Conrad Alexandrowicz

BA York University, MFA University of Alberta
Assistant Professor
Movement Classes / Acting

Phoenix Building Room 108A
Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:30 (by appointment)
conrada@uvic.ca

Areas of Research & Creative Activity
Conrad Alexandrowicz is a director, writer and choreographer, and the artistic director of Wild Excursions Performance. He specializes in the creation of varieties of interdisciplinary performance that address subjects central to the human journey: issues of relationship, gender and power, and the nature of the performance event itself. Drawing from a number of genres and disciplines, which are deconstructed and then recombined in startling ways, the work is often subversive, interrogating conventional theatrical procedures and forms. This includes work that is dance-based, but makes significant use of theatrical elements; work that is theatre-based but contains significant movement or other non-naturalistic components; and work adapted from the standard play repertoire that is staged in innovative ways.

Courses
THEA 225 Introduction to Stage Movement
THEA 325 Stage Movement I
THEA 326 Stage Movement II
THEA 425 Stage Movement III
THEA 426 Stage Movement IV

Brief Biography

Conrad Alexandrowicz holds a B.F.A. in Dance from York University, and an M.F.A. in Directing from the University of Alberta. Originally from Toronto, he performed with a number of Canadian dance companies, principally Dancemakers, where he began to produce his own work, much of which featured original text. He left the company in 1987 to choreograph, direct and perform independently. In 1995 he founded the company he still directs, Wild Excursions Performance. To date he has created over forty-five dance and physical-theatre works, some of which have been presented across Canada, in New York City, France and the U.K

Previous to his arrival at the University of Victoria, he taught at Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, the Vancouver Film School and Capilano College, and directed at Douglas College, Studio 58 and United Players, as well as for the company he founded, Wild Excursions Performance. His latest work in development is The Boy Who Went Outside, a work for actors and singers based on the life and work of American musical revolutionary Harry Partch.

Selected Creation & Direction Credits

2007 Beggars Would Ride, a two-act musical satire, written and directed by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A Wild Excursions production, nominated for eight Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards.

2007 i think i can, by playwright Florence Gibson and tap choreographer Shawn Byfield. A dance-play for one actor and eight tap dancers, produced by Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young in Toronto. Dora Award nomination.

2006 The John Moffatt and Larry Lillo Prize, Jessie Awards.

2004 The Crucible Variations, adapted from The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and Are You Now or Have You Ever Been… by Eric Bentley. A Douglas College production, created in collaboration with the cast, presented at the Performing Arts Theatre, Douglas College, New Westminster.

2003 Quicken, a mask play for eleven actors by Xanthe Faulkner. A Studio 58 production, remounted in 2005 by the Gateway Theatre, Richmond.

2003 The Singer Falls Silent, written, directed and choreographed by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A performance piece for five actors inspired by Prophecy by Peter Handke. A Wild Excursions production at Performance Works, Vancouver. Winner of the Critics’ Choice Award for Innovation.

2002 Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, by Caryl Churchill. M.F.A. thesis production produced by the University of Alberta Drama Department, Timms Centre for the Arts, Edmonton.

2000 The Erotic Curve of the Earth, by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A one-act play for two actors presented by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Rhubarb! Festival 2000; and by Wild Excursions Performance, Summerworks Festival 2000, Toronto, and the Vancouver Fringe, 2003.

1996-99 Dance, Little Lady!, directed and choreographed by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A dance-cabaret for five women, produced by Dancing on the Edge and Wild Excursions at the Firehall Arts Centre, Vancouver, and the Chutzpah! Festival, Vancouver, 2006.

1998 Passion: Elysian Fields, by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A two-act play for nine actors. A Touchstone Theatre/Wild Excursions co-production, Vancouver East Cultural Centre.

1998 Brilliant! The Blinding Enlightenment of Nikola Tesla, by the Electric Company. A two-act play for four actors dramaturged and directed in association with the creators. An Electric Company production, the Roundhouse, Vancouver.

1996-99 The Wines of Tuscany, written and directed by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A one-act physical-theatre duet for men first presented at the Vancouver New Play Festival, 1996; Firehall Arts Centre, Vancouver; High Performance Rodeo, Calgary; Belfry Theatre, Victoria; Tarragon Theatre, Toronto; Workshop West, Edmonton. Dora Mavor Moore and Stirling Awards.

1997 The Ray Michal Award, Jessie Awards.

1995 Howling after Music, choreographed, written and directed by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A physical-theatre duet for actor-dancers. A Wild Excursions production at the Firehall Arts Centre, Vancouver.

1992 Letters on Dancing & Ballet, Part Four: The Anguish of Departure, written, choreographed and directed by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A one-act dance play for six dancers and three actors. A Conrad Alexandrowicz Theatrical Dance production, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto.

1992 The Drapes Come by Charles Disenzo A one-act play, at The Directors’ Project, the Shaw Festival.

1988 Waltzes into Wood, choreographed by Conrad Alexandrowicz. Sextet for dancers, Olympic Arts Festival Dance Commissions, Martha Cohen Theatre, Calgary.

1988 Scenes from the Life of the Virgin, written, directed and choreographed by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A duet for dancer and actor. Ontario Arts Council Dance Commissions for Buddies in Bad Times and the Firehall Arts Centre, Toronto and Vancouver.

1984-93 Boys Will Be Men, choreographed and written by Conrad Alexandrowicz. A duet for actor-dancers. A Dancemakers production performed across Canada, in Paris, New York City, and the U.K.

Selected Publications

Articles: “Making The Wines of Tuscany,” Canadian Theatre Review, (1999) Ed. Skip Shand and Ric Knowles.