‘Confabulation’ is The Strides Collective’s latest queer-focused exploration

Next month, The Strides Collective will open the world premiere of their new show ‘Confabulation’ for a two-week span at the Arden Theatre Company.

Housed in the intimate 100-seat Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre in the venue’s Hamilton Family Arts Center (62 N 2nd St.), the show invites audiences “to follow the journey of a woman looking to take control of her own life and confront her deepest darkness.”

The Strides Collective was first founded in 2020 by Jonathan Edmondson with the goal of providing emerging playwrights with ways to showcase the queer experience through authentic, modern, and innovative storytelling.

Currently, the nonprofit is the only theatre company in the Greater Philadelphia area solely focused on producing and developing new LGBTQIA+ works for the stage, a release notes. Through its theatre productions, The Strides Collective aims to normalize the conversation surrounding queer identity and create a safe haven for emerging artists who can tell their stories and have the ability to express themselves without fear of judgment.

‘Confabulation’ stars actors, Journee Lutz (she/they), Raven Jane Adilene (she/they), Rain Diaz (he/him), Triston Haq (he/him), and Kathryn Wylde (they/them), all of whom are local. The dual-hour comedy takes a look at how queer individuals navigate trauma and identity.

The official description of the show reads: ” This dramedy is set during a past-life regression support group led by Agnes (Kathryn Wylde), a headstrong, spiritual hypnotherapist who uses her unique skills to help group members deal with their issues and regain control of their lives. Caroline (Journee Lutz) is the newest member and joins the support group to deal with the heartbreak of losing her ex-girlfriend, the abuse she received from her mother as a child, and the darkness that lives inside her.”

The show will carry on with Caroline being introduced to three other members from the group: Olivia (Raven Jane Adilene), who is described as an emotionally intelligent, flirty, yet reserved party girl working on finding out who she truly is; Shane (Triston Haq), a man desperate for love and validation but is hindered by an embarrassing sexual fixation; and Grant (Rain Diaz), a wealthy accountant struggling with anger and sexual identity.

It’s through the character’s story and work that we get the message of the show, which demonstrates that one’s past does not define their present or future.

Written by New York-based playwright Matt Shvyrkov (he/him) and directed by Edmondson, the production runs for two weeks with a preview on Oct. 10, opening night on Oct. 11, and shows running through Oct. 20.

“Confabulation invites the audience to pull up a chair and become an additional member of the past life regression support group,” says Jonathan Edmondson, Founding Artistic Director of The Strides Collective in a statement. “Through humorous, poignant, and startling observations, audiences will be taken on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance of all the good and all the bad parts of ourselves.”

All tickets are $25, with discounts available for students, groups of 10 or more, and theatre industry professionals. Confabulation is recommended for those ages 16 and up. Tickets are available online through their official site or by contacting the box office at boxoffice@stridescollective.com. For more information, visit stridescollective.com