Welcome to the
2025 Brand New Stages Festival
A week-long theatre festival of new and exciting work!
Only in Peterborough, Ontario
4 plays in 5 days at Market Hall
4 workshops at The Theatre on King (TTOK)
5 late-night events at TTOK
Tues Feb 25 - Sun Mar 2
Scroll down for all show and event descriptions.
2025 Brand New Stages Festival
A week-long theatre festival of new and exciting work!
Only in Peterborough, Ontario
4 plays in 5 days at Market Hall
4 workshops at The Theatre on King (TTOK)
5 late-night events at TTOK
Tues Feb 25 - Sun Mar 2
Scroll down for all show and event descriptions.
Festival Sponsor
TWO GREAT VENUES
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Market Hall Performing Arts Centre
140 Charlotte St. (Charlotte & George) Peterborough, ON Buy tickets from Market Hall Contact box office at 705-775-1503 or email [email protected] |
The Theatre on King (TTOK)
171 King St. (King & George) Peterborough ON Buy tickets at ttok.ca Contact box office at [email protected] |
FESTIVAL SHOWS AT MARKET HALL
The many faces of M. John Kennedy
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Tues Feb 25, 7pm, Market Hall
FIRESIDE MUNSCH Stories by Robert Munsch. Adapted and performed by M. John Kennedy. Directed by Dahlia Katz. Experience this theatrical re-telling of classic Robert Munsch stories like Paperbag Princess and Mortimer, adapted and performed by M. John Kennedy. Fireside Munsch is a high-energy, high-quality one-person show that has been performed all over the province. Nominated for 8 Dora Mavor Moore Awards in Toronto! Runs approx. 45-55 minutes. Recommended ages: 5+ Tickets: $22 regular/$11 children + venue fee Buy tickets for Fireside Munsch Presented by: East City Builders |
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Thurs Feb 27, 7pm, Market Hall
MAGIC LIES: AN EVENING WITH W.O. MITCHELL by Orm and Barbara Mitchell Performed by Martin Julien Directed by Mark Wallace Musical accompaniment by Rob Phillips New Stages is thrilled to present a staged reading of MAGIC LIES: AN EVENING WITH W.O. MITCHELL, written by Peterborough's Orm and Barbara Mitchell. Starring the wonderful actor Martin Julien as beloved Canadian author and humorist, W.O. Mitchell (Orm's father). MAGIC LIES is a thoughtfully devised and highly entertaining celebration of one of Canada's greatest writers and public storytellers. Get ready for a night of witty, often outrageous stories, packed with wry observations that hearken back to a different era, to a less hurried time. With musical accompaniment from Peterborough legend, Rob Phillips Whether you already know W.O.'s work well, or you're curious what the fuss is all about, MAGIC LIES will bring you a taste of the joy that W.O. brought to so many people in his life and work. A one-night-only, not-to-be-missed event. Recommended ages: 12+ Tickets: $22 regular/$11 (students, arts workers, underemployed) + venue fee Buy tickets for Magic Lies Presented by: East City Builders |
From Vancouver Island to Brand New Stages, we are thrilled to welcome to 2 fabulous theatre artists: Nicolle Nattrass and Paul Tedeschini.
Nicolle Nattrass
Show Sponsor
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Fri Feb 28, 7pm, Market Hall
SUDDENLY 50 Written and performed by Nicolle Nattrass. Directed by T.J. Dawe. Suddenly 50 is a funny and authentic staged reading about Nicolle, a BC woman, grappling with a mid-life crisis as she enters "Season" 50 of her incredible life. "This is a gorgeous piece of storytelling -- smart, poignant, hopeful and deeply affecting." - Michaela Jeffrey, playwright "A tour-de-force performance! I was moved to tears and cheers, as Nicolle delivers a poignantly funny and insightful edification of what it means to find yourself at the middle of your life." - Karen Jeffery, Artistic Director, Sunset Theatre Recommended ages: 14+ Tickets: $22 regular/$11 (students, arts workers, underemployed) + venue fee Buy tickets for Suddenly 50 Presented by: East City Builders and Peterborough Optometric. |
Paul Tedeschini
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Sat Mar 1, 7pm, Market Hall
CLOWN FISH Written and performed by Paul Tedeschini. Directed by T.J. Dawe. An immersive theatre experience that transports you to another world. BC-based writer, clown, and sound designer Paul Tedeschini takes the insular, isolating experience of grief and anxiety and transforms it into a love story. Unique and unforgettable! Featured at the 2024 Spark Festival (Belfry Theatre, Victoria, BC) and 2024 Sunset Theatre Presentation Series (Wells, BC). Check out the sizzler reel for Clown Fish! Recommended ages: 14+ Tickets: $22 regular/$11 (students, arts workers, underemployed) + venue fee Buy tickets for Clown Fish Presented by: East City Builders |
THEATRE WORKSHOPS AT TTOK
Tues. Feb 25, 4pm - 6pm, The Theatre on King (TTOK)
Expressive Body with Dreda Blow
Dreda Blow is a dance-theatre artist, choreographer, and arts educator now based in Nogojiwanong/ Peterborough. She started her professional dancing career with Het Nationale Ballett in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, later joining Northern Ballet in the U.K from 2007-2018 and elevating through the ranks to principal dancer. Dreda has also performed in Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Berlin, and Salzburg, and worked with Cape Town City Ballet in South Africa and the Latvian National Ballet in Riga.
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Expressive Body workshop
Tues. Feb 25, 4pm - 6pm, The Theatre on King Join dance-theatre artist Dreda Blow as we explore the expressive capacity of our bodies through dance improvisation techniques, games, and creative play. Absolutely no dance experience is necessary- this workshop is fun, gentle, and adaptable to all physical abilities. Dreda will guide us on an exploration of impulse, presence, the expressive use of the breath, spine, and torso, and approaches to creating physical language from text and imagery, as we share many laughs along the way! Cost: $25 ($20 for subscribers, students, arts workers, under-employed) Age: 14 + Space is limited, register today. Send any questions to [email protected]. |
Thurs. Feb 27, 4pm - 6pm, The Theatre on King
Take 5! Wellbeing for Theatre Artists with Nicolle Nattrass
Nicolle’s work in a post-pandemic world is grounded in two industries: as an actor, playwright, dramaturge, and director, as well as a coach and Addiction Counselor CAC II (CCPC Global/ Canadian Council of Professional Certification). Nicolle possesses a deep understanding of the demands and challenges of performing arts and the importance of protecting mental wellbeing along with creative processes and goals.
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Take 5! Wellbeing for Theatre Artists workshop
Thurs. Feb 27, 4pm - 6pm, The Theatre on King This workshop is designed to address the unique challenges faced by theatre artists (including production & admin). It will provide a safe space for participants to look at their own challenges and stressors in our broader environment, as well as exploring 5 different tools to enhance and maintain mental well-being. This workshop fosters community and strengthens support systems for all. Tools and Takeaways: • Uplift and offer solutions that validate demands as theatre artists, decrease stress, and boost mental well-being. • Participants will experience five accessible tools for actor self-care and overall mental well-being. • Peer-to-peer support, increasing connection, sharing and community building. • Group guided journaling reflection exercise and introduction to journaling as a key therapeutic strategy. • Mental health resources and support networks. Cost: $25 ($20 for subscribers, students, arts workers, under-employed) Age: 14 + Space is limited, register today. Send any questions to [email protected]. |
Fri. Feb 28, 4pm - 6pm, The Theatre on King
Auditioning for Theatre Schools with M. John Kennedy
M. John Kennedy is the Head of the Acting Program at Randolph College for the Performing Arts (randolphcollege.ca).
He has over 20 years of experience teaching Acting, Stage Combat, Improvisation, Theatre History and Professional Development. |
Auditioning (for Theatre Schools) workshop
Fri. Feb 28, 4pm - 6pm, The Theatre on King Are you considering going to a college or university to study acting? Do you have to audition to get in? Do you know what they are looking for? This workshop is for anyone getting ready for a theatre school audition, or anyone wanting to work on their auditioning and acting skills. We will teach you practical skills and questions to ask that will make your acting more believable and interesting. What to prepare? It is recommended that you prepare a memorized monologue to work on (ideally from a full-length contemporary play that you have read), but if you don’t have one prepared, don’t let that stop you from attending to learn more about the auditioning process. Cost: $25 ($20 for subscribers, students, arts workers, under-employed) Age: 14 + Space is limited, register today. Send any questions to [email protected]. |
Sun. March 2, 10am - 12pm, The Theatre on King
Intro to Mask Play with Mark Wallace
Mark has been creating & performing in masks on stage and screen and teaching new mask students to play for over 25 years. He has a fabulous collection of theatrical teaching masks (Commedia, Greek, larval, character), made by Trish Leeper and by Esther Dragonieri. Mark is the Artistic Director of New Stages Theatre in Peterborough.
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Intro to Mask Play workshop
Sun. March 2, 10am - 12pm, The Theatre on King Why should performers today learn about playing in mask? Do you ever conceal parts of yourself around others, limiting what you show to the world about who you are? Of course you do, we all do; we all feel self-conscious and limit ourselves at times. What we wear, how we move, how we speak, all of it changes how we appear to others in the world. When you put on a theatrical mask, however, it can transform you. It can unlock hidden physicality and emotion that you might keep locked away. By concealing the face, you reveal parts of yourself you might not otherwise show. In this intro to mask play, participants will learn about how, when, and why different kinds of masks are used in theatrical performance and training. You will have the chance to experience mask play and he physical and vocal work needed to make masks come to life. Our objective is for you to push your boundaries as a performer, to transform your everyday self, to play freely, to laugh and to learn. All are welcome (14+), regardless of experience. Cost: $25 ($20 for subscribers, students, arts workers, under-employed) Space is limited, register today. Send any questions to [email protected]. |
LATE-NIGHT EVENTS AT TTOK
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Tues. Feb. 25, 9pm, The Theatre on King (TTOK)
Brushstrokes & Jazz with Rob Phillips, Carling Stephen, and a mystery artist Mingle and chill with us on the opening evening of the festival at Brushstrokes & Jazz. Brushstrokes & Jazz is an unforgettable evening where the worlds of live music and visual art beautifully converge. As Rob Phillips and Carling Stephen fill the room with soulful jazz melodies and captivating rhythms, an acclaimed painter (announcement to follow) creates a masterpiece right before your eyes, inspired by the music. A unique way to witness two art forms influencing each other and evolving together. Tickets: Pay-what-you-can (PWYC). Suggested contribution: $20. Buy tickets for Brushstrokes & Jazz. Book your tickets in advance, capacity is limited. |
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Wed. Feb. 26, 8pm, The Theatre on King
Creating a Solo Show Meet the festival players in a lively panel discussion about the virtues and vicissitudes of Creating a Solo Show. Have you wondered about creating a one-person show of your own? What are the challenges and joys of making your own solo show? As an audience, what do you enjoy, or maybe not enjoy about them? This panel discussion features experienced playwrights and creators from the Brand New Stages Festival and beyond, talking about their craft. Come with questions, leave with a wealth of insights. Tickets: Pay-what-you-can (PWYC)/free. Suggested contribution: $10. Buy tickets for Creating a Solo Show. Book your tickets in advance, as capacity is limited. |
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Thurs. Feb. 27, 9pm, The Theatre on King
StorySLAM, hosted by Megan Murphy and Mandy Roveda Everyone has a story worth telling! Tonight's theme is Breaking the Rules... StorySLAM is your chance to share a true, personal story that connects, inspires, makes us laugh, or moves us forward. Our StorySLAM is an open invitation for anyone who has a story to tell, and for anyone who just wants to enjoy an evening of communal storytelling. Here’s how it works: each storyteller will have 5 minutes to share a personal story based on our theme: “Breaking the Rules." Stories must be true and from your own experience. No notes or props allowed – just you, your voice, and your story. Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or have never spoken on stage before, all are welcome to participate. No need to sign up as a storyteller ahead of time; just get your tickets, prepare your story on the theme Breaking the Rules, and/or prepare to enjoy listening to the incredible experiences of others. Storytelling Tips:
Tickets: Pay-what-you-can (PWYC)/Free. Suggested contribution: $10. Buy tickets for StorySLAM. Book your tickets in advance. Capacity is limited at TTOK. |
Beau Dixon
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Fri. Feb. 28, 9pm, The Theatre on King
A Soulful Night, with Beau Dixon Join us for an unforgettable night where soulful melodies and powerful stories collide, as the uber-talented Beau Dixon takes the stage for an intimate, soulful concert performance. In honour of Black History Month, Beau takes the audience on a journey through the spirit and legacy of Black music. Starting with early slave spirituals, then guiding us through the birth of the blues, gospel, reggae and soul, Beau uses these different genres to narrate the evolution of black music and the artists that influenced a new culture and generation of poets, activists, politicians and visionaries. Whether you're a long-time fan, or new to his music, this night promises to be one to remember. Tickets: Pay-what-you-can (PWYC). Suggested contribution: $15-$20. Buy tickets for A Soulful Night. Book your tickets in advance, as capacity is limited. |
M. John Kennedy
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Sat. Mar. 1, 9pm, The Theatre on King
Venus in Fur by David Ives A staged reading of the acclaimed contemporary play, directed by Dahlia Katz. Featuring Erynn Brook and M. John Kennedy A bonus bonbon for theatre lovers on the final night of Brand New Stages, Venus in Fur is an after-dark affair, a sexual & intellectual thriller. Thomas, a beleaguered playwright/director, is desperate to find an actress to play Vanda, the female lead in his adaptation of the classic sadomasochistic tale Venus in Fur. Into his empty audition room walks a vulgar and equally desperate actress—oddly enough, named Vanda. Though utterly wrong for the sophisticated part, Vanda exhibits a strange command of the material, piquing Thomas’ interest with her seductive talents and secretive manner. As the two work through the script, they blur the line between play and reality, entering into an increasingly serious game of submission and domination that only one of them can win. Mysterious, funny, erotic. Come if you dare. Content advisory: 18+ for sexual content, coarse language, mild violence. Tickets: $22 regular/$11 (arts workers, underemployed) + venue fee Buy tickets for Venus in Fur. Book your tickets in advance, as capacity is limited. |
Season Partners
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Show & Festival Sponsors
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Don't miss a show! |
Get in touch with New Stages at [email protected]
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