Belfry Theatre - SPARK Festival 2014 Guide

MARCH 16 – 30, 2014 THE BELFRY THEATRE’S FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS AND NEW IDEAS

Festival

2014SPARKTERMINUSFIREWALLWHEN IT RAINSLITTLE ILIADwith 40 free events –readings, miniplays and much more

WWW.BELFRY.BC.CA/SPARK

featuring WHEN IT RAINSwritten and directed by Anthony Black2b theatre, Halifax

welcome to SPARKIf the Belfry produces contemporary work all year long, why do we need the SPARK Festival?

Because there is a lot of extraordinary work being created by independent theatre companies across this country, and we want audiences in Victoria to have the chance to experience some of it.

With When It Rains, 2b theatre from Halifax returns with a stunningly original and theatrical concept for presenting a compelling story of modern relationships.

Terminus is one of the most truly stunning pieces of writing I have encountered in many years. Thisproduction from Outside the March inauguratedthe Off-Mirvish series at the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto – following a hugely successful debut at the Summerworks Festival.

Little Iliad brings us two of Canada’s most talented artists in a production that uses modern technology to create a piece of exceptionally intimate theatre.And Target Theatre, one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets,presents a new work that explores the challenges of aging in our modern world.

Workshops this year are facilitated by award-winningartists James Long, Jamie Nesbitt, and Governor General’s Award nominee Meg Braem. Play readings feature Meg’s GG nominated play Blood and Emil Sher’s adaptation of The Boy in the Moon, Globe & Mail writer Ian Brown’s memoir of life with his severely challenged son. The Boy in the Moonwas co-commissioned by the Belfry and the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa.

Of course, Victoria has its fair share of “outside-the-boxers” and some of the most original have created mini plays that will surprise you with their quirkinessand amaze you with the impact they can pack into 10 short minutes.

There are lots of reasons why we need the SPARK Festival. We live on the edge of the country, and we want to stay on the cutting edge, too.

Michael ShamataArtistic Director

tickets250-385-6815 or www.belfry.bc.ca/tickets

ticket prices

TERMINUSFIREWALLWHEN IT RAINS$20

LITTLE ILIAD$15

miniplays FREE

play readingsFREE

midway party FREE

workshops $25

belfry101live $10

SPARK pass (4 vouchers) $65The best way to experience the SPARK Festival.

Student and senior discounts available on single tickets.

All ticket sales are non-refundable. GST is not included.

SPARK festival calendar

DATE TIME EVENT VENUE PRICE

SUNDAY, MARCH 16 2–5 PM WORKSHOP STUDIO A $ 25

MONDAY, MARCH 17 7 PM BLOOD: A SCIENTIFIC ROMANCE LOBBY/ READING FREE

TUESDAY, MARCH 18 8 PM TERMINUS (P) MAINSTAGE $ 20

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 7 / 7:20 / 7:40 PM MINIPLAYS BELFRY LOBBY FREE

8 PM TERMINUS (O) MAINSTAGE $ 20

8 PM FIREWALL (P) STUDIO A $ 20

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 7 / 7:20 / 7:40 PM MINIPLAYS BELFRY LOBBY FREE

8 PM TERMINUS MAINSTAGE $ 20

8 PM FIREWALL (O) STUDIO A $ 20

FRIDAY, MARCH 21 7 / 7:20 / 7:40 PM MINIPLAYS BELFRY LOBBY FREE

8 PM TERMINUS MAINSTAGE $ 20

8 PM FIREWALL STUDIO A $ 20

SATURDAY, MARCH 22 2–5 PM WORKSHOP INTREPID THEATRE CLUB $ 25

7 / 7:20 / 7:40 PM MINIPLAYS BELFRY LOBBY FREE

8 PM TERMINUS (C) MAINSTAGE $ 20

8 PM FIREWALL STUDIO A $ 20

9:30 PM MIDWAY PARTY BELFRY LOBBY FREE

SUNDAY, MARCH 23 2 PM FIREWALL (C) STUDIO A $ 20

2–5 PM WORKSHOP STUDIO B $ 25

8 PM BELFRY101 LIVE MAINSTAGE $ 10

MONDAY, MARCH 24 7 PM THE BOY IN THE MOON LOBBY/ READING FREE

TUESDAY, MARCH 25 7 PM LITTLE ILIAD (P) STUDIO A $ 15

8 PM WHEN IT RAINS (P) MAINSTAGE $ 20

8:15 PM LITTLE ILIAD (P) STUDIO A $ 15

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 7 PM LITTLE ILIAD (O) STUDIO A $ 15


8 PM WHEN IT RAINS (O) MAINSTAGE $ 20

8:15 PM LITTLE ILIAD (O) STUDIO A $ 15

THURSDAY, MARCH 27 7 PM LITTLE ILIAD STUDIO A $ 15


8 PM WHEN IT RAINS MAINSTAGE $ 20

8:15 PM LITTLE ILIAD STUDIO A $ 15

FRIDAY, MARCH 28 7 PM LITTLE ILIAD STUDIO A $ 15


8 PM WHEN IT RAINS MAINSTAGE $ 20


SATURDAY, MARCH 29 7 PM LITTLE ILIAD STUDIO A $ 15


8 PM WHEN IT RAINS (C) MAINSTAGE $ 20


SUNDAY, MARCH 30 1PM LITTLE ILIAD STUDIO A $ 15

2:15 PM LITTLE ILIAD (C) STUDIO A $ 15

(P) PREVIEW / (O) OPENING / (C) CLOSING

““play readings

MARCH 19 – 23, 2014

FIREWALLcreated under the direction of Geoffrey EwertTarget Theatre, VictoriaBelfry Incubator Project

Created and performed by Target Theatre through the Belfry Theatre’s Incubator program, Firewall is a collaboratively devised performance that investigates the role technology plays in keeping seniors connected to friends, family, and society.With a lyrical fusion of nostalgia and technology, Firewall explores both the advantages and disadvantages of the internet, social media, and virtual connections – not just for older generations, but for everyone. Does being ‘connected’ really save us from becoming isolated?

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 7pm

BLOOD: A SCIENTIFIC ROMANCEby Meg Braem

Governor General’s Award Nominee

Blood: A Scientific Romance explores love, in all its strange and sometimes disturbing forms. It’s a strikingly powerful play that pulsates with life and forces us to examine all the painful, beautiful, messy complexities of the human connection.Bad Tempered Zombie

directed by Britt Smallfeaturing R.J. Peters, Celine Stubel, Treena Stubel and Paul Terry

MONDAY, MARCH 24, 7pm

THE BOY IN THE MOONadapted by Emil Sherbased on the book by Ian Brown

Given the current glut of smug daddy blogsand cutesy mommy memoirs, it’s bracing to read a story about parenthood in which there is something so extraordinary at stake. The Walrus

A tender and haunting play that owes its beginnings to a Globe and Mail series written by Ian Brown, exploring the joy and turmoil of life with his son severely challenged son, Walker.

directed by Michael Shamatafeaturing Kelt Eccleston, Amanda Lisman,Charles Ross and Jan Wood

MARCH 19 – 22, 2014

IMPROV: A SCIENCE FICTION THRILLERIn space, sometimes you have to improvise... presented by Paper Street Theatre Co. directed by Dave Morris featuring Dave Morris, Missie Peters, Scott Thompsonand Chris Gabel

TRASH DANCE Which comes first, movement or sound?In three short pieces, a composer and a choreographer explore the limits of agarbage can. created by Brooke Maxwell(composer) and Jessica Hickman (choreo-grapher) performed by Rebecca Horvey

SHE REMAINS Forgotten in the underbelly of the theatre, She fills her home with reminders of her glittering past, and dreams of a final triumphantopening night. presented by Intrepid Theatrecreated by Heather Lindsay and Janet Munsil,written by Janet Munsil

MARCH 26 – 29, 2014

BAR MITZVAH TAPEDWith audio equipment old and new, a story is told of a stolen cassette of Brian’s Bar Mitzvah after it was sent to his sister in Africa. created and performed by Brian Linds

THE SUCCUBUS (a gothic puppet tale)Hush, little baby, don’t say a word, this 9½ footMama’s gonna bring you a big, black bird...presented by Levity Stilt Co. created and performed by Jane Bee , marionette created by Banejiiwewin

4 x 4Hop in the back seat for a ride you won’t forget. Pacific Christian Secondary School +Matthew Howe / HELL IS A TEENAGE GIRLby Rehema Ngongo performed by TimurGriffiths + Jessica Smith / O.K. by AidanDunsmuir performed by Rehema Ngongo +Braedan Ebanks / PUBLISH by Brad Kettnerperformed by Julie Benini + Caleb Stewart /ALMOST THERE by Cielene Wood performedby Brittany Raper + Joel Bergum

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MARCH 18 – 22, 2014

TERMINUSby Mark O’Rowedirected by Mitchell CushmanOutside the March Theatre Company, Toronto

hhhh (out of 4) ... a thrilling mixture of fine acting, writing, direction and design. Toronto Star Do. Not. Miss. Original, powerful, and feckin’ awesome. Glenn Sumi, NOW Magazine

Imagine a Tarantino film set to poetry. A mother with a heavy conscience races to save a near-stranger from a vicious situation.A young woman finds comfort, sex and even love in the arms of a disembodied soul. And a dangerous loner prowls the pubs, longing to belt Bette Midler for all to hear. Terminus explores thedarkness that insecurity drives us to, and the light which comes from shedding who we’ve been and accepting who we are.

workshops belfry101liveSUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2–5pm

WRITING FROM YOUR FEET: A Journey From Impulse to Structure

Led by Governor General’s Award nominated playwright Meg Braem, this workshop concen-trates on awakening impulses and emotional honesty using writing exercises, clown, butoh and authentic movement. Participants will learn how to listen both internally and externallyand, once filled with unfettered creativity and expression, will work to find the structure that best communicates these ideas into a story.

Movers and/or writers from all levels are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothing that won’t inhibit movement.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2–5pm

ILLUMINATING IMAGES: Introduction to Projection Design

Projection design is steadily becoming ubiquitous in contemporary theatre and dance. Enter into this exciting world with Jamie Nesbitt, one of Canada’s leading projection designers, as he guides you through past shows, software, and hands-on implementation of projection mapping techniques. This course is designed for all theatre artists who wish to learn more about this innovative form.

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2–5pm

TAKING THE NEXT STEP:Visioning and Strategic Planning

Looking for ways to take your theatre company to the next level? Thinking of starting a theatre company? The ability to align a business model with an artistic vision is one of the most essential skills one can develop when starting or operating a theatre company. Your business and your art should not be at odds but instead always finding ways to support each other.Join James Long, Artistic Director of Theatre Replacement, to explore strategic plans, company (re)visioning and other creative methods for developing a sustainable future for the company you’ve created – or are thinking of creating.

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 8pm

Belfry101Live is an exciting theatre event, collectively created by the remarkable high school students of our Belfry101 programme.Themes and images from the plays in the Belfry’s current season mix together with the students’ own ideas and concerns, generating an original, surprising, and always entertaining piece of theatre.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 9:30 pm A Midway Inferno – we’re celebrating our 6th Midway Party by turning up the heat. Smoking Djs, red hot miniplays, prizes for dance moves and duds, and much, much more. Do yourlittle turn on the hot coal catwalk – we’ll be burning down the house until 1:00 am. www.belfry.bc.ca/spark

MARCH 25 – 29, 2014

WHEN IT RAINSwritten and directed by Anthony Black2b theatre, Halifax

A treat for the senses that will leave you thinking about the big questions of life ... if that’s not great theatre, I don’t know what is. The Coast Weekly, Halifax Form and content feed off, and illuminate, one another… National Post

What looks like a graphic novel, makes you laugh, and breaks yourheart?

When It Rains is by turns blackly funny social satire, heartbreaking drama, and visually arresting theatrical illusion – an award-winning and internationally acclaimed production from one of Canada’s most heralded companies.

The production is an experiment in theatrical storytelling, with deliberatelychosen constraints. A computer projector is used as the only source of light, along with a few chairs and a few props. The actors, framed against ablack wall interact with projected environments. Nick Bottomley’s projectiondesign creates a visually striking, dynamic, and theatre-in-low-relief aesthetic.

Connect with us at [email protected],Twitter, tumblr, Vimeo,YouTube, LinkedIn

MARCH 25 – 30, 2014

LITTLE ILIADcreated and performed by Evan Webber & Frank Cox-O’ConnellEW&FCO, Toronto

A profound and poignant synthesis of art and war. Irish Theatre

Magazine Stimulating... Cleverly written and delightfully played and the technical realization is superb. National Post

In Little Iliad, two childhood friends, a writer and a soldier en route to Afghanistan, reconnect on Skype over a little- known fragment from the epic Trojan War Cycle. The audience listens on headphones to an intimate, disarmingly simple play, where one performer is live and the other is present through technology.

Limited to just 34 seats per show with a pair of headphones for eachaudience member, this is contemporary performance at its most topical, personal, immediate and intimate. 35 minutes.

the SPARK Festival is generously supported by

www.belfry.bc.ca/spark

tickets 250-385-6815 orwww.belfry.bc.ca/tickets

SPARK pass (4 vouchers) $ 65

The best way to experience the SPARK Festival.Here’s why:

It’s economical You save19% off single tickets.

It’s flexible See four different shows or pick one or two and bring friends.

It’s easy Get your SPARK Pass at 250-385-6815.

featuring TERMINUSby Mark O’RoweOutside the MarchTheatre Company,Toronto

Documents

Belfry Theatre - SPARK Festival 2014 Guide