MFA Scriptwriting & Story Design grad’s adaptation of Dante’s Inferno premieres at Toronto Fringe Festival
Master of Scriptwriting and Story Design recent graduate Victoria Sullivan takes the spotlight in an exciting new production. Danielle Tea’s Infernal Latte, written and produced by Sullivan, made its debut at the Toronto Fringe Festival at Tarragon Mainstage Theatre. Sullivan, an actor, writer, and producer, created this remarkable show featuring a talented cast and crew of TMU peers, including Brandon James Sim, Katie Lawrence and Emma Fiorante. Sullivan and Sim also collaborated with first-year Performance student Gavin Silbey along with actors Ryan Kotack, Andrew Cromwell and Christa Marie-Waugh and a number of TMU Performance Production undergraduate students who lent their talents to the show.
Danielle Tea's Infernal Latte Poster
What if the Princess of Pop was your guide through Hell?
Sullivan's production presents a modern twist on the 14th-century classic Dante's Inferno. The story follows a cathartic journey through Hell, narrated from a female perspective, with pop princess Britney Spears as one of the main characters. Joining her is Danielle Tea, a barista who accompanies Spears through Hell.
"I always wondered what the classics would be like if it was women in title roles instead of men," Sullivan said.
Danielle’s Tea Infernal Latte was initially written as a television pilot by Sullivan as her master thesis project in the Scriptwriting and Story Design program. “The play is a shorter interpretation of the television pilot with more liberties taken with some of the characters we’ll see in the television series,” Sullivan said.
Danielle's Tea Infernal Latte cast on stage
Tarragon Mainstage Theatre production booth
Collaborative storytelling
Sullivan speaks on how the Master of Scriptwriting and Story Design program gave her a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of storytelling. This understanding played a pivotal role in crafting a compelling ending for a short version of their story, a project they plan to further refine and expand into a full-length production. However, Sullivan's journey in the program was not just about acquiring technical skills; it was also about the remarkable individuals they encountered along the way.
“The people I have met in the program are some of the most brilliant, creative storytellers I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and almost all of them volunteered to help on this project if I needed it,” Sullivan shared. “They’re just fantastic people that I hope to be lucky enough to collaborate with for the rest of my career.”
Danielle Tea's Infernal Latte cast poster
MFA Scriptwriting and Story Design student and co-producer Katie Lawrence emphasized the profound impact of collaborative storytelling
“Victoria listened to her cast’s observations about certain lines, plot points, or character arcs with a collaborative spirit, which strengthened the show and allowed it to achieve its greatest potential,” Lawrence said.
She also mentioned how they would not have been able to incorporate their iconic stage effects without the financial support of the Society of The Creative School. The society embraced their concept and provided them with the support necessary to bring their vision to the stage. The Creative School Catalyst, especially Bradley Bolton, was also instrumental in their process with their unwavering support and accommodation throughout the rehearsal process.
“It’s surreal to be on stage at Tarragon and see characters I created come to life with such talent behind them,” Sullivan said. “I’m so grateful to Toronto Fringe for the opportunity, and I hope it opens doors to becoming a producer and showrunner in the future.”
Fusing comedy, pop culture references, and critiques of capitalism, Sullivan's adaptation promises to captivate theatre enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Learn more about Danielle Tea’s Infernal Latte and future productions here (external link, opens in new window) .
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