Townsville

A co-production by The Chop Theatre and Studio 58, presented at the 2008 Magnetic North Theatre Festival.

A neo-satire about youth, love and inheriting the earth. Set in a surreal “anywheresville”, busting at the seams with peculiar young residents, Townsville is a glimpse into a city at a time of crisis. An albino elephant falls ill, a renegade romance is sparked and talent is the answer to any question. Townsville is all at once a memory and a fantasy, a warning and an apology. 

A unique fusion between Studio 58 students and The Chop Theatre, this intensely visual, interactive and highly kinetic piece showcases an exciting group of  Vancouver artists. 

By The Chop Theatre and the Studio 58 ensemble & Anita Rochon
Directed by Emelia Symington Fedy
Choreography by Chick Snipper

Performed by:

Rachel Aberle
Alecia Braun
Danny Coleman
Alisha Davidson
Rhys Finnick
Genevieve Fleming
Marlene Ginader
Joel Grinke
Ella Simon

Stage Manager – Jennifer Stewart

Lighting Designer- John Popkin

Costume Consultation - Marina Szijarto

Some more info about the project...

Studio 58 is the professional theatre training program at Langara College. The training is practical and hands-on and the students learn all aspects of theatre from working professionals. Studio 58 offers two programs - a three-year acting program and two-year production program. The rigorous  curriculum intends to mirror the industry standard. Graduates can be seen working on every major stage across Canada as well as in television, independent and feature films. Each year Studio 58 presents four main stage and two indie-style productions. Professional directors and designers are hired and senior acting students make up the cast. Over the last 42 years Studio 58 has staged some of the most innovative shows seen in Vancouver. www.langara.bc.ca/studio58

Performance style-Neo-bouffon, a term coined by Karen Hines (Pochsy) is a comedic-oriented dissection of present-day social maladies and an unflinching look at the more grotesque aspects of humanity. Townsville uses this practice as a starting place for creation, and draws from dance, visual art and North American pageantry. This piece also investigates audience /performer relations and drives towards spontaneous creation in each individual performance.

The Chop and Studio 58 collaborate-Returning to their alma mater, The Chop artistic directors Emelia Symington Fedy and Anita Rochon will collaborate with second year Studio 58 acting students using a combination of Chick Snipper’s choreography, physical devising and bouffon techniques as the building blocks of this creation piece told in a snapshot-style format.