That Elusive Spark runs November 27th to December 2nd. Image credit: J. Ogbonnaya.
That Elusive Spark opens November 27
Fall production combines Intro to Psychology, neuroscience, Hamlet and navigating mental health
The next production of the Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media’s Theatre Program runs November 27-December 2. Support student theatre – get your $10 + fees ticket today.
A mashup of historical drama and romantic comedy, That Elusive Spark time shifts between a contemporary university where neuropsychologist Helen Harlow struggles with teaching Psych 101 and taming her own mind, and 1848 Vermont where her physician ancestor John Harlow tends to Phineas Gage, a construction foreman who miraculously survives an explosion that shoots an iron rod though his head.
If you’ve taken Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 1200) then you likely remember the story of Phineas Gage and his amazing post-accident personality transformation. That Elusive Spark uses this famous and true case in psychology and neuroscience to explore the human mind, brain and heart with humour and theatricality, along with a dash of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. What emerges is a play that takes a touching and insightful look at mental health in the academy and beyond.
In these productions, undergraduate students studying theatre work together demonstrating their course-learned skills onstage, backstage and through promotion. The experience not only produces a full theatrical production for audiences to enjoy, but also provides hands-on experience to the students that helps them learn the ins-and-outs of working in the world of theatre. “The course these students take is fully experiential,” shared Dr. Katrina Dunn UM faculty member and play director. “Students learn presence, listening and respectful collaboration as each must play their role in the sophisticated teamwork required to bring a play to performance.”
That Elusive Spark is ultimately a story that helps each of us grapple with our understanding of mental health. Being set in a post-secondary environment where we both navigate and study mental health, audiences will find some of the scenes quite familiar.
Tickets for That Elusive Spark are $10.00 plus Eventbrite fees and can be purchased online. You can also follow along with the theatre students on Instagram as they prepare for the production @umanitobatheatre.
THAT ELUSIVE SPARK
By Janet Munsil
Directed by Dr. Katrina Dunn
November 27 – December 2, 2024
John J. Conklin Theatre, Gail Asper Performing Arts Hall
150 Dafoe Road, West Tache Arts Complex, UM Fort Garry campus
Wednesday to Friday – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday – 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday – dark
Monday – 2:00 p.m.
Runtime is 95 minutes (no intermission).
Set and costumes are designed by technical staff Shane Stewart and Karen Schellenberg, assisted by students from the production lab of THTR 3000. Additional production students take design leads on lighting, sound, props and projection. Promotional design by Joseph Ogbonnaya.