News Release
Award winning ROOMIES comes to St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre
May 17, 2016
For immediate release
For immediate release
ST. JOHN’S NL — Diversity has become a hot topic in the theatre world as of late – but it’s nothing new to Newfoundland playwright Paul David Power.
Power, with Moncton based theatre company Hubcity Theatre, is currently on an Atlantic Region Tour of his production of ROOMIES – a play that delves into disability issues. On June 3 and 4 the show returns to where it all began – the Barbara Barrett Theatre at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s NL.
ROOMIES focuses on the friendship of 'David' (played by Paul David Power) and ‘Nick' (played by St. John’s actor, Steve Ryan), two students with opposing personalities forced to share a dorm room during the late 1960s. The plot follows the development of the two young men’s friendship, addressing issues raised by David's disability, Nick's selfish nature and other stresses put on a friendship.
Local writer and lead actor Paul David Power, who still resides in Newfoundland and Labrador, lives with a physical disability. He recently participated in a two day summit in Stratford, led by the Canadian Arts Centre, to discuss disability issues, theatre diversity and the need for more of it in Atlantic Canada.
“This is a play I call integrated theatre - and we need more of it,” says Paul. “Roomies is a coming of age story where one of the characters just happens to have a disability. As theatre artists it’s important we always strive to foster opportunities for disabled characters to have a stronger presence by ensuring they are an integrated part of the plot - not the only plot. That was my goal in writing ROOMIES.”
ROOMIES originally debuted in St. John’s NL and went on to win an award for outstanding dramatic script from the Nova Scotia Federation of Writers. The show was remounted last year, produced by Hubcity Theatre in Moncton. The current Atlantic Region Tour includes performance dates in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island along with the St. John’s performances.
ROOMIES plays at the Barbara Barrett Theatre at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s on June 3 and 4. Tickets are available at the Arts and Culture Centre Box Office. For more about ROOMIES visit http://hubcityroomies.weebly.com/
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Paul David Power
ROOMIES
(506) 850-8913
[email protected]
ABOUT PAUL POWER
A native of St. John’s, Nfld, Paul has worked as a writer, director, producer and actor for over 20 years. He holds degrees in both English Theatre and Journalism. Paul currently divides his time as Artistic Director for Hubcity Theatre in Moncton and Associate Artistic Director for the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival in St. John’s. Paul was recently rewarded a creation grant from the Canada Arts Council to work on a new script entitled, Crippled, and in April 2016 took part in a three day summit with the National Arts Centre on examining disability and diversity in Canadian theatre.
ST. JOHN’S NL — Diversity has become a hot topic in the theatre world as of late – but it’s nothing new to Newfoundland playwright Paul David Power.
Power, with Moncton based theatre company Hubcity Theatre, is currently on an Atlantic Region Tour of his production of ROOMIES – a play that delves into disability issues. On June 3 and 4 the show returns to where it all began – the Barbara Barrett Theatre at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s NL.
ROOMIES focuses on the friendship of 'David' (played by Paul David Power) and ‘Nick' (played by St. John’s actor, Steve Ryan), two students with opposing personalities forced to share a dorm room during the late 1960s. The plot follows the development of the two young men’s friendship, addressing issues raised by David's disability, Nick's selfish nature and other stresses put on a friendship.
Local writer and lead actor Paul David Power, who still resides in Newfoundland and Labrador, lives with a physical disability. He recently participated in a two day summit in Stratford, led by the Canadian Arts Centre, to discuss disability issues, theatre diversity and the need for more of it in Atlantic Canada.
“This is a play I call integrated theatre - and we need more of it,” says Paul. “Roomies is a coming of age story where one of the characters just happens to have a disability. As theatre artists it’s important we always strive to foster opportunities for disabled characters to have a stronger presence by ensuring they are an integrated part of the plot - not the only plot. That was my goal in writing ROOMIES.”
ROOMIES originally debuted in St. John’s NL and went on to win an award for outstanding dramatic script from the Nova Scotia Federation of Writers. The show was remounted last year, produced by Hubcity Theatre in Moncton. The current Atlantic Region Tour includes performance dates in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island along with the St. John’s performances.
ROOMIES plays at the Barbara Barrett Theatre at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s on June 3 and 4. Tickets are available at the Arts and Culture Centre Box Office. For more about ROOMIES visit http://hubcityroomies.weebly.com/
-30-
MEDIA CONTACT:
Paul David Power
ROOMIES
(506) 850-8913
[email protected]
ABOUT PAUL POWER
A native of St. John’s, Nfld, Paul has worked as a writer, director, producer and actor for over 20 years. He holds degrees in both English Theatre and Journalism. Paul currently divides his time as Artistic Director for Hubcity Theatre in Moncton and Associate Artistic Director for the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival in St. John’s. Paul was recently rewarded a creation grant from the Canada Arts Council to work on a new script entitled, Crippled, and in April 2016 took part in a three day summit with the National Arts Centre on examining disability and diversity in Canadian theatre.
High Res photos for media use (photo attribution: Wes Perry Photography)
Director Cody Bolton (left) provides notes to actors Steve Ryan (centre) and Paul David Power (right)
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Steve Ryan (Nick) and Paul David Power (David) perform a scene from Roomies
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Steve Ryan (Nick) and Paul David Power (David) perform a scene from Roomies
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Steve Ryan (Nick) and Paul David Power (David) perform a scene from Roomies
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Steve Ryan (Nick) and Paul David Power (David) perform a scene from Roomies
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