Shortwave Theatre Festival

In the Case of the Elusive Umbrella, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are drawn into a mystery that defies reason. A man has vanished from his own doorstep, leaving only a tail of contradictions behind him.

This performance featured:

Acknowledgements: “The Case of the Elusive Umbrella” was adapted from the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The production was directed by Lauren Tucker, and was edited and produced by Jesse Bell and Paige Lang. Special thanks to Professor and Principal Emeritus Daniel Woolf and Dinah Jansen

CFRC 101.9 FM hosted youth ages 12-16 this summer at the station during the first ever Shortwave Radio Theatre Camps!  Campers attended our weekly sessions, learned radio production skills and participated in the creation of radio theatre plays for broadcast on August 20, 2023.  CFRC’s camps were generously supported by the Kingston Arts Council and also the Dan School of Drama and Music.

Step into a world of mystery and exploration as CFRC’s Shortwave Radio Theatre Camp presents “20 000 Leagues Under the Sea” an enthralling radio drama inspired by Jules Verne.

Join Professor Pierre Aronnax, a renowned scientist, on an extraordinary expedition aboard the prestigious Nautilus, a remarkable submarine captained by the enigmatic and complex figure, Captain Nemo. As they venture into the depths of the ocean, they encounter awe-inspiring wonders and face life-altering dilemmas.

With the seas plagued by rumors of a menacing sea monster, Aronnax’s curiosity leads him to join the U.S. Navy expedition in search of the elusive creature. But what they discover is far more extraordinary than they could ever imagine. Witness the revelation of the enigmatic Captain Nemo, a man whose past holds the key to understanding his motivations and the secrets of the ocean.

As the adventure unfolds, they confront the darker side of Nemo’s nature, witness his thirst for vengeance against those who have wronged him, and contemplate his profound connection to the depths of the ocean, its wonders, and its creator.

Amidst harrowing escapes, dramatic encounters, and the perils of the deep, Aronnax and his companions find themselves forever transformed by the journey. Will they survive the treacherous maelstrom and emerge on the shores of redemption, or will they be forever lost in the depths of the unknown?

Tune in to “Beneath the Tides: The Enigmatic Nautilus” and let the waves of this captivating radio drama carry you on a thrilling voyage to the heart of the ocean and the soul of Captain Nemo. Prepare to be mesmerized by this timeless tale of wonder, adventure, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Cast List 

Sara – Announcer & Deckhand

CFRC 101.9 FM hosted youth ages 12-16 this summer at the station during the first ever Shortwave Radio Theatre Camps!  Campers attended our weekly sessions, learned radio production skills and participated in the creation of radio theatre plays for broadcast on August 20, 2023.  CFRC’s camps were generously supported by the Kingston Arts Council and also the Dan School of Drama and Music.

In a future world humanity’s creations have become their greatest challenge. Robots, once simple machines, now exhibit signs of intelligence and individuality, and maybe a spark of humanity.

Helena, a daring woman of the Humanity League, uses her stature as the President’s daughter to fight for the Robots’ liberation and recognition as fellow beings. But the factory’s scientists insist they are soulless machines. Dr. Gall’s secret experimentations – clouded by unrequited love – have made the Robots even more human-like.

Tensions rise as an uprising brews among the Robots, led by the charismatic Radius, fueled by their covetous desire for power after Dr.Gall’s tampering. As the factory becomes a battleground –  fear and desperation grip both sides, and the once clear line between creator and creation blurs, giving rise to startling revelations.

In this thrilling radio play adaptation of Karel Capek’s “R.U.R.,” brought to you be CFRC’s Shortwave Radio Theatre Camp, humanity’s fate hangs in the balance as the line between human and machine becomes indistinguishable. Gripping and thought-provoking, it delves into profound questions about identity, ethics, and the future of humanity itself. Brace yourself for an electrifying journey that challenges everything you know.

Cast List

Leon – Dr. Gall

CFRC 101.9 FM hosted youth ages 12-16 this summer at the station during the first ever Shortwave Radio Theatre Camps!  Campers attended our weekly sessions, learned radio production skills and participated in the creation of radio theatre plays for broadcast on August 20, 2023.  CFRC’s camps were generously supported by the Kingston Arts Council and also the Dan School of Drama and Music.

In this podcast, listeners can embark on a thrilling journey through time and space as CFRC’s Shortwave Radio Theatre Camp presents, “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century!” Join the fearless Buck Rogers and his intrepid companion, Wilma, as they navigate the fascinating world of the 25th century, filled with wondrous technology and exciting adventures.

At the heart of this gripping drama is Doctor Huer, the ingenious scientist who unveils his revolutionary invention, the Electro-Hypno-Mentalophone. This remarkable device reads minds through a mesmerizing green ray, pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration and setting the stage for mind-bending discoveries.

Follow Buck Rogers as he recalls his remarkable journey, traveling from the 20th to the 25th century in suspended animation. 

Tune in to this pulse-pounding radio play and immerse yourself in the action-packed adventures of Buck Rogers. Experience the excitement of scientific exploration in a future that defies imagination.

Don’t miss a moment of the enthralling drama that will transport you to a time of boundless possibilities, epic encounters, and thrilling escapades! Get ready for a captivating ride through the 25th century!

Cast List

Alice – Sound Technician

Shortwave Theatre Festival Executive Producer Dinah Jansen and Festival Director Mariah Horner sit down to chat about the art of theatre, making radio theatre and Horner’s long career and current doctoral research in the theatrical craft.

In this episode, host Chris Lawrie chats with Suzanne Hersh and Mark Cassidy of Threshold Theatre, the duo who wrote and performed Late Nights with Mark the C live in CFRC’s studios on November 5th 2022, about their process.

Shortwave Theatre Festival 2022 was made possible through the generous support of the City of Kingston Arts Fund, the Dan School of Drama and Music and the Robert H. Black Residency Program.

“People ask, sometimes, how is it possible to try to have a moment of respite, a moment of music, in the middle of chaos. But isn’t this planet itself a spinning ball of respite & music, racing from nowhere to nowhere through the chaos?”

Ilya Kaminsky Late Nights with Mark the C. is a follow up to Mark Cassidy’s acclaimed autobiographical piece Allistonian Brockvillian Dionysian which was presented most recently at the Theatre Kingston Storefront Fringe 2021.

Join fellow shift workers, insomniacs and lonely souls tuning in to CKRM FM in Kingston, Ontario, to hear radio host, Mark the C, sharing “an eclectic mix of thoughts, feelings, spoken word, and the best late night tunes to soothe your nerves.”  As the show progresses, audience members are invited to call in with their own stories in response to the theme for the night: “WALLS–how you build them up or take them down”. Late Nights explores isolation, aspiration, mortality, love and connection, fusing the intimacy of late night radio with live theatre.

Late Nights with Mark the C was created by Mark Cassidy and Suzanne Hersh and sound designed by Sam Kaiser. Late Nights was performed live in CFRC 101.9 FM’s studios with studio technical production conducted by Chancelor Maracle.

Shortwave Theatre Festival is made possible through the generous support of the City of Kingston Arts Fund, the Dan School of Drama and Music and the Robert H. Black Residency Fund.

Shortwave Theatre Festival Director Mariah Horner chats with local artist Anne Marie Mortenson of local theatre company Bottle Tree Productions.  Learn more about making theatre with these two amazing practitioners as they talk shop

In this Shortwave Theatre Festival presentation, Festival Director Mariah Horner chats with a couple of the artists who made Sarah Emtage’s Jabberwocky & The Listeners come to life on our airwaves: Becky Bridger and Billie Kearns!

Two cousins named Magellan and Gadget are trapped in the labyrinth-like Sound Castle where every sound made in the world above is stored in boxes below. They are looking for a way out and also hoping to find the unheard final words of Magellan’s sister. The story continues in two parts. First in “The Jabberwocky” Magellan and Gadget are alarmed to find that they are not quite alone in the dark, and in “The Listeners” they start to unravel more of the mystery of the Sound Castle and make a surprising connection with their audience outside.

Shortwave Theatre Festival is made possible through the generous support of the City of Kingston Arts Fund, the City of Kingston, the Dan School of Drama and Music and the Robert H. Black Fund through the Department of Film and Media.