The Shape of a Girl, by Canadian playwright Joan Macleod, is a powerful three girl show that deals with the grim subject of female bullying and the code of silence enforced upon the witnesses by their peers. Inspired by the Reena Vick murder in Victoria 1997 this show follows the life of a sixteen year old Braidie recounting events in her own life which begin to mirror the 1997 incident. The Shape of a Girl explores the thin line between the extremities of the Reena Vick murder and the every day occurrences that happen in our schools and playgrounds.

We feel that this show is important now more than ever, with the world growing smaller in part due to the pervasiveness of social media, where one innocent mistake can blow up and spiral into an incident such as the Amanda Todd story that took place in 2012.

This is a show everyone can relate to because everyone has experienced bullying in their life to some degree. In this story we follow Bradie through several years from childhood to young adulthood.

Originally a one person show, we received permission from the playwright, Joan McLeod, to adapt it for performance by three actors, each playing different characters, as well as Bradie at different ages.

There will be a Q&A talk back with the girls after the show and we will provide a study guide for the class to work through. We encourage people to reflect on their own experiences with bullying and to discuss with the class the ways it can or potentially has effected their lives.

This production was originally performed at the Epcor Center Motel Theatre in September of 2013, and was well received by audiences. This current production has been tailored to tour to schools. Being portable we are very flexible with regard to when we perform it, but feel, given the subject matter, that it is best performed early in the school year.

The Shape of a Girl Artists

Morgan Garnier is happy to return to Artists' Collective Theatre to take part in this thought provoking play. Morgan has been performing in community theatre since the age of 9. Some of the plays she has had the honour to perform in have been The Sound of Music, Gypsy, The Diary of Anne Frank and Artists' Collective's original musical The Apple Kingdom. Morgan feels Theatre is a place to allow your imagination to grow and to feel free. Enjoy. Morgan played the role of Braidie.

Megan Tracz is delighted to be once again apart of The Shape of a Girl. She is no stranger to the show since she preformed the play as a one woman show. Theatre credits include Princess Catherine in The Apple Kingdom and Margot Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank. Film credits include Mutant World and Haunting Melissa 2. Megan wishes to further pursue her passion for acting. She loves the message of this show and believes it needs to be heard. She would like to thank the lovely cast, crew, as well as her friends and family for their encouragement and love. Megan played the role of Braidie.

Lisa Floyd is a graduate from the University of Lethbridge, with a BFA in Tech and Design. She has recently worked closely as a Stage Manager and/or Lighting Designer on the following productions: Calgary Fringe: WILF, Straight on Till Morning, Spring Awakening: The Musical, Stick Rag Idols, Ignite: Dance Series, Opaque, and The Shape of a Girl. She also worked with Diabolique Films on the BloodMania Mini Series as an Assistant Casting Director. Lisa looks forward to working with ACT once again on such a beautiful show. Lisa held the position of Stage and Road Manager.

Haylee Thompson is thrilled to be doing such an amazing show with such an amazing cast and crew! Previous productions include: Peter Pan a Pantomime, William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead, Heritage Park Christmas plays (A Cowhands Christmas Carol and Misdeeds at Mistletoe Mine) Miracle on 34th Street, Robin Hood and more. Haylee would like to thank her family for their continued support with all of her theatre. She would also like to thank her Shape of a Girl family for all the fun they’ve had on and offstage. Enjoy the show! Haylee played the role of Braidie.

Eric Pettifor directed ACT's inaugural production The Lonely Soldier Monologues in October of 2012, as well as ACT's The Apple Kingdom which won outstanding play at the Calgary One Act Festival (as well as outstanding director, and outstanding actress), and went on to further success in other festivals. He recently assistant directed Flat Stanley for StoryBook Theatre, and Spring Awakening for ACT, and co-directed their production of Almost, Maine. He is a graduate of the Vancouver Playhouse Acting School. He is delighted to be a part of this innovative production. Eric held the position of Dramaturge.

Emily Sunderland is a first year drama major at the University of Calgary. She has involved in a variety theatre productions for the past 8 years. Her most recent credits include Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical the Musical (TYA) as well Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables. Emily would like to thank her amazing family and friends for their continued support. She would also like to thank her Shape of a Girl family for a wonderful experience. Emily played the role of Braidie.

Daniel Fong is a graduate of Grant MacEwan University Theatre Arts Program. Recently Daniel has been part of IGNITE!2013 (The Wasp), The Raven A new Musical, A Christmas Carol at the Belfry Theatre in Victoria, Shakespeare in the Park (Puck) with Theatre Calgary and MRU, ACT's The Apple Kingdom (Prince Aldric), and UCalgary Operetta Society's production of The Music Man. And a University season which incudes; Once on this Island, XANADU, Vernon God Little, Merrily We Roll Along, and Thebans. Thanks to mom and dad and my agent Liz. Daniel held the position of Fight Choreographer.

Amanda Liz Cutting is thrilled to have had the opportunity to direct this Canadian classic. Selected directing credits include: Morpheus Theatre's production of The Diary of Anne Frank, assistant director of StoryBook Theatre's The Last Five Years, as well as directing ACT's productions of The Shape of a Girl and Boiler Room Suite. She is a Mount Royal University Graduate in Theatre Arts. She wishes to thank her family for all their love and support. Amanda held the position of Director.