News

Vershawn Young is many things: a professor in the department of Communication Arts and English Language and Literature; the director of the new Black Studies program, a program in which he led in the development; a solo performance artist, translating all of his academic work into stage productions; and a writer of books and articles.

He is now participating in the leading role of Sir Robert Chiltern, in the production of An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde at Firehall Theatre.

Every year, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) elects new cohorts for outstanding artistic, scientific and scholarly achievements. Waterloo is hosting this year's RSC 2023 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement conference in November.

Several Waterloo researchers have been nominated this year and will be joining the incoming cohorts of the RSC fellows and the new members of the RSC College. One of which is from the Communication Arts department! Professor Naila Keleta-Mae.

The Theatre and Performance program is excited to announce that Award-winning Canadian director and actor, Tanja Jacobs is directing the Fall Production, 

EVERYBODY by Black American playwright, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

EVERYBODY is a fourth wall defying contemporary adaptation of the 15th-century morality play, EVERYMAN. Jacobs-Jenkins’ secular take on the idea of morality and the journey to one’s demise is brilliantly written as a comedic adventure to the afterlife, where the protagonist, EVERYBODY, must answer to DEATH and bring a presentation of their life to GOD. EVERYBODY, terrified of completing this endeavour alone, seeks out the help of various figures in their life to accompany them into the unknown potential afterlife.

The Theatre and Performance program is excited to announce that Ontario-based multi- disciplinary theatre artist, Liza Balkan, is the director of our winter production of Mustard  by

“I love the balance of having a semester where I can study a variety of subjects that will go towards my majors and minors.”

Over the lockdown(s), the Humanities Theatre in Hagey Hall quietly changed hands from being centrally managed for all its years of operation to Faculty of Arts management. Given its location and name, many might have assumed the theatre had always lived under the administrative umbrella of Arts, but that’s not the case — until now.

Dr. Lennart Nacke, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Arts and of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Director of the HCI Games Group, was awarded $350,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in the Active and Assisted Living Program as a Canadian partner to fund EXERGETIC, a research program aiming to develop innovative digital solutions that utilize exercise games (Exergames) to improve physical and cognitive functions. EXERGETIC researchers will create exergame training experiences in an ecologically valid and safe setting for geriatric populations, called the ExerCube.

We are proud to announce that three Communication Arts department members have won awards this year.

Established in 2012 by Dean Doug Peers, the Arts Awards for Service, Teaching and Research recognize exceptional contributions made by faculty, staff and students in the Faculty of Arts. Award recipients are presented with a custom-made glass sculpture at the annual Celebration of Arts reception.

Emily Radcliffe is a third year Arts and Business student majoring in Theatre and Performance. She was one of 21 Black students chosen from more than 60 applicants across Canada who responded to CBC Arts and Obsidian Theatre's 21 Black Futures plays. 21 Black Futures showcases 63 Black Canadian actors, directors, and playwrights, all answering the question “

The transition to online learning in the last few terms has unearthed many new challenges for the Theatre and Performance program at UWaterloo. However, with challenges come opportunities to continue pushing the dynamic boundaries of theatre creation.