The UC Davis Institute for Exploration in Theatre, Dance and Performance presents Ph.D. candidate Jess Curtis in his latest work, Jess Meets Angus, and the institute-sponsored FACETS holds informational interviews-auditions for a stage project about the impacts of rising tuition.

Both are happening next week:

Jess Meets Angus: Men 'of a certain age'

Choreography and dialogue are combined in this generational study focusing on two men "of a certain age," in this case, performers in their 50s. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, April 5-6, Lab A, Wright Hall. Free, with limited seating (first-come, first served).

Curtis and Scottish actor, dancer and director Angus Balbernie "experience reflection, aging, nostalgia, regret and anticipation of the future."

It is a co-production of Jess Curtis/Gravity (San Francisco and Berlin) and Silke Z./resistdance (Cologne, Germany), one of four episodes of choreographer Silke Z.’s Just Between Us — The Generation Project.

Each episode features two performers who explore a different generation’s understanding of identity and life experience. The performance pairs: young adults age 20-plus, men 30-plus, working mothers 40-plus and professionals 50-plus.

Jess Meets Angus’ U.S. premiere is set to take place at CounterPULSE theater in San Francisco, Thursday through Sunday (March 29-April 1).

FACETS: Tuition impacts on stage

This is the first project from FACETS, which stands for Facilitating, Analyzing, Communicating, Engaging Through the Stage, exploring important ideas and events “that matter to our communities and ourselves,” according to a news release from the Department of Theatre and Dance. The artistic directors: Jon D. Rossini and Peter Lichtenfels, professors; and Eric Steggall, production manager.

“The inaugural project investigates the impact of the changing economics of higher education on UC Davis families and communities. FACETS wants to uncover and share these stories of resilience, courage, hardship and struggle — the realities of everyday life in difficult times.”

Students, faculty, staff and community members are needed as researchers, creators and performers. The organizers said they are looking for passion and commitment and the sharing of everyday stories from everyday perspectives — participants need not have any training or experience.

“By illuminating different aspects of the effects of fee increases, this project is intended to not only engage an audience but to raise awareness and generate productive discussion.”

Interviews-auditions

7:15-10 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, Firehouse (next to the Music Building). Sign-ups are being taken by e-mail, ucdfacets@gmail.com, or in person in 101 Art Building. If you are interested in performing, you should prepare a one-minute piece of text of your choice (such as a monologue, newspaper story or poem). This need not be memorized.

The organizers said they want to hear your stories even if you do not want to participate on stage. Or you can help collect stories. Get in touch with the organizers by e-mail, ucdfacets@gmail.com.

The work in progress

The Department of Theatre and Dance announced that the work in progress will be shared at a not-yet-determined location on Wednesday, May 16, the eve of the UC Day of Action in Sacramento, and as a workshop production Monday and Tuesday, May 21 and 22, in Lab A, Wright Hall. Subsequent development will emerge from feedback after these presentations.