Fireworks Plays Past Cohorts 2019-2023 May 13-14, 2023 2024 Fireworks Showcase Teesri’s Rangshala Studio Facilitated for the second year by Dramaturges Vishesh Abeyratne and Jen Cressey, this program employed two (2) seasoned dramaturges, ten (10) breakout playwrights, and thirty-five (35) actors of diverse backgrounds. Cohort Lila Ciesielski, Alice Wu, Deidre Walton, Kamal Pandya, Yasna Khademian, Chelsey Fawcett, Leya/Luke/Lore Graie, Parastoo Geranmayeh, Laurie Dumont-Bal, Fred Azeredo, and Leigh Ann Taylor May 13-14, 2023 2023 Fireworks Showcase Teesri’s Rangshala Studio Facilitated by Dramaturges Vishesh Abeyratne and Jen Cressey, the public readings were delivered in person for the first time in 3 years, marking a triumphant return to Fireworks in-person programming. In all, this program employed two (2) seasoned dramaturges, six (6) breakout playwrights, and nineteen (19) actors of diverse backgrounds. Cohort Trusha Chauhan, Banafsheh Hassani, Danna-Rae Evasiuk, Shailee Rajak, Ella Kohlmann, Yifan Li. Trusha Chauhan: To Her Who Knocks Cast: Natasha Fagant, Mahin Sekendra, Ambica Sharma Banafsheh Hassani: Azadi Cast: Niyayesh Golestani, Sean Henderson, Shadi Yazdani Danna-Rae Evasiuk: We Don’t Blink at Wolves Cast: San Choi, Gio Imola, Natasha Fagant, Leigh-Ann Taylor Shailee Rajak: the Women who launched the Wars Cast: Charity Adzie, San Choi, Tiernan Cornford, Rahul Gandhi, Leya Graie, Nazifa, Natasha Fagant, Leigh Ann Taylor Ella Kohlmann: Corps Cast: Tiernan Cornfordd, Robyn Erin Ellison, Leya Graie, Natasha Fagant, Tevin Sawyer, Ambica Sharma, Leigh Ann Taylor Advisor on physical disability: HeatherEllen Strain Yifan Li: Vanity of Vanities All is Vanity Cast: San Choi, Arash Ebrahimi, Sean Henderson, Gio Imola, Gabriel Lezza, Mizra Sarhan 2022 Fireworks Showcase The 2022 Fireworks Mentorship Program was facilitated by dramaturges Lib Spry and Lydie Dubuisson. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2022 Fireworks showcase was presented fully online for the second consecutive year allowing the program to reach a record-breaking number of community members. In all, this program employed two (2) seasoned dramaturges, eight (8) breakout playwrights, and over forty (40) actors of diverse backgrounds. Cohort: Caroline Lou, Nathaniel Hanula-James, Debdeep Chatterjee, Tiernan Cornford, Carolyn Fe, Caren Hwitte-Phagget, Sangeeta Wylie, and Heather White. Caroline Lou: And Then We Parted Directed by Sophie Gee Cast: Hilary Wheeler, Caroline Mawhinney, Sarah Talbot, Schubert Pierre-Louis, Julie D’Entremont, Jeremy Cabrera Tiernan Cornford: Essential Work Directed by Gabe Maharjan Cast: Riel Reddick-Stevens, Faïza Boukaria, Vishmayaa Jey, Jonathan Patterson, Johnny Abilach, Gabrielle Banville Debdeep Chatterjee: Tales of an Imaginary Search for Workers Directed by Masha Bashmakova Cast: Julie Phan, Duy Nguyễn, Carolyn Fe, Ambica Sharma, Jake Cohen, Chimwemwe Miller, Zeshaun Saleem Caren Hwitte-Phagget: [N-word] In Pontreal Directed by Esi Callender Cast: Grégory Yves, Dakota Jamal Wellman, Espoir Segbaya, Joy Mwandemange, Charity Adzie, Oprah Lemorin, Sarah Nairne Carolyn Fe: Go Fish! Directed by Lib Spry Cast: Jane Luj, Emilee Veluz, Nouella Grimes, Linda Nourse, Alexandra Valassis Nathaniel Hanula-James: Death and Dolores Directed by Quinlan Green Cast: Chadia Kikondjo, Rochelle Laplante, Sarah Nairne, Chole Giddings, Kwaku Okyere Sangeeta Wylie: Father Directed by Summer Mahmud Cast: Sherry Duggal, Ivan Smith, Amitai Marmorstein, Avery Marilyn 2020 Fireworks Showcase Due to COVID-19 there was no showcase for the 2020 Fireworks cohort. Participants: Dipti Gupta, Alida Esmail, Laura Flynn, Baharan Banaihmadi, Seely Quest, Camille Mankumah, Kay Komizara, Charles Gao, Summer Muhmad, Nicole Leroux, Min Kyungseo, Zaynab Bourezza, Azin Mohammadi. Facilitated By: Deborah Forde November 24, 2018 2019 Fireworks Showcase Montréal, arts interculturels (MAI) Studio Playwrights: Gabe Maharjan, Oliver Koomsatira, Dipti Gupta, Candace H. Blake-Amarante, Maryline Chery, Seeley Quest, Shannon Thompson Cast: Oliver Koomsatira, Trevor Barrette, Dakota Jamal Facilitated By: Deborah Forde Following several weeks of intensive workshops, two plays were selected from the participants of the Fireworks program to be performed in a public presentation.