Michele Garrison will be directing The Bartab on June 29 and 30 at Studio B at 7:30 p.m.
Written by local Anya Soroka, the one-act play is about how a girl (Soroka) wants to get to know a guy (portrayed by Vanya Popov) better.
Garrison met Soroka after her previous production called V-Day: A memory, a monologue, a rant and a prayer.
“I was impressed by her as a young director and shaping it,” she said. “Anya approached me and we both have a similar background being conservatory trained. I have a background in classical repertoire theatre.”
Garrison believes that the play speaks about the fundamental communication problems between a man and a woman.
“It’s really interesting because the play is deeper than those political issues for men and women,” she said. “I think a lot of conflicts that could be characterized as sexist, on the deepest level could be considered miscommunication based on gender differences.”
It was in the early 1980s when Garrison changed professions and became a psychotherapist, which gives her unique perspective for the play.
“So not just as an artist, but as a psychotherapist, the themes of this play are really important,” she added.
Garrison has worked in Vancouver and Edmonton, as well as some performances for the CBC.
“I saw some of the best professional theatres with small touring companies in Canada, and I came from New York,” she explained. “What excites me about art in Canada is that you don’t have to be a trademark start to make a living here in the arts.”
After the play, there will be a break for intermission before several poems and monologues will be presented.
The audience will be asked to participate by asking questions for a discussion.