From Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, Oleanna is a provocative drama that dives into the complexities of power, politics, and perception in academia. Written in 1992, this play remains strikingly relevant, reflecting the contentious debates surrounding power balances and communication breakdowns in today's society.

The story centers around John, a university professor, and Carol, his student. What starts as benign academic discussions spirals into a catastrophic power clash, with dire consequences for both. Through Mamet's sharp dialogue, the play invites audiences to unravel the complex layers of language and authority.

Oleanna runs May 1st - 11th, 2025 at The NEST on Granville Island

Learn more and buy tickets here

The Cast

Oleanna features Jill Goranson and Paul du Toit

Jill Goranson is a theatre creator, performer, producer, and educator of Métis, Austrian and Swedish descent who lives and works on the traditional lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She graduated from Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Musical Theatre Program in 2019, where she was awarded the Triple Threat award. Since graduating, Jill has worked as a producer with Art Pop-Up (2019-2025), as an improviser with the Vancouver’s International Improv Festival as part of the Festival Ensemble (2022), as a creator with her one-person improvised musical and stand up show Sweaty, Bloated, and Stressed which premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival (2023), and most recently as a composer and performer in The Tempest at Buddies in Bad Times (2024) with Theatre Rusticle. 

Paul is a celebrated actor and director, renowned for his work in television and film, including starring roles in Apple TV's "Foxtrot," Lifetime TV's "The Girl Who Wasn't Dead," and Amazon Prime's "My Spy: The Eternal City" alongside Hollywood A-listers. His international appearances include roles in "Bulletproof 3" for Sky TV and as Commander Lazarro in SYFY's "Vagrant Queen." Paul has a rich background in diverse projects like "Maze Runner 3," "Shark Killer," and "Tremors: Cold Day in Hell." He gained fame in South Africa as Malan Koster in "Binnelanders" and co-produced "Rough or Smooth" through his company, Fanagalo Films. On stage, he won the 2022 Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Best Director for "The Unlikely Secret Agent" and has numerous accolades for his performances in musicals and plays, including "The Rocky Horror Show" and productions at the Fugard Theatre. Educated in drama and opera at Stellenbosch University, Paul currently divides his time between Vancouver, Canada, and Cape Town, South Africa, continuing to captivate audiences with his compelling performances and productions.

Oleanna Rehearsals have started. 

A look behind the scenes, actors and director start table work hosted by our Community Partner, Mollie Nye House in North Vancouver.

Fundraiser

We Need Your Support

This year, our journey to bring "Oleanna" to the stage has met with a significant challenge: we did not receive any of the external funding we had hoped for. To overcome this and stay true to our mission of making theatre accessible, we have launched a GoFundMe campaign. Our goal is to cover the production costs, which will allow us to keep ticket prices affordable, provide discounted tickets for students, and offer free access to refugees and those facing significant barriers to cultural participation.

How You Can Help

By contributing to our GoFundMe campaign, you're not just helping us put on a show—you're supporting a movement to keep the arts open and accessible to everyone in our community. Every donation, no matter the size, will help ensure that this important play can reach as wide an audience as possible.

_{OLEANNA is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)}