ADVENTURES IN WRITING
Member of Playwrights Guild of Canada. Writers Guild of Canada (2009-2019) Writing CV by request.
MAD LADY PEEL: THE FUNNIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD workshop and reading Oct. 2023
Photo (L-R) back row: accompanist Nany Cury, Mitch Barnes, Jo Barnes, Kalo Gow, Kirsten, Alan Penty,Allison Bendall, Mur Meados, Ruth McCallister (FOH) Front rowl: ay Gordaya (asm) Ian Ferguson (director), David gow, Nathan Corpus.
WRITING FOR STAGE & SCREEN
PLAYS & WRITING FOR THE STAGE
MAD LADY PEEL: THE FUNNIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD
A full length dramatic play with songs and sketches that celebrates the astonishing live of famed comedienne Beatrice Lillie, known as the Funniest Woman in the World for more than 5 decades. Written by Kirsten, who has portrayed Bea in numerous readings.
CAST: 5M/4F + optional chorus TWO ACTS/80 minutes script by request
Development:
Broad Theatrics workshop/reading at Intrepid Theatre Victoria Supported by Community Gaming Grant (Oct. 2023)
Theatre B.C. Playwriting Competition – 2nd round semi-finalist (April 2017)
Play Reading Series Equity in Theatre initiative, Intrepid Theatre (Nov. 2014)
table reads; excerpts reading, Playwrights Cabaret Intrepid Theatre Victoria (Oct 2014)
SIDESHOW CARNIES
Set in the Dustbowl of 1930's, a handful of Travelling Sideshow Carnies have been stranded. The Barker introduces each Astonishing Act: The Strong Man! the Mentalist! the Elocutionist! and the Snake Lady! Not for the faint of heart.
CAST: 2M/3F One act/fifteen minutes.
2021 Skampede Festival, Theatre Skam, 2021 Festival Alter Arts Society
RADIOLAND '48
Radio station employees fight to save their beloved studio from closing. A snappy contemporary homage to screwball comedies of the 1940's.
CAST: 2M/2F One Act 60 minutes. Script available at Canadian Play Outlet.
Productions & Development:
Naked Stage Productions Society, Surrey (Nov. 2024)
Zoom presentation by Deep Cove Theatre Society, North Vancouver (June 2021)
Zoom play reading for THE PLAY THING (April 16, 2020)
Workshop/reading Emerging Voices, THEATRE ONE Nanaimo (Feb. 11, 2019).
Workshop/reading Suncor STAGE ONE at Lunchbox Theatre, Calgary (June 2017)
staged reading Readers' Theatre Festival, Langham Court (May 2017)
staged reading Broad Theatrics, Victoria B.C. Culture Days (Oct. 2016)
ALL MY DAY JOBS
An intrepid actress attempts multiple Day Jobs in this one-woman comedy about misery.
CAST: 1F (one act 50 minutes)
Remount starring the playwright Victoria Event Centre (Aug. 2016); performed by Mary Jean Doyle at Elizabeth Bairdmore One-Act Play Festival, Cape Breton University (2014); excerpts performed by Lorraine James at Wild Women Cabaret, Sarasvati Productions, Winnipeg (March 2013); The National Post published excerpt for Summer Jobs series (Sept. 2, 2012); Premiere tour starring the playwright (Regina, Vancouver 2008)
SOLO JOURNEYS
A one act comedy that lovingly mocks feminist solo theatre festivals.
CAST: 5F (20 minutes)
Premiere Victoria Actors Showdown (2015) Feature article: https://www.vicnews.com/community/showdown-includes-solo-journey/
staged readings at Femfest, Sarasvati Productions Winnipeg (2016); Girl Shorts, Theatre Unbound MN (2015);
Final Draught Reading Series, Vancouver (2008); Broad Theatrics at Carousel, Vancouver (2008)
THE KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW – solo character sketches and musical numbers. Regina Fringe, Winnipeg Fringe; Hudson Guild, Hollywood
DESPERATE/RIDICULOUS - solo character sketches. Single File Theatre Festival, Chicago; Poor Alex Theatre, Toronto; Tim Sims Playhouse, Toronto
PETUNIA IN PERIL - An odd child-woman lives in a cardboard box, playing with her imaginary friends, until a crisis threatens. Summerworks Festival, Toronto
WANDERING IVORY- A married mother takes a wrong turn on the way to work, and just keeps driving. Co-writer Ian Ferguson; Edmonton, Winnipeg Fringe;
A CLOSETFUL OF NAVY BLUES - A single woman prepares for a blind date. co-writer Ian Ferguson; Orlando Fringe, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton Fringe, Best of the Fringe Holdover
MAD DOG MUSIC - Three women are all dating the same man. A solo show with songs. Co-writer Ian Ferguson; Edmonton Fringe, Best of the Fringe Holdover
SPRING THAW I & II - Sketch Comedy. Acting/writing ensemble Union Theatre, Edmonton
THE DIARIES OF... Sketch Comedy Series. Acting/writing ensemble Union Theatre, Edmonton
THE LOVE SHOW - Musical romantic comedy pastiche for 4 actors. Acting/writing ensemble Wheatland Theatre, Regina
SCREENPLAYS
ROADKILL - short film - dramatic thriller, directed by Octavian Kaul.
TAKE ME AWAY - comedic short. 2021 Comox Valley Intern'l Screenwriting Competition Finalist. 2020 Cinespark PItchfest Top 5.
ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID - creator/headwriter/lead actor - spec TV series filmed at Global Studios, Burnaby
Other Writing
My Summer Affair - Facts and Arguments, Globe & Mail (Sept. 29, 2014)
Carnies - Summer Job Series, National Post (Sept. 2, 2012)
Theatre Reviews: web critic for Vancouver Fringe Festival (2007)
Sitcoms.
MAD LADY PEEL: THE FUNNIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD
A full length dramatic play with songs and sketches that celebrates the astonishing live of famed comedienne Beatrice Lillie, known as the Funniest Woman in the World for more than 5 decades. Written by Kirsten, who has portrayed Bea in numerous readings.
CAST: 5M/4F + optional chorus TWO ACTS/80 minutes script by request
Development:
Broad Theatrics workshop/reading at Intrepid Theatre Victoria Supported by Community Gaming Grant (Oct. 2023)
Theatre B.C. Playwriting Competition – 2nd round semi-finalist (April 2017)
Play Reading Series Equity in Theatre initiative, Intrepid Theatre (Nov. 2014)
table reads; excerpts reading, Playwrights Cabaret Intrepid Theatre Victoria (Oct 2014)
SIDESHOW CARNIES
Set in the Dustbowl of 1930's, a handful of Travelling Sideshow Carnies have been stranded. The Barker introduces each Astonishing Act: The Strong Man! the Mentalist! the Elocutionist! and the Snake Lady! Not for the faint of heart.
CAST: 2M/3F One act/fifteen minutes.
2021 Skampede Festival, Theatre Skam, 2021 Festival Alter Arts Society
RADIOLAND '48
Radio station employees fight to save their beloved studio from closing. A snappy contemporary homage to screwball comedies of the 1940's.
CAST: 2M/2F One Act 60 minutes. Script available at Canadian Play Outlet.
Productions & Development:
Naked Stage Productions Society, Surrey (Nov. 2024)
Zoom presentation by Deep Cove Theatre Society, North Vancouver (June 2021)
Zoom play reading for THE PLAY THING (April 16, 2020)
Workshop/reading Emerging Voices, THEATRE ONE Nanaimo (Feb. 11, 2019).
Workshop/reading Suncor STAGE ONE at Lunchbox Theatre, Calgary (June 2017)
staged reading Readers' Theatre Festival, Langham Court (May 2017)
staged reading Broad Theatrics, Victoria B.C. Culture Days (Oct. 2016)
ALL MY DAY JOBS
An intrepid actress attempts multiple Day Jobs in this one-woman comedy about misery.
CAST: 1F (one act 50 minutes)
Remount starring the playwright Victoria Event Centre (Aug. 2016); performed by Mary Jean Doyle at Elizabeth Bairdmore One-Act Play Festival, Cape Breton University (2014); excerpts performed by Lorraine James at Wild Women Cabaret, Sarasvati Productions, Winnipeg (March 2013); The National Post published excerpt for Summer Jobs series (Sept. 2, 2012); Premiere tour starring the playwright (Regina, Vancouver 2008)
SOLO JOURNEYS
A one act comedy that lovingly mocks feminist solo theatre festivals.
CAST: 5F (20 minutes)
Premiere Victoria Actors Showdown (2015) Feature article: https://www.vicnews.com/community/showdown-includes-solo-journey/
staged readings at Femfest, Sarasvati Productions Winnipeg (2016); Girl Shorts, Theatre Unbound MN (2015);
Final Draught Reading Series, Vancouver (2008); Broad Theatrics at Carousel, Vancouver (2008)
THE KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW – solo character sketches and musical numbers. Regina Fringe, Winnipeg Fringe; Hudson Guild, Hollywood
DESPERATE/RIDICULOUS - solo character sketches. Single File Theatre Festival, Chicago; Poor Alex Theatre, Toronto; Tim Sims Playhouse, Toronto
PETUNIA IN PERIL - An odd child-woman lives in a cardboard box, playing with her imaginary friends, until a crisis threatens. Summerworks Festival, Toronto
WANDERING IVORY- A married mother takes a wrong turn on the way to work, and just keeps driving. Co-writer Ian Ferguson; Edmonton, Winnipeg Fringe;
A CLOSETFUL OF NAVY BLUES - A single woman prepares for a blind date. co-writer Ian Ferguson; Orlando Fringe, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton Fringe, Best of the Fringe Holdover
MAD DOG MUSIC - Three women are all dating the same man. A solo show with songs. Co-writer Ian Ferguson; Edmonton Fringe, Best of the Fringe Holdover
SPRING THAW I & II - Sketch Comedy. Acting/writing ensemble Union Theatre, Edmonton
THE DIARIES OF... Sketch Comedy Series. Acting/writing ensemble Union Theatre, Edmonton
THE LOVE SHOW - Musical romantic comedy pastiche for 4 actors. Acting/writing ensemble Wheatland Theatre, Regina
SCREENPLAYS
ROADKILL - short film - dramatic thriller, directed by Octavian Kaul.
TAKE ME AWAY - comedic short. 2021 Comox Valley Intern'l Screenwriting Competition Finalist. 2020 Cinespark PItchfest Top 5.
ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID - creator/headwriter/lead actor - spec TV series filmed at Global Studios, Burnaby
Other Writing
My Summer Affair - Facts and Arguments, Globe & Mail (Sept. 29, 2014)
Carnies - Summer Job Series, National Post (Sept. 2, 2012)
Theatre Reviews: web critic for Vancouver Fringe Festival (2007)
Sitcoms.
PUBLISHED BOOKS
THE COMEDY DIVA DIARIES (Fiction - Humour)
THE COMEDY DIVA DIARIES is the tale of a twenty-nine year old comedienne who gives herself an ultimatum: achieve success
before her next birthday, or die trying. Sassy and deluded, our heroine endures disastrous stand-up gigs and humiliating TV commercial auditions. Her rich boyfriend, pampered pooch, flamboyant agent, dysfunctional family and back-stabbing rivals aren’t much help. On the brink of emotional collapse, Diva finds inspiration in a self-help book, and makes the fateful decision to move across the continent in pursuit of the Hollywood dream. Will Diva admit defeat? Or will she find fame and fortune
before turning thirty?
www.comedydivadiaries.com
THE COMEDY DIVA DIARIES is the tale of a twenty-nine year old comedienne who gives herself an ultimatum: achieve success
before her next birthday, or die trying. Sassy and deluded, our heroine endures disastrous stand-up gigs and humiliating TV commercial auditions. Her rich boyfriend, pampered pooch, flamboyant agent, dysfunctional family and back-stabbing rivals aren’t much help. On the brink of emotional collapse, Diva finds inspiration in a self-help book, and makes the fateful decision to move across the continent in pursuit of the Hollywood dream. Will Diva admit defeat? Or will she find fame and fortune
before turning thirty?
www.comedydivadiaries.com
ONE FOR THE ROAD (Fiction - Drama)
ALL MY DAY JOBS is the tale of an intrepid young actress who endures dozens of day jobs. This comedy about misery is one of six solo plays published in the anthology ONE FOR THE ROAD: New Plays for One Actor (Signature Editions) edited by Kit Brennan. (see Production history below)
http://www.signature-editions.com/index.php/books/single_title/one_for_the_road_new_plays_for_one_actor
ALL MY DAY JOBS is the tale of an intrepid young actress who endures dozens of day jobs. This comedy about misery is one of six solo plays published in the anthology ONE FOR THE ROAD: New Plays for One Actor (Signature Editions) edited by Kit Brennan. (see Production history below)
http://www.signature-editions.com/index.php/books/single_title/one_for_the_road_new_plays_for_one_actor