Jun 29, 2022
Vancouver, BC – Studio 58, the nationally renowned professional theatre training program at Langara College, is excited to share the line-up for its 57th season. After a highly successful 2021/2022 academic year which saw a return to live shows, the upcoming season continues to offer a rich theatrical experience for audiences and training opportunity for Vancouver’s newest talent. Four large-scale productions will be presented alongside the traditional Risky Nights series.
“This season ushers in further growth and creativity here at Studio 58. We have brought some of Vancouver’s most exciting professional theatre artists to work with our students, and after last year’s sold-out runs, we’re thrilled to be back in the theatre again performing for live audiences," said Artistic Director Courtenay Dobbie. “I would like to thank the community and audiences for their support of our program, and the students who continue to thrive and shine in the training and on our stages.”
2022/23 PROGRAMMING:
Blue Stockings, October 6–16
By Jessica Swale
Directed by Jamie King
Set and Prop Design: Emerenne Saefkow
Costume Design: Alaia Hamer
Lighting Design: Hina Niskioka
Sound Design: Evan Rein
Fight Direction: Nathan Kay
“They say you don’t have the capacity to be scholars. So read everything. Learn everything. Know the philosophers, and then think for yourselves.” It's 1896 and four women begin their studies at Girton, the first college to allow women at Cambridge University. However, unlike their male peers, no matter how hard they study, the Girton girls are denied degrees upon graduation. They leave as “Blue Stockings”—educated and intellectual, but both unqualified for the workforce and unmarriageable in the eyes of good society. A sharp, comical, and inspiring story of young women confronting the challenges of life and love, while fighting for their right to graduate.
Metamorphoses, November 24–December 4
By Sami Ibrahim, Laura Lomas, Sabrina Mahfouz
Directed by Daniela Atiencia
Stage Manager: Katie Voravong
Set and Props Design: Kimira Reddy
Lighting Design: Jonathan Kim
Sound Design: Owen Belton
"We are here to make sense of it.” Inspired by Roman poet Ovid’s powerful myths and reimagined for our current times, Metamorphoses is a collection of transformative and gripping tales of grand proportion. This epic and playful ensemble piece uses the power of storytelling to expose our basic needs and desires. Experience glorious chaos and humbling adventures with familiar characters like Orpheus and Euridyce, Medea and her doomed children, ancient Gods and audacious heroes.
Risky Nights (Fall), October 11–16, 2022
Working title: enough is enough is enough
An original production created and performed by fourth term students
Directed by Cameron Peal
What does it mean for something to be enough? What provokes it, disrupts it, interferes with it? How are we influenced by this concept, as a phenomenon? Here, the group will explore variations on this theme, and how we relate our lives to it and through it. What is “enough-ness”? Now in its 21st season, the Risky Nights Series is an opportunity to bridge classroom work and mainstage productions. Students in their fourth term of training create and perform every aspect of an original theatre piece with a professional director.
A Chorus Line, February 2–19, 2023
By Marvin Hamlisch, James Kirkwood, Michael Bennett, Nicholas Dante, and Edward Kleban
Directed by: Courtenay Dobbie
Musical Director: Diane Speirs
Choreographer: Shelley Stewart Hunt
Stage Manager: Emerenne Saefkow
Set, Prop & Costume Designer: Jessica Oostergo
Lighting Designer: Jonathan Ryder
"God, I hope I get it!” This beloved, Tony award-winning musical offers you a glimpse into the lives of a group of Broadway performers as they audition for the role of a lifetime! In an unexpected twist, they are asked to share their personal stories and the performers open up about their childhoods, experiences in the business, and the courage it takes to follow your dreams. Before long you’ll be rooting for your favourite and reveling in musical theatre’s most unforgettable finale!
The Kitchen, March 30–April 9, 2023
By Arnold Wesker
Adapted and directed by Amiel Gladstone
Stage Manager: Rachel Ross
Set and Lighting Designer: Sophie Tang
Props Designer: Marcus Vaillant
“I can’t dream in a kitchen”. The Kitchen is a classical piece of theatrical innovation born out of the socialist movement of post WWII, adapted for today’s world. Taking place in the kitchen of a high-end restaurant, the chefs and front of house staff navigate a whole, rigorous day of preparing food for their demanding patrons. A fast-paced and choreographed tour-deforce, this show looks at breaking personal barriers and challenging the status quo.
Risky Nights (Spring), February 7-12, 2023
An original production created and performed by fourth term students
Directed by Arthi Chandra
The Spring edition of Risky Nights will focus on text-based devising. Using imagery from Shakespeare’s works, the artists will collaborate as an ensemble to create a movement-based adaptation.
Tickets to all productions will go on sale in August at www.studio58.ca
About Studio 58
Studio 58 is the professional theatre training program at Langara College, located on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nation, Vancouver, BC. Led by Courtenay Dobbie, the program offers nationally recognized training for both actors and production personnel and produces six public productions annually. More information at studio58.ca.
About snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 23,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as snəw̓eyəɬ leləm 'house of teachings', a name given to it by Musqueam, on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.
Learn more.
Mark Dawson
Manager, Public Affairs
Langara College
mdawson@langara.ca