New Theatre Company Théâtre Ouest End Holds First Event March 8

New theatre company, Théâtre Ouest End, celebrates their launch (and International Women's Day) with their inaugural event, an evening of readings from a great gathering of Montreal playwrights and performers, on Friday, March 8 at their home space, Westmount Park United Church. Admission is free.

Company founders Laura Mitchell, Ann Lambert, Danielle Szydlowski and Alice Abracen will present their plans for the upcoming season of open mics, cold readings, community outreach and new plays. Join them to hear works read by some of the hottest voices in Montreal including: Alice Abracen, Louise Arsenault, Keir Cutler, Christian Daoust, Michaela Di Cesare, Jeff Gandell, Jane Gilchrist, Debra Kirshenbaum, Laura Mitchell, Stephen Orlov, Laurent Pitre and Cheyenne Schaub.

Théâtre Ouest End is an intergenerational women's collective founded by two emerging and two experienced theatre professionals. "We're committed to making vital theatrical experiences accessible to communities who traditionally cannot or do not participate; to mentoring young theatre professionals by giving then a place to begin practicing their craft; and to encouraging new work by established writers," said co-founder Ann Lambert. Works will be in both English and French.

From Théâtre Ouest End co-founder Laura Mitchell: "We want to share the transformative power of theatre in an area of Montreal that is underrepresented in this respect-the west/ouest end of Montreal, with a particular emphasis on inspiring under-served youth and senior citizens to participate in our programming." Théâtre Ouest End's aim is to foster creativity through theatrical productions that explore the core issues of these populations in a welcoming, safe, interactive community setting.

About the founding members: Ann Lambert has been a playwright, director and educator for 35 years, and is excited to once more be stepping into the breach of theatrical creation with people she loves. Laura Mitchell is an actor and writer, and teaches English at Dawson College. She's thrilled to be starting this brave, new adventure with these amazing women. Alice Abracen is an emerging playwright and a graduate of the National Theatre School and Harvard College. She is delighted to be part of this new theatre company. DanielleSzydlowski, a graduate of the National Theatre school, has spent the past few years casting at Ubisoft and is looking forward to launching Théâtre Ouest End with women that inspire her.

Launch of Théâtre Ouest End, Fri. March 8, 7:30pm

Westmount Park United Church- 4695 blvd. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Westmount

Free admission, refreshments

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