THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & FILM AT UBC PRESENTSHAPPY DAYS BY SAMUEL BECKETT

Directed by MFA Directing Alumnus Gerald Vanderwoude

– A Human Comedy on the Slope of Existence –

Gerald Vanderwoude directs Beverly Bardal and Joe Procyk in the 19th annual fundraising UBC Theatre Alumni event, supporting the Peter Loeffler student scholarship fund.

Exploring the complexities of relationships, this absurdist piece pares them down to their most essential and raw. Beckett’s poetic use of language and form transport the characters of Winnie and Willie in his bitingly funny, often bittersweet play.

Come for the theatre, stay for the post-show frivolities with cake, champagne and bubbly discussion to follow each performance.

Media Requests:

Andrea Rabinovitch
Office: 604.822.3723, Cell: 604.314.3905
andrea.rabinovitch@ubc.ca

September 27-30, 2017.  7:30 pm

Frederic Wood Theatre
6354 Crescent Rd.
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CANADA
Wayfinding: http://www.maps.ubc.ca

Performances:

7:30 pm
General Admission

Tickets:

Students: $10, Adult: $15
Box office: 604.822.2678, box.office@ubc.ca or ubctheatretickets.com

 

Director, Happy DaysGERALD VANDERWOUDE

Gerald Vanderwoude began his time at UBC in the MFA Directing program on August 15th, 1989.  He currently holds the dubious distinction for the longest MFA in the Faculty of Arts-- ten years less one day.  He received his degree (MFA Directing) in 2000.  He was initially hired at UBC as the Box Office Clerk in 1996, promoted to Manager of Audience and IT support in 2000 and eventually Administrator of the Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing (now Theatre and Film) in 2006.   He served as Administrator for seven years before becoming Assistant Dean of Facilities and Human Resources in the Faculty of Arts.  He has directed over 25 Beckett productions during his time at UBC. 

Gerald Vanderwoude completed his Masters in Direction in 2000, his thesis production was Samuel Beckett’s Endgame.  Since that time, he has directed over 25 individual Beckett productions in addition to the world premier of Dr. Errol Durbach’s adaptation of Ibsen’s, The Master Builder. He was a close personal friend of the late Dr. Peter Loeffler and continues to support the theatre prize in Peter’s name.  Gerald currently serves as the Assistant Dean, H.R. and Facilities for the Faculty of Arts.

 

Professor emeritus, Department of Theatre and Filmpeter loeffler

Peter Loeffler began teaching at UBC in 1972 for thirty years taught theatre history to undergraduate and graduate students. His Introduction to Theatre course inspired first-year students to appreciate the power of theatre and its importance. He was a dedicated mentor for countless students from all specialties within the Department of Theatre. Peter passed away on January 18, 2002 after a short battle with cancer.

HAPPY DAYS honours Peter Loeffler’s love of avant-guard theatre and all proceeds go to his Memorial Fund.

Peter LOEFFLER Memorial Prize(s)

A prize has been endowed by family, friends, colleagues and students in memory of Peter Loeffler, who dedicated his life to theatre. The award is offered to an undergraduate student majoring in Theatre. The award is made on the recommendation of the Department of Theatre and Film.

Bio and podcast: http://archive.theatre.ubc.ca/podcast_whos_there_2012.shtml