Public Readings
Celebrating New Voices in Theatre
The heart of Women’s Work Festival lies in the stories we tell—and the 2025 edition brought powerful new works to life through our public readings series. Each evening featured bold, original plays-in-progress by women and underrepresented artists, offering audiences a first look at narratives that challenge, inspire, and connect.
From historical fiction and psychological drama to musical journeys and intimate explorations of memory, this year’s public readings showcased the richness and diversity of contemporary playwriting. Paired with insightful dramaturgy and performed by talented local artists, these readings sparked conversation and deepened our collective engagement with emerging theatre.
Scroll down for photos and synopses of each featured play, and get to know the playwrights and creatives behind the work.
From historical fiction and psychological drama to musical journeys and intimate explorations of memory, this year’s public readings showcased the richness and diversity of contemporary playwriting. Paired with insightful dramaturgy and performed by talented local artists, these readings sparked conversation and deepened our collective engagement with emerging theatre.
Scroll down for photos and synopses of each featured play, and get to know the playwrights and creatives behind the work.
Bodies Built Like Ocean Mountains
Synopsis:
Follows three genderless and genderful people navigating the impacts of complex family systems on their intimate relationships as young adults. The play explores the subjectivity of memory and how memory forms the building blocks of our identities.
Follows three genderless and genderful people navigating the impacts of complex family systems on their intimate relationships as young adults. The play explores the subjectivity of memory and how memory forms the building blocks of our identities.
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Playwright: Mallory Clarke (NL)
Mallory Clarke is an actor, writer, director, and arts educator from Mount Pearl, NL, based in English Harbour, NL. BFA in Musical Theatre Performance (Boston Conservatory), MFA in Theatre Performance Creation (York University), PhD student in English Literature at Memorial University, teaches acting at CNA, and Artistic Director of Rising Tide Theatre.
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Dramaturge: Megan Gail Coles (NL)
Megan Gail Coles is a second-generation Canadian artist and Artistic Director of Poverty Cove Theatre Company. She is a PhD student at Concordia University focused on theatre and neuroscience, with new fiction forthcoming from DoubleDay Canada in 2026.
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Cast:
Hannaa Mekawy
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Allison Moira Kelly
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Robyn Vivian
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Tomilola: The Musical
Synopsis:
Set in 1899 in Ilesha, Nigeria, a 19-year-old princess is sent abroad to counter misinformation spread by missionaries and colonizers and to gain insights into British colonization before ascending the throne. The journey leads her to Canada, where she faces highs, lows, and unexpected relationships in her immigrant experience.
Set in 1899 in Ilesha, Nigeria, a 19-year-old princess is sent abroad to counter misinformation spread by missionaries and colonizers and to gain insights into British colonization before ascending the throne. The journey leads her to Canada, where she faces highs, lows, and unexpected relationships in her immigrant experience.
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Playwright: Helena Elueme (NL)
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Dramaturge: Leahdawn Helena (NL)
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Helena Elueme is a playwright, musician, and communications specialist based in NL. BBA from Memorial University, performer with Sam the Band, and writer of several plays including 'Blank Page' and 'My Universe is me and you'.
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Leahdawn Helena is a L'nu writer, director, and dramaturge from Ktaqmkuk. Her work includes 'Stolen Sisters' and she is the recipient of the John Palmer Award from Playwrights Guild of Canada.
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Cast:
Nondu Khumalo
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Rahma Mohamed
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Arturo Cuevas
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Cassondra Murray
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Judah Adeniyi
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About Time
Synopsis:
Explores women’s mental health, societal expectations, and self-discovery. The title alludes to time's role in healing and self-acceptance, emphasizing transformation through introspection.
Explores women’s mental health, societal expectations, and self-discovery. The title alludes to time's role in healing and self-acceptance, emphasizing transformation through introspection.
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Playwright: Vanessa Cardoso Whelan (NL)
Brazilian-born multidisciplinary artist and clown. Active in NL's arts scene since 2014, offering workshops and community performances. Winner of the 2023 Inspiring Immigrant Woman Award.
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Dramaturge: Meghan Greeley (NL)
Writer, performer, and director from Corner Brook, NL. Former Artistic Director of White Rooster Theatre, known for plays like 'Jawbone' and 'The Cut of It'. BFA in Theatre from Grenfell College.
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Cast:
Melissa Williams
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Raianny Queiroz
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Lydia Makaga
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Work
Synopsis:
A historical fiction about the romance between 19th-century actor Charlotte Cushman and activist Matilda (Max) Hays. The play follows Max’s reflections on their relationship after Charlotte’s death.
A historical fiction about the romance between 19th-century actor Charlotte Cushman and activist Matilda (Max) Hays. The play follows Max’s reflections on their relationship after Charlotte’s death.
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Playwright: Calla Wright (AB)
Playwright based in Edmonton with a BFA from Concordia University. Known for works like 'Binding' and 'The Wright Sisters Present'. Winner of the 2015 Kit Brennan Playwriting Award.
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Dramaturge: Sara Tilley (NL)
Multidisciplinary artist and founder of She Said Yes! theatre company. Playwright of 'Skin Room' and 'DUKE'. Based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, currently writing her third novel.
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Cast:
Amy Anthony
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A Powell
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Nabila Qureshi
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Ana Luisa Ramos
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Pianoland
Synopsis:
Elaine, a new student in St. John’s, moves in with two gifted pianists. As a hurricane traps them indoors, unsettling dynamics emerge. A psychological drama examining obsession, ambition, and the personal costs of striving to be “the best.”
Elaine, a new student in St. John’s, moves in with two gifted pianists. As a hurricane traps them indoors, unsettling dynamics emerge. A psychological drama examining obsession, ambition, and the personal costs of striving to be “the best.”
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Playwright: Sally Cunningham (QC)
Writer based in Montréal, originally from British Columbia. MA in English from Memorial University. Her work appears in literary journals like Riddle Fence and Accenti Magazine.
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Dramaturge: Bernardine Stapleton (NL)
Playwright and actor from Labrador. Artistic Director of Girl Power Inc. and writer-in-residence at Memorial University in 2019. Author of 'Love, Life' and numerous theatrical works.
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Cast:
Andrew Starkey
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Michaela Sheldon
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Manaar Shahabuddin
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"I am learning about writing/directing/producing at MUNL via the Creative Writing Diploma and have met so many amazing people, but this festival helps us hone in on what we want to build and sustain as a community. It allows us to dig into ideas that are beyond the time-limited constraints of specific projects/programs. This is about life-long engagement and gives us, as creatives, space to share work in its infancy. It's the greenest of greenhouses." - Jenne Nolan
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