Amara Gelaude turns 20 this week, just as the curtain goes up on a series of student written and directed plays at Trinity Western University.
The 91原创 psych major is just one of dozens of TWU students who have spent weeks gearing up for New Generations, a week-long annual theatrical festival being held at the school. Gelaude is one of the cast in Feminist Fan Club.
New Generations is a 芒鈧揻ast, furious, funny play festival芒鈧� boasting three brand new shows playing back-to-back every night, explained School of the Arts, Media+Culture theatre chair Angela Konrad.
芒鈧�New Generations is grassroots creation at its best, and for the first time in several years, every play in our 2014 festival is an original, student-written script,芒鈧� Konrad said, noting that it features a new generation of playwrights, directors, and actors who are working feverishly to prepare the one-week explosion of live theatre.
One actor's take on theatre and New Generations
Gelaude芒鈧劉s passion for the arts was ignited in elementary school when she began performing in plays and choirs, as well as studying piano and voice as a child. That passion has never wained.
During high school, she was involved in drama and musical theatre for all five years,
in Grade 8 she was cast in Woody Allen芒鈧劉s Death, in Grade 9 she took on a role in Serving It Right, in Grade 10 she performed in the musical Honk!, Grade 11 saw her return to the stage again in the D.W. Poppy Secondary's rendition of Grease, and in Grade 12, she wrapped up her high school stage experience with a role in Beauty and the Beast.
芒鈧揑 enjoyed being in the theatre program at my high school so much, and found that it was a great way to meet people and get involved,芒鈧� Gelaude told the 91原创 Advance. 芒鈧揝o, in my first year of university, I decided that if I could, I would love to be part of that experience again.芒鈧�
Keeping her eyes peeled for audition notices, when New Generations came around last year, Gelaude decided to try out and keep that theatrical connection alive.
芒鈧揑 was lucky enough to be cast. The Feminist Fan Club,芒鈧� along side cast mates Rachael Norman and Graeme Geddes.
芒鈧揟hey are all such talented people, as are the casts of Here and The Escaper芒鈧劉s Song, and I芒鈧劉m very excited for audiences to see what we芒鈧劉ve been working on,芒鈧� Gelaude said.
芒鈧揗y character, Maya, is a university sophomore with a passion for women芒鈧劉s rights 芒鈧�� she芒鈧劉s funny and strong, she knows what she believes in, and she芒鈧劉s not afraid to stand up for herself or anybody else,芒鈧� she explained.
芒鈧揝he芒鈧劉s a bit zany and enthusiastic, I can definitely relate to that,芒鈧� Gelaude added, drawing similarities between herself and her stage persona.
Quoting the playwright, Dillon Dean James, Gelaude said: "The Feminist Fan Club is a funny, thoughtful commentary on contemporary culture. It's meant to build bridges between different viewpoints, using comedy as a means to start a conversation. It's witty and fast-paced, the characters are diverse and entertaining, and it touches on a lot of interesting ideas that I think will be very relevant to audience members of any background. It's a great show, so come with an open mind and be ready to laugh!芒鈧�
Not only is Gelaude excited about being involved in this production, but she芒鈧劉s psyched about being part of this week's New Generations festival.
芒鈧�New Generations is a unique show because it offers such a variety of genres 芒鈧�� there芒鈧劉s comedy, romance, tragedy, action!芒鈧� she said.
芒鈧揘ot only that, but it also provides the opportunity for young playwrights at Trinity to have their creations brought to life, for student directors to showcase their skills, and for students of any discipline to be part of an amazing show.芒鈧�
芒鈧揟ickets for New Generations are always in high demand, because of the unique opportunity to be part of something so fresh and intimate. It芒鈧劉s a treat for our audiences to witness stories told for the very first time, with all the creative energy of tomorrow芒鈧劉s powerhouse arts professionals,芒鈧� she said.
New Generations plays from Tuesday, Jan. 28 to Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 1. Tickets range from $8 to $15 with special Tuesday/matinee discounts. For tickets, visit www.twu.ca/theatre or call 604.513.2121, ext. 3872.
How to win
A pair of tickets to the TWU芒鈧劉s New Generations festival!
Two lucky readers will each win a pair of tickets for one of the three festival plays
How do you win?
芒鈧� Like us on the 91原创 Advance Facebook site, find the posting about New Generations, tell us why you want to attend and you芒鈧劉re automatically entered to win.
Preference is given to 91原创 residents.
Postings must be received prior to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, and the winner will be announced on the Facebook page later that afternoon. No staff or family of the 91原创 Advance or Glacier Media are eligible. This giveaway is restricted to online participants, 19 years or older only.
