7 Stories
Written by Morris Panych
*** Sensitive Content Warning: This play contains discussions of suicide and suicidal ideation, death, overdose, depictions of intimate-partner violence, and references to mental illness and institutional care. All sensitive content will be navigated alongside the actors, in alignment with their comfort levels, and under the oversight of Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s Equity and Accessibility Coordinator, Isabella Ciancone.***
SHOW DATES: February 4 – 7, 2027
Play Synopsis
7 Stories is a dark, absurdist comedy written by Canadian playwright Morris Panych. It follows an unnamed protagonist, simply referred to as “Man,” as he stands on the ledge of an apartment building, contemplating whether to jump. Before he can act, he is drawn into the bizarre personal crises of his eccentric neighbours. Through conversations about isolation, identity, beauty, and religion, he is forced to reconsider his understanding of life and what gives it meaning.
Character Descriptions
Leading Roles
The protagonist of the play, Man opens the show by standing on the ledge of his apartment building, contemplating suicide. While initially quiet, he begins to open up as he interacts with the building’s residents, engaging them in philosophical conversations about the meaning of life and death. As he struggles to make sense of their perspectives, he comes to terms with his own existential crisis.
(Genderbend, Any race, 40s)
Supporting Roles
Charlotte is a young, romantic poet who is engaged in an affair with Rodney. The two have a highly volatile relationship and like to play violent games with one another to keep their romance alive.
[Specific requirements: Fight]
(Genderbend, Any race, 30s)
Rodney is a stern and serious lawyer who is having an affair with Charlotte. The two have a highly volatile relationship and like to play violent games with one another to keep their romance alive.
[Specific requirements: Fight]
(Genderbend, Any race, 30s)
Leonard is a psychiatrist who works long hours at the local mental hospital. He is argumentative and hostile, due in large part to his lack of sleep and poor hearing.
(Genderbend, Any race, 40s)
Joan is Michael’s long suffering wife who grows increasingly frustrated at her husband’s sensitivities to aesthetics. Despite her objections to him frequently throwing out her belongings, she is warm, caring, and happy to follow his lead, all while being casually condescending to others.
(Genderbend, Any race, 50s)
Michael is a sensitive artist whose aesthetic preference lead him to frequently remodel his home. The sight of certain colours, fabrics, or types of decor makes him physically ill and he often throws out his wife Joan’s personal belongings if they don’t fit his idea of beauty.
(Genderbend, Any race, 50s)
Marshall is a former theatre actor who abandons his old identity after a wealthy heiress falls in love with a character he was playing.
(Genderbend, Any race, 40s)
Rachel is a deeply religious woman who likes to meddle in the lives of her neighbours by playing “God.” She believes people act under the influence of either God or the Devil and engages with the Man in debates about religion and the nature of suicide.
(Genderbend, Any race, 40s)
Featured Roles
Percy is a guest at Al’s party who is constantly counting and categorizing his friends, using their existence as a measure of his own social status.
(Genderbend, Any race, 20s)
Despite being the host of the party, Al dislikes the people who attend them and often goes to extreme lengths to make the parties he throws unenjoyable.
(Genderbend, Any race, 20s)
Jennifer is a guest at Al’s party. She is bubbly, talkative, and disinterested in those who can’t hold an exciting conversation.
(Genderbend, Any race, 20s)
Lillian is an elderly woman who has not left her apartment in 50 years. She loves sharing stories from her long and remarkable life, including memories of her best friend Albert (a pigeon). She is cared for by Nurse Wilson and encourages the man to follow his heart.
(Genderbend, Any race, literally 100(!))
Nurse Wilson is Lillian’s cynical and blunt caretaker who is jaded from her profession. She claims to hate people as individuals but still refers to herself as a humanitarian due to the nature of her work.
(Genderbend, Any race, 50s)
Meet The Production Team
Sadie Cann (she/her) - Director
Sadie Cann is an Ottawa-based actor, writer, and political consultant, whose love for the intersection of art and politics began at home. Through watching endless reruns of This Hour Has 22 Minutes and The Rick Mercer Report with her dad, Sadie became fascinated with political satire and the stories we as Canadians tell about ourselves.
That passion for storytelling eventually brought Sadie to Sock ’n’ Buskin Theatre Company, where she first took the stage as Agnes Evans in She Kills Monsters. Her other theatre credits include Odd in the Youth in Fringe production of Odds and Ends and most recently, Persis Devore in Lakeside Players’ production of Let’s Murder Marsha.
Her work with Sock ’n’ Buskin also extends offstage and into the archives, where she works to preserve generations of student theatre. She is fascinated by the ways in which Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s past continues to shape the company today and how student-run theatre companies understand and interpret their own past.
When she isn’t stuck on the train, Sadie can usually be found hanging out with her cats, Bonnie and Clyde, or listening to Dear Hank & John.
Bo Doyle (he/him) - Assistant Director
Bo Doyle is a Carleton English graduate that just won’t quit. He’s very excited to take to backstage as Assistant Director with 7 Stories! He’s been around for other SnB shows on stage in roles such as Laurie in Little Women, Chuck in She Kills Monsters, and Lord Henry Wotton (Younger) in Dorian Gray. In his free time he enjoys playing video games, arts and crafts, table top rpgs, and writing stories.
He’s eternally grateful for SnB for continuing to allow his tomfoolery and tolerating his terrible jokes. One day, he plans to fulfill a single responsibility <3
Katherine Duran (she/her) - Stage Manager
Katherine is a 3rd year electrical engineering student at Carleton University. She has been a part of Sock n Buskin since her first year, and is very excited to be the stage manager for 7 Stories, alongside serving as the Volunteer Coordinator on the board. Previously with SnB, she has volunteered for four shows (1984, Rumors, The Picture of Dorian Grey and Little Women) in various crew positions, and was also an Assistant Stage Manager for She Kills Monsters last year. She is very excited to work with the rest of the prod team, as well as the cast and crew, on such a great show!
Hanna Giroux (she/her) - Assistant Stage Manager
As a recent Carleton graduate in Film Studies and Art History, Hanna is so excited to be a part of Sock ‘N’ Buskin 83rd season! Hanna began her involvement with the SNB community in her 2nd year of university volunteering as an usher and set painter, and since then has developed a love of all things backstage. Hanna also had the privilege of acting on the 82nd Board of Executives as SNBs Graphic Coordinator. This season she is excited to be a part of the 7 Stories team and can wait to see what this year brings. Outside of theatre, you will often find her sketching, reading, and obsessively watching movies.
Mia Parker (she/her) - Assistant Stage Manager
Mia is a long-time enjoyer of SnB productions and a first-time participant. She recently graduated Carleton University with a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently pursuing a master’s in philosophy. By day she writes and produces political documentaries for CPAC. In her spare time she is an avid reader and writer. She also loves hiking (particularly in the Rocky Mountains from which she hails), swimming in frozen lakes, and spending time with her dear partner Donovan.
