University of Guelph puts on community climate action production A Spark to Start this month.
The English and theatre studies program will perform the play Nov. 23 to 25 at 8 p.m. at U of G’s MacKinnon Performance Theatre. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite, $10 for students and $20 for non-students.
It is Guelph’s contribution to Climate Change Action Theatre, an international festival to try and gain more momentum for climate change.
The production is directed by professor Kimberley McLeod and includes six short plays by international playwrights and some from U of G theatre students.
“Every two years, this worldwide festival invites 50 playwrights from around the world to respond to a specific theme. This year’s theme builds on the Octavia Butler quote ‘all good things must begin,’ which asks us to consider how to find space for developing action and more equitable futures in the face of perpetual uncertainty,” said McLeod.
Before the performances there will be an exhibit in the lobby to interact with on student’s vision of the year 2074.
After the performance on Nov. 25 there will be a discussion about the intersection of art and climate.
In addition to the production on Nov. 24 there will be more performances put on by theatre studies called Vital Beginnings. It aims to address questions about climate change.
The pop-up performance is free to attend at Massey Hall at U of G from 6 to 7:30 p.m. People are welcome to drop by anytime within the 90 minutes of the performance.
“Climate change is the biggest issue of our lifetimes, and as artists we need channels to respond to and express what we’re all feeling. Because A Spark to Start is part of a global festival, we really wanted to use this production to spur additional artistic responses to climate change in our community. From Vital Beginnings to our lobby exhibits and discussion, we are excited to broaden the discussion and curate spaces that help move everyone forward,” said McLeod.
