Audiences will get a rare inside perspective on university student experiences as an Interdisciplinary Performance class at UBC Okanagan presents Inside Out: Confessions of a Student Body from April 9 to 11.
“Students challenged themselves to tell their stories and share their passions and secrets with the audience,” says Denise Kenney, assistant professor of creative studies (performance/theatre) in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies. “The resulting performances explore what it means to be a university student here and now. Stories range from an irreverent look at learning, loss, and living it up, to revealing insight into loneliness and fear on campus.”
Two graduate students assisted Kenney in facilitating and directing the project: a cultural studies student serves as the digital media artist and documentarian, and a computer science student serves as the sound designer. The performers come from various academic disciplines, including management, geography, history, English, psychology and interdisciplinary performance.
The performance is an immersive experience, says Kenney. The room is designed to reflect private and public space. Each audience member joins a group of eight people who will circulate to nine different private cubicles where smaller groups and individuals will perform for them.
After each “private” performance they will be led through “public” space to the next private cubicle. The public space is also a performance space. During transitions from one cubicle to the next, the audience is invited to enjoy public-space goings-on.
Inside Out will be performed four times over three days: on Friday, April 9 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, April 11 at 8 p.m. All performances are at UBC Okanagan’s University Centre ballroom UNC200.
Tickets are $5 for students and faculty, and $10 for non-students and will be available at the door or can be purchased in advance by contacting Professor Kenney at Denise.Kenney@ubc.ca or 250-807-9632 or Linda Falkingham at Linda.Falkingham@ubc.ca or 250-807-9761.
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