We’re not done yet.

There is work to do.

Lights Out
(2024)

A School of the Creative and Performing Arts production

University of Calgary

“Difficult is not the same as impossible” (Rebecca Solnit)

What does it take to move in a world beset by paralysis? What might a movement look, sound and feel like if, against all odds, it flexes its muscles and finds its voice? With the planet on fire, in a vacuum of corporate responsibility and political will, Lights Out is an embodied search for answers to these questions—a defiant celebration of collective movement and sound in the face of an uncertain future.

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In the winter of 2023-2024, we had the huge privilege of working with over 70 remarkable student performers, writers, designers, and production crew on an epic interdisciplinary performance. 
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Lights Out is a bold and passionate expression from today’s young adults as they face the huge challenges posed by the climate crisis. Drawing on a wide range of emerging and urgent insights—in particular, Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young Lutunatabua’s Not To Late (2023)—the immersive production focuses on the potential to overcome individual isolation and frustration through informed and inspired collective movement.
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Lights Out features an original script crafted from personal writing by the cast of over 30 performers from all three SCPA Divisions of Drama, Music and Dance. It also features a dynamic soundscape that was performed live at each performance by the UCalgary Percussion Ensemble.
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Lights Out was also an intense collaboration with a stellar group of professional artists–Heather Ware, Beth Kates, and Chris Sies--who co-created, mentored, and guided the incredible student ensemble at every stage of its development.

Photos by Tim Nguyuen © 2024

KJosi,  

Lights Out

A School of Creative and Performing Arts performance
Premiere production: Reeve Theatre, University of Calgary / February 9 – 17, 2024

Created by the Ensemble

Devisor/Performers: Liam Akehurst, Sebastian Salomon Arriagada, Keith Boniol, Ivan Guevara Garcia, Sophia Garcia, McKenzie Gathercole,
Ainsley Gingras, Madeleine Graham, Elizabeth Houghton, Mariza-Fernanda Iturbe-Becerril, Kailey Leong, Kyla Lomosco, Matthew Lane,
Else Marleau, Zahra Masoumi, Wyliem McDonald, Andres Garcia Munoz, Lexi Plante, Ian Riep, Nicola Rvachew, Daniel Sanguinetti, Nakota Starr Tobias,
Veronica Tomlinson, Josi Villarta, Gabrielle Vos de Wael, Chelsea Woodard

Devisor/Musicians: Tate Ellis, Ernest Flancia, Nate Taylor, Henry Wu

Conceived and Directed by Bruce Barton
Choreography by Heather Ware
Lighting, Set, and Costume Design by Beth Kates
Soundscape Composition and Performance by Christopher Sies
Dramaturgy by Pil Hansen
Vocal Coaching by Laura Hynes, Jean-Louis Bleau, Jane MacFarlane and Graham Percy
Text Selection and Arrangement by Bruce Barton and Pil Hansen
Stage Managed by Lucas Tang and Willow Bennett
Assistant Lighting Design by Claude McCafferty
Assistant Projection Design by Alison Morasch
Student Production Support by Abby Robbins