Mandate

Working Spark Theatre develops and produces new and established plays, with an emphasis on Canadian works and new Canadian writing.

We are committed to fostering women’s voices in the theatrical arts, and are dedicated to artistic works that illuminate the complexity, diversity, and humanity of the female experience.

Our activities can include, but are not limited to, playwriting workshops, education outreach through talkbacks and conferences, readings, and productions.

Company History

Working Spark Theatre was officially founded in 2007 by Michelle Deines.  The company arose out of a co-op production of her play To the Moon at that year’s Vancouver Fringe Festival.  Since then, Working Spark has presented almost exclusively original works.  We have produced small, site-specific works as part of the Firehall Theatre’s Annual BC Buds Arts Festival, play workshops, and we have premiered three new plays.  We try to take on at least one major project each season.  Please see our Past Productions page for detailed information on each project.

Highlights include our one-woman show I am the Bastard Daughter of Engelbert Humperdinck, which we premiered at the Vancouver Fringe Festival in 2013; and Ghosts in Baghdad at Little Mountain Theatre in March 2014.  In 2015, we presented a re-mount of I am the Bastard Daughter of Engelbert Humperdinck at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby, BC.

Awards

2015 Outstanding New Script Nomination for I am the Bastard Daughter of Engelbert Humperdinck, Jessie
Richardson Awards
2014  Outstanding New Script Nomination for Ghosts in Baghdad, Jessie Richardson Awards
2013  Cultchivating the Fringe Award Nomination for I am the Bastard Daughter of Engelbert Humperdinck
2013  Special Merit Award for Ghosts in Baghdad (script), Theatre BC Playwriting Contest

Working Spark Theatre is a non-profit society with Charitable Status.