Trinity Western University’s Theatre Department presents AWAKE, a celebration of the life of the Department, as told through stories of alumni. Featuring scenes, songs, improvisation, and verbatim testimony, AWAKE explores the legacy of the Theatre Department in light of news of its upcoming closure.
Performances Tuesday – Saturday, 7:30 p.m., plus Saturday matinees at 2 p.m., November 23 – December 4.
Tickets and more info at www.twu.ca/theatre
Every end is a beginning
AWAKE: to start to understand or feel something
A WAKE: a gathering held before a dead person is buried, at which family and friends talk about the person’s life
Following decades of faithful, creative and inspirational productions, TWU’s Theatre program is coming to a close, with the program’s last class graduating in 2024. To honour the life and continuing gift of Theatre, alumni sent in stories of their time in the Department, and these inspirations were used by current students to create a funny, insightful, and moving celebration of the legacy of Theatre at TWU.
The show unfolds like a live scrapbook of memories, encompassing letters, scenes, poems, songs, dances, and verbatim testimony that honour the impact the department has had on decades of students. Long-time faculty member and co-Chair of Theatre, Angela Konrad, is director and dramaturg of AWAKE, guiding cast and production team in telling the stories and deepening their understanding of the experiences of those who went before.
“Alumni were devastated to learn of the Department closing, as many see this place as home,” Konrad says. “But the nature of artists is to make beauty from pain and to find meaning in suffering. Sharing memories of a formative time in their lives provides alumni healing, gives current students an opportunity to meet their older 'siblings', and offers us all a chance to celebrate the rich history of theatre at TWU.”
Students in the cast have collaboratively created the show, presenting snapshots of past productions and glimpses behind the scenes that reveal the thoughts and journeys of alumni from the department. Woven together, these stories craft a compelling narrative of awakening and transformation.
“Hearing from people who were part of this program before I came here – in some cases, before I was born – has been an incredible experience,” says Coquitlam resident and fourth year Theatre student, Madison Willoughby. “I am so grateful to get this opportunity to use my training in a way that salutes our alumni and commemorates the department that I love so much.”
All the designers for AWAKE are alumni of TWU Theatre, including production designers Uliana Akulenko and Shelby Wyminga; lighting designer Lora-Lynne Frewing; and graphic designer, Jordan Ravensbergen. Sound design and composition is provided by current BFA student (and future alumna), Lani-Mari Carbonel. The eight students in the cast are all Theatre majors (Jennifer Mamchur, Valerie Mihelic, Sacha Mugisha, Berke Mutaf, Braedon Grover Sunnes, Madison Willoughby, Tahlia Wine, and Annie Zander). Stage managers Hannah Gallandt and Sarah Grace Wiedenheft are Theatre Majors, and assistant stage manager, Jenna Shaffrick is a Theatre Minor. Many other Theatre students are also involved in the production.
“We welcome TWU students and alumni, as well as people from across the community, to laugh and cry with us as we share what this department has meant to so many,” says Konrad.
Cast member and second year Acting student Tahlia Wine came to TWU to learn theatre, because she desired to make a difference in people’s lives through acting. "I feel that the heart and meaning of AWAKE is to show people how much of a difference theatre (especially in a Christian environment) can make in people’s lives. It explores stories of alumni and how the theatre program at TWU has shaped their lives and helped them become who they are today. It’s quite beautiful, and it also shows that although we are being shut down at Trinity, the people who have gone here will still continue to make a difference in people’s lives—we will live on."
Wine, who has dreams to become an onscreen actress someday, believes that AWAKE will be well-received by audiences. "I hope they learn that a theatre education, especially in a Christian environment, can change people’s lives and help them become who they are meant to be, help them understand others while also being able to be their true selves. I also hope that audiences leave feeling hopeful about what theatre and the arts in general has in store for the future."
Wine explains that, what makes AWAKE especially meaningful, is the unique experiences and messages that each of the alumni stories tell. "One common theme among almost all of them is the sense of community and how much theatre brings people together. I think it shows the value of community and how important it is for us to be ourselves, and know ourselves, in order to connect with ourselves and with others." she said.
First-year Theatre student Sarah Grace Wiedenheft is stage manager and "keeper of the story." Her role is to help craft the narrative by taking ideas and thoughts from alumni submissions, and drawing significant connections. "It's interesting to hear stories of alumni read aloud by current students, and seeing how the actors understand it," she said. Wiedenheft observed reoccuring themes of love, home and belonging.
AWAKE will be presented on the Langley campus of TWU, November 23 – December 4, Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. plus Saturday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets available at www.twu.ca/theatre.
Trinity Western University is grateful for our Theatre faculty, students and alumni who are talented, dedicated, and godly individuals who have made positive and lasting contributions to the TWU community and to society at large. Program closures, when necessary, are painful decisions, and we can’t underestimate the toll that such decisions have upon our community. Due to a decade long pattern of insufficient enrolment, limited opportunity for enrolment growth in Theatre, and significant operating expenditures relative to tuition fees, TWU made the difficult decision to close the Theatre programs (and MA TESOL program) over a period of three years, allowing time for current students to graduate well.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca
AWAKE photo credits: Jef Gibbons