Power, love, religion: the forces at play in Concordia’s 2014-2015 theatre season

Experiential learning

Concordia’s take on Angels in America: Millennium Approaches is directed by Amanda Kellock, an actor, director, writer and teacher with a BFA in Theatre and Development from Concordia, and an MFA in Directing from the University of Ottawa.

The production involves more than 30 students. Roughly half those have onstage roles; the others are working behind the scenes.

“The emphasis is on experiential learning,” says Boucher. “Students seeking careers in theatre need to know what's involved in producing. Our students are aware of costs. The learning experience is huge, it's a very good part of our program."

He singles out set designer Clara Gonzalez, explaining she lived up to the challenge of amalgamating the play's many scenes into one unique set.

Theatre performance major Harper Duffy, one of two assistant directors for Millennium Approaches, relishes the department’s approach to learning.

She praises director Kellock, a Concordia faculty member well known for, among other accomplishments, her work with Repercussion Theatre's Shakespeare-in-the-Park series.

"She really allows us to be hands-on," Duffy says. "That's great. With a lot of directors, the assistants just sit. She really trusts us."

Duffy continues: “The whole program "is very 'sink or swim' — if you're driven, you can get a lot out of it and that's what the industry is like."

Saints and martyrs

The 2014-2015 season’s other two productions also examine the role of religion in society — a topic highly appropriate for Montreal right now, according to Boucher.

"The Charter of Values crisis in Quebec really touched the students and the whole population,” he says. “It's good to look at the whole question of religion and power."

In February, the curtain goes up for a cycle of three plays from U.S. playwright Erik Ehn. His Saint Cycle is loosely based on the suffering and martyrdom of Roman Catholic saints.

Next, in April, comes Antigone by Sophocles, which also explores the collision of power, religion and individualism.

“We think it’s right to send people out of the theatre with things to talk about,” Boucher says.

Angels in America: Millennium Approaches runs from November 26 to December 1, 2014 at the D.B. Clarke Theatre (1455 De Maisonneuve W.) on the Sir George Williams Campus. Tickets cost $10 ($5 for students and seniors).

Find out more about Angels in America at Concordia.