Synopsis: Little Will Harrison’s dying wish is to help homeless people in Alberta by organizing a food drive. With the help of their neighbours and close friends the Welsh family, the Harrisons work hard to help Will realize his final wish. As the families gather produce donated from the town of Sunrise, they dig up more than just potatoes: a surprise engagement and a secret affair promise to bring the two families closer together and rip them apart, forever.
Play Development: Shelter, Andrew’s first play, was an official selection of the 2007 Scripts at Work (SAW) workshop in Red Deer, Alberta. The play was workshopped with acclaimed Canadian playwright, actor, and director Mieko Ouchi and directed by Vanessa Porteous for a public reading at the Margaret Parson’s Theatre in April of the same year. The play was also read, under the direction of Tanya Ryga, at the 2008 Nextfest Festival of the Arts in Edmonton.
Heel Joseph Heal
Previously entitled “Joseph”
Synopsis: Joseph, a young man in his first year at Bible College is forced to come to terms with his mental illness. As Joseph’s life unravels, he resists medical treatment with the desire to be healed by faith. Joseph’s growing love for Becky, a girl from school and the one person committed to his wellness, is threatened by Cindy, his lifelong companion who both haunts and captivates his imagination.
Characters:
- Joseph, a young man at Bible College
- Cindy, his companion since childhood
- Becky, a fellow student at College winning his affections
Play Development:
Andrew adapted Joseph into a one act play in 2008. It was selected for SAW 2008 and was workshopped with prolific playwright and film actor Daniel Libman and directed for a public reading in 2008 at the Red Deer College by Eric Rose of Calgary.
Unexpected
Previously entitled “3 Monologues”
Synopsis: Bryan falls into love with Jenny as simply and easily as a feather fell from the sky on a magical, unexpected afternoon. Janet, fifty-something and deflated, is focused on one painful spot in the past until a pair of tulip bulbs sort of save her life. Sarah risks it all for Eric, a poem-quoting English major, before he abandons her at sea. Three intertwining stories that collide in unique ways to explore the reasons we fall in love, life’s unexpected surprises, and the choices we make when love, life and loss meet. Themes: Teen pregnancy, abortion, adoption, unexpected pregnancy, high school, sex, love, betrayal, STIs, mental health.
Production History: Commissioned by the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre for their 25th Anniversary Gala in November 2013. The Unveil Studios production was brought to life under the direction of Stephen Waldschmidt by Aaron Krogman, Sue Backs and Amy Burks through multiple roles.
Performed November 2, 2013 in Red Deer, Alberta and March 1, 2014 in Didsbury, Alberta.