Media releases

• Dramatic Arts spring mainstage production delivers comedy, whimsy and innovation in Zoom theatre

  Thursday, April 01, 2021 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 1 April 2021 – R0041

  A collapsing stock market, an eccentric billionaire and a roller-coaster ride of parody and the surreal are just the beginning of what audiences can expect from the upcoming production of Fever/Dream presented by Brock’s Department of Dramatic Arts (DART).

  The DART spring mainstage production runs from Wednesday, April 7 to Sunday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. as free livestreamed performances viewable on the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA) YouTube channel.

  In mounting the production virtually, the resilient cast and crew have had their fair share of challenges creating theatre during a pandemic and have masterfully emerged with exciting theatre to share with audiences.

  Director Gyllian Raby, Associate Professor of Dramatic Arts, has much gratitude for the dedication of the production team and the participating students.

  “Collaborating during these times could not be done without a production team fanatically dedicated to beating the odds,” she says.

  To bring the play to life, props, costumes and lighting supplies had to be distributed to students all over Ontario.

  “Actors are working as their own technicians, and the student directors are confronting scenes demanding live acting and intimacy with zest and imagination,” Raby says. “With this group of fevered dreamers, I think Calderón de la Barca and Sheila Callaghan would both be proud.”

  Assistant Directors and Dramatic Arts students Dillon Bernier and Samantha Rideout share Raby’s enthusiasm for the work put into the show and anticipation for opening night.

  “Working on Fever/Dream has taught me so much, not only about myself as a director, but also how theatre can still bring people together, even in a digital form,” Bernier says. “We need theatre in our lives, whether that be in person or digitally.”

  Rideout echoes this sentiment, acknowledging the impact of the experience.

  “Fever/Dream is the first opportunity I have had to take my knowledge as a performer and try my hand at assistant directing,” she says. “The past eight months developing this show have opened my eyes to the potential of theatre to transcend our current understanding of the art form.”

  The play itself touches on many themes, such as corporate greed, complicated family dynamics, white supremacy and the healing power of love — all delivered in a comedy meant to defy logic and challenge convention.

  “As theatre makers, we are trying to use our talents to create a piece that is current and contemporary and with a strong social message. We also want audiences to feel the whimsical romance of the story and the magic of theatre,” Bernier says.

  While the new digital stage is a departure from traditional live theatre, the assistant directors and cast members have fully embraced “Zoom theatre.”

  “The Zoom platform has challenged the cast, while also providing us with an important learning opportunity to explore and play outside of our comfort zones — and we have made bold discoveries,” Rideout says.

  The production is free to view, however space is limited. The public can make a reservation to watch the show on the MIWSFPA YouTube channel by booking through brocku.universitytickets.com

  In addition to being directed by Raby alongside Bernier and Rideout, Fever/Dream’s Scenic design is by David Vivian, costumes by Roberta Doylend, lighting design by Chris Malkowski, sound and projections design, videography and postproduction by James McCoy, choreography by Rachel Romanoski, and stage management by Diego Blanco and Alyssa Ruddock.

  The cast and crew have dedicated this production to dawn e crysler, Theatre Technician and beloved MIWSFPA staff member who sadly passed away before the show was completed. crysler, who preferred her name referred to in all lowercase, will be remembered by students, faculty and staff for her commitment to the show, her delight in the process, quiet moments shared with the cast during online rehearsals, her exuberant spirit and her dancing.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

   * Gillian Minaker, Marketing & Communications Officer, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, Brock University gminaker@brocku.ca 905-688-5550 x4765 or 289-696-0805 

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock experts available to speak about code of conduct addressing maltreatment in sport

  Thursday, April 01, 2021 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 1 April 2021 – R0040

  As of Thursday, April 1, integrating the policies of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) is mandatory for all federally funded, national-level sport organizations.

  Developed by the Canadian sport community, the UCCMS addresses maltreatment broadly and comprehensively, covering all types of conduct that inflict physical or psychological harm by a person against another person within the sport community.

  While generally viewed as a positive, there was some pushback from national and provincial sport organizations looking for clauses to allow what they considered to be ‘accepted training practices in a sport.’

  Brock University has a number of experts available to speak with the media about the issue of the UCCMS and its adoption. They say the unsuccessful pushback from some organizations suggest there are going to be challenges with the consistent implementation and enforcement of the Code.

  Assistant Professor of Sport Management Michele Donnelly says “The fact that the UCCMS ‘addresses maltreatment broadly and comprehensively’ is so important.”

  “This means we are not only going to be operating with the legal thresholds for harassment and abuse, but are also able to recognize and address all of the behaviours and actions that are so problematic in sport,” she says.

  Donnelly is available to speak to media on:

  • The facets of sport that have a long history of trying to normalize questionable or racist behaviours towards athletes
  • Foreseeable challenges with the consistent implementation and enforcement of the Code
  • The importance of having an independent body to administer the UCCMS
  • Athletes in sport governance

  Donnelly says reporting currently happens within a sport organization and has varied consequences (often repercussions) for those reporting. Further, harassment and abuse of athletes by coaches, and the lack of administrative action in these instances, has been highlighted in recent cases in the media and the courts. In some cases, sport organizations have protected and promoted abusers/harassers when they are considered “successful” or a benefit to the organization, Donnelly says.

  Director of Brock’s Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC) and Associate Professor of Sport Management Julie Stevens says “The long-term negative ramifications of maltreatment in sport is a significant issue for athletes and leaders that needs further discussion, discourse and action at all levels.”

  Stevens is available to speak to media on:

  • Ways Canadian academics and sport stakeholders can address and implement system and organizational level change related to safe sport in general
  • Practical advice and support available for sport organizations
  • How the CSC is supporting athlete voices
  • The upcoming national forum Athletes First: The Promotion of Safe Sport in Canada which will take place June 12 to 18.

  “We are looking forward to hosting an event that will ensure athlete voices and experiences flow throughout the entire forum,” says Stevens. “We hope to bring together athletes, coaches, sport professionals and volunteers, and academics from the Niagara region and across Canada, for productive dialogue.”

  Assistant Professor of Sport Management Michael Van Bussel says, “While the UCCMS defines maltreatment as ‘covering all types of conduct that inflict physical or psychological harm by a person against another person, within the sport community’ and goes beyond the coach-athlete dynamic, relational risk management provides sport management practitioners with a framework to build constructive relationships between athletes, coaches and administrators.”

  Van Bussel is available to speak to media on:

  • Research regarding relational risk management in the context of coaching education and development
  • Tools to help protect athletes, foster communication and implement policy
  • The responsible coaching movement

  “The UCCMS will provide sport organizations with a broad coverage regarding athlete maltreatment in sport to help develop policy,” says Van Bussel. “It will not only address high-level abusive behaviour by coaches and administrators, it will also identify and more subtle psychological and relational maltreatment that often goes unrecognized and is not dealt in an appropriate manner.”

  Brock University professors Michele Donnelly, Julie Stevens and Michael Van Bussel are available to speak with the media.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases