In a galaxy not so far away, a University of Victoria theatre alumnus is using his Jedi powers to help support an emergency fund for students experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On Star Wars Day, May 4, Charles Ross will live stream his popular interstellar one-man romp through the Star Wars saga, free for all to watch online.
Coordinated through the Farquhar Auditorium at UVic, the performance allows the community to watch the Victoria actor condense 12 hours of cinema into a 75-minute re-enactment of the plots of three Star Wars films (Star Wars IV, V and VI) all while raising money to support students.
The UVic COVID-19 Emergency Bursary was established in April to help domestic all students who are in financial need because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Money raised will go toward students who have lost their jobs, face housing issues or have trouble paying for food, tuition or the technology needed for online or remote learning. The fund also supports mental health services, child care and transportation costs for students affected by the pandemic.
The fund was established with $200,000 from the university and $140,000 from the BC government. The UVic Students’ Society contributed $67,000, and the UVic Alumni Association pitched in $50,000. More than $98,000 in individual donations came in from hundreds of alumni, faculty, staff and supporters of the university.
So far, more than 2,000 students have applied to the emergency bursary, and UVic anticipates the demand will exceed $1 million.
On April 2, the provincial government pledged $3.5 million for B.C. post-secondary students.
With an apparent high midi-chlorian count, Ross has toured his world-famous production, One-Man Star Wars Trilogy, around the globe, entertaining more than one million fans in London’s West End, at the Sydney Opera House and off-Broadway in New York.
Performed with permission of Lucasfilm Ltd, the show is said to fast-paced, funny and suitable for ages six to Yoda.
This free performance will lives tream from the stage of the Farquhar at UVic on Monday, May 4, at 5 p.m and you can access the live stream on Facebook.
UVic says all gifts are welcome and viewers are asked to donate to the UVic COVID-19 Emergency Bursary online.
Rebecca Lawrence
