University of Alberta Department of Drama

JP Fournier is retiring from the Drama department and you're invited to the party. Please join us as we gather to celebrate JP and wish him well as he embarks on new adventures!

1 p.m. • Sunday July 19
Lobby, Timms Centre for the Arts

Let us know if you can come! RSVP at the form at the link:
https://forms.gle/4JoMJEvE59zRgCpE9

The University of Alberta Drama Department is pleased to announce that Brad Fraser has been chosen as the 2026 Lee Playwright in Residence.

The selection committee was impressed with the quality of the candidates for this year's residency. However, Brad Fraser's experience, national and international acclaim, as well as his connection to the Edmonton theatre scene gave him an edge over the other worthy candidates. The committee members included Prof. Kenneth T. Williams, Dept. of Drama, Prof. Kathleen Weiss, Dept. of Drama, Ron Jenkins, 2025 Lee Playwright in Residence, Dr. Mukonzi Musyoki, and Josh Languedoc, MFA. The committee members have decades of experience in play creation, dramaturgy, directing, as well as expertise in Canadian, Indigenous and African theatre.

In Brad's words:
"I am thrilled to be the recipient of the Clifford E Lee [Lee Playwright in Residence] residency this year. A writer receiving support to concentrate on their work for a full year is an amazing gift and one I intend to take full advantage of. I look forward to returning to Edmonton and, finally, spending some time at the University of Alberta and would like to thank everyone behind the decision to present me with this amazing gift."

Read more at:
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/drama/about/lee-playwright-in-residence/announcing-the-2026-lee-playwright-in-residence.html

Photo credit: David Hawe

Alberta Playwrights' Network Playwrights Guild of Canada Theatre Alberta Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre Northern Light Theatre Shadow Theatre Theatre Network Citadel Theatre Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta Liz Nicholls 12thnight Edmonton Fringe Theatre

Meet the BFA Acting Class of 2026!

TRAVIS EDWARDS is an actor and collaborator based out of Calgary, Alberta. Growing up on a family farm west of Calgary, Travis has a deep respect and appreciation for the stories created and shared in the prairies. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Alberta and a Diploma in Acting from Rosebud School of the Arts. Travis’ passion for storytelling began at a young age, being inspired by local artists who exhibited authenticity, curiosity, and generosity in their work that transcended the stage. Select Credits: THE SOUND OF MUSIC, DREAM: A NEW CANADIAN MUSICAL (Rosebud Theatre), CANADIAN BADLANDS PASSION PLAY (Badlands Amphitheatre), THE CHERRY ORCHARD, THE WINTER’S TALE (University of Alberta), THE MOORS, TARTUFFE, DESERTERS (Studio Theatre).

Meet the BFA Acting Class of 2026!

TORI KIBBLEWHITE is an emerging actor, producer, playwright, and multi-disciplinary artist based in Amiskwaciywâskahikan. This spring, she graduated from the University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, where she was the recipient of the Tom and Judy Peacocke Award for achievement in the program. Much of Tori’s acting practice is inspired by her history in team sports and her love of physical theatre including clown, dance theatre and her training with Frantic Assembly in the United Kingdom. They love heightened text and the challenge of bringing classical language to life on stage. Tori is invigorated by developing new work as an actor with local playwrights, and as a playwright herself. Their play, Your Heart is Gushing Lavender, recently premiered at Nextfest. She is the co-founder and Artistic Producer of Dog Bite Theatre Collective. Beyond theatre, she is a painter and rock climber. Recent acting credits include: DESERTERS, TARTUFFE, THE MOORS (Studio Theatre), TELEVANGELISTS (Dog Bite Theatre Collective), A WINTER’S TALE (University of Alberta), WHAT FALLS OUT OF OUR BRAINS… (Dog Bite Theatre & Good Women Dance), WORKING: THE MUSICAL (Citadel Theatre).

Meet the BFA Acting Class of 2026!

SABLE B. BOLTZ is a multidisciplinary performer and writer based in Edmonton, AB. He approaches theatre from a point of fascination with language, and how our bodies engage with text onstage. As a poet, he is interested in heightened text, classical texts, and how poetic language engages with theatre. He has also been refining his skills in clown and physical comedy, exploring how comedy can be used to explore the taboo, the political, and the abject. His clown work has been both solo and in collaboration with Gabi Stachniak, a frequent creative partner. As a trans performer, the representation of trans bodies onstage is a driving force in his practice. Recent credits include DESERTERS, TARTUFFE, ANTIGONE LIVES* (Studio Theatre), THE CHERRY ORCHARD, THE WINTER’S TALE (University of Alberta), and a workshop production of WILLOWS with Tiny Bear Jaws. Recent physical performances include FOLD. (MileZero Dance, postmarginal Edmonton), THAT’S THE SPIRIT! (NextFest), and WANNA DOG? (Off-The Cuff Cabaret, PepperMUNT)

Meet the BFA Acting Class of 2026!

LIAM SIEVWRIGHT is an Amiskwacîwâskahikan based actor and performer as well as a recent graduate of the University of Alberta in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting program. Driven by a passion for dance and a background in Tae Kwon Do, he strives to bring outrageous energy and physicality to his performances on stage. He also has a huge love for both classic and contemporary comedy fueled by his passion for clown. Recent performance credits include ANTIGONE LIVES* (Studio Theatre), TARTUFFE (Studio Theatre) CROSSING THE LINE (Play the fool) and DESERTERS (Studio Theatre).

Meet the BFA Acting Class of 2026!

LAUREN JOHNSEN is an Alberta-based Actor, originally from Calgary. She is a graduate from the University of Alberta, obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. Along with her formal acting training, Lauren has also trained in physical theatre, modern dance, film and voice over. As a multi-disciplinary artist, Lauren is particularly inspired by the intersection between movement and theatre practices; seeking out ways of defining and redefining performance through varying lenses. Recent performance credits include: DESERTERS, TARTUFFE, and ANTIGONE LIVES* (Studio Theatre), NOSE DIVE (Play the Fool), THE LAST PERFECT GAME (Edmonton Fringe), and THIS IS NOT A TEST (Collections Collisions/Mile Zero Dance).

Meet the BFA Acting Class of 2026!

KATIE O’KEEFE is in her last year of the BFA Acting program at the University of Alberta. Her home is in Springbank, AB, where she developed her love for the stage as an Irish dancer. During her time in the BFA, she has gained/developed skills in stage combat, clown, singing, text analysis, and taking pride in her work. Outside of school, she works as an actress, choreographer, and puppeteer. She has a love for physical comedy and Shakespeare. For the past few years, she’s been working for the Wilder Bunch (the theatre team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo) as a choreographer, puppeteer, musician, stilt walker, and writer. When she’s not on the stage or in front of the camera, she can be found dancing, riding horses, or going on nature walks with her dog Levi. Katie is excited for the opportunity to share her passion with you all!

Meet the BFA Acting Class of 2026!

JOSHUA HOPE is an Alberta based artist, originally from Red Deer, Alberta (Treaty 6 and 7 Territory). His primary work as an artist has been acting, but alongside that, Joshua has done a variety of fight coordination work for various companies in Edmonton and Red Deer. Additionally, they are a recent graduate of the University of Alberta BFA Acting program, and in 2024, they received the J-P Fournier Award for Distinction in BFA Stage Combat. Selected acting credits include: SHEEP PLAY (New Works Festival), THE CHERRY ORCHARD, THE WINTER’S TALE (University of Alberta), ANTIGONE LIVES*, TARTUFFE, DESERTERS (University of Alberta Studio Theatre). Selected fight coordination credits include: ROMEO & JULIET, RIVERONA (Prime Stock Theatre), YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Abbedam), I INHERITED THE HARVEST (New Works Festival).

Meet the BFA Acting Class of 2026!

GABI STACHNIAK is a multidisciplinary theatre artist residing in amiskwaciwâskahikan. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Alberta. Growing up in the dance world, her love of the arts has expanded into devising, producing, teaching, choreographing and performing. Gabi is passionate about physical storytelling, frequently creating and performing in clown and dance theatre - often with creative partner, Sable B. Boltz. She’s had the honour of performing in festivals and cabarets such as pepperMUNT, Edmonton International Fringe Festival, NextFest, Common Ground Festival, New Works, and the Off-the-Cuff Cabaret. Select performance credits include DESERTERS, TARTUFFE and THE MOORS (Studio Theatre), FOLD. (MileZero Dance’s Connections//Collisions Cabaret), THAT’S THE SPIRIT! (NextFest), WHAT FALLS OUT OF OUR BRAINS AND INTO THE POCKETS OF STRANGERS (Dog Bite Theatre in collaboration with Good Women Dance Collective), THE WINTER’S TALE and THE CHERRY ORCHARD (University of Alberta), CATS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PLEASURES (Common Ground Festival).