Thumbs Up Good Work Theatre

Thumbs Up Good Work Theatre THUGWork Theatre is a tiny theatre group in Alberta. We are young artists doing new work, shouting into the abyss: "Here We Are" Drama B.Ed.) Performance Drama).

Thumbs Up Good Work Theatre is a tiny theatre group created by sibling duo Caleigh (B.A. and Colin Dingwall (B.F.A. We started two years ago as a name to do a fringe show we wrote and performed together (Grow Up) and it has become much more than that. A group (Collective?) of young, new artists writing, creating, performing, a group (Company?) that wants to keep ticket costs low so the art is acce

ssible, but most of all we have become a group (Ensemble? Hodge Podge?) that wants to tell our own stories our own way. So here we are, we are young, we are new, we might be lost (but that's just the way some of us like it), still finding our feet as we run forward shouting into the abyss: here we are. And here you are, with us, thank you. If you have a project or idea, or you just want to work with us or meet us, or have any questions feel free to send this page a message or shoot us an email at [email protected]

We have done a handful of productions now, “Grow Up” which was our debut as a group at the Saskatoon and Edmonton Fringe Festivals, as well as a short run in Lethbridge AB featuring Becca Mcdonald instead of Caleigh. Two plays by our friend AJ Barager “Miracle” and an award winning production of “Co-Workers” Best Play, Best Male Actor (Colin Dingwall), and Best New script at the Chinook Regional One act Festival, and Best New Script at the Alberta Provincial One Act Festival.

CoyWolf by Thumbs Up Cofounder Colin Wolf  was selected by All Lit Up Canada  as part of their book list for National In...
06/07/2026

CoyWolf by Thumbs Up Cofounder Colin Wolf was selected by All Lit Up Canada as part of their book list for National Indigenous History Month 2026!

All these books looks great so add them to your reading lists!

Featuring the cover photo art from Sydney Wolf in image 2 and a photo of Sydney and Colin at the Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre / Playwrights Canada Press opening night and book launch in Saskatoon in fall 2025,

Buy the book here https://www.playwrightscanada.com/Books/C/CoyWolf

Can't wait to share Lumber at Round Back!
06/04/2026

Can't wait to share Lumber at Round Back!

Discover live theatre under the summer sun this July! Gracing our stage 'Round Back this year we have:

presents Lumber: a one-person (workshop) show (one night only!)

presents Indigenous Summer Play Readings: Ämbäya Shäw/Big Auntie Energy by Christine Genier (one night only!)

Yukon Theatre for Young People brings you Bard 'Round Back: an inter-generational presentation of Romeo & Juliet (4 nights to choose from!)

To learn more and get tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/round-back-2026-4841416 . Save 20% with our early bird discount until June 20th!

Early bird tickets on sale now for Lumber at the Guilds Round Back!
05/25/2026

Early bird tickets on sale now for Lumber at the Guilds Round Back!

Discover the most unique venue in the Territory and our exciting roster of Yukon artists this summer at the ‘Round Back Festival!

Co-Founder Colin Wolf  received funding from .council to support the writing and development of Back in the Saddle, a ne...
05/25/2026

Co-Founder Colin Wolf received funding from .council to support the writing and development of Back in the Saddle, a new play about rodeo, rally racing, brain injuries, and getting back on that dang ole horse.

This is early development funding, we also were accepted into a earlier in 2026 where Wolf worked towards a first draft

Keep your eyes out for a reading in the new year as this script moves towards a production draft!

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

Thumbs Up is happy to announce the first workshop performance of LUMBER by Colin Wolf .c.wolf will be shared at  Round B...
05/22/2026

Thumbs Up is happy to announce the first workshop performance of LUMBER by Colin Wolf .c.wolf will be shared at Round Back series July 16th!

Jack Bennet just got dumped, lost his job, reno-victed, and worst of all: his dog died. Hes got nothing left but a truck and his chainsaw. What does he do? He goes North - really far north to find a new purpose. All the way out of Alberta into the Yukon to start a wood harvest. Join him as he tells his story of finding community in unlikely places, and how that drew him closer to home and heritage in its own unique way.

The show will be a fun hour at the theatre, featuring storytelling around the fire, some stand up here and there, and a chainsaw (or 2!), and just enough therapy to hold the good ship Jack Bennet together.

This workshop production is a low tech version of the show that will be going on tour - no lights or sound, and only basic costume. Following the workshop performance, the design and tech team will join and we will build the tech to tour. Unfortunately at this time there is no booked presenter in Whitehorse for the full production - so this MAY be your ONLY chance to see LUMBER if you are based in Whitehorse!

Tickets for LUMBER here:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lumber-round-back-tickets-1989407278724?aff=oddtdtcreator

Visit the Guild for the rest of the awesome looking around back line up!

LUMBER is going on tour to Calgary, Edmonton, and Halifax fringes, then the NWT with the Northern Arts and Cultural Center, Dawson, Haines Junction, then back to Edmonton in April 2027. Keep up on our socials for the full tour information

Director Nathan Howe
Assistant Director/Co-producer Sydney Wolf
Costume/Tour Tech Jensine Emeline Trondson
Sound Composition/Tour Tech Jesse Fulcher Gagnon
Light Whittyn Jason
Grant writing support Mackenzie Spellman
Admin Support Rebecca Ballarin
SM/Tour Tech
Written, performed, and produced by Colin Wolf

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada
As well as the support of the Government of Yukon

During  conference in Whitehorse this year Thumbs Up artist .power under their production company   was invited to @ Pit...
05/19/2026

During conference in Whitehorse this year Thumbs Up artist .power under their production company was invited to @ Pitch party!

They pitched their Tom Hendry Drama Finalist script Vengeance of a Hellhound (previously To Live and Die by the Paper Route) to a room of 75 artistic directors and arts leaders!

Congratulations Sydney your script keeps going to new big places!
We cant wait to see where it goes next!

Its been quite the year for CoyWolf By Colin Wolf Published by Playwrights Canada Press  and presented by Gordon Tootoos...
05/15/2026

Its been quite the year for CoyWolf By Colin Wolf

Published by Playwrights Canada Press and presented by Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre in fall 2025

Translated into french over the winter by Gabrielle Dufresne

And most recently being nominated as a finalist for the Indigenous Voices Awards
The Indigenous Voices Awards (IVAs) are the only major literary prize to celebrate creativity and excellence for work by emerging Indigenous writers. Recipients of these awards will be announced on June 21.

🐺🐺🐺

Isidor, a half-coyote, half-wolf coywolf, leaves home in search of belonging after losing his mother. But as Sharp-Tooths face extermination to make way for human expansion, Isidor and his pack must choose to either retreat to survive or fight alongside rogue animals to defend their homeland. In this gripping hopepunk thriller, Colin Wolf weaves a powerful allegory of resistance, paralleling the displacement of Métis people and the fight for Indigenous land rights. CoyWolf is a roadmap for young revolutionaries navigating survival, solidarity, and learning the wisdom of those who have walked the path before.

Order your copy today: https://www.playwrightscanada.com/Books/C/CoyWolf3

Book cover design: Sydney Wolf

Co-Founder Colin Wolf is a finalist for the Indigenous Voices Award Published Prose category!Thumbs Up produced the worl...
05/12/2026

Co-Founder Colin Wolf is a finalist for the Indigenous Voices Award Published Prose category!

Thumbs Up produced the world premiere in the Yukon in 2023, and toured the show to Saskatoon at Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre in 2025.

Playwrights Canada Press published the script in 2025.

Congratulations to all the finalists and good luck Colin!

01/26/2026

Tickets are selling fast!

Come see Hucksterland co produced by Thumbs Up and Chromatic Theatre, presented as part of the High Performance Rodeo

Get your tix before tbey are gone!

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Calgary, AB
T3J3M2

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