This week, we caught up with director Karmen McNamara. This year, they are directing The Landlord's Game, the story of Lizzie Magie, creator of the titular board game. We talked about their history with theatre, what kinds of theatre excites them as both a director and audience member, and what sort of unique opportunities a festival like this affords them. Can you introduce yourself and share how your love of theatre began? Karmen McNamara: Hi there, I’m Karmen McNamara, calling from the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples. I’ve been onstage, or involved in theatre, pretty much my entire life. I grew up in...

We had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Shamata, this year’s festival adjudicator.  With decades of experience as a director, writer, and artistic leader, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge to Between Words. In our interview, he shared his thoughts on what makes a one-act play effective, how he approaches feedback, and why he values bold choices—even the ones that don’t quite land. "Between Words" implies a focus on what's communicated beyond dialogue itself. From your perspective as a seasoned theatre professional, how can a one-act play effectively utilize silence, subtext, and visual storytelling to deepen its impact? The use of these...