News

DART alumni at the Toronto Fringe

Sunday, July 10, 2011 | By Brock University

Once again DART alumni are taking the stage and making scenes at the Toronto 2011 Fringe Festival. Some of the productions were first work-shopped or developed during our students’ academic year at Brock. Shows include:

“Circus”
by Nathan Tanner Mac Donald
presented by Moment by Moment from St Catharines, ON

http://fringetoronto.com/fringefest/indoorBYOV_listings.html#C

Come one, come all! Enter the Big Tent! Witness everything from a baby’s first steps to the dart board of death! BING, BAM, POW! Ever feel like your mind is the centre ring of a circus? Well, John does.

Director: Nathan Tanner Mac Donald
Genre: Play, Drama
Warning: Mature Language
Venue 12 Factory Theatre Mainspace

50 min.
Wed, July 6 10:30 PM 1203
Fri, July 8 5:15 PM 1209
Sun, July 10 3:00 PM 1221
Tue, July 12 8:45 PM 1236
Thu, July 14 4:00 PM 1247
Fri, July 15 7:30 PM 1256
Sun, July 17 Noon 1266

“Visa Called this Morning”
by Jen Gallant
(www.jjmoneyproductions.ca)
presented by JJ Money Productions from Toronto, ON

Her creditors are calling. Her bank accounts are freezing. Jen finds herself feeling more like a criminal than a valued customer. she is forced to reconcile her toxic relationship with debt. Jen’s struggle to survive her maxed out reality leaves her realizing that, the banks don’t love you like your parents.

Cast: Jen Gallant
Genre: Play, Comedy
Venue 11 Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace

60 min.
Wed, July 6 10:00 PM 1103
Fri, July 8 4:45 PM 1109
Sat, July 9 6:45 PM 1116
Mon, July 11 5:45 PM 1127
Tue, July 12 8:30 PM 1135
Wed, July 13 3:00 PM 1138
Thu, July 14 9:45 PM 1148
Sun, July 17 4:00 PM 1163

Tags: alumni, Dramatic Arts, theatre, Toronto Fringe Festival
Categories: Alumni, News
DART Alumna in Canopy Theatre’s Outdoor Theatre for Downtown Toronto production of LYSISTRATA

Sunday, July 10, 2011 | By Brock University

Brock Alumna and DART TA, Lauren Shepherd, will be seen performing this summer in Canopy Theatre’s Outdoor Theatre for Downtown Toronto production of:

LYSISTRATA – the sex strike by Aristophanes (Adapted by Germaine Greer and Phil Willmott)
Known for its bawdy humour, Lysistrata tells the tale of how one woman encourages a nation of lustful ladies to deny their husbands any sexual attention until the men declare peace and put a stop to civil war. Germaine Greer’s adaptation keeps all of the expected phalli, sexually charged hijinks and anti-war rhetoric while also exploring issues of gender politics and class bias. Guaranteed to be the sexiest production ever seen on Philosopher’s Stage, Lysistrata comes with a ‘mature content’ warning: This is not a family show!

Tickets can be purchased online at: www.canopytheatre.ca, or at the door. Students, Wednesday nights are PAY WHAT YOU CAN! Bring a blanket and enjoy the fun!

Event Details:

July 20 – August 6, 2011
Wednesday – Saturday
doors open at 7:30pm, curtain at 8pm

Tags: alumni, Canopy Theatre, Lauren Shepherd, Lysistrata
Categories: Alumni, News
Theory and Practice of Drama in Education with JONOTHAN NEELANDS Six-day intensive course

Friday, May 06, 2011 | By Brock University

THE DEPARTMENT OF DRAMATIC ARTS
DART 3V90: Theory and Practice of Drama in Education with JONOTHAN NEELANDS
Six-day intensive course: Monday, July 25 – Saturday, July 30, 2011

Through a combination of workshops, demonstrations, reflections, and lectures, this course examines models for the planning and teaching of process drama. It will provide the opportunity for students to examine the community effects of drama and its role in our personal and social development. This half-credit course will be intensely practical and relevant to teaching the full age range of children through to adults. The learning experiences will be supported by readings and other materials developed for sustainable learning.

Jonothan Neelands is an internationally renowned drama-in-education professor who has written extensively about the use of drama as a learning medium. He has worked with teachers of all age groups, assisting them in understanding how they may employ process drama techniques in teaching a variety of subjects. He is the National Teaching Fellow, Chair of Drama and Theatre Education and Director of Teaching and Learning in the Institute of Education at the University of Warwick and an associate of the CAPITAL Centre for creativity and performance in teaching and learning, a joint initiative between the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the University of Warwick. This project aims to improve the quality of Shakespeare teaching at all ages through an ensemble and rehearsal room pedagogic approach.

A part of the Department of Dramatic Arts Visiting International Professor program, we are pleased to offer students the opportunity to study with someone of Dr. Neelands’ caliber.

Tags: course opportunity, drama in education, Jonothan Neelands, visiting artists, visiting educators
Categories: Announcements, Current Students, Future students, News, Visiting Artists
Director of cSTAC and DART Professor honoured for his contribution to the City of St. Catharines

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 | By Brock University

Pictured left to right are Professor Debra Maclauchlan and Associate Professor Peter Vietgen (Faculty of Education), Associate Professor David Vivian and Assistant Professor Virginia Reh (Department of Dramatic Arts, Faculty of Humanities)

Associate Professors Peter Vietgen (Visual Arts Education in the Department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Education) and David Vivian (Department of Dramatic Arts and the Centre for Studies in Arts and Culture, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, Faculty of Humanities) were each presented with three Volunteer Recognition Certificates from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the City of St. Catharines, at the 23rd Annual Volunteer Recognition Night co-sponsored by the City of St. Catharines, the St. Catharines-Thorold Chamber of Commerce, and the Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery.

Professor Vietgen was nominated by the Niagara Artist’s Centre for his contribution to the Public Art Advisory Committee of the City of St. Catharines. Professor Vivian was nominated for his service over four years as Chair of the Culture Committee of the City of St. Catharines. Both Committees of Council are actively engaged in developing new policy, advocacy, funding, recognition and opportunities in the arts and culture sector, contributing to the creation of stimulating and sustainable culturally-rich lives in the city of St. Catharines.

Given annually, the Volunteer Recognition Awards recognize those outstanding volunteers whose unselfish and dedicated service to an organization has made a significant difference in the community. Nominations are open to youth and adult volunteers, who are presented with their awards at a banquet hosted by the Mayor and councillors in April. This year the banquet was held at the Quality Hotel Parkway Convention Centre on Tuesday, April 19, 2011.

Tags: award, DART faculty, David Vivian, STAC, volunteer recognition
Categories: Faculty & Instructors, News
DART on BROCK TV

Tuesday, March 01, 2011 | By Brock University

Professor Virginia Reh speaks about life in theatre and the production of Phèdre that was performed by students of DART in the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre in February of 2011. Video interview from the series University People by BROCK TV. (click image to play)

Tags: Brock TV, Phèdre, university people, Virginia Reh
Categories: Current Students, Events, Faculty & Instructors, News, Plays
Visiting Artist: Nina Arsenault

Sunday, February 20, 2011 | By Brock University

Nina Arsenault recently visited us for an artist’s talk, part of Dramatic Arts 3P96 Studies in Praxis II: Queer Theories and Performance Practices.

Arsenault is a “transsexual cyborg” theatre and performance artist whose one-woman show, The Silicone Diaries, has had sold-out runs in Toronto and Montreal, and will be touring the country this coming Spring. Ms. Arsenault gave a short talk about her process followed by an interview with Praxis course director, Paul Halferty.

www.ninaarsenault.com

Tags: DART 3P96, Nina Arsenault, The Silicone Diaries, visiting artists
Categories: Current Students, News, Visiting Artists
Dramatic Arts performance of Phèdre examines passion, politics and jealousy

Monday, February 14, 2011 | By Nikki Prudden
(Source: The Brock News, Monday, February 14, 2011)

Suppressed desire and ancient power struggles collide in this week’s production of Phèdre at Brock.

Phèdre, written by Jean Racine, will be presented by the Department of Dramatic Arts at the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre. Phèdre – translated into English by British poet Ted Hughes – mixes poetry, political intrigue and sexual jealousy.

The play contains a principal love triangle of Phèdre, her husband Theseus and his son Hippolytus. Phèdre has a forbidden passion for her stepson that unleashes a wave of tragic consequences.

The roles are played by Dramatic Arts undergraduate students, including Kasey Dunn, Michael Pearson, Eric Frank, Emma Bulpin, Lauren Beaton, Josh Davidson, Kedie McIntyre, and Madison Roca. The play is directed by Virginia Reh and designed by David Vivian, both Dramatic Arts faculty members.

The myths around Theseus, Phaedra and Hippolytus have fascinated playwrights for ages, Reh said.

“Racine’s masterpiece distils the best of his major sources, particularly Euripides’ Hippolytus,” she said. “From Euripides he borrows the fundamentally principled Phaedra, an essentially moral woman who is tormented by a forbidden passion and chooses to die rather than surrender to it. The tragedy is at once epic and domestic.“

Performances:
- Thursday, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. To order, call 905-688-5550 x3257 or email boxoffice@brocku.ca
Tags: David Vivian, Emma Bulpin, Eric Frank, Josh Davidson, Kasey Dunn, Kedie McIntyre, Lauren Beaton, Madison Roca, Michael Pearson, Phèdre, The Brock News, Virginia Reh
Categories: In the Media, News
A New Spring Session course – DART 1F01: Acting for Non Majors

Sunday, February 06, 2011 | By Brock University

Are you interested in Acting, but not a Dramatic Arts Major?
OR
Are you a Primary/Junior Concurrent Education Student looking for an introductory course in Acting?
OR
Are you looking for an active, engaging Spring Intensive Course?

DART 1F01: Acting for Non Majors

Monday, May 2 – Friday, May 13, 2011
M T W TH F 9:00h – 16:30h TH 141

This course is a rigorous introduction to acting for non majors. There are no pre requisites and no restrictions.

Contact dramatic@brocku.ca for more information, ext. 5255
Brock University

DEPARTMENT OF DRAMATIC ARTS

Tags: acting, acting for non majors, DART 1F01, Dramatic Arts, new course, spring session
Categories: Announcements, News
Phèdre

Tuesday, February 01, 2011 | By Brock University
Phèdre

Written by Jean Racine
Translated by Ted Hughes
Directed by Virginia Reh
Designed by David Vivian

Feb. 17, 18, 19, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Student Matinee: Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 at 01:00 p.m.

adults $15.00
students and seniors $12.00
$5.00 matinee for Brock students and staff

The myth of Phèdre is one of the most powerful in all of classical mythology. Believing her absent husband Theseus to be dead, the Queen confesses her obsession for stepson Hippolytus, thus entering a nightmare world and spinning a tale of passion that unwinds with disastrous consequences.

Held at the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, call the Centre for the Arts Box Office, 905-688-5550, ext. 3257 for tickets.

High School teachers and Educators: A description of the play and the performance is available for download (3 mb, PDF). Subjects include: The Play, Artistic Direction, Curriculum Ties, Student Matinee Booking, Study Guide/School Outreach.

Phèdre: A Primer, is an introduction to our production, prepared by our Dramaturge and Fourth Year DART student, Spencer Smith. Included are:
1) Collaboration, 2) Play Synopsis, 3) Director’s Notes, 4) Scenographer’s Notes, 5) The Playwright: Jean-Baptiste Racine, 6) The Translator: Ted Hughes, 7) Family Tree, 8) The Myths: Theseus, Phaedra, and Hippolytus, 9) The Labyrinth of Lexicon: People and Places, 10) The Many Faces of Phaedra, 11) Dramaturge’s Notes, 12) List of Figures, 13) Bibliography.

Download your PDF copy of Phèdre: A Primer (PDF, 16.1 MB, remotely hosted)

Media:

See the article in The Brock News

Professor Virginia Reh speaks about life in theatre and the production of Phedre that was performed by students of DART in the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre in 2011. Screenshot from a video interview in the series “University People”, by BROCK TV.

Photos:
Tags: Emma Bulpin, Eric Frank, Kasey Dunn, Mainstage, Phèdre, plays
Categories: Events, Plays
8 Day ALBA Emoting workshop

Monday, January 24, 2011 | By Brock University

8 Day ALBA Emoting workshop
Dates: April 22 – 30 (with the 26th off)
Location: TH141
The workshop will be taught in four hour sessions daily, with one day off. The work is described as intimate, intense, and emotional. The workshop is limited to 12 participants.

ALBA Emoting: Alba Emoting was developed by neuroscientist Dr. Susana Bloch as a safe, purely physical alternative to emotion memory for releasing, maintaining, and controlling emotional states on stage.

Alba Emoting identifies six “basic” emotions from which all others derive. Each of the basic emotions, as well as emotional neutrality, has its own unique, identifiable set of bodily responses (“effector patterns”) which are universal to all humans. By reproducing aspects of these patterns — breathing, posture, and facial expression — an actor can experience and express genuine, organic emotion at will, without the use of memory or images.

Instructor: Professor Nancy Loitz teaches directing at Wesleyan University in Illinois. Nancy received her MFA from the University of Minnesota. Nancy studied with Susana Bloch, and is one of the only certified instructors of ALBA emoting in North America. She has taught professional actors in Zurich, Switzerland; Milan, Italy; and in Chicago.

Due to limited space, interested students are asked to apply for a space in the workshop by contacting Kasey Dunn, and explaining why you would like to take the workshop.

Contact info: kd07ws@brocku.ca

Tags: Alba emoting, ALBA Emoting workshop, Nancy Loitz, Susana Bloch
Categories: Announcements, News