The Expressions Theatre Festival is the culmination of a year of work for our Advanced Theatre Program and Yearlong Intensive students.

All shows take place at the Jack and Darlene Poole Theatre at Arts Umbrella.

Expressions Festival is presented by RBC.

BUY TICKETS

 

Anne of Green Gables & Goldilocks and The Three Bears

Performed by the Theatre Troupe

General Admission $25
Student Price $15

Friday, April 26 | 7pm | Double Bill
Saturday, April 27 | 2pm – Pay What You Can | Anne of Green Gables only
Saturday, April 27 | 7pm | Double Bill

Run Time ~ 2 hours and 10 minutes including one 20-minute intermission

Anne of Green Gables

By Jon Jory
From the novel by L.M. Montgomery
Adapted by Jon Jory

This innovative adaptation, using five different actors to play Anne, is the classic story of a fiery young girl named Anne Shirley. When Marilla and Mathew Cuthbert end up with young Anne, instead of the boy they thought they were adopting, their world is turned upside down. Marilla is not pleased with the orphanage’s mix-up, but agrees to keep the little girl for one month with the hope that she will be able to civilize Anne before sending her back. But will the imaginative and mischievous girl win over the hearts of her reluctant parents?

Goldilocks and The Three Bears

By Meghan Gardiner. Goldilocks and the Three Bears was commissioned by the Robert M. Ledingham School of Theatre, Music and Film at Arts Umbrella and performed by the Arts Umbrella Senior Theatre Troupe as part of the Eco Theatre Project.

Many have heard the fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but how many have considered it within the context of habitat loss? In this version, two narrators begin the tale in a traditional way but get caught off-guard when the story takes on a (current and truthful) life of its own. The show seems like it might go off the rails until the narrators realize they need to acknowledge what’s happening on stage and, ultimately, what’s happening on our earth. That we humans are infringing on bear’s “homes” every day. And the more we do, the tougher it is on the bears. Through jokes, talking animals, and frantic narrators, audiences will delight in the “chaos” of the fairy tale they thought they knew and learn a little bit about habitat loss along the way.

Production Team

Laura McLean – Director, Anne of Green Gables
Seamus Fera – Director, Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Luis Bellassai Gauto – Set and Props Design
Shona Struthers – Sound Design
Eloise Pons – Costume Design
Vanka Salim- Lighting Design, Anne of Green Gables
Brad Trenaman – Lighting Design, Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Olivia Paluzzi – Stage Manager, Anne of Green Gables
Ingrid Turk – Stage Manager, Goldilocks and the Three Bears

 

The Quest

Performed by the Musical Theatre Troupe

General Admission $30
Student Price $20

Thursday, May 16 | 7pm
Friday, May 17 | 7pm
Saturday, May 18 | 2pm – Pay What You Can
Saturday, May 18 | 7pm

Run Time ~ 1 hour

Every day, Sammy, Frankie, Rosie, and Taylor struggle to navigate the perils of high school, and every night they escape reality by playing “Quest”, a nerdy role-playing game. One night, Frankie, the game’s “Quest Master”, challenges the other three to complete real-life high school quests like performing at the Talent Show or asking a boy to the dance. What unfolds is a tale full of heartbreak and laughter as the four Questers overcome their fears and become the heroes of their own stories.

Production Team

Written by Murray Foster and Kieren MacMillan
Directors – Kayla Dunbar and Andy Toth
Music Director – Eric Biskupski
Choreographer – Kayla Dunbar
Set and Props Designer – Monica Emma
Costume Designer – Jack Bumbala
Lighting Designer – Brad Trenaman
Sound Designer – Malcolm Armstrong
Stage Manager – Jaren Guerreiro

Cinderella

Performed by the Musical Theatre Troupe

General Admission $30
Student Price $20

Saturday, May 25 | 7pm | Cast B
Thursday May 30 | 7pm – Pay What You Can | Cast A
Friday, May 31 | 7pm | Cast A
Saturday, June 1 | 2pm | Cast B
Saturday, June 1 | 7pm | Cast B
Sunday, June 2 | 2pm | Cast A

The timeless enchantment of the magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. Ella is a curious young woman becoming aware of injustices beyond her own cruel treatment by her stepfamily. When she meets a dragon-slaying young prince who is just assuming control of his government, Ella helps spark transformation and empower the disenfranchised in their kingdom. With the help of her fairy godmother, a pumpkin and a little magic and humor, Ella, Prince Topher and their generous friends will inspire and delight the whole family.

Production Team

Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Music by Richard Rodgers
Director and Choreographer – Erika Babins
Music Director – Patrick Ray
Set and Prop Designer – Monica Emme
Costume Designer – Jack Bumbala
Lighting Designer – Hina Nishioka
Sound Designer – Malcolm Armstrong
Stage Manager – Tessa Gunn

WARNING, GRIEF, ART, DELUSION

The Sketch Comedy and Improv Troupe is pleased to present their collection of short plays and sketches.

Conceived, written, and performed by the Sketch Comedy and Improv Troupe with the direction of Matt Clarke and assistant direction of Olivia Paluzzi.

General Admission $25
Student Price $15

Saturday, June 8 | 2pm – Pay what you can
Saturday, June 8 | 7pm

 

No refunds. For ticket exchanges, email Erika Babins at ebabins@artsumbrella.com at least 24 hours before your showtime.