Faculty members at the University of Alberta’s drama department are preparing to take to the stage as part of research into their craft during the second annual StageLab Festival.

The free festival, which runs from Aug. 27 to 31, aims to showcase innovation from drama teachers at the university the best way they know how: on stage.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to do some creative research. It’s one thing to write papers, go to conferences and present things, but it’s another thing to actually put some of the principals that you are exploring into practice,” said faculty member and StageLab performer Michele Brown.

Coming in on the tail end of the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, StageLab takes place at the Timms Centre for the Arts on the U of A campus, not just on the stage, but in other creative Timms venues as well.

“We’re using a lot of site-specific venues in strange ways. We have something going on in the prop storage room, we have something going in the back alley behind the stage, and something going on in the paint shop. There’s this idea of being surrounded by theatre rather than having the typical distance between audience (and actors). It’s a much more intimate space and a much more conversational space,” described festival organizer Priscilla Yakielashek.

Seven plays are being performed during the festival. For a full listing, visit drama.ualberta.ca.