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SIUE Xfest Brings Unique and Imaginative Performances to Stage for its Silver Anniversary

August 7, 2019, 10:32 AM

XfestSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Xfest, one of the only university festivals of its kind, has garnered a positive reputation for presenting experimental, alternative and avant-garde performing artists from around the country. Xfest is celebrating its 10th anniversary from Monday, Sept. 9-Friday, Sept. 13 by bringing back some of its favorite artists. 

SIUE Xfest will feature five companies that received high praise during their debut at SIUE. Productions are scheduled during the evening, while the Xfest artists will offer master classes and workshops during the day for a weeklong immersive learning event. 

“By exposing our students to unique styles of theater and dance, we encourage them to gain a better understanding of the discipline and be inspired to create their own works,” said Prof. Chuck Harper, MFA, Xfest artistic director and Department of Theater and Dance (DOTD) chair. “We believe it is important to share the creation of new works and gain exposure to experimental theater. Xfest plays a vital part in this learning-sharing process.” View more about Xfest here. 

Xfest’s production lineup is as follows: 

  • “Whammy! The Seven Secrets to a Sane Self”
    Presented by YoungLiars, St. Louis
     Sponsored by DOTD and Xfest
    7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9
    Metcalf Theatre 

The agony and ecstasy of “self-help” get a delirious makeover in this madcap multi-media dance-theater extravaganza. “Whammy!” was the opening production of the inaugural Xfest in 2010. The show returns re-imagined, re-cast and featuring DOTD alumni and faculty. 

In “Rink Life,” Lucky Plush brings its highly integrated approach to dance-theater into a communal space that nods to the visual aesthetics and social dynamics of 1970’s roller rink culture, where relationships and storylines are as transient as the world that contains them. 

  • “Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame”
    Presented by SIUE alumnus Ernie Silva, New York
     Sponsored by the DOTD
    7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11
    Metcalf Theater 

“Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame” is a one-man show that is like watching a bar fight between the lead character’s demons, influences and aspirations. It’s a sometimes serious, sometimes hilarious journey filled with echoes of Shakespeare, Lightning Hopkins, Jack Kerouac and typical Brooklyn, New York archetypes and philosophers. Silva earned his bachelor’s in theater-performance from SIUE in 1999. 

  • “The Wilds”
    Presented by Wonderheads, Canada
     Sponsored by the DOTD
    7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12
    Metcalf Theater 

When Wendell discovers that both his wife and their beloved tree have vanished from the backyard, he must venture into “The Wilds” and face its mysteries to bring them home. Charming and profoundly moving, this wordless award-winning show features Wonderheads’ signature masks along with dazzling puppetry, and moves its audiences to both laughter and tears. 

  • “No Blue Memories”
    Presented by Manual Cinema
     Sponsored by the SIUE Office of the Provost and Commerce Bank. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
    7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13
    Dunham Hall Theater 

“No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks” brings to life the story of one of Chicago’s most beloved figures. Brooks was an icon, a poet laureate, and a Pulitzer Prize winner, but she was also a treasured educator and mentor to countless writers and children. Weaving together poetry, storytelling, sound design, original music and striking visuals, “No Blue Memories” is an exploration of Brooks’ beloved city, and a story of how she navigated identity, craft and politics over the course of one of the most remarkable careers in American literary history. 

SIUE Xfest has more than lived up to its mission and goals, according to Peter Cocuzza, DOTD professor of performance, Xfest co-creator with Harper. A five-day event of alternative theater and dance, SIUE Xfest introduces the campus to a spectacular array of performing artists. Each September, the festival presents ensembles of national and international renown, along with works of regional emerging artists. 

“SIUE Xfest has brought in 31 different companies from across the US,” said Grant Andree, Arts & Issues director. “We estimate that more than 1,500 students have participated in 65 workshops over the past 10 years.” Each year, Arts & Issues collaborates with SIUE Xfest and dedicates one of its events to the festival.

“Peter Cocuzza originated the idea SIUE Xfest,” noted Harper. “Peter wanted to create a summer event that would pull audiences and students to the campus during the quiet summer months.  After four years of summer performances, the artistic team realized we were producing a fantastic festival. We thought it best to move the festival to September where more students could attend and participate.” 

“Chuck played a huge part in making the festival happen in his role as the first and only artistic director,” interjected Cocuzza. “He also now functions as producer of the event. If Chuck would not have been as involved as he was in the beginning and as he is now, I don’t believe we would be celebrating 10 years.” 

“I’m proud to say that SIUE Xfest gets better every year,” added Cocuzza. 

For Xfest performances (other than Manual Cinema), tickets may be purchased through the Theater and Dance Department by calling 618-650-2774 or in person at the Theater and Dance Box Office, Dunham Hall, room 1042b. General admission is $15 for adults, $12 for SIUE staff, retirees, alumni, seniors and other students, and free for SIUE students with valid identification. 

Tickets for Manual Cinema can be purchased beginning Monday, Aug. 26 online at artsandissues.com, by phone at 1-866-698-4253 or at the Morris University Center Welcome Desk. General admission is $20 for adults, $18 for SIUE staff, retirees, alumni and seniors 65 or older, $15 for other students and free for SIUE students with valid identification. 

The following are the dance-theater companies that have performed at Xfest: 

  • 2016
     ERA (St. Louis), Coldharts (NYC), Chicago Dance Crash (Chicago), Theater Simple (Seattle) 


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