It's time to take off the training wheels.
For the first time, UFV Theatre students will perform a production where the entire show is produced and presented exclusively by students.
The Ensemble Project class of 16 upper-level students handle it all. They are the cast, crew and everything around and in between.
"The core value of the Ensemble Project is that we're all involved," said Director Shawna Lawson.
"And everyone is learning something new," said Assistant Director Phay Gagnon. Each student brings prior theatre experience, like acting, writing or designing for UFV's 15-minute "D-Fest" productions. However, everyone is taking on an entirely new or expanded role for this project.
The students began by pitching show ideas to one another. In addition to content requirements, it had to be a show small enough that 16 people could successfully produce and perform without any assistance, yet large enough that everyone would be able to learn and grow from the experience.
The Romeo Initiative, Stage Manager Eli Moores said, was that perfect middle ground.
Written by Vancouver-based playwright Trina Davies, it's a story of love, lies and intrigue, told against a backdrop of Cold War politics in 1970s Germany.
Once the script was selected, the students went about assigning the various roles. This was no simple name-out-of-a-hat process. They required pitches for crew and directing candidates, and auditions for the three character roles, each of which was followed by collaborative deliberation sessions.
Described as romantic-comedy meets spy-thriller, The Romeo Initiative is not your typical love story. It follows the relationship between Karin (played by Emily Eggert-Botkin) and Markus (Reilly Ellis), and the bridge between them, Lena (played by Delaney Bergstrom).
"One of the most fascinating things about this show," said Artistic Coordinator Nial Harrison Morry, "is that you see the same story from two different perspectives." Act One is from Karin's point of view, while Act Two is from Markus'. Through their subtleties, four seemingly identical scenes in each act are drastically different.
Those opposing perspectives are visually demonstrated through careful design choices. Karin's romantic, flowing skirt becomes rigid through Markus' eyes. His memory of their rainy, dark wedding contrasts with her sunny recollection. The audience will be enthralled in spotting the differences.
Thanks to the small cast, the audience will notice these subtle deviations as they gain an intimate look into each character's life. And the closely-knit cast members have formed the trust necessary to genuinely portray scenes of heated passion or romance.
Although the blackbox theatre venue at the Canada Education Park (CEP) Campus is unlike what the students have experienced with prior UFV productions, Morry said it's actually a good replication of what he and fellow students might work in for their early professional careers.
Operating out of the CEP also meant they were more than a few steps away from their instructors. Ensemble Project instructor Heather Davis-Fisch and technical professionals offered guidance only on an as-needed basis.
"We have faculty support if we have questions, but they're not doing our jobs for us," Gagnon explained. By taking on the lead roles themselves, they're gaining necessary independence.
Being the "guinea pigs" of this project, the students agreed that they are carrying a profound responsibility, but also that they're on an epic adventure.
"The first time you do something, you learn a hell of a lot," said Morry.
These UFV students are continuing to develop in their craft, but also gaining invaluable experience by mentoring and supporting one another at the cross-section of each role.
"You don't want to limit yourself," said Gagnon. What you like and what you're good at might not be the same thing, so it's important to try as many different roles as possible.
"The more you know about all the areas, the better you are at whatever area you end up focusing on," Lawson added. Actors need to understand the backstage perspective. Playwrights benefit from acting experience. Artistic coordinators draw on knowledge of set building and costume design.
Come see what these collaborative, upper-level UFV students are capable of when they make all of the decisions.
The Ensemble Project at UFV performs The Romeo Initiative at the CEP Campus (45190 Caen Ave), Building A, Room 2106. Shows run Jan. 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m., as well as Jan. 17 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Reserve tickets and learn more by emailing ufvromeoinitiative@gmail.com. The box office is cash only.