A new generation of playwrights and directors are busily crafting a one-week explosion of live theatre at Trinity Western University. SAMC Theatre’s New Generations is a “fast, furious, funny play festival” running January 28 – February 1, with three brand new shows playing back-to-back every night.
“New Generations is ‘grassroots creation’ at its best, and for the first time in several years, every play in our 2014 festival is an original, student-written script,” says Angela Konrad, SAMC Theatre Chair. “Tickets for New Generations are always in high demand, because of the unique opportunity to be part of something so fresh and intimate. It’s a treat for our audiences to witness stories told for the very first time, with all the creative energy of tomorrow’s powerhouse arts professionals.”
The Escaper’s Song, a comedy by Jessica Walters, takes the audience into the wilderness of a small town. Four young adults are at a crossroads – how much would they sacrifice to escape the drudgery of everyday life? A missing person returns to tell the tale of the exotic new worlds he discovered, inviting a few of the town’s restless dreamers to join him in a secret escape. Featuring Alice Best, Mackenzie Cameron, Alec Gloanec, and Keenan Marchand, under the direction of Charissa Hurt.
Here, by Erik deLange, blends poignant drama with fantasy in a refreshing journey of hope in the face of loss. A young couple’s grief dissolves into a dream world of love made new, memories made beautiful, and a magical forest “where the wild things are.” Amy Dauer directs Graham Boldt, Emily Herbison, Rena Iwasaki, Jordan Klassen, Esther Owobowale, and Sam Ravensbergen.
Feminist Fan Club, by Dillon Dean James, is a no-holds-barred comedy with plenty of sass. Armed with gluten-free cookies and very different ideas of what feminism should look like, an unlikely troupe of students gathers to solve the world’s problems…from the sublime to the ridiculous. Directed by Matthew Wigmore, with actors Graeme Geddes, Amara Gelaude, and Rachael Norman.
With the imaginative design of TWU alumna Lora-Lynne Hanley, three different worlds come to light before the audience’s eyes.
New Generations plays one week only at the School of the Arts, Media + Culture from January 28 – February 1 at 7:30pm with a 2:00pm Saturday matinee. Tickets from $8 – $15 with special Tuesday/matinee discounts. For tickets and information, visit www.twu.ca/theatre or call 604.513.2121 extension 3872. For sponsorship and advertising opportunities, email Diana.Squires@twu.ca.