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Writer helps pregnancy care centre

A local writer’s latest work will be the highlight of the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre’s 25th anniversary gala.

A local writer’s latest work will be the highlight of the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre’s 25th anniversary gala.

Andrew Kooman, a Red Deer playwright, was approached by the care centre after seeing his play She Has a Name, a story about the battle against human trafficking.

“They were interested in the power of theatre to tell a story, to kind of connect with an audience,” said Kooman.

He was asked to write three monologues for the care centre’s 25th anniversary gala, which is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m.

Over the past nine months, Kooman and others involved in the project have worked with the care centre to put the monologues together.

The care centre gave Kooman three characters to create a story for, along with information based on the work the centre does.

“I was able to research and learn about the choices and questions people face when they have an unexpected pregnancy,” said Kooman.

“I was given the freedom to craft and imagine three stories of three distinct people.”

He looked at the monologues as a chance to write three human stories. He likes strong female characters and has tried to include them in previous work.

Although he was excited about the project, he said he found it difficult to write the monologues.

“But it’s not three people speaking in three chunks, it’s really layered,” said Kooman. “There are multiple characters, each actor plays a number of different roles and it zips in and out of each monologue.

“I think it is really engaging that way, it’s not one long portion for each character, it is woven together in a way I think audiences will find engaging.”

He said he was excited to have been approached to write the monologues, as it is where he wants to be in his life as a playwright.

The gala takes place at the CrossRoads Church in Red Deer, on 32nd Street west of Hwy 2, on Saturday starting at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com