Infinitheatre Presents THE PIPELINE Readings at Bain St. Michel,Today-25

Every year Infinithéâtre proudly flaunts Québec's newest discoveries in THE PIPELINE, an annual series of free public play readings where the audience takes centre stage. Guy Sprung, Infinithéâtre's Artistic Director, invites the public to catch the excitement and share their views from Friday, November 23 - Sun. November 25 at Bain St. Michel when the theatre company features three new plays, including the winner of the Write-On-Q! play writing competition.

In its ongoing mandate to discover new Québec works to bring to the stage, five years ago Infinithéâtre initiated an annual writing contest, Write-On-Q!, which garners scripts from all corners of the province. The winning script is selected by an independent jury, chaired this year by respected actor, Leni Parker. The other two jury members were Gerry Lipnowski (CN, Public Affairs) and Laurence Sellyn (Gildan ActiveWear, CFO). This from the jury, "The plays we examined this year featured intriguing stories and memorable characters engaged in a wide range of the human experience that makes theatre so compelling. The submissions reflect the great diversity and depth of local talent, which demonstrates the importance of Infinithéâtre's mission to help develop, produce and promote Québec-based original work."

The now popular writing competition draws submissions from first-time playwrights, students and established writers, including the cream of the crop of Québec playwrights. Artistic Director Guy Sprung is delighted with the almost forty entries this year and invites all to hear some of Montreal's finest actors read scripts that could become future Infinithéâtre productions. "Because new Québec work is our focus, The Pipeline reading series has become a vital step in the process of developing new plays and making programming choices for upcoming seasons. Audience reaction is absolutely key in this event. Where else can Montrealers participate in the creative process as we continue to produce relevant, Québecois theatre?" Actors who are lending their talents to this year's exciting series include: Sheena Gazé-Deslandes, Brett Watson, Leni Parker, Catherine Berubé, Howard Rosenstein and Jean Archambault.

The Write-On-Q! winner of the $1000 Pamela Dunn Prize is recent National Theatre School graduate, writer/playwright Leah Jane Esau for her entry Disappeared, which recently won the Playwrights Guild of Canada Post-Secondary Competition. Another of this year's Write-On-Q! submissions included playwright/actor/writer Joel Fishbane's A Place in the Country, which merited second place. The final script in this year's three-day reading series is Unseamly, by playwright Oren Safdie. Please see below for details about each play and its author.

The Pipeline gives the public a unique opportunity to voice their opinions and directly influence Montréal's cultural landscape through lively talkback discussions, an important part of any play development, following each reading. Providing invaluable input for the playwrights, talkbacks also allow the audience to address questions or issues that the texts generated in a relaxed, open forum with the authors, directors and actors.

The Write-On-Q! competition is a huge opportunity for aspiring and established Québec playwrights to receive a kick-start for a new work. Scripts for Write-On-Q! 2013 can be submitted to the Infinithéâtre offices from now until September 3rd at 5413, boul. St-Laurent, Suite 302, Montreal QC H2T 1S5. For more information, log on to www.infinitheatre.com or call (514) 987 – 1774.

THE PIPELINE 2012:

Fri. November 23, 2012, 7pm
Directed by Guy Sprung

Unseamly - Inspired by sexual harassment allegations brought against nationally known clothing companies, Unseamly focuses its attention on an industry that has become synonymous for pushing the boundaries on sexuality while inflaming debates as to what is socially acceptable.

Oren Safdie
Born and raised in Montréal, Oren attended the Graduate School of Architecture at Columbia University before turning his attention to playwriting and screenwriting. He is a playwright-in-residence at La Mama E.T.C. Works include off-Broadway/London hit Private Jokes, Public Places and La Compagnie, which he developed into a ½-hour pilot for Castle Rock/CBS. "Like the play, I hope the audience questions whether the sexualization of our youth leads to greater freedom of expression or a deterioration in society's social fabric."

Sat. November 24, 2012, 7pm (Write-On-Q! winner)
Directed by Guy Sprung and Susann Hochgräf

Disappeared - Disappeared explores 4 young people and an elderly man who are all in the process of disappearing in some way. Scott can't express how he feels. Mr. Richardson suffers from Alzheimer's. Alex slaves away at his PhD but feels his work is of little importance. Sylvia hates herself so much that she attempts to transform into a childhood friend. Cate spends her days playing x-box and living off cheques from her father who 'disappeared' years ago.

Leah Jane Esau
Disappeared was Leah Jane's graduating project at The National Theatre School, dramaturged by Emma Tibaldo and directed by Sophie Gee. Other shows include Shed, (SummerWorks Theatre Festival 2010), Waterfront: The Blessing (SummerWorks 2011) and The Death of Ashley Smith (PROTESTIVAL!). "I can't wait to work with Infinithéâtre- a company dedicated to producing new Canadian work. Drama is about understanding people you might not otherwise understand or care about. I want the audience to sympathize with these young people as they try to sort out their lives, feeling as if they make no impact or difference in the world, as if they're disappearing."

Sun. November 25, 2012, 2pm
Directed by Susann Hochgräf

A Place in the Country - Taryn Hepburn finds herself at odds with her father after she attempts to forge a relationship with her birth mother, a former prostitute. As the country debates a new law that would redefine the rights of prostitutes in society, Taryn finds herself with divided loyalties after her uncle disappears - and it becomes evident that her birth mother may have been involved.

Joel Fishbane
Joel Fishbane is an author of fiction and theatre. His plays have been produced/workshopped in New York, Ohio, the United Kingdom, Montréal and Toronto. His work has been honoured as finalist or semi-finalist in a number of competitions, including second place for this year's Write-on-Q!. "Infinithéâtre gave me my start in Montréal - back in 1999, they helped me produce my first play. Guy Sprung has also continued to be an avid champion of my work. I couldn't be more thrilled to have A Place in the Country included in this year's Pipeline Series."

Infinithéâtre's THE PIPELINE runs Nov. 23-25 at Bain St-Michel, 5300, rue St-Dominique (corner Maguire). Admission: Pay-What-You-Can (Suggested $10 donation). For more information: about Infinithéâtre's 2012-13 season line-up of plays or the 6-Pack discount card, log onto www.infinitheatre.com or call 514 987–1774.

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