BLUEBIRDS
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Stage Manager: Shania Scott
Set Designer: Carey Nicholson and Iain Moggach
Composer and Sound Designer: Lyle Corrigan
Costume Designer: Brenda Thompson
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Maggie: Shannon Pitre
Bab: Justine Christensen
Christy: Alea Carrington
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There is a special magic in Bluebirds. Ever since my first read of the play a few years ago, it has stayed with me in a way that stands unique - even among the high bar of Vern Thiessen’s works. Three nurses stationed at a WWI hospital: a simple premise that unfolds into something far more epic, and far more human. Not a war story, but a reckoning with Time, with Loss, with Legacy. With Hope.
At its core, Bluebirds is about connection - about finding the people who help us become more ourselves. About whom we trust to carry our stories, and why that matters. About whom we reach for when the world feels like it’s ending…
Our production leans into the script’s fluidity, uniqueness, and little clues hidden throughout. We have built a world where memory and presence exist side by side; where present choices reframe the past and provide new insights.
In addition, I have always been drawn to theatre that uses minimal means to generate maximal feeling. With these three fearless performers - and a few suitcases - we have aimed to create something intimate, raw, and emotionally relentless. Not focused on realism, and yet, more real.
Thank you to Carey and Theatre on the Ridge for their trust in me. Thank you to Marissa and my family for their endless support. Thank you to the whole team, especially our cast and Shania, for embracing the magic of Bluebirds and diving in.
And thank you, truly, for being here.
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After not renewing my contract with Theatre by the Bay, Carey Nicholson, the intrepid Artistic Director of Theatre on the Ridge, and a friend, reached out to see if there might be some opportunities to collaborate. At the time, I wasn’t ready to make any kinds of decisions. The last few months at TBTB had taken a huge toll on me and I needed time to recover, but the offer stayed in my mind.
At the same time, Vern Thiessen (playwright of Icemen and a friend), had been keeping in touch about how we could keep working together as well. He mentioned that Carey had reached out to him - something I helped to facilitate - as she was interested in working closely with him. You can see where this is going, I suspect.
Knowing a bit about the scope and style of programming Theatre on the Ridge offered, once I was sufficiently healed from TBTB, I suggested to Carey that I direct Vern Thiessen’s Bluebirds. It was 85 minutes, three female characters of indiscriminate age, and a powerhouse for both direction and design. A homerun, in my opinion. Carey agreed, Vern was thrilled, and the work began.
Bluebirds is a deceptive play. It seems straightforward enough, but there is SO much going on beneath the surface. It’s structure especially creates great dramatic potential, but needs to be handled with a lot of thought and consideration. I am quite thrilled with my concept for it, and the actors, when I introduced them to it, bought right in as well - a good sign.
I likely won’t be able to update this until after the show closes. Tickets are on sale now (check the bar at the top of the screen, or the ‘upcoming’ tab). I hope you get a chance to see what we have achieved - and hopefully, witness an unforgettable production of this beautiful, Canadian, and unique play.
