Project Description
Mixed Company Theatre partnered with alsaha on a Forum Theatre project to build community solidarity and explore challenges faced by the Arab community in their integration into Canadian society.
This project delved into the intricacies of their experiences, holding a mirror to their daily life challenges in Canada, and capturing the nuances through the Forum Theatre process.
The Process
This project started with a series of theatre workshops with Arab community members to consult on the major barriers and challenges that prevent them from engaging fully in Canadian society. This led to the group developing a Forum Theatre play that they presented for the larger community.
Through these performances, the community proposed and tried out their own strategies for a positive, alternative ending to the story. They had the opportunity to:
- Come together to collaborate, connect, and develop bonds with one another
- Engage in critical dialogue on an issue that universally resonates with them
- Access a safe space to explore grassroots responses/answers and actions to address their questions
- Experience theatre and the arts as a tool for creating change
Performances
The group performed the Forum Theatre play they developed on the following dates/times.
Saturday May 18th at 3:00 PM (EST) – Friends House, 60 Lowther Ave., Toronto, ON
Saturday May 25th at 3:30 PM (EST) – The Arab Community Centre of Toronto, 295 The West Mall Suite 200, Etobicoke, ON
Sunday May 26th at 3:00 PM (EST) – Unique Books Inc., 1182 Kennedy Rd, Scarborough, ON
Saturday June 1st at 3:30 PM (EST) – Unitarian Congregation, 84 S Service Rd, Mississauga, ON
For full details on the project, see: https://www.alsaha.ca/projects/safar
Artists
Heather Cherron von Atzigen – Facilitator | “Joker”
Heather Cherron von Atzigen was first introduced to Theatre of the Oppressed by Simon Malbogat through his Mixed Company Theatre. It has now been over 25 years that she has been an associate artist with Mixed Company. Last season, Heather wrote, created a song, directed and co-facilitated “PUSH” a virtual Forum Theatre piece about the culture of sexual assault on post-secondary campuses. “PUSH” was followed up with another virtual creation, “I Carry with Me”; a poignant hit of reality on race and privilege, where she once again was entrusted to create a script with movement, poetry, a song and of course very real challenges. Heather also performed as Marissa in MCT’s live and virtual tour, in Catherine Frid’s “Two-Sided Mirror”. While there have been many highlights with MCT, being nominated with the rest of the cast of “DISS”, for a Dora Mavis award really stands out.
Partners
