BLUEBIRDS
by Vern Thiessen
Directed by Iain Moggach
July 9 – 27, 2025
July 9 – 7 pm (Preview)
July 10-11, 16, 18-19, 23-25 – 7 pm
July 12, 17, 20, 26 – 2 pm
July 13, 27 – 4 pm
Étaples, France, 1918. Nurses Christy, Maggie, and Bab have crossed oceans to care for wounded Canadian soldiers in the Great War. Despite the terrible injuries they must deal with, they manage to stay hopeful as the dangers of the front draw closer to their hospital.
As each woman becomes accustomed to her duties and patients, they reveal more personal details to one another and through letters to loved ones. Through it all, the three women find friendship, independence, power, and influence in a place where men, once again, are trying to destroy the world.
Running time is approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission
* * * *
Bluebirds, the second show of TOTR’s upcoming season, is written by Vern Thiessen. It is something of a spiritual sequel to Thiessen’s much-lauded play, Vimy, which is deeply rooted in TOTR’s own heritage, having the distinction of being the first play the company produced, way back in 2013.
While Thiessen has found a great deal of success at home, the appeal of his plays is not limited to the confines of Canada’s borders. His plays have been produced in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, and they have been translated into five languages. They have received numerous awards, including the Dora Mavor Moore Award, the University of Alberta Alumni Award of Excellence, and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, which is the highest honour Canada can bestow on a playwright.
At the helm of this powerful production is seasoned director Iain Moggach. Born and raised in Ottawa, Moggach has directed everything from musicals to Shakespeare to modern dramas in many cities across Ontario, including Port Perry. He is best known for his work as the Artistic Director of Theatre by the Bay in Barrie, Ontario, from 2018 to 2024. During his tenure there, he directed three full-scale productions — The Ghost Watchers (2021), A Scandal for All Seasons (2023), and Icemen (2023).
The choice of Bluebirds for the 2025 summer season is perfectly timed with the unexpected and unprecedented groundswell of national pride our country has been experiencing of late and continues to remind us of our strength as individuals and as a nation.
Have A Picnic at the Theatre
We invite you to make the most of your time at the tent.
Bring a meal and enjoy it while listening to live music before the show. There are picnic tables waiting fro you and our Music at the Museum features Durham-based artists on the rise!
As a bonus, you’ll receive ONE ballot for a chance to win TWO free tickets to our next production. Want to double your chances? If your picnic comes from one of our Patron Perks Partners, you’ll receive TWO ballots – increasing your chances!
It’s a great way to support local and make your theatre experience extra special!
Don’t forget to show your meal at the ballot table/Box Office to claim your entry!
*the winning entry will be drawn at the end of each production run.
Sponsored by Long & McQuade
Tickets $15 – $39. Limited PWYC tickets available for Wednesday performances.
Cast and Crew
Alea Carrington as Christy
Alea Carrington is a multidisciplinary performer from Victoria, BC, now based in Toronto. Since graduating from George Brown Theatre School, Alea has since brought her energy and versatility to a wide range of creative projects, including working with children at Pirate Life Theatre—where she also learned to captain a ship! After her recent run with the Dungeons & Dragons Immersive Experience, she is excited to make her debut at Theatre on the Ridge. Outside of performing, you can find Alea behind her camera or mixing up fun new tea blends (aka concocting potions).
Selected credits: Dungeons & Dragons: The Immersive Quest (VIBRANT Studios), The Tale of Captain Crow (Pirate Life Theatre), The Witch of Edmonton, Love & Information (George Brown Theatre)
Instagram: @aleacarrington
Alea Carrington as Christy
Alea Carrington is a multidisciplinary performer from Victoria, BC, now based in Toronto. Since graduating from George Brown Theatre School, Alea has since brought her energy and versatility to a wide range of creative projects, including working with children at Pirate Life Theatre—where she also learned to captain a ship! After her recent run with the Dungeons & Dragons Immersive Experience, she is excited to make her debut at Theatre on the Ridge. Outside of performing, you can find Alea behind her camera or mixing up fun new tea blends (aka concocting potions).
Selected credits: Dungeons & Dragons: The Immersive Quest (VIBRANT Studios), The Tale of Captain Crow (Pirate Life Theatre), The Witch of Edmonton, Love & Information (George Brown Theatre)
Instagram: @aleacarrington
Justine Christensen as Bab
Justine Christensen is a Toronto-born actor, writer, director, and producer. She is a co-founder of LET ME IN, a platform through which she produces remodelled “classic” plays for a contemporary audience, as well as hosting accessible Short Film Shares where emerging filmmakers can screen short film content. Her latest project was taking a new female-gaze adaptation of the iconic sci-fi play R.U.R. to FringeMTL.
Selected Credits: Kayleen (Gruesome Playground Injuries, Theatre at Eastminster), Rosalind (As You Like It, GBTS Theatre), and Mary (Mary’s Wedding, Peterborough Theatre Guild). Justine has appeared in TV series such as Murdoch Mysteries, Rogue Bridal, Chucky, and The Expanse.
Instagram: @justinextnsn & @letmeinprods
Justine Christensen as Bab
Justine Christensen is a Toronto-born actor, writer, director, and producer. She is a co-founder of LET ME IN, a platform through which she produces remodelled “classic” plays for a contemporary audience, as well as hosting accessible Short Film Shares where emerging filmmakers can screen short film content. Her latest project was taking a new female-gaze adaptation of the iconic sci-fi play R.U.R. to FringeMTL.
Selected Credits: Kayleen (Gruesome Playground Injuries, Theatre at Eastminster), Rosalind (As You Like It, GBTS Theatre), and Mary (Mary’s Wedding, Peterborough Theatre Guild). Justine has appeared in TV series such as Murdoch Mysteries, Rogue Bridal, Chucky, and The Expanse.
Instagram: @justinextnsn & @letmeinprods.
Shannon Pitre as Maggie
Shannon is an interdisciplinary actor / creator and a graduate of the University of Windsor’s BFA in Acting Program (2019). Her passions include new play development, devised and contact-based theatre, reimagining of classical works, and collective collaboration. Shannon is forever inspired by the vast amount of talent, curiosity, and love found within her creative circles. She is grateful to contribute to this beautiful story alongside a team of such inspired and passionate artists.
Selected Credits: Mme de Volanges in Dangerous Liaisons (Wren Theatre), Dolores in The Bee’s Knees(Tall Poppy Productions), Sonja in The Christmas Tree and various roles in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) (Again)(Theatre on the Ridge), Presenter in Migraaaants (2000Feet Up Theatre Company), and Procne in If We Were Birds (Alumnae).
Shannon Pitre as Maggie
Shannon is an interdisciplinary actor / creator and a graduate of the University of Windsor’s BFA in Acting Program (2019). Her passions include new play development, devised and contact-based theatre, reimagining of classical works, and collective collaboration. Shannon is forever inspired by the vast amount of talent, curiosity, and love found within her creative circles. She is grateful to contribute to this beautiful story alongside a team of such inspired and passionate artists.
Selected Credits: Mme de Volanges in Dangerous Liaisons (Wren Theatre), Dolores in The Bee’s Knees(Tall Poppy Productions), Sonja in The Christmas Tree and various roles in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) (Again)(Theatre on the Ridge), Presenter in Migraaaants (2000Feet Up Theatre Company), and Procne in If We Were Birds (Alumnae).
Shania Scott as Stage Manager
Shania is a dedicated Stage Manager, recently graduated from Humber’s Technical Theatre Production program, but already has four years of professional theatre experience. She has worked previously with Iain Moggach at Theatre by the Bay for the Simcoe County Festival and Starstruck, and with Alinka Angelova on Lost Heros of Oro. She has also worked with Young People’s Theatre and is always eager to take on new challenges to ensure each show runs seamlessly from first rehearsal to final curtain. This is Shania’s first time in Port Perry working with Theatre on the Ridge.
Shania Scott as Stage Manager
Shania is a dedicated Stage Manager, recently graduated from Humber’s Technical Theatre Production program, but already has four years of professional theatre experience. She has worked previously with Iain Moggach at Theatre by the Bay for the Simcoe County Festival and Starstruck, and with Alinka Angelova on Lost Heros of Oro. She has also worked with Young People’s Theatre and is always eager to take on new challenges to ensure each show runs seamlessly from first rehearsal to final curtain. This is Shania’s first time in Port Perry working with Theatre on the Ridge.
Iain Moggach – Director
Iain Moggach (he/him) is a multi-award-winning professional theatre director based in Barrie, Ontario.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Iain has currently directed in seven cities across Ontario, and in a variety of styles including musicals, Shakespeare, modern drama, and new Canadian work.
Iain is best known for his work as Artistic Director of Theatre by the Bay from 2018-2024. For the company, Iain directed three full-scale productions: The Ghost Watchers (2021), A Scandal For All Seasons (2023), and Icemen (2023). He is thrilled to be returning to direct in Port Perry, having directed two plays in the community before, but for his first time with Theatre on the Ridge, a company he greatly admires.
Iain Moggach – Director
Iain Moggach (he/him) is a multi-award-winning professional theatre director based in Barrie, Ontario.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Iain has currently directed in seven cities across Ontario, and in a variety of styles including musicals, Shakespeare, modern drama, and new Canadian work.
Iain is best known for his work as Artistic Director of Theatre by the Bay from 2018-2024. For the company, Iain directed three full-scale productions: The Ghost Watchers (2021), A Scandal For All Seasons (2023), and Icemen (2023). He is thrilled to be returning to direct in Port Perry, having directed two plays in the community before, but for his first time with Theatre on the Ridge, a company he greatly admires.
