ALCHEMY Festival of Student Work
March 21 - April 7, 2024
The Alchemy Festival of Student Work presents a wide range of offerings in dance, drama, music and interdisciplinary performance. Festival programming includes everything from work by senior students, representing the culmination of years of personal growth, to ‘hot-off-the-press’ productions from junior students in the early years of their creative journeys.
Alchemy is ‘an act of transmutation, a seemingly magical process for turning everyday materials into things of great worth.’ How better to capture the transformations that occur when talented students dive deep into advanced creation and performance?
Wednesday, April 3 - 6 p.m.
Thursday, April 4 - 7 p.m.
Reeve Theatre • FREE ADMISSION
The Bear
Director/Lead-Deviser: Liam Akehurst
The Bear is interdisciplinary theatre performance about grief, loss, and the human impact on the enviornment. The performance involves dance, drama, and music in a sensory experience to explore a relationship of reversal between humans and the planet. The Bear invites audiences into an abstract, emotional experience, reminding them of what they love, and engaging their empathy for the planet. More info >>
Audience Warnings: Fog/haze, and moments of loud music and sound
*Part of the Interdisciplinary Double Bill performances
Sightlessly Connected
Directed by Siena Yee & Jo Dickau-Duguay
Sightlessly Connected is about 2 students who were tasked with a partner project, but choose not to collaborate/work on the project because they are too addicted to playing video games. Suddenly, they find themselves in the midst of a game, which they later realize is the game they have been playing. Both students must now try and defeat the game in order to come back to reality. This performance explores the theme of connections, relationships, and working through the barrier that screens create. This is seen through the 2 characters in this performance, who are dancing blindfolded, in an effort to form a connection with one another. More info >>
Audience Warnings: Fog/haze, flashes of light
*Part of the Interdisciplinary Double Bill performances
Friday, April 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 6 - 7:30 p.m.
University Theatre • $14/$11
Dance@Night
Directed by Marie France Forcier
Dance@Night presents the choreographic and directorial work of senior level Dance Majors in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at UCalgary.
Audience Advisory: Stage fog/haze, Mature Content, Language
Saturday, March 23 - 5 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Monday, March 25 - 8 p.m.
Reeve Theatre • $14/$11
Illegal Entry
A play by Clem Martini
Laurel Lepine, Director
Kevin Sandal, Assistant Director
John Knight, Stage Fight Choreographer
Illegal Entry revolves around three teenagers who escape from a group home for young offenders with the intention of heading to the west coast in search of freedom. To fund their noble endeavor, they decide to burglarize houses. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they find themselves trapped in a garage during their first break-in.
Audience Advisory: Strong language, underage drinking & drug use, violence, sexual themes, haze/strobe lights
Wednesday, March 27 - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 28 - 6:30 p.m.
Reeve Theatre • FREE ADMISSION
Amapiano meets Shakespeare
Directed by Steven Conde & Eruvwu Arido.M
Amapiano meets Shakespeare in an intercultural love story that celebrates the fusion of Afrobeats music with Shakespearean themes, while also delving into my personal exploration of both my affinity and aversion towards Shakespeare's tales. It's more than just a blend of sounds and stories; it's a thrilling journey through music, romance, and the complexities of my relationship with Shakespeare's works. More info >>
Audience Advisory: Loud music and changing lights
*Part of the Triple Bill performances
Wednesday, March 27 - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 28 - 6:30 p.m.
Reeve Theatre • FREE ADMISSION
Danza De Los Viejitos
Directed/Adapted by Iván Guevara Garcia
Get ready for some Mexican theatre, as we adapt a Danza De Los Viejitos traditional dance into a full mask show! This performance is a celebration of life through a love story. It is a reminder that it's never too late to find love, and that our youthfulness is not defined by age.
Audience Advisory: Sound and light
*Part of the Triple Bill performances
Wednesday, March 27 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 28 - 7 p.m.
Reeve Theatre • FREE ADMISSION
Final Chorus
Directed by Andy Roy
This narrative explores the themes of camaraderie, humanity, and the impact of war on individuals. The story unfolds in a dilapidated castle, serving as a makeshift outpost for a group of weary soldiers. In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty of war, the squad finds safety to warm by the fire and take time to try and rest before the upcoming battle.
Audience Advisory: There is a song the actors sing, if you know it, please join in!
*Part of the Triple Bill performances
Friday, April 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7 – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Motel Theatre, Arts Commons • $20/$10
Magnetic Bodies
Directed by Bianca Miranda and Clare Preuss
Imagine a body producing a magnetic field - invisible and powerful. How can we, as magnetic beings co-exist in a polarized society? Attraction, repulsion and their sphere of influence will be explored in this dynamic series of new works by UCalgary Drama students in collaboration with Downstage Theatre.
Audience Advisory: TBC
Co-Production with Downstage Theatre
Thursday, March 21 - 7 p.m.
Friday, March 22 - 7 p.m.
University Theatre • FREE ADMISSION
The Book of Joan, A new Musical
Staged Reading
Directed by Vanessa Porteous
Musical Director: Joe Slabe
By Grant Tilly
For their inaugural production, a Christian University’s drama department has hired a group of local theatre professionals to work with their students in creating a musical adaptation of The Book of Job. As rehearsals progress, it seems the theatre professionals might have their own agenda with the production...
Full length musical, runs approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes plus intermission.
Audience Advisory: Mature themes and language, 18+
Friday, April 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 6 - 6:30 p.m.
Reeve Theatre • FREE ADMISSION
Talking to Your Kids About Guns!
Directed by Jacqueline Russell
In the wake of a school shooting, a gun-loving seminar on addressing student fears has two opposed student volunteers who lost their best friends: Ana’s was a victim, Kyle’s was the shooter. As Ana fears Kyle will commit a copycat event, she reroutes the seminar by stealing the instructor’s pistol and holding him hostage.
Audience Advisory: Gun-related violence, school shootings and strong language. A brief flash of light. Recommended for ages 16+
Thursday, March 21 - 8 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • $14/$11
UCalgary Orchestra
Directed by Edmond Agopian
Join the UCalgary Orchestra for an unforgettable evening of symphonic inspiration as they present Shostakovich’s 10th symphony.
Friday, March 22 - 8 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • $14/$11/$10
University Chorus
Directed by Kathryn Parrotta
Join the UCalgary Chorus for an evening of choral works. The UCalgary Chorus is our largest choir and provides an opportunity for all university students, staff, faculty, and community members to be involved in a choral experience. With approximately 85 singers, the Chorus performs a variety of music including Classical, Folk, Contemporary Choral, World, Pop, and a cappella.
Monday, March 25 - 8 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • $14/$11
Brass Ensemble
Directed by Gareth Jones
Established in 2003 by Gareth Jones, the ensemble is comprised of the top brass UCalgary students (trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba), as well as alumni of the program. The repertoire ranges from Renaissance works to modern-day masterpieces.
Tuesday, March 26 - 7:30 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • $14/$11/$10
Jazz Orchestra
Directed by Jeremy Brown
The UCalgary Jazz Orchestra combines dynamic performance, impeccable musicianship, and a burning passion for jazz that is truly infectious. The ensemble will perform a variety of compositions that showcase the students’ talents within the orchestra as soloists. The UCalgary Jazz Orchestra has performed with well-known international jazz artists as part of the UCalgary Monday Night Jazz Series, including Maria Schneider, Michael Blake, Jeff Jarvis, Charles Pillow, Jodi Proznik, Bob Sheppherd, Brad Turner and PJ Perry.
Wednesday, March 27 - 12 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • FREE ADMISSION
Chamber Music Ensemble
Directed by Edmond Agopian
The Chamber Music Program at the University of Calgary offers a rich and varied experience for qualified performers regardless of instrument. Graduate and undergraduate performers collaborate to perform on-campus and in the community. There are several chamber ensembles that are off-shoots of this program including percussion, guitar, and brass choir.
Wednesday, March 27 - 8 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • $14/$11
Guitar Ensemble
Directed by Ralph Maier
The UCalgary Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of Ralph Maier, delivers music that spans from classical to contemporary genres. With a repertoire covering centuries of music, this dynamic groups of student musicians showcase their technical skill and emotional depth through captivating solos and powerful group collaborations.
Thursday, March 28 - 8 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • $14/$11/$10
Symphonic Band
Wednesday, April 3 - 7:30 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • FREE ADMISSION
Jazz Combos
The Chamber Music Program at the University of Calgary offers a rich and varied experience for qualified performers regardless of instrument. Graduate and undergraduate performers collaborate to perform on-campus and in the community. There are several chamber ensembles that are off-shoots of this program including percussion, guitar, brass choir and jazz combos.
Thursday, April 4 - 8 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • $14/$11/$10
Wind Ensemble
Directed by Gareth Jones
Experience the vibrant sounds of the UCalgary Wind Ensemble! With a mix of classical and contemporary compositions, our talented students deliver dynamic performances that push the boundaries of wind music.
Saturday, April 6 - 4:15 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre • $14/$11
Land’s End Presents: EKPHRASIS
Featuring the world premieres of new works by students of the Composition Program. A select group are given the opportunity to collaborate with Land's End Ensemble on the creation of new works to gain skills that are critical to their creative growth. The participants of this season’s Student Composers’ Program are Katie Levinson, Liezel Kruger, Peter Stambene, and Jon Halverson. In addition, in collaboration with the Glenbow Museum, we present a special performance of "A Sybil Andrews Portrait" - three works composed by Juno Award-winning composers Jocelyn Morlock, Alexina Louie, and Allan Gordon Bell, inspired by Ms. Andrews' paintings.