Four times the reasons to go see a play
To see a play move off the page and onto the stage in front of an audience for the first time, that’s a particularly exciting theatrical event. Take that drama and multiply it by four times and you’ve got the University of Alberta Department of Drama’s New Works Festival 2016, opening tonight in the Timms’ Second Playing Space, running until Feb. 7.
This student theatre festival mounts four new plays written and produced by emerging artists, essentially quadrupling your reasons to go see a play.
Reason 14/50 to go see a play: Princess Bear by Julian Stamer
Showing nightly Feb. 2, 4 and 6 at 8 p.m.
Matinee Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.
Second Playing Space, Timms Centre for the Arts
Queen Grimhilde and King Gallant have 13 beautiful daughters, each more beautiful than the last, and they have been busy at work marrying them all off. But when a Spanish Prince arrives demanding to marry one of their daughters or Spain will invade with their Armada, it is then that Gallant and Grimhilde realize they are out of daughters and the only thing they can pass off as a potential bride is a bear. In order to save their country, they must convince the Spanish Prince that this bear is a Princess in a tale of love, intrigue and bears.
Reason 15/50 to go see a play: Raine by Cheryl Vandergraff
Showing nightly Feb. 2, 4 and 6 at 8 p.m.
Matinee Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.
Second Playing Space, Timms Centre for the Arts
In every deeply committed relationship there comes a moment there comes a moment when one has to decide whether or not to divulge their closely held secrets and unmask their vulnerability. Raine is the story of a sceptic named Lucy, a young and sarcastic patron of a coffee shop in Calgary. When her initial attempt at brushing off a new customer fails, she must choose between keeping this new acquaintance, Max, at arms length, or welcoming the friendship and emotional support that he offers. With the help and often unsolicited advice of Joe, the saucy barista, Lucy and Max struggle to reveal and explore each other’s troubled pasts.
Reason 16/50 to go see a play: Maps to the Stars by Jessica Glover
Showing nightly Feb. 3, 5, and 7 at 8 p.m.
Matinee Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.
Second Playing Space, Timms Centre for the Arts
James is a struggling actor. Sarah sells tacky souvenirs on Hollywood Boulevard. They’ve found a sure-fire way to fast-track their careers, and things are going to get bloody. Watch your back, Matt Damon.
Reason 17/50 to go see a play: The Wolves by Ashleigh Hicks
Showing nightly Feb. 3, 5, and 7 at 8 p.m.
Matinee Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.
Second Playing Space, Timms Centre for the Arts
In a highly advanced civilization, ruled by a totalitarian government, we are introduced to two separate species: the humans, considered the societal norm and the Others, a humanoid population suffering from an infection which causes them to display extreme aggression, a highly territorial nature and an incapability for speech.
The play examines a clinical testing facility and the experimentation that goes on within. We watch the daily interactions between Dr. Monaghan, the head researcher, her young and hopefully assistant Poppy and the military workers who assist in capturing specimens, as they perform their biological and behavioural analyses.
The Wolves asks the audience to ponder a very important question: what makes us human?
Feature photo of playwrights left to right: Jessica Glover, Cheryl Vandergraff, Julian Stamer, Ashleigh Hicks
photo credit: Kelsi Kalmer
About New Works Festival
Launched in 2000, the New Works Festival allows budding playwrights at the U of A to connect and develop their work with directors, dramaturges, designers, actors and a lively audience. Think of New Works as a prequel to Next Fest, a place where U of A creative relationships are often first formed; where future work is incubated in a dynamic, living, breathing theatre lab.
Tickets are $10 for students and seniors, and $15 for adults, available through Tix on the Square and at the door, 30 minutes before each night at the door (cash only).
Previous articleQ & A with Dream designer Alison YanotaNext article
Curious Arts featured on Seen and Heard