Poster image designed by Mackenzie Bedford

Lavender Marriage
by Madeleine Taylor-Gregg & Zoë Arthur
Workshops & Staged Reading 2026
Directed by Madeleine Taylor-Gregg

When a hefty tax on gay marriage is the new norm, a group of queer friends struggle to navigate new filters on love, friendship, marriage, and existence. Lavender marriages skyrocket in popularity leaving this group of friends to grapple with discomfort, come to each other’s aid, and reckon with their loved ones being federally audited for “romantic fraud”.

Lavender Marriage is a dark comedy that follows seven characters, two of which have entered a lavender marriage with one another, as they darkly, and hilariously, try to come to terms with how to exist with dignity and pride in a newly challenging world.

*Participation in this project would be on a volunteer basis. We have high hopes to produce this in the future and workshop participants would be offered first right of refusal in that case.*

We are looking for collaborative folks with skills in multiple areas, not just performers! We'd love to have dramaturgs, designers, and choreographers in the room for input as well!

Workshops & Staged Reading Dates & Details:

Workshop:
Feb 1st 2026 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Feb 3rd 2026 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Feb 4th 2026 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Feb 8th 2026 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Feb 10th 2026 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Feb 11th 2026 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Rehearsal:
Mar 17th 2026 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Mar 19th 2026 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Mar 21st 2026 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Mar 24th 2026 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Mar 26th 2026 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Mar 29th 2026 - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm - Staged Reading at 2:30 pm

Location: Lunchbox Theatre Rehearsal Hall | 115 9 Ave SW, Calgary

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

Dinah (Early 30s, F, Lesbian) - Pragmatic, cynical, sarcastic. Married to Timothy. Suzanne's Ex.

Timothy (30s, M, Gay) - Loves routine. Gentle & straight-forward. Interior Designer. Married to Dinah.

Renee (Late 20s, F, Bisexual) - Connected to the earth. A rave bisexual. Dating Suzanne. (This role has been cast.)

Suzanne (Early-mid 30s, F, Queer) - Grounded, unbothered, not into labels. An artist. Dinah's Ex. Dating Renee.

Neil (Early 20s, M, Gay) - Neurotic & flamboyant. Aspiring house husband. Engaged to Steven.

Steven (40s, M, Gay) - Business casual. Family Lawyer. Engaged to Neil.

Catherine (30s - 50s, F) - The auditor.

The characters and their descriptions are jumping off points, so if you don't fit one exactly submit for it anyway! The genders and ages listed above are welcome to change. We are interested in your lived experience and offerings to create a well-rounded and dynamic set of characters. We want tenacious and collaborative humans more than exact fits for the listed characters. 

Deadline to Submit:
January 4th 2026