940 Bonisteel Rd. Trenton
ON
Lessons from Providence – A Two-Act Play By Celia McBride – Staged Reading
Synopsis: Beth Little is a chaplain providing spiritual care to residents at Providence Manor. Lucy Baxter, a resident, decides she wants to die by medical assistance and asks for Beth’s support. When Reverend Rick, Lucy’s former pastor, accuses Beth of promoting death rather than life, Beth is forced to question her relationship with death and her professional values. “Lessons from Providence” is a heartfelt and humorous play about life and death and the freedom to choose our own exit strategy.
“Lessons from Providence” was originally developed through the 2024 Creators’ Unit at the Capitol Theatre, Port Hope, ON, and won 2nd Honourable Mention Voaden Prize 2025.
Starring: Chick Reid as Lucy, Jean Parker as Beth, Stew Granger as Reverend Rick.
Bios:
Celia McBride is a writer and spiritual director from the Yukon now living in Port Hope. She spent 20 years writing, directing, producing and performing in theatre and film projects both nationally and internationally. celiamcbride.com
Chick Reid’s long and varied career includes thirteen seasons with the Stratford Festival, four seasons at Theatre Plus Toronto, six seasons at the Shaw Festival, and extensive work across Canada and internationally. She has taught for twenty years in the Dan School of Drama and Music at Queen’s University. Chick was honoured to be the 2018 Recipient of CAEA’s Life Membership Award for her contribution to the Performing Arts in Canada.
Jean Parker is an actor, author, TV personality, improv artist and culinary entrepreneur. She has performed extensively in theatres across Ontario and is a Senior Actor and the Director of Development at The County Shakespeare Company in PEC. Jean is an honours graduate of the Humber College Theatre Performance program.
Stew Granger started his acting career on a farm in Manitoba as a tow-headed boy singing nonsense songs to whatever living creature would pay attention, usually the cows. Stew appeared in 4th Line Theatre’s production of Wild Irish Geese in 2025 and 2026. Previous nearby credits include: Mr. Lawrence in Girl in the Goldfish Bowl (Peterborough Theatre Guild); Torvald in A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Northumberland Players); Monsieur Bouc in Murder On The Orient Express (VOS Theatre).
*Content Note: Themes of death and dying by medical assistance, sometimes treated with humour.