Sierra Haynes wanted to know “How do you write a play?” Globe Theatre’s Artistic Director, Jennifer Brewin thought it was a good question and commissioned her to create Stage Write: The Playwrights’ Podcast. Sierra interviewed 5 playwrights who inspired her and shaped her dedication to Canadian Theatre. Then she flipped the script and asked them to interview the playwright that got them writing. These are exceptional conversations, uncovering a wealth of knowledge about the people who shape our stories for the stage. The second of these conversations is with Daniela Vlaskalic and Beth Graham.
Daniela Vlaskalic is an award-winning Canadian actor and playwright. As an actor she has appeared across the county with most of Canada’s major theatres including; The Stratford Festival, The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Theatre Calgary, The Citadel Theatre, The Globe Theatre, The Vancouver Playhouse, The Canadian Stage Company, The Tarragon Theatre, The Belfry Theatre, and many more. Recent Film & Television credits included: Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Private Eyes (Global) and The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair (Muse Productions). As a playwright Daniela’s plays include, The Castaways and Sleight of Mind (world premiere in 2022). She has also co-written several plays including: The Last Train, Comrades, Mules, and the multiple award-winning play; The Drowning Girls (Dora nomination, Elizabeth Sterling Award, Betty Mitchell Award, SATA Award). The Drowning Girls has received multiple productions nationally and internationally, is published by Canada Playwrights Press and received the Gwen Pharis Ringwood literary award for Drama. Her latest collaboration, Dora Maar: the wicked one (with co-writer Beth Graham), is slated for its world premiere in Calgary, spring of 2022. Daniela lives in Toronto.
Beth Graham is a playwright and an actor. Her play The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble was shortlisted for the Governor Generals’ Award, received the Gwen Pharis Literary Award and was published by Playwrights Canada Press. She has also co-written plays which include: The Drowning Girls, Comrades, Mules, Victor and Victoria’s Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things and Fortune Falls. Beth is currently the Lee Playwright in Residence at the University of Alberta and the resident dramaturg at Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre. Her latest co-creation with Daniela Vlaskalic is Dora Maar: the wicked one. Beth lives in Edmonton, with her partner Patrick, and two wee dogs, Oscar and Lily.
The Globe Theatre is located in Regina, Saskatchewan and has a mission to entertain, educate and engage in the art of professional theatre. Globe Theatre is located on Treaty 4 territory, the traditional lands of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Nakoda, Lakota, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation.
