poster art by Sophia Garcia
Magnetic Bodies
Co-produced by Downstage and the University of Calgary’s School of Creative and Performing Arts
April 5 - April 7, 2024 in Motel Theatre, Arts Commons
ACCESSIBILITY OFFERINGS
Sunday, April 7 - Touch Tour (1pm) & Low Vision Friendly Performance (2pm)
Size Accessible Seating is available for every show!
Fall into a dream-like world of patchwork emotions as 8 individuals try to find themselves, and each other through the mist. Magnetic Bodies is a collection of stories that thread together the journey of letting go and explore connections between diverse personalities and walks of life. Attracting and repelling experiences that bring us closer or might pull us apart.
Please Note: The performance is 50 minutes with no intermission. There are a few moments that feature gentle flashing lights.
Creative Team
Co-Creators and Performers
Dylan Dietrich
Sophia Garcia
Sarbkali Hayer
Mariza Iturbe-Becerril
Abigail Monarrez
Nikhat Saheb
Sebastian Salomon Arriagada
Anthony Trotta
Co-Creator and Stage Manager - Sabrena Shah Baigzada
Co-Costume Designers - Sophia Garcia and Abigail Monarrez
Composer - Sophia Garcia
Set adapted from an original design by Cassie Holmes
Lighting Designer - Adam Kostiuk
Sound Designer - Nikhat Saheb
Process Co-Facilitators - Bianca Miranda and Clare Preuss
This whimsical mosaic of personal stories will magnetize you, and pull you in.
Sabrena Shah Baigzada is an Afghan Canadian artist, stage manager, playwright, director, and theatre technician. Sabrena is deeply passionate, supportive, is always willing to go above and beyond (and sometimes is insanely ambitious, but somehow manages to find her way through). Wherever Sabrena goes, you know that her bottomless bag of questions is always by her side, ready for anything and everything. Sabrena has been and continues to be deeply inspired by the person she loves, whom encourages her to do better and be better, and she is beyond thankful for him. She is appreciative to have been able to Assistant Stage Manage Hookman (2022), Stage Manage Argonautika (2023), and Stage Manage Shakespeare in Love (2023) with the School of Creative and Performing Arts. She is thankful for the continuous support from her family, friends, and mentors.
Dylan Dietrich is Calgary-based theatre technician and actor, as well as a student pursuing a BFA in Drama at the University of Calgary. As educator and playwright for children’s theatre, Dylan believes in the importance of a creative outlet. They are also a published poet.
Sophia Garcia (They/She) a Third-year student at the University of Calgary, pursuing a BFA in drama. They have dedicated many years to the practice of acting and are consistently ready to jump into the unknown when working on new projects. Sophia's goal in the workspace is to create an environment where all feel free to play and explore with each other. Over the past year, They have had the privilege of working with multiple directors such as Deedra Ladouceur, Cali Sproule, Saeid Asgarian, Steven Conde, and Bruce Barton. If they’re not reviewing their lines in aggressive thought, you can find Sophia attempting to make someone laugh, doodling in their notes, or sipping on some sweet sweet ice tea. They strongly believe that art is a reflection of the human experience, and its power lies in its ability to connect people and convey the beauty and complexity of the world around us. They hope to reflect this in their work and their future as an inspiring actor/creator.
Mariza Iturbe-Becerril is a bi-cultural, bi-lingual (English and Spanish) artist situated in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). Her acting career began in her early years of High school through musical theatre, to which it extended to University, through directing projects and main stages. Outside the theatre space, she has found a genuine passion for working with children in a wide variety of practices, these being education (Kindergarten), childcare (daycare and home care), and party entertainment (all young ages). Although acting is one of her bigger passions in theatre, her true focus in her future career is situated in film and theatre directing. Mariza feels a genuine gratitude toward Magnetic Bodies, accompanied with the hope of expressing that energy through her craft!
Adam Kostiuk is an emerging artist in the Calgary community, working as a production manager, stage manager, console operator, labour, and as an award winning lighting designer. Despite working in this creative field, Adam would say his passions lay more with supporting people than with theatre; theatre mainly being a means to help people bring important, personal, and engaging stories to life. In the same breath, Adam could not be more thrilled to help bring the 2022/23 season to life at Downstage as they seek to accomplish the same. Adam graduated from the University of Calgary in 2019 with degrees in Urban Studies and Drama, building a design portfolio that includes the lighting design award winning *antigone lives at the U of C in 2019, Mary Poppins at Keyano College in 2022, and assisting the lighting design for the Betty award winning Clue at Vertigo in 2022
Born and raised in the Philippines, Bianca Miranda (She/Her) is a fat, queer, Filipino-Canadian performer, theatre-maker, and arts administrator based in Mohkinstsis, Treaty 7 Territory. She is thrilled to be joining Downstage as an Associate Producer and to be continuing as an Artistic Associate at Handsome Alice. She believes that art can change the world but to do so, we must continue to centre marginalized voices and advocate for intersectional diversity to re-imagine a future together. STAY TUNED for the world premiere of “The F Word”, a play about being fat and so much more that she is co-writing, developing, and will be performing with her art partner, Keshia Cheesman. Follow along @TheBiancanator & @TheFWord_Show.
Clare (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist born on Turtle Island and is the daughter of European immigrants. She has worked with innovative creators across this land as well as in Germany, Lebanon, Switzerland and Uganda. Clare is a recipient of the Houselighters of the Citadel Theatre Award and has been nominated for the Pauline McGibbon Award, John Hirsch Director Prize, John Hirsch Director Award and twice for the Gina Wilkinson Award. She enjoys acting and directing for theatre and film as well as creating live-art pieces that she facilitates. Clare is the Artistic Director at Downstage.
Abigail Monarrez is an emerging creator, and overall attempter of many things. She is known for wearing many hats such as actor, artist, mask maker, puppeteer, muralist, scenic painter, designer and writer. Select credits include: Danza de los Viejitos (UofC SCPA), Magpie and Squirrel (Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry, r u home yet? collective), and Shakespeare in Love (UofC SCPA). She finds joy in getting her hands and painting clothes dirty. Abby is enrolled at the University of Calgary as a Drama Major, Visual Studies (Art) Minor, with Concurrent Education. She is on an endless quest create works that combine her love of visual art and performance in a way that moves people.
Nikhat Saheb (she/her) is a third-year Drama/Education student at the University of Calgary where she has performed in; A Monster Calls, Light’s Out, and has worked with U of C MFA directors Saeid Asgarian, Steven Conde, Laurel Lepine, and Margarita Rebetskaya. As a biracial artist with a dance background, she enjoys incorporating movement, play, experimentation, and collaboration in her process. Nikhat is drawn to theatre because she enjoys the sense of community and connection that goes into live storytelling. On a day off Nikhat enjoys lying in bed with ice cream and her cat Coco. As an emerging actor, working with Downstage has been an incredible experience that has allowed her to find her voice and blossom creatively. Nikhat is grateful for this opportunity and is honoured to be welcomed into the Downstage community. She is excited to kick start her career with Downstage. Enjoy the show!
Sebastian Salomon Arriagada (They/Them) is a student actor in their fourth year at the University of Calgary studying both biological sciences and drama. Sebastian enjoys finding ways of combining their love of science with their love of performing to both educate others, and get them excited about our planet. Between stressing about classes, you can find Sebastian writing poetry, learning and sharing fun facts, or playing Magic: The Gathering, with friends.
Anthony Trotta is an emerging multidisciplinary artist graduating with a BFA in Drama and minor in Italian Studies from the University of Calgary in June. Anthony is an actor, playwright, and musician playing over 6 instruments. He has a passion for telling real stories through the lens and words of real people, and incorporating music and pop culture in his work is a priority. Anthony is very excited to be collaborating with Downstage, his past work includes an original script titled Stand Up (Nickel and Dime Theatre), and Much Ado About Nothing (UCalgary SCPA). In his spare time, you're most likely to find Anthony at a record store, a drag show, or a concert. @anthony.trottaa
