From November 2th to 7th, Blackout Arts Society and Presentation House Theatre are presenting the inaugural STAND Festival, a live and livestreamed celebration by and for immigrant and refugee theatre artists, at Presentation House Theatre in North Vancouver. STAND aims to support and amplify the creations and voices of newcomers to Canada through the arts.
“We’re very pleased to work with Blackout Theater on this important new ‘first’ in our community,” says Kim Selody, PHT Artistic Director. “Blackout’s Amir Hosseini and Soha Sanajou have been exceedingly generous with their time and first-hand knowledge, tirelessly drawing from their own experiences and struggles to put together this festival. We’re excited to be a part of it, and to get to know the amazing talent that lies within the region.”
The goal of STAND Festival is to support immigrant and refugee voices while addressing social issues concerning race, class, and gender. Festival programming includes performances, knowledge-sharing workshops, panel discussions, and the chance to connect with inspiring newcomer artists who share their stories of survival, courage, failure, and hope.
“It is time for immigrant and refugee artists to come together and help each other,” shares Blackout Theater Artistic Director, Amir Hosseini. “We are stronger together. We honour diversity, inclusion, and equity while rejecting racism and sexism. We stand together to celebrate community.”
The six-day event includes free panels and workshops:
- A life path panel with three successful immigrant artists, Soheil Parsa, Carmen Aguirre, and Beatriz Pizano
- Grant writing with Chelsea Haberlin, Artistic Director of Neworld Theatre
- Storytelling with playwright Tetsuro Shigematsu
- a multi-day Director’s Lab with Rumble Theatre’s Jivesh Parasram
- insights and information on grant programs and eligibility from Canada Council, BC Arts Council, and the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission representatives
STAND evenings are filled with vibrant performances, showcasing the works of immigrant and refugee theatre artists both online and on-stage:
- Phantom Pain, written and performed by Lennora Esi, (recently awarded the Edinburgh Fringe 2021 Derek Award – Best Overseas)
- Made in Canada, a musical journey blending mariachi influences with lyrics sourced from the words of seasonal temporary foreign workers
- Suitcase Stories, written and performed by Maki Yi
- Yue Opera from Shanghai
- INHUMAN/E, a haunting interactive drama by Ava Maria Safai, Syd Castle, Wesley Frank, Nicco Graham, Thomas Reynolds & Lois Warwick
“Together, we are working to change the face of the performing arts in the lower mainland,” says Selody of everyone involved in STAND. “We’re excited to have new voices in our home, and to learn more about those who have come here, with their talent and skills as artists, to enrich us all. Each of us is energized by this bold new festival, which we hope becomes an annual event here on the North Shore.”
Full festival line up details, tickets and registrations are available online now at phtheatre.org.