A Play by JAMIE NORRIS
Directed by JAMIE KING
A hilarious, heartwarming adventure full of big words, bigger ideas, and unexpected magic
Lance is the smartest kid in grade six who never misses an opportunity to show off his vocabulary. His teacher assigns him a reading buddy, Sylvia, who is a daydreamer but now that she’s in grade three is finding it harder to hide that she never really learned how to read. All Lance wants to do when they are together is write for the story contest, not help Sylvia. But Lance can’t think of a story until Sylvia imagines a whole world for him of magic, heroes and adventure. Learning together the unlikely pair create a magical story neither could have on their own. In the end, Sylvia loses her fear of reading and Lance learns that the biggest word is not always the smartest word and that you really can’t judge a person without knowing them.
Sewit Eden Haile (she/her) is an emerging performer and writer thrilled to be making her Green Thumb debut! Her recent credits include: Mother – Blood Wedding (Studio 58), Ruby/Playwright – The Raft (Risky Nights/Studio 58), Sewit/Playwright – One of A Kind! (Vancouver International Children’s Festival), Ensemble – East Van Panto: Robin Hood (Theatre Replacement). Her play pretty girls premiered at Studio 58’s FourPlay festival and she was a recipient of the 2024 Studio 58 Writing Award. Sewit is privileged to be living on the unceded, traditional homelands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilw̓ ətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations/”Vancouver”. As of December 2024, Sewit is a proud graduate of Studio 58!
Ethan DeHoog is a Vancouver based artist from small town Smithers BC, and a recent graduate of Studio 58. He is grateful for the stewardship of the Wet’suwet’en, Musqueum, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, without which he would not be able to grow, work, or call these lands home. Beyond his performances at Studio he wrote and performed his show Cardboard Boxes and Other Ways to Travel at the Vancouver Fringe. He is beyond excited to work for the first time with Green Thumb Theatre in its tour of 500 Words!
Samantha is grateful to the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations on whose land she lives, and to the people who make up Green Thumb Theatre for so many opportunities to grow.
Jamie King is an awarded theatre director that grew up on the rainy western coast. Previously for Green Thumb, they directed What If? By Katey Hoffman. Recent directing credits: Middletown, The Wolves and LOVE/SICK at Pacific Theatre; Pretty Girls, Blue Stockings and Can We Fix It? for Studio 58, Sunrise Betties for Itsazoo Productions; As You Like It for Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan; The Legend of Georgia McBride for Arts Club Theatre Company; SYSTEM FAILURE, and SPARAGMOS for Caravan Farm Theatre. JK is the current Associate Producer for Theatre Replacement. Check out more on their work at www.jamiekinghere.com
We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Vancouver’s Green Thumb Theatre to present their touring production of 500 Words by Jamie Norris! This heartwarming and imaginative play explores themes of friendship, creativity, collaboration, literacy, and learning differences in a way that is both deeply relatable and inspiring for audiences of all ages.
At its core, 500 Words is a celebration of the power of teamwork. Lance and Sylvia, our two unlikely heroes, remind us that we don’t have to face our challenges alone. Their journey demonstrates how, by leaning on others, we can overcome fears, unlock new potential, and create something truly extraordinary. Whether it’s Sylvia finding her courage as a reader or Lance learning to share the spotlight, their story highlights the beauty of collaboration and how it can help us bridge our differences and achieve what might seem impossible on our own.
We chose this story because it sparks important conversations about learning differences and the unique ways each of us sees the world. It’s a compassionate, joyful reminder that no one’s struggles are too big to share, and that even when we feel isolated, there’s always someone ready to help us through. With humour, heart, and a touch of magic, 500 Words inspires audiences to embrace their creativity, connect with others, and believe in the power of collaboration.
We’re so excited to bring this vibrant, touring production to our stage and to present Green Thumb Theatre. Together, we’re proud to share this meaningful, engaging story with our community!
- Pat Rundell
Executive & Artistic Director
Coming Soon
