FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2003

SAINT JOHN THEATRE COMPANY'S SECOND STAGE LAUNCHES "THEATRE ON THE EDGE"

The Saint John Theatre Company: Second Stage continues its string of popular performances with a new production scheduled to premiere in mid-August. The collective will finish its ambitious and successful 2002-2003 season with Theatre On the Edge, an evening of one-act plays that will keep the audience both intrigued and entertained.

"The support from the public this year in terms of attendance and positive word of mouth has been a direct reflection on a growing need for accessible theatre in Saint John," says Jay Rawding, chair of Second Stage. "It would be tempting to rest on our laurels right
now, but the consensus seems to be that we're just getting started."

The plays will be "The Author's Voice" by Richard Greenberg, "The Topic Was Frisbees, Not UFOs", a locally written original script by Doug Fillmore, and "Pants", another locally written original script by Dan Culberson. As with previous Second Stage productions, opportunities to debut new material and see more new faces onstage abound.

"It's my first time directing since high school," admits John Mazerolle, who will be helming "The Author's Voice" and will also be performing for the first time with the company. He plays Gene, a "horribly twisted gnome" who lives in the closet of a would-be writer. The writer, Todd, must keep the gnome hidden from his editor, Portia.

Theatre On the Edge upholds Second Stage's mandate to foster the development of local writers, actors and directors. Including a set of one-acts in September of last year, Second Stage will have mounted 11 plays in 11 months. Of these, seven have been original scripts written by Saint John playwrights.

"Hopefully if theatre that is a little different or a little more modern is successful," says Dan Culberson, director of "Pants", "then we'll see more interest in fostering original productions and more voices will be heard through the medium of theatre."

The story of "Pants" features Art, an art teacher who doesn't entirely embrace a project submitted by Stu, his student. The play explores the nature of creativity in a light but compelling manner. All three shows tap into different aspects of human imagination and the prospect of pushing boundaries.

"It's been a fun time," says Doug Fillmore, director of "The Topic Was Frisbees, Not UFOs". "The actors all get along well with each other and are very creative in their roles. They are willing to put themselves on the line to give a good performance out to the audience."

Theatre On the Edge was conceived by the directors of the three shows in order to stage material that might normally be classified as non-mainstream or offbeat. It's also an effective way to continue to expose Saint Johners to some homegrown talent.

"From an audience standpoint, I'm hoping people will want to be challenged in a way that other mediums cannot challenge," says Culberson. "From the point of view of a director and writer, I'd like the arts and theatre community to continue supporting the creation and
production of local theatre for the enjoyment of audiences."

If successful, Theatre On the Edge could lead to the possibility of an established fringe festival, which many other cities across the country already have in place. "Why not?" says Mazerolle. "It could be an annual August event. We'll make it stranger every year."

The plays will be staged Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16th at 8:00 pm in the Mary Oland Theatre at the New Brunswick Museum, Market Square. Tickets are $10.00 and are available in advance beginning August 1st at the New Brunswick Museum lobby or at the door.

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