DART Performances in 2021-22

Dramatic Arts events

IBPOC Theatre Grad Fair Spring 2022

A two-day networking event for graduating IBPOC theatre students.

ABOUT THIS EVENT

Calling all IBPOC recent theatre graduates, students graduating this year and those entering their final year of study! You’re invited to a two-day (online) IBPOC Theatre Grad Fair, beginning May 2 and continuing on May 6! You will have the chance to meet with other IBPOC students from across the country and hear from experienced IBPOC artists on the transition from post-secondary theatre education to the professional realm.

The event will open on May 2 with a “coffee chat” between Keith Barker and Jiv Parasram, two leading IBPOC artists. They’ll speak about their career paths and what it means to be a “hyphenated” artist. On May 6, participants will move between a series of breakout rooms with artists from across the country who have likewise pursued a hyphenated career path in theatre.

View full details and how to register here.

The Department of Dramatic Arts & Little Raincoat Collective (DART 4F56 – Advanced
Studies in Theatre) present:

The Storm left behind
an original collective work directed by colin b. anthes and brenley charkow

april 14 & 15 — 7:30 p.m.

The Storm Left Behind is a collective creation written and presented by the Department of Dramatic Arts 4F56 class – Little Raincoat Collective. The new play, created and written by nine fourth-year students, addresses the challenges in finding light in the darkest of times.

Where: Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, 15 Artists’ Common, St. Catharines

Purchase tickets through Brock University Tickets.

Department of Dramatic Arts Presents
ONE ACTS FESTIVAL 2022:

Darling Face, By Joseph Arnone
The Miser: Life, By Molière
All About Biffo, By Stephen Bittrich
The Miser: Liberty, By Molière
Abortion, By Eugene O’Neill
The Miser: The Pursuit of Happiness, By Molière

The festival is the final presentation for student directors enrolled in the third-year Directing II (DART3P54) course. All plays are created, produced and performed by DART students under the direction of Michael Reinhart and features cast members from across the years. The stage crew for this festival also constructed the scenery, props and costumes. They are all enrolled in Stage Production (DART 2P42).

March 25 & 26 — 7:30 p.m.

Where: Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, 15 Artists’ Common, St. Catharines
our first 100% capacity show during the pandemic.

CREATIVE TEAM, CAST and NOTES:

Darling Face, by Joseph Arnone
Directed by Marsel Avdić

Cast:
Judd – Zakk Milne
Beverly – Emma Van Barneveld

Young couple move to the small countryside where Judd grew up. Beverly is having a hard time adjusting. She has just made Judd diner and is awaiting his return.

The Miser: Life, by Molière
Directed by Alyssa Campbell

Cast:
La Flèche – Hunter Brown
Master Jacques – Simone Cinapri
Harpagon – Alex DeCicco
Élise – Jessica Matile
Cléante – Jane Smith
Valère – Bianca Taylor

We decided to take a neoclassical play originally performed in 1668 and turn it on its head placing it in 1785 New Orleans to provide a critique on capitalism and its intersections with the American Dream. What is a good quality of life, and who has the right to determine who is deserving of it?

All About Biffo, by Stephen Bittrich
Directed by Lucas Irving

Cast:
Sid – Michelle Shortt
Biffo – Frankie Turco

Sound Design: Alyssa Campbell

The clowns are getting ready to head out into the ring, but little do they know the circus dressing room is already an arena for their clash of ideals. Veteran clown Sid, and his unorthodox partner in crime, Biffo, who has only just come out onto the circus clown scene don’t always see eye to eye. Biffo’s drag aesthetic and wild ideas send Sid spinning and questioning what is appropriate for the kids in the audience to see.

The Miser: Liberty, by Molière
Directed by Ava Robitaille

Cast:
Marianne – Madison Barton
La Flèche – Hunter Brown
Master Jacques – Simone Cinapri
Harpagon – Alex DeCicco
Élise – Jessica Matile
Cléante – Jane Smith
Frosine – Claire Stoll
Valère – Bianca Taylor

We decided to take a neoclassical play originally performed in 1668 and turn it on its head placing it in 1785 New Orleans. The fight for freedom has been a consistent fight in humanity. But will we ever truly be free?

Abortion, by Eugene O’Neill
Directed by Ash McEachern
Choreographed by Leah Rantala

Cast:
Evelyn Sands – Maddie Bomhof
Mrs. Townsend – Susan Cardinall
Herron (Bull) – Jamie Elliott
Joe Murray – Tyra Hayward
Jack Townsend – Michael Naszados
Nellie Murray – Leah Rantala
Townsend/Lucy – Cal Webb Wilkinson
Special thank you to Jenny Scott

Subtitled the Alexis McGill Johnson Musical Review, this is a a Brechtian adaptation of O’Neil’s 1917 play.

The Miser: The Pursuit of Happiness, by Molière
Directed by Thea van Loon

Cast:
Marianne – Madison Barton
La Flèche/Chief of Police – Hunter Brown
Master Jacques – Simone Cinapri
Harpagon – Alex DeCicco
Élise – Jessica Matile
Cléante – Jane Smith
Anselme – Claire Stoll
Valère – Bianca Taylor

We decided to take a neoclassical play originally performed in 1668 and turn it on its head placing it in 1785 New Orleans. At what point is the pursuit of happiness in America only available to those with money?

PRODUCTION TEAM: 

Technical Director – Gavin Fearon
Head of Wardrobe – Roberta Doylend
Head of Construction – Ed Harris
Theatre Technician – Sandra Marcroft
Stage Manager – Whitney Braybrook-Byl**
Dresser – Sydney Alexander*
Lighting Operator – Isaiah Alton*
Sound Operator – Hayley Bando*
Props – Simon Bell*
Dresser – Kaitlyn Boyer*
Dresser – Paolo Bozzo*
Dresser – Violet Brown*
Props – Maiya Irwin*
Stagehand – Hayley King*
Stagehand – Marianne Vongboutdy*

* DART Student
** DART Graduate

Spring 2022 Mainstage Production:

RED BIKE
BY Caridad Svich

Directed by Mike Griffin

March 4, 5, 11, 12 — 7:30 p.m.
March 6, 12 — 2:00 p.m.

Presented by the Department of Dramatic Arts, Red Bike is an imaginative, magical journey into the mind of a child. Through an epic bike ride, on their beloved red bike, an eleven-year-old child reflects on the small town they see before them. As they venture into the outer edges of town, they are faced with a challenge unlike they have ever experienced, causing them to see the world in a new way. This production brings the poetic words of playwright Caridad Svich to life with through the movement and physical theatre explorations of an ensemble of six actors. Directed by Mike Griffin.

Where: Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, 15 Artists’ Common, St. Catharines

Purchase tickets through Brock University Tickets.

Please note all public health and Brock University safety protocols apply including mandatory masks and proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for all audience and visitors to the MIWSFPA. 

CREATIVE TEAM:

Directed by Mike Griffin
Set Design by Anton de Groot
Costume Design by Julian Valentin
Lighting Design by Chris Malkowski
Sound Design by Gavin Fearon
Puppet Design by Stephanie Elgersma
Assistant Direction by Matt Martin
Assistant Lighting Design by Alex Sykes

CAST: 

Yasmine Agocs
Arnelle Douglas
Asenia Lyall
Abby Malcolm
Sarah Rowe
Joanna Tran
Kaitlyn Boyer (understudy/swing)

PRODUCTION TEAM: 

Technical Director – Gavin Fearon
Head of Wardrobe – Roberta Doylend
Head of Construction – Ed Harris
Stage Manager – Alyssa Ruddock*
Assistant Stage Manager – Alyssa Campbell*
Dresser – Alex Anderson*
Stage Carpenter – Genevieve Batista*
Sound Operator – Jamie Elliott*
Dresser – Nathan Fagundo*
Props Runner – Tyra Hayward*
Props Runner – Lucas Irving*
Swing Crew – Grace Labelle-Scott*
Lighting Operator – Zakk Milne*
Stage Carpenter – Ava Robitaille*
Swing Crew – Maddie Switze-Bomhof*
Swing Crew – Frankie Turco*

*Dramatic Arts student

FOR THIS PRODUCTION

Mime Coach – Trevor Copp
Stage Management Mentor – Carolyn MacKenzie
Scenic Carpenter – Adrian Palmieri
Scenic Painter – Whitney Braybrook-Byl
Wardrobe Assistant – Claire Stoll*

* DART student

Fall Mainstage Production:

The last days of judas iscariot
BY STEPHEN ADLY GUIRGIS

Directed by Leighton Alexander Williams
ASSISTANT DIRECTION BY MICHAEL CICCHINI
CHOREOGRAPHY BY CHRIS CLARKE

Oct. 29, 30 and Nov. 5, 6 — 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 31, 2021 — 2:00 p.m.
Nov. 05, 2021 — 11:30 a.m. *DART students & faculty

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot isn’t just a long-ago fable, it’s a sassy exploration of sin and unconditional love and speaks to all about guilt, regret, and redemption. Set in a satirical version of a contemporary American Law Court, a pageant of comic saints and villains play a tug-of-war over the appeal for Judas’ case. Leighton Williams, one of Ontario’s most exciting emerging directors who is visiting Brock for this special production, has a profound respect for the comedy, the oratory, the smug corruption, and the tragic counterpoint to activism in Stephen Adly Guirgis’ award-winning play. Directed by Leighton Williams.

Where: Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, 15 Artists’ Common, St. Catharines

Purchase tickets through Brock University Tickets.

Please note all public health and Brock University safety protocols apply including mandatory masks and proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for all audience and visitors to the MIWSFPA. 

CREATIVE TEAM:

Director: Leighton Williams
Assistant Director: Michael Cicchini*
Choreographer: Chris Clarke
Set/Costume Designer: Kelly Wolf
Assistant Costume Designer: Ilona Rodriguez Reed*
Sound Designer: Alex Sykes*
Lighting Designer: Sandra Marcroft

CAST:

El-Fayoumy: Isaiah Alton*
Judas Iscariot: Simon Bell*
Caiaphas/Simon: Violet Brown*
Judge Littlefield: Luke Huffman*
Sigmund Freud/St Thomas: Lucas Irving*
Mary/Loretta/Sis Glenna: Maiya Irwin*
Hayley King: Hayley King*
St Matthew/Pontias Pilate: Sammie Marrett*
Bailiff/Matthias: Zakk Milne*
Henrietta Iscariot: Alyssa Ruddock*
Fabiana Aziza Cunningham: Jane Smith*
St Peter/Butch: Benoit St-Aubin*
Gloria/Mother Teresa: Bianca Taylor*
Satan: Frank Turco*
Jesus: Celine Zamidar*

PRODUCTION TEAM:

Production Manager: Brian Cumberland
Head of Construction: Ed Harris
Stage Manager: Jordine De Guzman
Assistant Stage Manager: Emma Van Barneveld*
Head of Wardrobe: Roberta Doylend
App Head of Wardrobe: Julian Corlett*

* DART student

The Department of Dramatic Arts presents

WALKER CULTURAL LEADERS SERIES 2021-22: TRANSFORMATION AND ADAPTATION IN THEATRE PEDAGOGY AND TRAINING

The Department of Dramatic Arts (DART) invites you to the second online presentation of Transformation and Adaptation in Theatre Pedagogy and Training, a new series presented as part of the 2021-22 Walker Cultural Leaders Series:

INDUSTRY PANEL WITH BIPOC CANADIAN THEATRE ARTISTS

Monday November 15, 6:30 to 8:00 ET 

Join us for an Industry panel with BIPOC Canadian Theatre artists.
Building on the 2020-21 BIPOC Speaker Series of the Department of Dramatic Arts at Brock University, join six BIPOC Canadian theatre production and design professionals and educators as they speak on a digital panel about recent experiences in their professional practice and discuss strategies for new approaches to pedagogy and theatre-making.

Guests include Carmen Alatorre (BC), Kat Chin (ON), Haui Hinton Davis (ON), Samantha McCue (ON), Shanna Miller (ON), and Wladimiro A. Woyno (BC). Giselle Clarke-Trenaman (BC) is moderator.

A presentation of the Department of Dramatic Arts at Brock University for the Walker Cultural Leader Series.
Register for the Zoom webinar here.

CARMEN ALATORRE

CARMEN ALATORRE (PANELIST)

Originally from Mexico, Carmen is a Latinx artist who earned her MFA degree in Theatre Design at UBC (2010) and lives in the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver) since 2006. Some of her recent design credits were seen in companies such as: Arts Club Theatre Company, Bard on the Beach, Globe Theatre Regina, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Citadel Theatre and Electric Company. Carmen has taught at UBC and is currently a sessional instructor at UVic. She is also a recipient of three Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards. For more information visit: carmenalatorre.com

Kat Chin

KAT CHIN (PANELIST)

Kat is a Toronto-based stage manager, who has worked across Canada, Off-Broadway, and at the Palace of Versailles. She is an active member of the CAEA SM Committee, the International Cohort of the US Stage Managers Association, and has taught at X University and the SMArts Conference.

GISELLE CLARKE-TRENAMAN

GISELLE CLARKE-TRENAMAN (MODERATOR)

Giselle was recently nominated for a Jessie Award (2019) for her work in Stage Management and highlighted by the Black Theatre Caucus for their 101 Black Stage Managers Celebration. She is currently the Production Coordinator at Presentation House Theatre in North Vancouver. She is also the creator of Black History Matters.

Haui

HAUI (PANELIST)

HAUI is a mixed media deviser, director, and designer working in theatre, film, and opera. His recent award-winning. feature film debut Mixed↑ (MixedUp) was produced with trans filmmaker Jack Fox and in association with OUTtv. He is currently an artist-in-residence with Wildseed Black Arts Fellowship (Black Lives Matter – Toronto).

Samantha McCue

SAMANTHA MCCUE

Samantha McCue is an Anishinaabekwe and Ned’u’ten theatre professional based in Ottawa, Canada. She graduated with a BFA in Theatrical Production from York University in 2017. With a variety of skills in costume design and construction, theatre management and administration, Samantha is passionate about developing the Indigenous theatre community in Canada and beyond. www.sammccuedesign.com

Shanna Miller

SHANNA MILLER (PANELIST)

Shanna Miller is the Technical Director at Young Peoples Theatre. She works with many theatre and dance with companies. Credits include Stria (ChartierDanse); Svadba – Wedding (Queen of Puddings Music Theatre); Agokwe (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre); Spin by Evalyn Perry (Outspoke Productions); Penny Plain, Billy Twinkle; Requiem for a Golden Boy and 10 Days on Earth, Provenance (Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes); A Craigslist Cantata – 2014 Alberta Tour (Acting Up Stage Company); I Send You This Cadmium Red – 2014 (Art of Time Ensemble); Kaeja d’Dance 25th Anniversary Concert (Kaeja d’Dance); Rocking Horse Winner – 2016 (Tapestry Opera); Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan in Wonderland (Ross Petty Productions). Shanna is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada Technical Program.

WLADIMIRO A. WOYNO R.

WLADIMIRO A. WOYNO R. (PANELIST)

Wladimiro A. Woyno R. is a live performance designer and technologist with a unique interdisciplinary expertise in contemporary set, lighting, and projection design. With field experience in live performance spanning contemporary theatre, opera, dance, concerts, time-based installations and large-scale corporate events, his work explores and contributes performance designs that engage the sensory imagination. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, he holds an MFA in Design from Yale School of Drama and a BFA in Theatre Design and Production from The University of British Columbia, with further professional training at The Banff Centre.

The Department of Dramatic Arts presents

Walker Cultural Leaders Series 2021-22: Transformation and Adaptation in Theatre Pedagogy and Training

The Department of Dramatic Arts (DART) invites you to the first online presentation of Transformation and Adaptation in Theatre Pedagogy and Training, a new series presented as part of the 2021-22 Walker Cultural Leaders Series:

BLACK CANADIAN THEATRE LEADERSHIP: EMBRACING TRANSFORMATION AND ADAPTATION

Sept. 20, 2021 — 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

An online discussion between Philip Akin and Mike Payette, moderated by Luke Reece.

The speakers and moderator, all Black Canadian theatre leaders, will reflect on changes in Canadian theatre in recent years, with a focus on the mandates of theatre organizations.

How have they approached season planning and programming within existing and evolving organizational mandates? Who’s coming to see their work, and how can programming bring in the audiences they intend to cultivate?

Register for the Zoom webinar here.

Philip Akin

Philip Akin (Panelist)
Former Artistic Director, Obsidian Theatre company

Philip Akin is an award-winning cultural leader and has been acting and directing for 46 years. He is a founding member of Obsidian Theatre, Canada’s leading Black theatre company, and has served as its Artistic Director from 2006 to 2020. He has been the recipient of the Silver Ticket Award, Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award, PGC’s Bra d’Or Award, William Kilbourn Award, The Herbert Whittaker/CTCA Award for Distinguished Contribution to Canadian Theatre, Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts as well as the Life Membership Award from Canadian Actor’s Equity Association. He is currently the Vice-President of the Board for the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (2009 to present) and a director on the Board of the Koffler Centre of the Arts, Against the Grain Theatre and the Shaw Festival. His legacy awards program can be found at www.bsla.ca

Mike Payette

MIKE PAYETTE (Panelist)
Artistic Director, Tarragon Theatre

Mike Payette is a Montreal-based actor and director who has worked with many great companies from coast to coast. Directing work includes Hosanna and Choir Boy (Centaur), Reaching for Starlight and Virginia Wolf (Geordie), Burning Vision and Indecent (National Theatre School), the Quebec premiere of Héritage – A Raisin in the Sun (Théâtre Duceppe) and the national tours of The Tashme Project (Tashme Prod/Centaur/Factory/Firehall) and Lorena Gale’s Angélique (BTW/Tableau D’Hôte/National Arts Centre/Factory/Obsidian). Mike is a two-time Montreal English Theatre Award (META) recipient, was the co-founding Artistic Director of Tableau D’Hôte Theatre, past Assistant AD for Black Theatre Workshop, and is currently the Artistic and Executive Director of Geordie Theatre. He will be taking the artistic helm of Tarragon Theatre in Toronto this fall.

Luke Recce

luke reece (moderator)
Associate Artistic Director, Soulpepper Theatre

In a failed attempt to escape Presto Luke left his hometown of Mississauga under the guise of becoming a Toronto-based artist. He strives to share authentic and engaging stories with audiences through his work as an award-winning producer, playwright, poet and educator. Luke is the Associate Artistic Director at Soulpepper Theatre, one of Canada’s leading non-profit theatre companies. Through Luke’s work as an artistic leader within the national arts community, he advocates for engaging and nuanced storytelling that challenges Canadian audiences. He is one of Toronto’s most decorated slam poets, and has represented the country internationally. In 2020 Luke was featured performing for former Toronto Raptor and NBA Champion Serge Ibaka on his Instagram Talent Show. Luke has recently been named to York University’s inaugural Top 30 Changemakers Under 30 list.

All Mainstage performances:

  • Appropriate for High School-Age Audiences
  • Shows may contain mature language and situations
  • Post-performance Q&A with the actors and creative team are available for both productions.
  • Teacher Workshops are available
  • Audience Maximum: varies depending upon the production, contact the Production Manager
  • Contact Brian Cumberland, Production Manager, for more information: bcumberland@brocku.ca.
  • Purchase regularly priced tickets here

Publicity opportunities and media information:

Please contact Gillian Minaker, Communications Officer, MIWSFPA
905 688 5550 x4765
e-mail: gminaker@brocku.ca

PARKING

Parking is not available on-site, however, there are more than 1,000 spots available in nearby parking garages, surface lots and on city streets within a five-minute walk to our address at 15 Artists’ Common. Visit www.stcatharines.ca/en/livein/ParkingLotsGarages.asp for a list of parking locations, or see below.

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