing support.
JAVIER VILALTA
DIRECTOR
Javier is a Mexican Canadian visual performance creator, stage director, movement coach, choreographer and translator. He resides in Calgary, where he attended the University of Calgary’s Fine Arts department.
As a stage director and movement choreographer, he has collaborated with companies such as Vertigo Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Sage Theatre, Downstage, Lunchbox Theatre, The Shakespeare Company, CYPT, Jupiter Theatre, Chromatic Theatre, Inside Out Theatre, StoryBook. Guild Hall and Prairie Theatre Exchange. He is a two-time Betty Mitchell Awards nominee for directing and choreography.
In 2005 he co-founded, along with Black artist Norma Lewis, the visual performance ensemble 8ROJO. With this group, he has devised five interdisciplinary creations; with which he has travelled around Canada and as far afield as Mexico, Czechia, Sweden, France, Taiwan, UK, and Iceland. Along with 8ROJO, he was awarded the ‘Innovation in Performance’ award at the 2016 STOFF Festival in Stockholm, Sweden; and he was a finalist for a 2021 Off West End Award in London, UK for Outstanding Production.
JASON MEHMEL
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
Jason Mehmel is a writer, producer and director living in Calgary. He is the Artistic Director for Sage Theatre. His directing work includes Cantata, A Year of Magical Thinking, Legislating Love, King Kirby (Sage Theatre). He produces the IGNITE! Festival of Emerging Artists and mentors emerging performing artists every year.
He also works as a speaker coach, recently supporting the Haskayne Business Exchange. He is the organizer for the TEDxYYC event, and a member of the Panel One comic creator organization. He has produced and directed short films, written for animation, and in comic book both writes and edits. More details available at jasonmehmel.com
DACIA MARAINI
PLAYWRIGHT
Dacia Maraini is one of Italy’s most prominent contemporary authors. She has won numerous prizes, including the most prestigious Italian literature awards: the Campiello and the Strega. Her novels and short stories have been translated into twenty-two languages.
She has also written extensively for the theatre. While continuing to publish novels and poetry, she co-founded the Teatro del Porcospino and established the feminist experimental theatre La Maddalena in Rome. Mary Stuart (Maria Stuarda), was produced at La Mama Theatre in New York and at the Battersea Arts Centre in London, receiving the City Limits and Time Out Critics’ Choice British Premiere award and Time Out Critics’ Choice British Premiere award. Mary Stuart was also produced in Holland, Spain, Uruguay, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Austria and many other countries. Other plays include I sogni di Clitennestra, Dialogo di una prostituta con un suo cliente, Stravaganza, Mela and La lunga vita di Marianna Ucrìa.
IGNITE! June 4 - 7, 2025
For nearly 20 years, the IGNITE! Festival of Emerging Artists has put a focus on helping develop Calgary’s rising talent by presenting their work to the public and connecting them to a network of established industry professionals.
