PLAYS
Green Thumb Theatre production, photo by Moonrider Productions of actor Olivia Hutt, set by Ken MacDonald.
Still•Falling
Nina has a great life. She loves her family, she does well in school, and her friends are awesome. But suddenly Nina starts feeling… off, and she finds herself slipping into a dark reality she cannot understand, let alone articulate to the people around her. Still • Falling follows Nina as she tries to come to terms with what it means to struggle with anxiety and depression, and to rise above it with as much strength, and as few scars, as possible. A realistic, honest and bitingly funny look at the difference between ‘teen angst’ and mental illness and the ways vulnerable kids can start to find their way out of the dark.
“Aberle's play definitely goes deep and far more intensely than its calm set up and nicely underplayed manner hints it will.”
Tapeworthy
Commissioned and premiered by Green Thumb Theatre, Vancouver BC.
Recipient of the Jessie Richardson Theatre Award for Significant Artistic Achievement: Commissioning of a Socially Relevant Production.
Running Time: 50 minutes
Genre: Theatre for Young Audiences (ages 12+)
Green Thumb Theatre production, photo by Chicknskratch Productions of actors Nathan Kay and Elizabeth Barrett, set by Ruth Bruhn, costumes by Elizabeth Wellwood.
The Code
Moira takes pride in standing up for what she believes in. But after spearheading a protest at school that results in the spring dance being cancelled, she receives threatening statements online and at school. Luckily her best friends Simon and Connor have her back – until Simon reveals his romantic feelings towards Moira, which she doesn’t return. Feeling “friend-zoned”, Simon joins the barrage of hurtful comments, and Connor is forced to take a hard look at where his loyalties lie. The Code takes a look at the murky line between friendship and romance, and invites viewers to question what they feel entitled to in their relationships. With humour and nuance, the play challenges teens to hold themselves accountable for their words and actions, and consider what’s at stake when lines are crossed.
“Aberle manages to lay out some complicated issues in a very logical, plausible and realistic way, in a plot that twists and turns in its brief and efficient running time.”
Tapeworthy
Commissioned and premiered by Green Thumb Theatre, Vancouver BC.
Developed with the support of the Banff Centre for The Arts Playwrights Lab.
Recipient of the Jessie Richardson Theatre Award for Outstanding Production and the Sydney J. Risk Prize for Outstanding Original Script by an Emerging Playwright.
Running Time: 50 minutes
Genre: Theatre for Young Audiences (ages 12+)
Social politics. Generational divides. A birthday celebration gone awry. When Michelle and Todd Milne (and Todd’s outspoken mother Irene) welcome their son Cyrus and his girlfriend Amy for a visit, the revelations that unfold could tear the family apart. In turns hilarious and heartbreaking, The Watch List is a gripping look at what happens when idealism crashes into real life.
“The Watch List is a play that should be done now. It’s highly engaging, and presents its topical subject matter with humour and heart. At the Banff Centre, it was one of the top choices to be invited to do a residency and the reading presented while here was funny and sad and demanded discussion.”
Amiel Gladstone, Director of Theatre Arts – Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Commissioned by The Belfry Theatre, Victoria BC.
Developed with the support of the Banff Centre for the Arts Slaight Theatre Creation Residency.
Running Time: 100 minutes
Genre: Drama
The Watch List
In Development
Caged
In Caged, teenage dancers Ronnie and Jas share a bond that goes beyond their passion for performance. After a summer apart, they reunite in their favourite meeting place in the park, where their friendship and shared memories have always been a safe refuge. But everything shifts when Ronnie brings along her new boyfriend, Trev, a charming yet increasingly controlling presence.
Trev’s influence quickly begins to seep into every corner of Ronnie’s life, from her dance practice to her relationship with Jas to her choice of snacks. Subtle red flags start to emerge. Ronnie is torn between the demands of her new relationship and her deep connection to her friend.
Through a powerful exploration of the early signs of intimate partner violence, online influence, and the complexity of relationships, Caged asks: How can you navigate a relationship when you don’t even know what a healthy one looks like? And can a friendship survive the tension between love and control?
In development under a commission with Green Thumb Theatre, Vancouver BC.