Miriam El Abbassi | Arts Editor
Featured Image: The Devised Theatre Festival challenges its audience to explore what it means to be connected. | Courtesy of the Devised Theatre Festival
The Devised Theatre Festival seeks to celebrate the hard work of the fourth year devised theatre students by showcasing their original productions, in collaboration with with select individuals throughout the Theatre Department and AMPD. The festival will be running March 11, 13, 15 and 16, and all productions—dead skin, #Filters, Refraction, and After George—will be shown in the Accolade East building, room 207.
dead skin is described as a dark, grotesque, and thrilling show that “embraces the beauty of the ugly,” challenging its viewers to examine their own inner demons. dead skin is produced by the Four Eyes Collective, a Toronto-based company that focuses on creating raw and physical theatre for their audience to enjoy.
#Filters seeks to explore the world of social media, as well as how interpersonal communications and interactions are impacted as a result of the prevalence of social media in today’s society. The audience is also encouraged to question and reflect on the way they choose to communicate on a daily basis. #Filters is produced by the Transcendence Theatre Company, a group of friends whose work attempts to challenge societal norms through the act of performance art, as well as deconstruct relevant issues in contemporary culture.
Refraction is a supernatural thriller that follows a young woman who is confronted by the shadows of her past. It’s a story told through physical movements, live music, and powerful visual effects intended to make audiences rethink their reality. Refraction is produced by Catapulse Collective, a devised theatre company that focuses on pure movement and physicality, and trying to push the limits of genre.
After George follows a group of five former students who reconnect at their high school reunion, and soon, pieces of their past start to resurface. This production uses physical theatre and immersive scents, and examines various themes such as grief, desire for community, and isolation, all while showcasing the interconnected lives of these five former friends. After George is produced by Atomic Oddity Productions, a local theatre company that explores the idea of human connection in their work. They seek to create a setting in which those who chose to participate in their performance can engage on an intimate level.
The Devised Theatre Festival challenges its audience to explore what it means to be connected, and how that concept of ‘connection’ shapes and impacts our everyday lives.
