Performances

The Department of Communication Arts produces a series of performances each year created by faculty, students, and visiting artists. Performances are open to the public. Please join us!

For media information, contact Janelle Rainville

Written By Joseph A. Dandurand

This play is based on an ancient fable (a story told to children, usually by their mothers or elders, to keep them safe in the world). The fable’s origins are with the Kwantlen First Nation, whose territory is in southern, interior British Columbia, in the Fraser River Valley

From the Kwantlen First Nation village of Squa’Lets comes the tale of TH'OWXIYA, an old and powerful spirit that inhabits a feast dish of tempting, full of beautiful food from around the world. Despite being surrounded by this delicious food, Th’Owxiya herself craves only the taste of children. When she catches a hungry mouse named Kw’at’el stealing a piece of cheese from her dish, she threatens to devour Kw’at’el’s whole family, unless he can bring Th’Owxiya two child spirits. Ignorant but desperate, Kw’at’el sets out on an epic journey to fulfill the spirit’s demands. With the help of Sqeweqs, two spa:th and Sasq’ets, Kw’at’el endeavours to find gifts that would appease Th’Owxiya and save his family.

ACTING

TH’OWXIYA is comprised of 6 named roles plus a chorus of 4 – 6 people.  Two roles will be filled by capstone students.  The remaining roles are open to UWaterloo students from any faculty.  Auditions will be held: 

Wednesday, September 4 from 6 – 10 p.m.  

Thursday, September 5 from 6 - 10 p.m.  

Sign up online for an audition slot.  You are to prepare a contemporary comedic monologue from a play you enjoy. Ideally the comedy should be physical.

The monologue should be memorized.  It is not mandatory, but it is welcome.

Each auditioner will have approximately fifteen minutes for their audition. The director will watch your monologue, offer some direction, and see how well you respond. Please read the play before your audition.  Copies of the play can be signed out from Janelle in ML 122 (jrainville@uwaterloo.ca)

Students who are cast in the production will be enrolled in either THPERF 306-001 or 316-001. The instructor of record / acting coach is still TBA.  Rehearsals will be Tuesdays and Thursday from 6 - 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (with a 1-hour meal break in the middle).  Class with the instructor of record will be Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.

DRAMATURGY / PUBLICITY

There is a group of students who work as dramaturgs. This position is a 0.5 credit course commitment.  Student dramaturgs will work to create context for the creative and acting teams, as well as work on audience engagement for production. It is possible to do both this position (Dramaturgy) while also acting or doing a production assignment.  You can enroll directly into THPERF 306-001 during the enrolment period.  If you have any issues, please contact Katie Honek.

The UpStart Festival is a juried student performance festival produced by the Theatre and Performance program in the Theatre of the Arts. We welcome applications from students in any program as well as from alumni. Performance projects must be original and may take any form, including but not limited to theatre, dance, movement, performance art, mixed media, and installations. Time-based projects should be no more than 40 minutes in length.

Successful student applicants will earn one (1) or two (2) THPERF course credits (0.5 or 1.0 course units) for their participation in the festival. Successful alumni applicants will give their script over to the program to produce. Ongoing involvement is not required; if you wish to continue with the script as a writer, that must be negotiated with the program. Please note that the jury will prioritize current students' proposals over alumni submissions.

Application Process:

Application Deadline: Friday, September 27, 2024, by 5 p.m. Please complete this application form. 

Application Presentations: Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts. Present your proposal to the jury, which will provide feedback and invite you to revise and resubmit by October 21, 2024. At least one member of each project must attend the full-day application event.

Prepare a 5-minute presentation summarizing your proposal, highlighting its originality and relevance to the UWaterloo audience. The jury will evaluate strengths and weaknesses based on genre, theme, central metaphor, goals, visual image, sense of place, voice, relevance to campus and community, and technical feasibility.

Important Dates:

For further information about the festival or course enrollment, please contact Janelle Rainville