Drama majors and specialists in their final year of study at the Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies (CDTPS) who are enrolled in DRM485 Thesis: Exhibiting Research taught by CDTPS Professor and Undergraduate Associate Director Seika Boye are participating in an exhibit titled Collaging Disciplines: Performance Research on Display at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse from March 19 to 28, 2024.
Over a six-month period, students imagine their futures and how theatre will fit into their world once they graduate. The course allows students to reflect on their interests and the knowledge they have gained over the duration of their theatre degrees while also incorporating what they have learned from their combined majors and minors. Many theatre students engage in a diverse range of studies that are not only related to theatre including biology, cinema, law, education, comparative literature, and women and gender studies.
The result is an interdisciplinary-focused research project where students have learned to build their research skills, formulate questions, find resources, organize ideas, write a research paper, and ultimately share their work in a public exhibit.
This year’s cohort has focused on the topics of theatre and public health, euthanasia on stage, critical costume, alternative theatre and nationalism, and actor training. You will get to see an 18th century nobility gown worn by the French aristocracy and ladies of the court. You will learn where actors from mainstage theatrical productions get their theatre training in Canada. You will learn how public health has used applied theatre to create social change from three case studies on antimicrobial resistance, HIV and self-harm. You will learn about how the topic of euthanasia has been the focus of three select plays and how theatre is often used to discuss sensitive subject matter. Finally, you will learn how Canadian theatre has perpetuated colonial ideals in its effort to remain distinct and celebrate its nationalism.
The following is a list of the exhibit titles and the names of their student creators:
"Critical Costume in Theory and Practice: Robe à la Française" by Selina Jia
"Forget Me Not: Where Do Aspiring Actors Go?" by James Jumaway
"Sharing Public Health Information Through Theatre" by Maria Perry
"Unbottling Euthanasia on Stage" by Ethan Persyko
"Exploring 'Canadian-ness': Nationalism and Toronto's Alternative Theatres" by Qilin Yu
The public is welcome to stop by the Front and Long Rooms at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse at 79 St. George Street anytime during the exhibition hours. A student will always be in attendance to provide a tour or answer questions. The hours are:
Tuesday, March 19, 3-5:30pm (Opening reception*)
Wednesday March 20, 1-3pm
Thursday March 21, 4-6pm
Friday March 22, 1-3pm
Sunday March 24, 3-5pm
Monday March 25, 1-3pm
Tuesday, March 26, 3-5:30pm (reception*)
Thursday March 28, 1-3pm
*all students exhibiting work will be in attendance.
For more information, please visit Collaging Disciplines: Performance Research on Display.
If you have any questions, please email DRM485 course instructor Professor Seika Boye (seika.boye@utoronto.ca) or Teaching Assistant Ilana Khanin (ilana.khanin@mail.utoronto.ca).
You can also read the article about this event on the Faculty of Arts & Science website.