“Through PTE I recently discovered the joy and excitement of actors reading scripts. Not only does the Carol Shields Festival of New Works satisfy my growing appetite for this art form, it expands the menu with an abundance of first class actors, reading the works of budding playwrights, combined with dance, song, film and food. The excitement and vibrancy of these art forms interacting together is a wonderful and rare treat.”
-Janet Handel
“I love how when I’m remembering a staged reading I’ve seen, I usually remember it as if I saw a fully staged play - the images are that vivid! Also, the actors are often playful with the readings and that makes it fun and a more intimate theatre experience.”
-Beth Kettner
“I really like hearing a play at an early stage of its development, when it’s still being shaped and crafted, especially when the playwright is there to gauge the audience’s reactions to see what works and what doesn’t. It’s especially exciting when you get to see some of these plays performed in the future, and you can see how they changed.”
-Rick Borchert
“The festival is not only a tribute to Carol Shields and her writings, it’s an inspiration to Winnipeg area lovers of theatre, dance and music in an appreciation of up-and-coming local talent. A playwriting contest, five readings of plays, short films climaxed with the Playwright’s cabaret make the Festival of New Works an event we always enjoy and won’t miss attending.”
-Ted Paterson
