DISCOVER our Student Matinees

MESSAGE FROM DENNIS GARNHUM, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Our new season reflects Calgary’s spirit of collaboration. It’s diverse, international, and familiar, all in one. We have wonderful stories to share with your students that will excite and delight, from the spell-binding history of BOOM, the insider’s view of Her Majesty’s private meetings in The Audience, and the world-premiere adaptation of A Thousand Splendid Suns, to the inspiring and hilarious ‘da Kink in my Hair and the joyful celebration of classic musical theatre in Crazy for You. These plays will spark imaginations and start conversations about the world around us. We hope you will find lots of opportunities to share the creative possibilities of live theatre with your students. I look forward to seeing you in our theatre in the 2016-17 school year. Welcome.

We make booking student matinees easy! • $20 per student ($25 for A Christmas Carol and Crazy for You®) • 15 seats = 1 FREE chaperone seat • Includes an interactive talk with members of the cast after the show • Optional custom pre- and post-show programming available, including theatre tours and chats with artists. • Free downloadable Play Guides, featuring background information, artist interviews, and discussion questions for each play, available online. • Free downloadable Curriculum Connections guide outlines which curriculum elements are covered in each production.



STUDENT MATINEES - 2016-17 SEASON ‘DA KINK IN MY HAIR by Trey Anthony Directed by Marion J. Caffey

A Co-Production with Canada’s National Arts Centre, Ottawa

September 6 to October 1, 2016 Student Matinee: September 29 Suitable for Grades 8-12 Drama, English, Sociology, Psychology, Cosmetology Contains mature themes

This dynamic Canadian play celebrates the vibrant community of women at a black hair salon in Toronto and gives voice to their compelling stories of challenges and triumphs. This smash hit play that inspired the television series now comes to Western Canada for the first time. Eight distinctive women in a Toronto hair salon share their unforgettable stories with a surprising honesty and extraordinary joy. With these inspiring and uplifting characters, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll shout, “Amen!” A truly joyous celebration.

BOOM

Writen, Directed and, Performed by Rick Miller A Kidoons and WYRD Production

October 11 to 29, 2016 Student Matinees: October 19, 27 Suitable for Grades 8-12 Drama, English, Social Studies, History, Political Science Contains mature themes

Innovative theatre artist Rick Miller leads you on a multimedia adventure through the fast-paced social change of the Baby Boom years. A mind-blowing experience for audiences of all generations. Critics have called it “spell-binding,” “dazzlingly original,” and “a can’t-miss theatrical experience.” Take an explosive journey through the music, culture, and politics that defined the Baby Boom generation. Along with a stunning array of images and video, Rick Miller’s tour-de-force solo performance brings to life over a hundred iconic politicians, musicians, and influential figures from 1945 to 1969.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens Adapted and Directed by Dennis Garnhum October 11 to 29, 2016 Student Matinees: November 22, 23, 29, and December 1, 6, 8 Suitable for Grades 4-12 Drama, English, Social Studies, History, Religion, Music

Celebrate charity and forgiveness with our joyful version of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale, set in a winter wonderland filled with songs, skating, and holiday spirits. This season we celebrate a remarkable thirty years of bringing A Christmas Carol to Calgary. Stephen Hair returns as Ebenezer Scrooge in the annual production that the Calgary Sun called “the best of all possible versions of A Christmas Carol.” Filled with music and spectacle, there’s no better way to fill your heart with the spirit of Christmas.

Sells out every year - book early!

THE AUDIENCE

by Peter Morgan Directed by Miles Potter

January 24 to February 18, 2017 Student Matinee: February 9 Suitable for Grades 8-12 Drama, English, Social Studies, History, Political Science

History and politics come to life as Queen Elizabeth II navigates the highs and lows of six decades on the throne. Get a behind-the-scenes look at a remarkable woman in power. For sixty years, Queen Elizabeth II has held a private weekly meeting with each of her many Prime Ministers. Politicians have come and gone, but she has remained a constant. Through this riveting drama, we get a glimpse of the woman behind the crown and what it’s like to be one of the most famous, and yet most private people in the world. Expect visits from Churchill, Cameron, and Thatcher, among others. Elegant, majestic, and highly illuminating.

SKYLIGHT

by David Hare Directed by Dennis Garnhum Presented in the round in the Engineered Air Theatre in Arts Commons

February 14 to 25, 2017 Student Matinee: February 22 Suitable for Grades 9-12 Drama, English, Psychology, Sociology, Economics Contains coarse language and mature themes

Staged in the intimate space of the Engineered Air Theatre, this electrifying social drama charts the intersections between the personal and the political. There are only 120 seats available – book now! On a crisp London evening, two former lovers from vastly different worlds find themselves locked in a dangerous battle of opposing ideologies and mutual desire. At times deeply personal, at times shockingly confrontational, this is one of the greatest intimate plays ever written. Watch, up close, as the embers of a broken relationship spark, ignite, and illuminate exciting possibilities.

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

Based on the novel by Khaled Hosseini Adapted by Ursula Rani Sarma Directed by Carey Perloff

A World Premiere Production with American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), San Francisco

March 7 to April 1, 2017 Student Matinee: March 15 Suitable for Grades 10-12 Drama, English, Social Studies, Psychology, Religion Contains violence and mature themes

Khaled Hosseini’s heartwrenching novel is a powerful portrait of the resiliency of two Afghan women in traumatic times. Now you can be among the first to see it on stage in this world-premiere adaptation. Based on the bestselling novel by the author of The Kite Runner, this hauntingly beautiful story reveals the strength of the human spirit. In war-torn Afghanistan, two women are brought together by fate and cruelty. Together they will forge an unlikely friendship that leads to an act of unbreakable love.

CRAZY FOR YOU®

THE NEW GERSHWIN® MUSICAL Music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin Book by Ken Ludwig Director & Choreographer Dayna Tekatch Musical Director Don Horsburgh Co-Conception by Ken Ludwig and Mike Ockrent A Co-Production with The Citadel Theatre, Edmonton

April 18 to May 20, 2017 This celebration of the Broadway musical pairs classic showtunes by the Gershwin brothers with a hilarious new script. Joy, love, and dancing cowboys! Student Matinees: April 26, and May 3, 11, 18 Suitable for Grades 6-12 Drama, English, Music, Psychology, Economics When a young banker is sent to the sleepy town of Deadrock to foreclose a rundown theatre, his heart and his life are turned completely upside down. This lively song-and-dance extravaganza features the classic tunes “I Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” Highenergy fun!

BOOK YOUR CLASS IN TODAY! BY PHONE:

BY EMAIL:

Jennifer Kinch at (403) 294-7440 ext. 1066

Jennifer Kinch at [email protected]

theatrecalgary.com @theatrecalgary