A young woman is missing. The prime suspect is an affluent member of the secretive Luminia organization. Enter Asha Ray, a deprogrammer who specializes in extracting people from dangerous cults. With no business card or office, Asha is known only by reputation—a last resort for desperate loved ones willing to work outside the law. Teaming up with retired detective Reuben Medina, she descends into a treacherous world of hidden motives and elite corruption. Together, Asha and Reuben must work to outsmart a powerful predator and uncover the truth before time runs out.

A razor-sharp, neon-noir thriller, Jeffery’s contemporary crime drama is a cry for justice for women on the wrong side of a system built to protect the wealthy and powerful. This gritty, suspenseful play will keep you guessing until the very end.

Michaela is an Alberta-based playwright and graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. Recent writing credits include The Extractionist, Persephone Bound, WROL (Without Rule of Law), Wolf on the Ringstrasse, The Listening Room, and others. Michaela was a recent finalist in the Alberta Playwrights Network 2019 Alberta Playwriting Competition for WROL (Without Rule of Law) as well as a finalist for the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s RBC Emerging Playwright Award and a recipient of the national Enbridge Playwrights Award (Emerging Category).

Michaela Jeffery's profile page

“[The Extractionist is] a stunning world premiere . . . The story is complicated, convoluted and thrilling . . . It’s full tilt, at a sprint, the entire time. It’s action, suspense and intrigue.”

Jenna Shummoogum, Independent Critic

“…from start to finish, [The Extractionist] had the audience on the edge of their seats…”

Nimra Amir, The Gauntlet

“The plot unravels in a fascinating way, with several convoluted twists that really suck the reader in. There’s a real cinematic feel to this script that makes it stand out above other stage scripts within this genre. Asha is a complex and compelling character who stays with the reader, long after they’ve finished the script.”

2021 International ScreenCraft Stage Play Contest Jury

​“Jeffery has a gift for writing natural-sounding dialogue […] The scenes sizzle because they seem so real […] The audience is like eavesdroppers in these people’s lives…”

Louis B. Hobson, The Calgary Herald

"A tight compelling thriller with a strong female lead and a surprise ending! This play is ready for a stylish production."

2021 Alberta Playwrighting Competition Jury