The Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies (CDTPS) proudly presents its 2024 Directors’ Showcase, a fringe-festival style theatrical event showcasing three unique plays directed by students in the DRM402 Advanced Directing course. The showcase takes place at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse from November 22 to 24 with a preview performance on November 21. This year’s lineup includes: The Worker by Walter Wykes, directed by Mika Deneige, Suppressed Desires by Susan Glaspell & George Cram Cook, directed by Athena McIsaac, and Pool (no water) by Mark Ravenhill, directed by Rebecca Robitaille.
Throughout the 2024 fall semester, the DRM402 student directors have been working under the guidance of Professor Leah Cherniak to prepare three 20-minute short plays for this year’s Directors’ Showcase.
“I’m hoping for them to feel a sense of agency, to be in a leadership role and to have a piece of creative work in which to explore that sense of leadership and creativity,” says Professor Cherniak. “They are working on something that is personal, and they are in charge.”
Mika Deneige, director of The Worker, describes the process as a rewarding and enjoyable learning experience. “This has been a really fun way to develop both my actors’ skills and my own,” she explains. Her focus centered on blending anachronistic elements and finding the right balance between intense scenes and moments of levity.
Actor Grace Keeping reflects on the experience, “The most rewarding part about working with Mika was definitely being able to bring her passion and vision to life. She had a really strong idea coming into it.”
Each of the three plays showcases the versatility of theatre, demonstrating how the student directors bring their unique visions to life on stage. “It’s made me understand how fluid and flexible theatre is, and how many different ways you can stage one play,” says Athena McIsaac, director of Suppressed Desires.
And while student directors are given the chance to practice their own creative freedom, they also benefit from the opportunities to engage in discussion with their professor and peers.
“Both my professors and peers have been great sounding boards, always bringing fresh ideas to the table. That’s what has made the piece so full of life—different ideas coming together,” says Rebecca Robitaille, director of Pool (no water).
“I’ve had great professors who were able to bring all of their professional experience and their own life experience into building this piece with me,” says student director Mika.
The showcase is a true collaborative effort, with the student directors working alongside fourth-year production students handling lighting and sound, and fourth-year design students creating the set, props and costumes.
“Everybody has been so amazing and supportive. I’m really excited for how many cool ideas everyone has and how creative everyone is,” says student director Athena.
Winston Zang, the sound designer and assistant stage manager for Suppressed Desires, agrees, “It’s been very impressive and also very efficient—people listen to each other.”
The team effort between these students has demonstrated how every role contributes to a production’s success. “Directing this piece has really made me appreciate the impact of tech on a production,” says student director Rebecca.
When asked about what excites her most about the showcase, Professor Cherniak says, “I’m excited by how the three plays are so distinct from each other, and I feel that the directors have chosen plays that reflect something they would like to discover in theatre. They each have different goals.”
She also hopes that the student directors feel the freedom to “fully explore all the parts that make up the strange world of live theatre.” The Directors’ Showcase highlights the individuality and creativity of each student director, allowing for an engaging and meaningful theatrical experience for all of those involved.
To learn more about the show or to reserve your tickets, visit: uoft.me/2024DirectorsShowcase.
You can get a sneak peek of the performances by watching the 2024 Directors' Showcase video trailer: