*TICKETS TO THIS FREE DIALOGUE EVENT DO NOT INCLUDE ENTRY TO ‘THE ARSONISTS’ AT THE CHAN CENTRE THEATRE*
“If the thought of radical change
Scares you more than the thought of disaster,
What can you do
To stop the disaster?”
Do you ever feel overwhelmed at the thought of climate change and its impacts? Join us for a thought-provoking pre-show event inspired by The Arsonists theme of the cost of complacency.
Participate in this dialogue to explore ideas about why we resist changes that would reduce climate impacts, and collectively reflect on what we can do to move beyond our complicity to take transformative climate action.
Stephen Heatley, Director of 'The Arsonists' and Professor in the UBC Department of Theatre and Film; Holly Caggiano, Assistant Professor in the UBC School of Community and Regional Planning; and Kathryn Harrison, Professor in the UBC Department of Political Science, will join the conversation to talk about the process of making the play and how it relates to the current climate crisis and the cost of complacency.
The Arsonists Pre-Show Dialogue is hosted by the UBC Arts & Culture District, UBC Department of Film and Theatre, and UBC Sustainability Hub.
Snacks will be provided, and drinks will be available for purchase.
Space is limited. Please register by Tuesday, January 28.
Date: Friday, January 31, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Venue: Frederic Wood Theatre
Location: 6354 Crescent Road (Open on Google Maps)
Important note - if you're planning to attend the evening performance of 'The Arsonists' at the Chan Centre, please purchase your ticket in advance. Purchase now.
This event is part of UBC's Climate Emergency Week 2025, which seeks to convene and energize communities of climate action at UBC. Join events, workshops, and activities, and take collective action for justice, people, and the planet. Learn more at climateemergency.ubc.ca
speakers
Holly Caggiano
Holly Caggiano is an Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia. Her research explores social dimensions of climate transitions in the US and Canada. Her interdisciplinary scholarship draws from various social science theories and methods, often community-engaged, and she prioritizes working collaboratively with people impacted by climate change and the plans and policies developed to mitigate its impacts. Prior to joining UBC in 2023, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton’s Andlinger Center for Energy & Environment in the Behavioral Science for Policy Lab. She holds a PhD in Planning and Public Policy from Rutgers University.
Kathryn Harrison
Kathryn Harrison is a Professor of Political Science, and Brenda and David McLean Chair of Canadian Studies at UBC. She received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering before completing her PhD in Political Science. Professor Harrison has worked in the oil industry and as a policy analyst for both Environment Canada and the United States Congress. She has served as Senior Associate Dean and Acting Dean in the UBC Faculty of Arts. Harrison has published widely on Canadian and US climate policy. She is chair of the Expert Advisory Panel on climate change mitigation of the Canadian Climate Institute, a member of British Columbia’s Climate Solutions Council, and a frequent media commentator on climate policy.
Stephen Heatley
Stephen Heatley is a Professor of Acting and Directing and was the Head of the Department of Theatre and Film at UBC from 2015 to 2023. Professor Heatley teaches acting and directing and is the departmental liaison for playwrighting. He spent twelve seasons as Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Theatre Network where he directed over thirty world premieres. He spent five years as Associate Artistic Director at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton and has directed for other companies in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto, Blyth, Victoria, Richmond and Rosthern, SK. In 2007, his production of Roald Hoffmann’s Should’ve was featured at the congress of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in Turin, Italy. His 2016 production of the drag action musical Heels of Glory played at the Chelsea Theatre in London, England. He is the director The Arsonists.