A dynamic performance of theatre, art and music. Real-life stories of immigrant women are given shape on stage by five professional actors and a chorus of twenty women from the community, using music, dance and mask.

Originally created and performed by PUENTE Theatre in 2003, under the direction of Lina de Guevara. It is a ‘community play’ – a form of theatre that is collaboration between theatre professionals and a community as a way to express common experiences, hopes and goals.

In the months leading up to the performance, the Inter-Cultural Association coordinated various skill-building workshops for the participants, including eighteen women from Victoria’s immigrant community whose origins span the globe. At these workshops, the participants had the opportunity to work with professional artists in a range of art disciplines, including storytelling, voice, music, visual arts, movement and acting. Workshop participants then made up the ‘chorus’ of the play.

The core cast was made up of professional performers who have been touring the play around BC, working with a unique chorus of immigrant women from each community on the tour. The core cast includes Tonye Aganaba, Raji Basi, Ineke Lievens, Romina Miranda, Morganna Yoshida, with Enrique Rivas as Musical Director. Maureen MacIntosh is set and costume designer and William Mackwood is lighting designer.

Video by Teri Petz