Rella’s Cambrian Dream

In Development, 2021

A Multi-disciplinary, multi-platform Performance Experience for all ages

In Development with University of Calgary, TELUS Spark and Action Pants Arts

A Multi-disciplinary, multi-platform performance for all ages investigating the integration of emergent techologies in live performance

Rella’s Cambrian Dream is a science-fantasy adventure set 508 million years ago, in the Cambrian Explosion. The characters are ancient undersea creatures- tiny arthropods who, only in our time were discovered as fossils atop the Rocky Mountains. This science-forward, delightful adventure about the history and mysteries of Canada’s Burgess Shale takes its form in a live performance inside the TELUS Spark Digital Immersion Gallery and includes an original 3 episode audio play with an augmented reality fossil scavenger hunt.

This transdisciplinary research project led by Christine Brubaker brings together researchers from Drama and Computer Science at University of Calgary as well as sectoral collaborators and partners including Action Pants Art, TELUS Spark, Toronto Metropolitant University and others.

Sneak peek performance as part of the Harbourfront Junior Festival Spring 2022

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FUNDED by the Canada Council Digital Now Grant, SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant, UCalgary Transdisciplinary Grants, Calgary Arts Development and the PAREX Fellowship

Critical UncertaintiES & Future Scenarios for Prairie-Based Theatre

Critical Uncertainties & Future Scenarios for Prairie-Based Theatre

Funded by the SSHRC Insight Development Grant

This multi-year project was a collaboration among Principal Investigator Prof. Christine Brubaker (University of Calgary), Dr. Taiwo Afolabi (Canada Research Chair, University of Regina), and Yvette Nolan (theatre scholar–practitioner, University of Saskatchewan). Together with community stakeholders, we investigated the evolving landscape of theatre-making in the 2020s within the unique identity and ecosystem of the Canadian Prairies. We partnered with Jessica Thornton and Heather Russek of Creative Futures Studio to run a Strategic Foresight process, including a horizon scan, trend analysis, and several future scenarios for our stakeholders.

The outcomes are available in this report