About

STRAIGHT EDGE THEATRE

Straight Edge Theatre is an independent theatre group based in Edmonton, Alberta. We were founded in 2012, and have been producing quality productions in the Edmonton area since.

What’s with the Name?

“Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco and other recreational drugs, in a reaction to the excesses of punk subculture. For some, this extends to refraining from engaging in promiscuous sex, following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and/or not using caffeine or prescription drugs. Straight edge emerged amid the mid-1980s hardcore punk scene. Since then, a wide variety of beliefs and ideas have been associated with some members of the movement, including vegetarianism and animal rights…” – Wikipedia.org

Just as the punks living the “Straight Edge” life, there are many who want to do the things that they love without having to be afraid to live according to their beliefs and backgrounds. Whether that be acting on stage or playing loud music, we believe everyone deserves to do what they love. Straight Edge Theatre is devoted to creating an inclusive environment of acceptance for artists of all backgrounds to have their diverse voices heard. We hope that we can help make dreams of the stage a reality for all, no matter your beliefs, ethnic background, sexual orientation, etc.

Some of our past productions include “Ordinary Days,” “Bat Boy: The Musical” (2x Sterling Award Nominations), Evil Dead: The Musical” (2x Sterling Award Nominations), “Title of Show,” and new works “Cult Cycle”,  “Imaginary Friend”, “Conjoined” (3x Sterling Award Nominations), and “Krampus: A New Musical” (5x Sterling Award Nominations)

Reviews of Past Productions:

Krampus: A New Musical (2023 Fringe)

  • Patrons Pick – 2023 Edmonton International Fringe Festival
  • FIVE STARS – “a twisted musical comedy that will have the audience bobbing their heads to the music while laughing themselves to death”- Dave Breakenridge, Edmonton Journal
  • “Fierce and Funny” – Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca

Conjoined: A New Musical (2022 Fringe)

  • “Conjoined is startling, smart, and fun” – Liz Nicholls (12thNight.ca)
  • “Conjoined: A New Musical masterfully tackles issues of identity, privacy (or a lack thereof), and fraught family dynamics in this entertaining and must-see show.” – Miki Zwarich (beertentreviews.ca)
  • “The clever staging, impressive songs… make for a wholly-entertaining hour.” – Lucy Haines (AlbertaPrimeTimes.com)
  • Best of Fest – Beer Tent Reviews

Imaginary Friend: A New Musical (2019 Fringe)

  • ***** FIVE STARS “Not only is it relatable and sad, but it is wickedly funny as well, with humour that is acerbic and just the right level of naughty.” – Miya Abe (Daze Magazine)

  • ***** FIVE STARS “It’s dark, edgy and funny!” – Todd James (Global News)

Bat Boy: The Musical (2016 Fringe)

  • FIVE STARS – “talented” – Todd James (Global News)
  • FOUR AND A HALF STARS – “…a testament to how weird, and entertaining, musical theatre can be.” -Clare Clancy (Edmonton Journal)

Evil Dead: The Musical (2017 Fringe)

  • FIVE STARS – “Hellishly hilarious” – Mike Ross (Gigcity.ca)
  • FOUR AND A HALF STARS “I laughed from beginning to end…” – Lucy Haines (St. Albert Gazette)