Event

Animal

Written by Playwright Romeo Ciolfi and directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa, Animal is an exciting new Canadian play that has been in development for the past year and is in the final stages of completion.

Animal is the story of Raina Shepherd; a schizophrenic, bipolar and manic depressive. She also likes to bite. Shattered by a recent tragedy, Raina has cut off ties with the outside world. When her brother and son come to visit, they find a terrifying woman, completely unhinged and off her medication. As their visit unfolds a number of searing revelations from their collective pasts rock this fragmented family to the breaking point. Both brother and son are desperate to help, but is Raina and the family beyond saving?

Romeo Ciolfi received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at York University specializing in Screenwriting and Playwriting. His most recent screenplay Play Ball was the 1st Runner-up in the Kairos Prize in Los Angeles where he was awarded $15,000. Play Ball is currently being shopped to several producers. An avid writer, he has written over 20 feature screenplays for various competitions throughout Canada and the US. Romeo is the founder and Artistic Director of Studio Speranza which produced his play Blue (Village Playhouse). Through Studio Speranza, he has written and directed several seasonal theatrical productions, creating shows from the ground up.

This exciting workshop and reading is being produced by Newface Entertainment (tick, tickBOOM!, Toronto Centre for Performing Arts, Nightmare Dream, Campbell House Museum), with direction by Mumbi Tindyebwa (Nightmare Dream, Campbell House Museum, My Name is Rachel Corrie, Hart House Theatre,) and features Dora nominee Jane Miller (You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Young Peoples Theatre), Stephen Reich (Lake Nora Arms, SummerWorks Festival, bittergirl, Tim Sims Playhouse), Jillian Rees-Brown (Billy Elliot the Musical, Mirvish Productions), and Ryk Simpson (My Darling Judith, the Milton Players).