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Theatre

Star power

The Torch

Officially endorsed by Lucasfilm, UVic alumnus Charles Ross’s 75-minute "One-Man Star Wars Trilogy" has been performed for over a million people worldwide, including extended runs off-Broadway, in London’s West End and at the Sydney Opera House, as well as appearances on the likes of "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" and the popular "How Stuff Works" podcast.

From the Olympics to the Phoenix

The Ring

"The Drowsy Chaperone" is the biggest song-and-dance show the Phoenix has presented in well over a decade: so much so that an entire set of dance shoes were needed for the 19-person cast. On now until Nov. 24, 2018.

Mother’s nature

The Ring

Solo show by theatre alumni spotlights the ups and downs of new motherhood—running October 9–20 at the Phoenix.

Learning is at the heart of Phoenix plays

The Ring

Just like a family, Department of Theatre students know how to pull together during a time of need. While audiences watch a play for enjoyment, each Phoenix Theatre production is a hands-on learning opportunity for up to 150 students enrolled in 10 to 15 different courses. Such is the case with "Crimes of the Heart," running Feb. 15–24.

International student focuses on applied theatre

The Ring

Taiwo O. Afolabi, a UVic international PhD student from Nigeria, had travelled extensively beyond Africa before deciding to pursue his graduate studies in applied theatre with UVic theatre prof Warwick Dobson.

Momentous event in Victoria’s gay history inspires new play and course

The Ring

A new play by University of Victoria theatre professor Jennifer Wise celebrates a little-known event in Victoria's gay history. "A Queer Trial" tells the real-life story of John Butt, an openly gay man who in 1860 was acquitted of sodomy charges by two successive juries—the first jury preferring to spend a night in jail rather than convict him.

Visiting world-class artists inspire theatre students

The Ring

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Department of Theatre gave each of its students a special gift this March: a chance to work with five internationally renowned theatre experts through a weeklong series of innovative workshops.

The Phoenix at 50

The Ring

For 50 years, the theatre department and Phoenix Theatre—its public performance wing—have helped shape the development of local and national theatre by producing celebrated alumni and innovative productions. Growing from a volunteer-built, 80-seat theatre into Canada’s leading comprehensive theatre program, the Phoenix is now one of the best educational theatre facilities in the country.

Phoenix Theatre celebrates 50 years

The Ring

While the martlet is the mythical bird most associated with UVic, there is another legendary winged creature deeply tied to the university’s history: the phoenix. And this month sees the Department of Theatre and their Phoenix Theatre marking …

Stepping into the intercultural spotlight

The Ring

Most students wait until after graduation to start making their mark on the world, but Jasleen Powar already has something to sing about. Soon to graduate with a BFA in theatre, 24-year-old Powar has been making waves as Vancouver rapper Horsepowar, thanks to a trio of independent album releases, gigs at high-profile music festivals, and the kind of media attention most emerging artists only dream about.

Designing a new future

The Ring

With Summer & Smoke, Allan Stichbury takes a farewell bow from teaching After 28 years in the Department of Theatre, design professor Allan Stichbury says his favourite show continues to be whatever he’s currently working on. And while his beautiful, Mississippi-inspired set for the Phoenix Theatre production of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke (running March 10-19) is no exception to this rule, it will be his final play before retiring from UVic this spring.

Designing for the future

The Ring

Theatre MFA student Graham McMonagle dresses for theatrical success While the majority of Department of Theatre graduate students are working professionals looking to further their academic credentials, Graham McMonagle is truly exceptional. A professional dancer for 20 years and the co-founder of Victoria’s Canadian Pacific Ballet company, which operated locally from 2007 to 2014, McMonagle lacked any pre-existing bachelor’s degree—which means he had to be granted “exceptional entry” status by both Graduate Studies and Senate.

Exchange makes the world a stage

The Ring

The best way to gauge the impact of your work is always to test it in the field. For Fine Arts undergrad Clare Mathison, that meant getting out of UVic’s Phoenix Theatre and onto the world stage—in Thailand.

Prague Quadrennial 2015

The Ring

When it comes to stage design, the Prague Quadrennial is as good as it gets—and this year, a pair of Department of Theatre alumni will help represent Canada. “It’s the Venice Biennalie of stage design,” says theatre professor Allan Stichbury. “It’s the top in terms of recognizing stage design in the world.”

From Manila to Broadway

The Ring

Professional director sees MFA as stepping-stone to rest of the world Like many MFA students in the Department of Theatre, director Chari Arespacochaga came to UVic already armed with a strong resume and extensive experience in theatre. A native of the Philippines, Arespacochaga directed professionally in Manila for many years, casting big foreign stars, and touring shows across Asia. Her resume is teeming with major productions of Broadway’s best and most popular musicals including Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde, Avenue Q, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Rock of Ages.

Theatre education symposium

The Ring

Canadian drama instructors gather at UVic to make sure they're giving students far more than just their next few lines. If you’ve ever seen actors at work—on stage, on screen, on the street or on television—you’ve seen the results of the kind of pedagogy happening daily in the Department of Theatre. But now a first-of-its-kind national symposium co-organized by theatre professor Conrad Alexandrowicz is questioning and examining traditional acting methods, as it addresses what’s been described as “the crisis of actor training in Canada.”

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