Literary obsessions, teen truckers and fairy tale rejections – find out what ten young women have to say about the state of the world!
In celebration of the upcoming International Women’s Week, Sarasvàti Productions will present the Cabaret of Monologues event on March 7th and 8th at 8pm at the Colin Jackson Studio Theatre (at Prairie Theatre Exchange, 3rd Floor Portage Place).
This year’s theme is Rise Up! which means the stories will focus on young women, the next generation of subversion, new forms of advocacy and the ways young women tackle adversity. The event will feature a diverse line-up of ten monologues by Canadian playwrights performed by a talented local cast.
Last year’s public performance sold out and monologues also toured to International Women’s Week celebrations across the province. Once again this year, audiences will be treated to a line-up of powerful and hilarious pieces while celebrating women’s experiences.

Stephanie Sy, Alissa Watson, and Elizabeth Stephensen in 2012 IWW Cabaret of Monologues (photo by Janet Shum)
“We received submissions from all over Canada and have selected an amazing line-up of monologues that offers something for everyone,” says Artistic Director Hope McIntyre.
“We also are excited to present two teen playwrights in the line-up. It was important to give voice to young women writers as well as characters, plus it was really interesting to see what these writers chose to explore in relation to the theme.”
Teen writers Hannah Burns and Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill were both past finalists in the Scirocco Drama High School playwriting competition. The line-up also includes seasoned playwrights Judith Thompson and Cairn Moore giving voice to young women. In addition to nine monologues, slam poetry by Ali Tataryn will be presented. Tataryn is an actor for film, television and theatre. She is also the creator of Caravan Open Stage, an open mic, and the Winnipeg Makers Market, Winnipeg’s only on-going hand-made market.
Sarasvàti Productions launched this popular event in 2003 as a special way to commemorate International Women’s Week. Over the years it has featured dozens of monologues from playwrights across Canada.
The goal is to provide a range of voices, issues and styles that relate to women’s experiences. As well, Sarasvàti has been fortunate enough to work with organizations from across Manitoba to assist in fundraising and awareness.
This year, the theatre company has the incredible opportunity to take selected pieces out to rural communities including the Interlake Women’s Resource Centre in Gimli, MB and Nova House in Selkirk, MB. Additional community performances will also be held at the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, and at the West Central Women’s Resource Centre.
This is a fantastic and creative way to celebrate an important week and for only $10 a ticket, one can’t go wrong.
Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here. To make a reservation, please call Sarasvàti Productions at 204-586-2236.