King's student looks to move toward next "stage" in her career

Megan Watson, a third-year Bachelor of Social Work student, is working towards walking across the stage as a King’s graduate. Ironic, as much of Watson’s adult life has centred around stages.

Watson will be utilizing her theatre experience in a new project at King's. She will offer direction and dramaturgy to the staged reading of the script of a play called Project Qyzra by playwright Ellen Denny. Based on events that transpired in London in 2013. This in-development solo play explores themes of institutional silence, disability and collective accountability. The reading will take place on March 13, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in the Joanne and Peter Kenny Theatre in partnership with the Disability Studies department

Watson has worked in the theatre world for fifteen worlds. The bulk of her career saw her as a director and in artistic leadership roles, including as the Artistic Associate at the Grand Theatre for many years. She lists her work on Mary Poppins and The Glass Menagerie as highlights of her time at the Grand. She also spent many years working with amazing artists on Emma Donohue’s stage adaptation of Room. Most recently, she directed the Grand Theatre’s production of Matilda.

Watson says that over the last few years, her focus within her theatre practice had shifted towards questions about social issues, identity, and access.

She wrote and directed Juno’s Reward, a children's play about the positive impact of music on kids, which toured local schools. More recently, Watson co-produced, wrote, and directed Craving, an auto-biographical, multidisciplinary show about mental health and coming through the pandemic.

“I knew I wanted to explore those themes in a more fulsome way. King’s was just the best choice for me for so many reasons,” Watson says. She adds she was also drawn to the intimate atmosphere and King’s reputation.

Watson says the clearest connection between theatre and social work is the importance of relationship building, an emphasis on knowing oneself and cultivating the ability to act with authenticity and integrity.

“I often talk about the work of a theatre director as being the person who is responsible for creating an environment where a team of people can show up and express themselves freely and fully. I think there are some connections to be made there when it comes to effective social work,” she says, adding that she is exploring more ties as she digs into her coursework and looks ahead to practicums.

“I hope to pursue a career in social work, and I am very open to how my background in theatre informs this new career/chapter in my life,” she says.

Even as she pursues her King’s degree, Watson says she will always remain connected to and engaged in the theatre world. “Theatre has been a career and passion for me for as long as I can remember.”

Matilda Grand Theatre photo credits: Dahlia Katz