A play for tolerance
Canada is often depicted as a tolerant society where people of different ethnicities, languages, religions and sexualities cohabit in peace. Yet our human mosaic can be jarring for some.
That’s why a group of artists has created a bilingual play, Differences / The Clash, to reflect on potential culture shocks that differences can foster. Directed by Élisabeth Couture, a part-time instructor in the Concordia Department of Theatre, the play caters to anyone concerned with social justice. It will be performed at the Loyola Campus later this month.
“Our modern culture is complex,” says Couture. “The goal of our play is to give audiences an opportunity to explore identity and acceptance as well as consider different points of view.”
The first act is a more traditional play that includes images and movements interpreted by actors Joliane Allaire (a student in Concordia’s Special Individualized Programs), Lois Jones (a student in the Department of Theatre) and Hassan Kalot.
The second act is performed in playback — including interpretations from students Deborah Simon and Laura Mora of the Department of Applied Human Sciences — a format where actors improvise stories during interactions and story-sharing with audience members. The play’s visual designer is Isabelle Duguay, a student in the Department of Art Education.
Thanks to support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the play has already toured various community art centres over the summer.
“Creating Differences / The Clash was an inspiring journey,” says Couture. “It was exciting to watch our conversation about social change becomes a tangible production.”
• Differences / The Clash will be performed on September 24, at 5 p.m., at the Cazalet Theatre on Concordia’s Loyola Campus (7141 Sherbrooke St. W.).
• A second performance unfolds October 1, at 7:30 p.m., at the Centre Alexandre-DeSève in Montreal (2040 Alexandre-DeSève St.).
• Admission: Voluntary with a suggested contribution of $5 to $10.
• Information: 514-914-3028.
Partners in art:
Differences / The Clash is produced by Ateliers l'Aquarium et le Globe, a non-profit organization that promotes creative expression in communities, in collaboration with the Department of Theatre; the Concordia University Part-time Faculty Association; Parc Extension Youth Organization; Action Travail des Femmes; and Club AMI: La santé mentale par l’entraide et l’intégration sociale et professionnelle.
Related links:
• Concordia Department of Theatre
• Ateliers l’Aquarium et le Globe
• Concordia University Part-time Faculty Association
• Cazalet Theatre
Media contact:
Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins
Senior advisor, external communications
Concordia University
Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 5068
Email: s-j.desjardins@concordia.ca
Twitter: http://twitter.com/concordia