The COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to the majority of the live events industry with live, in-person performances being cancelled all over the city, the country and even the world. Over the past few months, the UCalgary School of Creative and Performing Arts has been looking into ways of creating performance opportunities for students and faculty, working closely together with University Risk Management and following federal and provincial guidelines.
Over the next few weeks, we will present a variety of events. Most of our performances are focused on giving our students the live experience needed in order to graduate, despite being in the middle of a pandemic. Although we know it’s not the same as pre-COVID, we are proud we are still able to share their hard work with the wider community, whether it is online or in-person.
Drama
Our graduate drama playwriting students will have the opportunity to have their new works read and directed by established and emerging artists. The staged readings will be available to view online starting mid-October.
Other graduate drama students are working on presenting their MFA Thesis productions to an in-person audience. Please note that seats for all in-person performances are very limited and tickets have to be requested at least three business days before the event. There are no online sales, no door sales, no walk-ups.
- Jawbone, by Meghan Greeley, will run from Oct. 16 to 24 in the University Theatre. This new Canadian play is a darkly comedic one-woman show.
- Just like the Moon, a devised piece created by Lizz Windnagel, the creative team and the ensemble—two actors and one percussionist—will be presented from Nov. 27–Dec. 5 in the Reeve Theatre. Following a sad clown named Pierrot, this production will take a virtuosic look at the human condition.
Music
This fall, graduate music students will perform their thesis recitals in the Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall. The recitals will be livestreamed and can be watched from the comfort of your home.
On Oct. 2 at 8 p.m., the School will livestream “A Celebration of Music by Black Composers” from the Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall in the Rozsa Centre. The program was initiated in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and is a collaboration between faculty, students, alumni and guests.
Finally, the UCalgary String Quartet will present a Beethoven Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. This concert will be livestreamed from the Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall in the Rozsa Centre.
It is important to note that events are subject to change, as new information becomes available.
For the most recent information, make sure to visit scpa.ucalgary.ca/events.
