Rat Academy
Come along with Fingers and Shrimp, the last rats in Alberta, and learn how they survive in a world that hates them. Fingers, a curmudgeonly street rat, is completely alone. Or so he thinks, until he discovers Shrimp, an escaped happy-go-lucky lab rat. Eager to preserve his legacy, Fingers creates the Rat Academy to train Shrimp and the audience in the ways of the rodent. Inspired by Alberta’s 1950s anti-rat propaganda, this physical comedy duo will have you clutching your tail! SOLD OUT RUNS - Edmonton Fringe, Vancouver Fringe Edmonton Fringe Holdover Series “Best of Fest” “Staff Pick” “Festival Pick" “Fringe Crush” “Fringiest Show” ★★★★ - Edmonton Journal Accessibility Sensory Warnings: Loud noises, audience interaction. Content Warnings: Cartoonish violence, simulated smoking, some strong language Please indicate any accessibility needs, including wheelchair accessible seating or if you require seating with no stairs, in the provided field. We will do our best to assign seating that works for you and get in touch if we have any questions. A Visual Guide for The Metro Studio has been created, and is current as of August 2023. View it here. About the artist/company This production was created by Dayna Lea Hoffmann and Katie Yoner, in collaboration with Joseph McManus, through Batrabbit Collective. Batrabbit strives to challenge and explore clown that pushes the boundaries of femme bodies on stages and inspire a new generation of artists to create work that is rooted in spectacle and character. After originally being commissioned for the 2022 Play the Fool Festival, the show expanded and the creative team received mentorship from John Turner, Mike Kennard, and Karen Hines of Mump and Smoot. In 2023, the hour-long version of Rat Academy debuted at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, Vancouver Fringe Festival and Orlando FestN4, gaining a cult following for its hysterical audience interaction, skillfully developed characters, and heartfelt story. Despite its brief run and emerging artistic team, it has received multiple awards and five-star reviews. Following the run at Toronto Fringe, Rat Academy will perform at the Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Edmonton 2024 Fringe Festivals and follow up with a fall/winter cross Canada Tour. Credits Created and Performed by Katie Yoner and Dayna Lea Hoffmann in collaboration with Joseph McManus Directed and Stage Managed by Joseph McManus Costume Design by Meegan Sweet
