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.

Send applications to Janelle Rainville (jrainville@uwaterloo.ca)
The UpStart Festival is a one-act play festival produced by the Theatre and Performance program. All three plays are new works supported by faculty and staff and are written, directed, designed, performed, and led by students, alumni, and visiting artists.

Performance Projects must be Original and may Include:

• Theatre
• Performance Art
• Installations
• Augmented Reality Experiences
• And More!

Successful student applications can earn credits for THPERF courses!

Submit your Application Form in the fall along with supporting documentation!

Examples Include:

• Complete draft of a new play
• Detailed description & ground plan for installation
• Video of performance art piece
• Detailed creation plan for a collaboratively devised performance piece
• Detailed project plan for augmented reality event