Rose’s repressed emotions take on a life of their own in the new play, Thank You For Coming to My Ted Talk.
The comedy written by Red Deer’s Ash Mercia, can be seen at the 42nd annual Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival on Aug. 19-21, 23, 24 and 26 at the Acacia Masonic Hall at 10433-83 Ave.
Mercia, who’s often gone to Edmonton and Calgary fringe festivals as an audience member, is excited to be participating as a playwright, producer and actor this time. Thank You was chosen in the national category among submissions from across the country.
The play, presented by Mercia’s troupe, Kiss My Ellipsis… and directed by Richard Beaune, is about Rose (played by local actor Starlise Waschuk).
Poor Rose has no luck with boyfriends, so she’s trying to suppress her anxiety about starting a new relationship while — coincidentally — also doing a Ted Talk on emotions.
Although feeling understandably nervous about putting herself out there again, Rose is determined to mask her jitters with a chipper front.
But her repressed emotions are getting tired of glossed over and brushed aside. As represented by the character Ganglia (played by Mercia) — they leap out of her body to try to make her face her fears.
“They’re trying to get her to pay attention to them but she is trying to ignore it,” said Mercia, who came up with the surreal plot, reminiscent of the animated movie Inside Out, at a playwriting workshop in Calgary last summer.
Mercia recalled having just 24 hours to come up with a play. “At first, I couldn’t think of what to write…” But as Mercia had just broken up with her boyfriend, she began writing about her feelings “sort of to give myself some therapy.”
The Ted Talk idea came to her and — before she knew it — Mercia had written 12 pages of script.
After the play was selected for the 2023 Edmonton International Fringe Festival, Mercia began fleshing the script out to about 40 pages, or about 55 minutes of stage time — including a dance sequence and a couple of “cartoony” fights.
The three-actor cast will also feature Red Deer’s Jonathan Widdifield playing about six male roles — including Rose’s three former boyfriends (jilter, married and flaky) and her current love interest.
Mercia believes anyone who’s gone through a series of Mr./Ms Wrongs in the search for a dependable partner will empathize with Rose’s situation.
Besides getting people to reflect upon how connected they are to their own emotions, Mercia hopes this relatable play will make people laugh.
Tickets to the Edmonton Fringe will go on sale on Aug. 9. For times and more information, please visit www.fringetheatre.ca.
