Four plays are premiering at this year's playRites. Read on to learn more about the productions.

NiX

Despite the snowy setting, NiX is nothing like a winter wonderland. Set in a sudden ice age, the play focuses on the nature of humanity in the post-apocalyptic wintry wastes.

Bob White, artistic director of Alberta Theatre Projects, has seen the playRites festival start from its infancy. He helped it through its toddler years, its terrible teens and now to its current incarnation as the hip young adult of the Canadian theatre scene. Sadly, this is his last playRites, as he leaves ATP at the end of the year.

"It's mixed emotions for sure," laments White. "I came here for the second festival and this is my 23rd festival so you can do the math. That's 22 festivals that I've been to."