Calling The Rock Home – World Premiere | Studio Theatre
World Premiere • New Canadian Play by Karen Thistle • Directed by Jeannette Lambermont-Morey
Studio Theatre • October 15–18
A heartwarming comedy about who we are, and what makes home. Calling The Rock Home tells the story of three young Newfoundlanders facing an impossible choice during Canada’s 1960s Eastern Exodus. With mining and fishing in decline and industrial development lagging, close to a million people left Atlantic Canada between 1956 and 1973—many bound for Ontario’s “land of promise,” a world away from the life they knew.
About the Play
Calling The Rock Home is a World Premiere by Karen Thistle, the daughter of a Northern Ontario miner who made that very choice. The play blends humour and heart as it follows three friends navigating work, family, identity, and the meaning of “home” when staying means uncertainty and leaving means exile.
Directed by Jeannette Lambermont-Morey, the production debuts in our Studio Theatre before launching a brand-new Northern Ontario Touring Network (created by Pat the Dog) with planned stops in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and Thunder Bay.
“Do Not Miss. A World Premiere that finds laughter, courage, and community in the choice between unemployment and exile.”
Hear More: CBC Interview
Colton Gobbo (Patrick) spoke with CBC’s Craig Norris about the production. Listen here:
Event Details
- When: October 15–18
- Where: Studio Theatre, Centre In The Square (Kitchener)
- Format: World Premiere run ahead of Northern Ontario tour
Why This Story Matters
Between 1956 and 1973, nearly one million people left the Atlantic provinces as industries faltered and opportunities dwindled. Calling The Rock Home situates its comedy within this very real history—where every joke and tender moment is underscored by the courage it takes to start over.
Creative Team
- Playwright: Karen Thistle
- Director: Jeannette Lambermont-Morey
- Cast highlight: Colton Gobbo as Patrick