“Rat Academy” is a physical comedy play created and performed by Dayna Lea Hoffmann and Katie Yoner, produced by the Batrabbit Collective. The story follows Fingers, a curmudgeonly street rat who believes he is the last wild rat left in Alberta. His solitude is disrupted when he encounters Shrimp, a happy-go-lucky escaped lab rat. To preserve his legacy and ensure survival, Fingers establishes the Rat Academy, a humorous training program to teach Shrimp and the audience the skills necessary for street rat life. The syllabus includes comedic elements like “Cheese-ology,” “the Art of Scaring Magpies,” “Stealing 101,” and “Advanced Tails.” The play is deeply inspired by Alberta’s history of anti-rat propaganda dating back to the 1950s, and it skillfully blends physical comedy with a heartwarming message about survival, friendship, and love despite adversity in a world that hates them. It debuted in 2023 and has been performed in various festivals including Edmonton and Vancouver Fringe Festivals, gaining acclaim for its skillful characters and audience interaction.

The sequel, “Rat Academy 2 - Gnaw and Order,” builds on the story of Fingers and Shrimp as they navigate new challenges. Now, the two rats are dealing not only with the harsh realities of street life but also with eviction from their alley home on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton. The play cleverly incorporates themes of marginalized existence and aspiration as Fingers and Shrimp try to buy their own home while contending with Alberta’s rat patrol, tasked with exterminating them. This production explores broader issues like political satire and the fight for freedom and belonging, reflecting real social struggles through the lens of these rodent characters. The dynamic between the savvy, exasperated mentor Fingers and the naive, optimistic Shrimp generates both comedic and tender moments, making the sequel well-received and sold-out during its 2025 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival run.

Overall, the “Rat Academy” plays use clever physical comedy and engaging narrative to examine themes of survival, identity, and community through the unique and inventive portrayal of Alberta’s “last rats.” The plays have received praise for their humor, emotional depth, and interactive audience experience, making them a distinctive fixture in contemporary Canadian theatre.

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