From left to right - Jessie Liang as Sophia, Nolan McConnell-Fidyk as Cole, Alina Blackett (top) as Elizabeth, Caitlin Volkert as Chloe, Heather Barr as Dylan and Logan Fenske as Michael. 24/0 cooper PHOTO Studio 58's got attitude Next production, WILDERNESS, a tale of youth mental health By ALLISON HAYES tudio 58 is opening up with stories of self-doubt, inse- curity and disconnect from an ever-pressuring society in their latest production, WIL- DERNESS. Based on real events, the story follows six youths sent to a wilder- ness therapy camp, hoping to work through the complexities of adult- hood by reconnecting with nature. First produced in 2016, WIL- DERNESS premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music by En Garde Arts. Studio 58’s production will be the first time the play has been performed in Canada. Director Genevieve Fleming said it has been great to work with a larger cast, as it makes the plot more interesting and dissects the characters’ unique dysfunctions. “Everyone in this play seems to be doing their best, which I love because we're all flawed human animals just trying to do our best,” she said. “Despite dysfunction with mental health or addiction or issues with your parents, the whole gamut of experiences that might lead to a place like a wilderness camp, there’s still a lot of heart there.” The play focuses on the challeng- es of growing up in the 21st cen- tury, exploring issues like addiction, mental health, and sexuality. Ac- cording to Shanae Sodhi, Fleming’s assistant, the issues the play covers are ones that a student audience will be able to connect with, espe- cially in regards to mental health. “Everybody between the ages of 17 and 30 was in high [school] when mental health was really on the radar,” Sodhi said. “I really like the way they talk about mental health in [the play]... they don't try and draw any conclusions that arent being said, they simply let characters speak their truth.” WILDERNESS actress Jessie Li- ang said many people are scared of being alone. “Tt’s so fresh. We are excited to connect with the audience with a story that is super relevant.” ‘The play premieres Nov. 16 and runs until Dec. 3. Student theatre not childs play Jarred Stephen Meek plans to produce and act in his play. 4/1/Son HAvES PHOTO Studio 58 actor to produce his own show, solo By ALLISON HAYES to produce a play solo, it takes even more when you're still a student. Studio 58 theatre student Jarred Stephen Meek is throwing himself into his own creative project on top of attending school as he stages his first independent play, josh and Carol: The Reunion. The 23 year-old Kelowna native is expanding his performing port- folio in theatre and drag, utilizing everything the college has to offer to help facilitate the complex pro- cess of producing an independent stageplay. In general, it is rare for Studio 58 students to work on out- side projects during the semester. “It’s so helpful here because I can just write and have people give feedback,” Meek said. “That’s what I love about this and that’s why I’m doing it now, because I really want to be able to use all the resources that I have.” Meek’s play follows protagonist I takes motivation and drive Josh, who has done nothing since high school, as he prepares to at- tend his school’s 10-year reunion. Joined by his former girlfriend, Carol, they decide to try and fake it as a couple. ‘The reunion only grows more di- sastrous, and comedic, as the play goes on. Jessie Liang, a classmate and friend of Meek cast to play Carol, said it takes considerable dedication to produce and stage a play alone, in addition to the work- load of school. “T feel like a lot of our work is still contained into our school be- cause we are still learning. It is quite unique that Jarred decided to do this. He’s one of the few people who has the drive and the courage to go forth with his ideas, it’s really fun for me to be a part of this,” Liang said. Taylor Long, who plays the char- acter of Chloe, a functioning alco- holic, said Meek has an outgoing personality which will take him far in the industry. “Knowing as an actor, we can go out there and create our own work [and not wait] for someone else to tell us that we're hired,” Long said. According to Meek, josh and Carol: ‘The Reunion will be per- formed in 2018, however the loca- tion and date has yet to be finalized. eSports gaming for good cause Langara gamers play live for 24 hours, raising funds for kids By LINDSEY LLOYD he Langara eSports As- sociation turned their pas- sion for online gaming into cash, raising $100 for charity in a 24-hour livestream. The association participated in an all-day gaming marathon Nov. 4, where videogame players raise money for Extra Life, a charity organization benefiting Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in North America. Gamers livestreamed their gam- ing online during Extra Life’s game day so people around the world can watch, play and donate through the Extra Life website. Jonathan Wong, Co-Founder of the Langara eSports Association said the event is the perfect way for gamers to raise money. “You know how people run mar- athons for charity organizations, for us that would be playing a video- game for 24 hours,” Wong said. ‘The association played a vari- ety of popular online multiplayer games that anyone could join and play, such as League of Legends and PlayerUnknown'’s Battlegrounds. Isabelle Tupas, Langara eSports Association Co-Chair, said raising money for Extra Life is something the association has done since its inception in 2015. “It’s one of the things that, as gamers, [is] specific to us...we can help in our own way,” she said. Pamela Smith, communications specialist for BC Children’s Hospi- tal Foundation, said Extra Life has really made a difference for kids in need. “The movement, formed by gam- ers bonded by passion, is commit- ted to saving and improving the lives of local kids.” Smith said. ‘The money raised by the Lang- ara eSports Association during the game day marathon will be donated to BC Children’s Hospital. “We want to show that gamers arent just people that sit down and play video games for eight hours a day... It's the perfect charity for us to participate in,” Tupas said. ‘Ihe Extra Life charity event has raised more than $30 million since its inception in 2008, most of the money raised is donated during game day. Over $7 million was raised during the 24-hour mara- thon across North America on Nov. 4. Extra Life hopes to finish 2017 with $10 million raised this year. 170 children's hospitals in North America recieved money from Extra Life's 24-hour stream event. 630 people around the world participated in the livestreams. SOURCE: PAMELA SMITH, BC CHIL- DREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION