Land Acknowledgment
The Cultch acknowledges that it is on unceded territories belonging to the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Up in the Air Theatre presents
rEvolver
May 22-June 4, 2024
Welcome to rEvolver Festival 2024. Our festival takes place on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories.
This year’s festival celebrates the privilege and power of creating amidst adversity. Artguides us through challenging times, preserving memories and inspiring change. Our festival explores the strength of the human spirit, questions societal norms, celebrates neurodiversity, and evokes the joy of hope. Through diverse mediums, the artists share perseverance, courage, and the indomitable will to overcome. We lift storytellers who bravely navigate the lifelong complexities of the human experience, from birth to old age, amplifying voices often unheard and marginalized. Our exhibition is a celebration of diversity, including explorations of sexuality and gender identity.
We proudly showcase the unique perspectives of neurodivergent individuals, providing access, fostering understanding and empathy. Amidst the turmoil we face in our shared world, we offer glimpses of a brighter tomorrow, reminding audiences of the transformative power of hope. We invite you to join us on a journey of reflection, connection, and celebration—a testament to the enduring beauty of the human spirit.
Under the leadership of David Mott, Upintheair Theatre has been producing original and provocative theatre in Vancouver since 2000.
Since 2000, Upintheair has created and produced new plays including Inside the Seed, Wedgie, 120bpm, The North Plan, and The City and The City and REVELATIONS. We presented the Walking Fish Festival from 2003 until 2010. Keep your eye out for DEAD DRONE, our Collaborative Commission Project in 2024.
Our Mission: We are a go-to company for audiences that want to experience the next generation of performing artists and their work. Upintheair explores issues and ideas examining the contemporary world around us. With a keen eye on the immediate future, we foster possible futures by producing theatrical works of speculative fiction and by supporting the next live performance generation – those who see it, those who make it, and those who do it.
Website: www.upintheairtheatre.com
Mon-Fri: 12-6pm
Sat: 12-4pm
Sun: Closed
Open 1 hour prior to every show
- Festival Passes
3 Show
Pass
6 Show
Pass
All Access Pass
touring Pass
revolver
mainstage shows - Historic Theatre
African Friendship Soc
The African Dream
A testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.
MAY 25–26 | HISTORIC THEATRE
- 70 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 25 – 8pm
May 26 – 5pm
About
“The African Dream” is a powerful and inspiring performance that tells the story of a young man growing up in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi people in Rwanda. The blend of African dance styles, including Rwanda’s traditional dance and African street dance, along with text and storytelling, creates a multi-dimensional experience that explores themes of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of art.
Artists
Isaac Gasangwa – Afrobeats Van
Isaac Gasangwa – Artistic Director/Choreographer
Lys K. Gasangwa – Stage Manager
Ariane Gaboury – Captain
Mario Matias – Co-Captain
Eugenia Vasquez – Dancer
Taylor McKee – Dancer
Shania Prasad – Dancer
Hélène Ferreira – Dancer
Tomi Olugofeku – Dancer
Theresa – Dancer
Margarita – Dancer
Reviews
Sold out show at Scotiabank Dance Centre – Sept 2023
Winner: Pinnacle Impact award at BVAN 2024
‘’Educational and inspirational’’ – Kenny 2023
‘’Thank you for sharing your culture’’ – Kanda 2023
‘’Africa to the world’’ – Kate 2023
By Jarred Stephen Meek
Why Now Theatre Collective
A Life Sentence
How do you want to be remembered?
MAY 23-26 | HISTORIC THEATRE
- 65 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 23 – 8:55pm
May 24 – 6:55pm (Talkback)
May 26 – 8:25pm
About
Grappling with the trauma of childhood abuse and the pressure of a life changing investigation, Gwen risks everything for the possibility of justice. Spanning 3 decades from the 70s through the 90s, and yet resonant in the wake of #MeToo, A Life Sentence is a British Columbian story of real lived experiences and verbatim transcripts.
Artists
Jarred Stephen Meek – Playwright, Producer, Co-Director, JOEY/MR. MILLER
Jessie Liang – Co-Director
Alina Blackett – Producer, GWEN
Logan Fenske – JOHN
Stephanie Elgersma – BETTY
Sabrina Banks – PATRICIA
Tristen Foy (*TBC*) – MIKEY/ L.L. VAN DE BEEK
Jimmy JinPyo Hong – PETER/BENJAMIN
Sofie Kane – LISA
Stage Manager TBD
Dramaturgy by Aaron Bushkowsky and Amiel Gladstone
Reviews
“…a vibrantly navigated story of darkness… an uncomfortable watch, but a necessary one.” -Stir Vancouver
“…an incredibly moving experience… It had my blood pumping and my eyes tearing up throughout. The performances coupled with the skillful direction of such a delicate subject matter blew me away.” -Vancouver Fringe Patron, Canadian Fringe Reviews
“Deeply moving play, skillfully crafted like an intricate jigsaw…”-Vancouver Fringe Patron, Canadian Fringe Reviews
By Nathania Bernabe and Jackie T. Hanlin
Affair of Honor
Multi – Vs
Would you like to play again?
May 22-25 | THE HISTORIC THEATRE
- 65 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 22 – 6:40pm
May 24 – 9:20pm (Talkback)
May 25 – 2:10pm
About
When two strangers get trapped in the multiverse and their lives hang in the balance, they must work together to find a way out.
Multi-Vs is a fast paced, funny and heart wrenching ride that explores the human condition, our relationship with technology and each other.
“The fighting is so kinetic and spectacular you’ll occasionally wonder if that last slash or throw was meant to hit so hard.” -Edmonton Journal 2023
Artists
Nathania Bernabe – Writer, Producer, Co-Director, Fight Director, Actor
Jackie T Hanlin – Writer, Producer, Co-Director, Fight Director, Actor
Shila Amin – Lighting Design, Stage Manager
Shona Struthers – Sound Design, Technical Director
Heidi Damayo – Dramaturgy
Jonothan Kim – Lighting Consultant
Steve Schwartz – Promotional Video and Images
April MacKillins – Acting Coach, Poster Design, Production Stills
Matthew Rhodes – Producer
Daniel Levinson – Story and Fight Consultant
Sylvie La Riviere – Additional Smallsword Fight Choreography and Fight Choreography
Reviews
“The fighting is so kinetic and spectacular you’ll occasionally wonder if that last slash or throw was meant to hit so hard.” – Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal 2023
“Flipping through one-on-one fighting scenarios with some impressively adept choreography, Nathania Bernabe and Jackie T. Hanlin put on one of the most action-packed performances ever witnessed around here”- Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal 2023
“Vancouver-based Affair of Honor describes itself as a “fight and movement-based theatre and performance company,” and these actors have serious skills — fencing, sparring and wrestling around the stage convincingly during their numerous conflicts. As smooth as the fight choreography is, the production is equally committed to strong acting, along with a bold message about society’s expectations of women.” – Janet French, Edmonton Journal 2018
By Jami Reimer
Soft tongues: a bioacoustic opera
One act of swampy, speculative, herpetology for solo soprano, chorus, and field recordings
MAY 25–26 | HISTORIC THEATRE
- 65 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 22 – 8:45 PM
May 23 – 6:30 PM Talkback
May 25 – 4:30 PM
About
The tongue of the frog is of the softest known biological materials on this planet. It is this softness that yields the stickiness needed to pluck a fly from mid air, slough skin in perpetual acts of self-consumption, and stretch voice in promulgating chorusing networks.
Joined by bioacousticians, Jami’s field recorder, and an amphibious choir, this work invites full swamp submersion as we listen episodically through the shapeshifting life (and afterlife) cycle of the frog.
Speak in tongues! Breath through your skin! Inherit the earth!
Artists
Direction, composition and performance: Jami Reimer
Artistic collaboration and performance: Czarina Agustines, Sara van Gaalen, Eve Middleton-Meyer, Lauren Han, Ruby Maher
Scientist voices: Joelma Prado, Joao Pedro, Jeanie Soula, Felipe Silva
Lighting and video design: Alexandra Caprara
Video Editing: Jami Reimer, Mena El Shazly, and Kaila Bhullar
Stage Manager: Bernice Paet
Assistant Stage Manager: Maddy Woodly
Costumes and styling: Jami Reimer
Cast
Extant frog voices:
Dendroposophous minutos, Dendroposophous nanos, Boana faber, Boana albopunctata, Adenomera marmorata
Recorded by Jami Reimer in Atlantic Forest, Brazil with the support of Joelma Prado, Joao Pedro, and Jeanie Soula
Extinct frogs – may they rest in peace
Ischnocnema garcia, Holoaden barde, Rhinella casconi, Boana cymbalum, Hylodes magalhaesi, Physalaemus soaresi, Pithecopus rusticus, Chiasmocleis alagoana
Accessed via the Fonoteca Neotropical Jacques Viellard with the archival support of Simone Dena and Felipe Toledo, and heard in the final section of the work
Reviews
“Ambient sounds fade and shift, transforming into more distinctly musical configurations, at times verging on orchestral. Reimer leads us from brittle grass at the edge of a marsh — drum machine scuttling — through a forest, to the symphony. Further into the composition an ethereal, syrupy voice emerges, circling the audio-scape like an auditory apparition.” Ryley O’Byrne, 2023, Reissue Pub.
Jami is the winner of the 2023 Robert Fleming Prize for composition from Canada Council of the Arts
revolver
mainstage shows - Culture Lab
By Sarah Hin Ching U
Silent Howl
A celebration of beauty in neurodiversity – from Sarah’s living experience with a seizure disorder
MAY 29-30 | CULTURE LAB
- 30 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 29 – 6:30pm (Talkback)
May 30 – 6:10pm
About
Silent Howl is a performance that features visual representation of imagined brain activities through Sarah’s practice of refocus therapy, a tool she uses to conquer overstimulation. While I am exhausted of having to advocate for myself constantly in the extremely physically demanding dance world, I find my condition a “gift” at certain times. As I can notice nuances in the blend everyday life, and to feel every experience deeply, fully, and passionately. This work serves as a testament to the profound strength found in embracing one’s differences.
Artists
Sarah Hin Ching U – choreographer/performer
Alexandra Caprara – video designer
Jackson Adrian – sound composer
Reviews
“The dancer’s body was beautifully integrated with the animation by Alexandra, and both were in tune with Jack Adrian’s spare jazzy soundscape.” – Kaija Pepper, Dance International 2023
Recipient of Professional Performing Artist Award from British Columbia Arts Council, 2022
By Lauren Brady
HEYwire Theatre
@interWEBBED
Will you survive this new world or get consumed?
MAY 22-25 | CULTURE LAB
- 65 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 22 – 7pm
May 23 – 9:25pm (Talkback)
May 25 – 8:55pm
About
Welcome to @interWEBBED a fantastical digital space where you can make friends, become an influencer, and cancel all the haters. Will you survive this new world or get consumed? Enter at your own risk…
Special thanks to Mump & Smoot, Karen Hines, Canada Council, and Edmonton Arts Council.
Artists
Creator & Performer – Lauren Brady
Stage Manager – Claire Sonmor
Director – Micheal Kennard
Coach – Karen Hines
Clunic Consult – Alex Ariate
Sound Designer – Autumn Strom
Dramaturge – Paige Louter
Set – Rebbeca Cypher & Scott McCurdy
Special thanks to April Zabos, Brayden Blackwell, and John Turner
Reviews
5/5 Stars – “Lauren Brady of @interWEBBED a huge talent” – Liane Faulder – Edmonton Journal
“Spot of comedy… Must see show” – Stephine Wobensmith – APT613
“Poignant and richly realized” – Luke Brown – Intermission Magazine
“Surreal and engaging” – Jill Pearce – Ottawa Festival Review
By Hilary Fillier
BadPuss Productions
ParaNorma PI
We go to Hell and back to solve your case . . . literally
MAY 31-JUNE 2 | CULTURE LAB
- 65 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 31 – 5:00pm
June 1 – 7:45pm
June 2 – 7:35pm
About
ParaNorma PI will go to Hell and back to solve your case . . . literally.
In this award winning seminar, ParaNorma demonstrates her peculiar ability to channel otherworldly witnesses to crack open a spine-chilling case. A captivating blend of humour and the supernatural, ParaNorma PI offers a unique experience for fans of the paranormal and comedy enthusiasts alike! Dare to join ParaNorma to be transported to a world where even the most formidable demons can be conquered with the help of a trusty Unicorn Bubble Gun.
Artists
Hilary Fillier – Actor, Playwright, Producer
Andrew Wade – Stage Manager
Reviews
Winner: Artistic Risk Award, Vancouver Fringe 2024
“Fillier outdoes herself (literally) in this one-woman show; think Kate McKinnon meets “Supernatural” meets burlesque.” – Audience Review
“This show delivered the laughs I was expecting but also so much more – more weird, more sexy and more spooky.” – Audience Review
“I had no idea what would happen next, it was thrilling and entrancing!” – Audience Review
“I can’t say I was expecting there to be nipple tassels.” – Audience Review
“Such a cleverly written, entertaining and engaging show!” – Audience Review
“ParaNorma PI is a must see.” – Audience Review
“Top 3 shows I saw at Fringe!!” – Audience Review
“5 stars!!” – Audience Review
By Olympia Tomasta
Cloaks
A joyful ode to heritage and hope.
MAY 22, 25 & 26 | CULTURE LAB
- 55 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 22 – 9:05pm
May 25 – 6:50pm
May 26 – 6:45pm
About
Deriving inspiration from Czech and Slovak folktales and traditions Cloaks is an emotionally moving performance brought forth through motion, sound-scapes, projection, hand stitched costuming and storytelling. Through a kenspeckle kaleidoscope of images and sound, Cloaks fights for answers in a world full of questions. How does our ancestry become a part of what we make? What is the result of reconnecting with culture through a creative lens? How does representation of one’s culture in creative endeavors help to reconnect and heal? Cloaks is a beautiful reflection on the creation process and a joyful ode to heritage and hope.
Artists
Olympia Tomasta – Director, Animator, Creator and Performer (Dark Sewn Cloak)
Wenwei Zhou – Stage Manager
Stephen Hass – Performer (Dark Knit Cloak)
Mary Flannigan – Performer (Blue Knit Cloak)
Katie Schram – Performer (Pink Knit Cloak)
Avery Chapman – Performer (Red Knit Cloak) and Pre-recorded Audio Performer (Boyislav)
Tate Chernen – Pre-recorded Audio Performer (Horse)
Lorraine Lynn – Painter ICONITO – Music
By Tony Adams
tony wrestles a stranger
A very public display of daddy issues
MAY 23, 24 & 26 | CULTURE LAB
- 75 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 23 – 7pm
May 24 – 8:05pm (talkback)
May 26 – 8:45pm
About
tony wrestles a stranger is a surreal family reunion that is like a hot dog eating contest meets an MFA thesis project. Through physical challenges like 15 minutes of burpees or eating a pack of hotdogs, tony explores and interrogates their various axis’ of identity in a performance that is visceral and tender. All crafted so that tony and their dad, who hopefully shows up, can finally have some father-kid moments they have missed out on. This is a very deliberate display of daddy issues.
Artists
Tony Adams – Creator / Performer / Producer
Cory Thibert – Director / Creative Contributor /Stage Manager
Nicole Malcolm – Dramaturge / Lighting Designer
Dave Morris – Directorial Consultant
Geoff Malcolm – Fight Director
Reviews
Winner Outstanding Ensemble Performance – Ottawa Fringe 2016
Winner Outstanding Duo Performance – Ottawa Fringe 2012
CBC 4 STARS – Happiness™ 2016
Winnipeg Free Press 4 AND A HALF STARS – Happiness™ 2016
Winnipeg Free Press 5 STARS – GARY 2016
“Adams… delivers high-energy, spot-on performance” – Joff Schmidt, CBC 2016
Translated from Le Chant de Georges Boivin by Martin Bellemare Translated by Jack Paterson with Johanna Nutter
The Ballad of Georges Boivin
“…a theatrical road-movie brimming with vulnerability… Even after great loss, love is possible.” – Alix Forgeot, L-Express.ca
MAY 25-26 | CULTURE LAB
- 95 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 25 @ 3:30 PM Talkback May 26 @ 3:30 PM
About
At 77, Georges Boivin “gives the dice a roll”. Georges just lost his wife, you see, the “centre of his universe”. But there is life after 70 and it must continue even after great loss. With his three friends, all older than he, he sets out on road trip from Québec to Vancouver, in search of his first love who he hasn’t seen in 50 years.
Artists
Featuring Allan Morgan as Georges Assistant
Lighting Designer: Chengyan Boon
Lighting Designer: John Webber
Sound Designer: Stephen Bulat
Video & Video Systems Design: Joel Grinke & Vanka Salim
Set Designer: Glenn Macdonald
Assistant Director: Hannah Siden
Director: Jack Paterson Assistant Director: Hannah Siden
Senior’s Access Consultant: Dr. Julia Henderson
By Cole Hayley
Scaredy Cat Theatre
Plays for the End of the World
not a premonition of what’s to come, but an offering to where we have already arrived
MAY 30-JUNE 1 | CULTURE LAB
- 65 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 30 – 7:40 PM
May 31 – 9:30 PM (Talkback)
June 1 – 4:45 PM
About
Plays for the End of the World is an exploration of all the apocalypses we face on a daily basis. It’s a collection of short plays that span the heartbreaking removal of a beloved office watercooler, to the deliberations of a group of scientists over what time to set the Doomsday Clock. Funny at times, infuriating at others – Plays for the End of the World is, despite it’s name, a search for what’s next.
Artists
Scaredy Cat Theatre Company
Cole Hayley (Writer / Co-Artistic Director SCT)
Chelsea Dab Hilke (Director / Co-Artistic Director SCT)
Anna Morreale (Performer / Artistic Producer SCT)
Brandon Lee Carabin (Performer)
Grace Vukovic (Performer)
Jared Wonago (Performer)
Sophie-Thérèse Stone-Richards (Performer)
Henry Beasley (Composition & Sound Design)
Andrea McMillan (Stage Manager & Lighting Design)
Jillian Burke (Props Head/ASM)
Reviews
“A fantastic example of plays not needing to be long to be excellent theatre … a great compilation of short pieces that hit hard in all the best ways… three performers incredibly well synched up—captivating the audience…truly wonderful physicality… In all, this show has all the substance I craved… Plays for the End of the World was a really fantastic example of quality over quantity” – Julia Bueneman, Apartment613
Winner: RBC Emerging Playwright Award for Cole Hayley
By Joylyn Secunda, David Secunda
Mycelium Theatre
The Routine
Escape the rat race one laugh at a time.
MAY 31-JUNE 2 | CULTURE LAB
- 50 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 31 – 6:55 PM
June 1 – 10:00 PM (Talkback)
June 2 – 5:15 PM
About
Death of a Salesman meets Mr Bean in Joylyn Secunda’s solo physical comedy The Routine. Join a lonely office worker on their quest for connection and fulfillment. The mundane becomes the extraordinary as each vignette and dance takes you deeper into a whimsical world of illusion. The Routine will leave you in stitches and remind you of the magic within.
Artists
Joylyn Secunda: co-creator, performer, sound designer
David Secunda: co-creator, director
Reviews
★★★★★ “…one of the best of the 2019 Fringe.” — Edmonton Journal
“An overall rollicking good time.” — Broadway World
“Secunda has great comedic timing and fantastic physicality that really shines, as well as a killer, unique singing voice”
— Mooney on Theatre
“If Jim Carrey is the male rubberface, Secunda might just be the female equivalent.”
— Forget the Box
“I wish everyone under 30 could see this show. There’d be hope for better sex for
everyone.” — MK Piatkowski, One Big Umbrella
“Secunda’s commentary on gender and sexuality is accessible, and superbly comments on the restrictions of the gender binary and sexual attraction. The show’s non-stop physicality and shifts in mood lend expertly to creating a show that shocks and discomforts its audience and pushes the edges of reality.”
— Showbill
“Joylyn’s show is playful, over-the-top, hilarious, sensitive, physical and kaleidoscopic. [They have] a stage presence that’s always interesting and impossible not to love.”
— TJ Dawe
revolver
mainstage shows - The Greenhouse
By Garvin Chan
What the F-Word is Going On?
What do you want to learn about sex?
MAY 24-25 & JUNE 1-2 | THE GREENHOUSE
- 50 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 24 – 9:25pm
May 25 – 8:00pm Talkback
June 1 – 5:50pm
June 2 – 6:55pm
About
Join us for an evening where Garvin questions invited guests about sex and sexuality, opening the conversation around sex in a queer-centric and inclusive way.
Artists
Garvin Chan
Mikeeto Zavorotny – Panelist
Jesse Del Fierro – Panelist
Samantha Walters – Panelist
Eve Middleton-Meyer – Panelist
Cindy Kao – Panelist
Brett Hubich – Panelist
Abbey Macey – Panelist
Kelsi James – Panelist
Nora Vision – Panelist
Reviews
“I didn’t know this show was so gay” – Garvin’s mum 2022
Rowdy Spectacles Collective
Station2Station
S2S – A Spectacle Mash – UP of Reverberating Light & Sound Waves Echoing Past 2 Present
MAY 30-31 & JUNE 1 | THE GREENHOUSE
- 55 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 30 @ 5:55 pm
May 31 @ 6:40 pm Talkback June 1 @ 7:25 pm
About
With the inspiration of 7 David Bowie songs spanning 7 decades – Station 2 Station (S2S) – is a multimedia Spectacle looking at how “some humans” seem to struggle with the evolution of Diversity & Inclusion, Sociopolitical Engagement, Climate Activism and Community Compassion. David Bowie’s song “Station2Station,” as I interpret it, to reveal themes of Dystopia, Fascism and Nihilism. However, in the end, how do we all move together for ongoing Love, Activism & Compassion? So…LET’S DANCE !!!
Artists
Rowdy Spectacles Collective
Glenn Hilke, Creator, Performer, Costume, Sound & Light Designer
Chelsea Dab-Hilke, Director
Adrian Falk, Visual Projections Designer
Reviews
“Glenn Hilke (AKA Humphrey Cockburn) is a captivating Burlesque performer. He adapts to his audience, commands the room’s attention, and most of all brings joy and laughter to each and every audience member.”
*Karina Laitres (performer, emcee, dancer)
“Glenn Hilke’s acts are blending his theatre background with burlesque, commenting on important social issues and events. His ability to engage with our audience at a personal level is top notch.”
*Coco (Corrie Tucker) Kamloops Burlesque – Producer and Artistic Director.
Work in Progress:
The Work-in-Progress series provides a nurturing platform for artists to showcase evolving creations, inviting constructive critique and audience engagement. Artists refine their works based on feedback, fostering growth and innovation with each performance. This collaborative process champions artistic evolution and enriches the cultural landscape with vibrant new voices, emphasizing transparency and community engagement.
By Blake Hobson-Dimas, Frannie Warwick, Natalie Peters, Cristian Hobson-Dimas & Tamlin Vetter
A Head Full of Rocks
A Head Full of Rocks
The Midnight Parade
How tight are your strings?
MAY 26 & JUNE 2 | THE GREENHOUSE
- 45 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 26 – 7:30pm (Talkback)
June 2 – 5pm (Talkback)
About
Welcome to THE MIDNIGHT PARADE; a collection of crocheted costumes that are brought to life through physical embodiment & musical interaction. Three performers and one musician explore the thoughts and characters parading through a small child’s mind as he dreams. The Midnight Parade is a spectacle of friendship demonstrated by bodies in vibrant crochet heartfully moving through space. It celebrates being exactly where you should be; where you are.
It is parading in the dark to emerge lighter.
Artists
Blake Hobson-Dimas – Costume Designer, Performer
Frannie Warwick – Performer, Set Design
Natalie Peters – Performer
Ally Lowry – musician
Tamlin Vetter – choreographer
By Santana Berryman
Lumbar 5, Thoracic 12
Survival stories
MAY 24 & 30 | THE GREENHOUSE
- 35 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 24 – 7:45pm (Talkback)
May 30 – 7:50pm (Talkback)
About
SB’s father has broken his spine 4 times. Until now, they have never talked about it. In an attempt to get to know her quiet mountaineer father, SB follows him on a camping trip. Together, they brave several days in the bush in winter, facing cold temperatures, 20 hours of darkness, and a generation of silence between them.
Through recorded interviews, soundscape, shadow puppetry, and non-linear storytelling, Lumbar 5, Thoracic 12 tells a Northern father-daughter story about intergenerational divides and a deep need to connect.
Development supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Artists
Ariel Martz-Oberlander – Director
Santana Berryman – Writer/Performer
CJ McGillivray – Sound Designer
Ben Pilger – Puppeteer
Anna Brew – Stage Manager
Lilix Media
Blood Offering
The aftermath of a small town mass shooting.
MAY 25 & 31 | CUTHE GREENHOUSE
- 65 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
25 May 5:15 Talkback
31 May 8:45 Talkback
About
In the wake of yet another mass shooting in the United States, an American town is left reeling by the death of Kayla Gordon. Her teacher, Mr. Naqvi, and her classmate Farid begin to bond in their common grief. But when Kayla’s parents approach with a sinister plan to seek retribution for her death, Mr. Naqvi’s beliefs are sorely tested as he is drawn into nothing less than a battle for the soul of his young student.
Artists
Vishesh Abeyratne – Playwright
Sarah Angelle – Producer
Jonathan Shaboo – Dramaturg/Co-Director
Joelle Wyminga – Co-Director
Reviews
“Vishesh Abeyratne’s Blood Offering feels unnervingly relevant. … With what it has to say about Islamophobia and mass violence in today’s society, we’d be wise to take heed of the warnings it has to share.”
–Aisling Murphy, Intermission Magazine
“Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, witty, and full of unexpected twists and turns.”
–Apt613
“A considered meditation on the perils of ideology, youth and grief that never reneges on chances to ramp up the tension, or release it, releasing us into world-weary relief.”
–Trevor Abes, Writer
Updrafts Readings
PTC is the Community Partner for all the readings.
By Peihwen J. Tai
The Yoko Ono Cult
How much dottiness does a dot need to have to become a perfect dot?
MAY 26 | THE GREENHOUSE
- 80 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 26 – 2:30pm (Talkback)
About
“The Yoko Ono Cult” follows twin sisters Yi and Pei, whose opposing worlds collide as Pei’s academic stumble ignites a journey into art. Pei’s emotional canvas unleashes a controversial style, thrusting her into fame while straining their bond. As Pei’s passion wanes, Yi urges reflection, leading to a poignant confrontation with their estranged used-to-be-artist father. Their shared turmoil births a transformative artwork, symbolizing reconciliation and closure. Despite fleeting success, the play underscores the fragility of familial ties and the pursuit of authenticity in a world of superficial acclaim.
Artists
Yi Ming Liu – Performer, Deviser
Peihwen J. Tai – Creator, Performer, Deviser
Daniel Yang – Performer, Deviser
Reviews
★★★★★
100% of surveyed audiences said they “Would recommend The Yoko Ono Cult to a friend”
“I loved the comedic timing of the piece. Each personality felt very lived in and real.” – Jarin Schexnider. Artistic Director, What Lab.
“[It is] illustrative of my experience going to contemporary arts school.Artists of colour are used to defend our passion in artmaking to our family and friends who aren’t in the arts, but we often overlook the relationship between emerging artists of colour and how we can critically yet supportively converse about the arts we make to each other.” – Howard Dai.
Associate Artist, rice & beans theatre.
“Hilarious and chaotic.” – Pablo Antoranz Esteban. Lighting and Compositing Artist, Transformers: EarthSpark (Nickelodeon), Unicorn Academy (Netflix).
“Memorable” “Raw” “Engaging” “Volatile” “Relatable”- Anonymous audiences
Kookie with a K
Can a meal ever be as good as a memory?
JUNE 1 | THE GREENHOUSE
- 35 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
1 June – 2:45 ( Talkback)
About
Kookie owes everything to Kousin. Her name, her new life in Canada, her education, and all her fondest childhood memories. Kookie with a K is a snippet into Kookie’s life as she ponders how she could repay her loved ones without asking for help anymore. Her life is quite stressful and plain spending most of her hours cooking in a kitchen trying to make rent. Is asking for help from the people you left in the past, the same as undoing growth? Leaving felt like such an accomplishment for her so what does going back mean?
Artists
Peihwen J Tai~ Actor
Pehwen J Tai is a Taiwanese/Canadian performer and writer. This year, she participated in What Lab’s artist residency and The Parallel Project at The Cultch. She also graduated from UBC with a double-major BFA in Theatre Acting and Japanese. Recently, when she’s not having an existential crisis, she is watching anime, crocheting, or thinking about her play-to-be Moth Boy, about a boy who metamorphoses into a silkworm moth after becoming catatonically depressed. Peihwen wishes to thank her great friend Maheem for inviting her into the world of Kookie and for her family and partner for their love.
Ashley Chodat~Dramaturg
Ashley Chodat (she/her) is a playwright, dramaturg, director and teaching artist. Her work centres girlhood, science fiction and intergenerational relationships. Recent playwright credits include: June Bug (UpintheAir’s rEvolver Festival, Vancouver Fringe, Victoria Fringe) FRANK (Intrepid Theatre’s Incoming Fest/Impulse Theatre Peek Show 14) Mother Pin (Or Festival) Select Teaching: Bard on the Beach, Arts Club, Carousel Theatre, Arts Umbrella, Theatre SKAM. She currently holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Theatre from Uvic and a Diploma in Theatre Performance from Douglas College. Be kind and have dance parties! @ashley.chodat @ragamuffinproduction
Sargil Tongol~Director
Sargil Tongol (he/him) is a multidisciplinary artist from Surrey, B.C. As an educator, director and performer, Sargil’s work revolves around allowing different perspectives to be seen on stage and exploring the outlandish while still finding the heart in a piece. Recent credits include: Maggie (Or Festival), Head Over Heels (Co-Director, UBC Player’s Club), June Bug (Director, Ragamuffin Productions), Oz (Assistant Director, Carousel Theatre for Young People). He holds a Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Theatre Studies and Minor in History both from UBC, and holds a Diploma from Douglas College in Theatre Performance.
Maheem Bista~Writer
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
By Aliya Griffin, Caroline Sniatynski, and Manuela Sosa
The Troika Collective
Please Wait While We Connect You
A brighter day is just a phone call away!
MAY 24, 29 & JUNE 1 | PROGRESS LAB 1422
- 45 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 24 @ 7:00pm – 10:00pm
May 29 @ 7:00pm – 10:00pm
June 1 @ 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Performance Slots
May 24 & 29
Performance 1 7:00
Performance 2 7:15
Performance 3 7:30
Performance 4 7:45
Performance 5 8:00
Break
Performance 6 8:45
Performance 7 9:00
Performance 8 9:15
Performance 9 9:30
Performance 10 9:45
Performance Slots
June 1
Performance 1 2:00
Performance 2 2:15
Performance 3 2:30
Performance 4 2:45
Performance 5 3:00
Break
Performance 6 3:45
Performance 7 4:00
Performance 8 4:15
Performance 9 4:30
Performance 10 4:45
About
Have you been feeling out of tune lately? Are you in need of a pick-me-up? Our team of experts is standing by: with just a few simple questions, we can assess your condition and compose a personalized audio remedy for immediate delivery, live and direct down the line! If you’re stuck on the wrong note, we have the antidote, so pick up the phone today!
Artists
Aliya Griffin – Creator/Performer
Caroline Sniatynski – Creator/Performer
Manuela Sosa – Creator/Performer
Reviews
“[It] was fantastic! I enjoyed it so much and felt completely taken care of throughout the interactive performance. I actually had the sensation of being at a spa. The vocals were beautiful and expertly performed. What a unique and delightful experience!” – Gina Allen
“I think I had a smile on my face the whole time…. I’d never been part of such a personally tailored theatrical experience and doubt I ever will be again… We need pieces of theatre that push form and spark excitement in audience members and foster one to one connection in a memorable way. That’s what [this piece] was to me” – Georgia Beaty
“I had such a blast… Super convenient, receiving a personalized theatre performance right to my cell… I was grinning the whole time and had the tune in my head all day. Really fun and hope they will bring it back!” – Emily Villavicencio
“that was terrific, lots of fun, big smile throughout… thanks for taking the time to provide me an exclusive one-off experience…” – Don Kugler
“The overall experience was very uplifting. In a time of such isolation, [it] was a much needed reminder of the power of community.” – Robert Barlow
Alen Dominguez Chelsea Haberlin, Angelica Schwartz and Raes Calvert
Earth Case Scenario
A community offering in the midst of the climate emergency, focused on hope.
MAY 25 | PROGRESS LAB 1422
- 45 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 25 – 7:00
About
Earth Case Scenario is Neworld Theatre’s offering to our community in the midst of the climate emergency. Featuring original climate-themed performance pieces created by Neworld’s staff and a fun and festive atmosphere, Earth Case Scenario aims to offer a space for action and hope amidst the grief and anxiety of our current moment. Each piece was created in less than 1 month, is 15 minutes long, and is a low-carbon impact production. This year, we’re partnering with Britannia Community Centre because we believe in the power of a resilient neighbourhood. Check out our beautifully curated Buy Nothing store in between acts!
Artists
Creator & Performer – Lauren Brady
Stage Manager – Claire Sonmor
Director – Micheal Kennard
Coach – Karen Hines
Clunic Consult – Alex Ariate
Sound Designer – Autumn Strom
Dramaturge – Paige Louter
Set – Rebbeca Cypher & Scott McCurdy
Special thanks to April Zabos, Brayden Blackwell, and John Turner
Reviews
Winner: 2022 Jessie Richardson Award for Outstanding Production (Clean/Espejos) and Innovation Award (Clean/Espejos)
Isaac Gasangwa
The Izo Afro-Dance Workshop
The Izo Afro-Dance Workshop at the rEvolver Festival is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the vibrant cultural legacy of African dance.
MAY 25 | HISTORIC THEATRE
- 60 minutes
Showtimes & Dates
May 25 – 11AM (Free)
About
The Izo Afro-Dance Workshop at the rEvolver Festival is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the vibrant cultural legacy of African dance. Participants will uncover the meaning and significance behind the movements and rhythms of The African Dream Show, gaining invaluable insights. This workshop is crafted to offer a deeper comprehension of both traditional and contemporary elements of Afro-Dance. It allows participants to fully engage with the art form and its cultural context. With expert guidance and practical involvement, attendees will broaden their knowledge and appreciation of African dance, adding to a more holistic understanding of The African Dream Show. Regardless of one’s experience level in dance, this workshop ensures a rewarding and informative experience for all participants.
Artists
Isaac Gasangwa
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