PUENTE has also used other forms of popular theatre. In 1996 we produced “Sisters/Strangers”, written and directed by Lina de Guevara, the first Community Play in British Columbia. It brought together theatre professionals and members of a community (in this case, the community of immigrant women), to create aplay that expressed its history, issues and aspirations. The production included a large number of people and served as a platform and as an instrument for education and social development.

It included a core of professional actresses from Chile, Japan, the Caribbean, India and Russia and a chorus of women from local immigrant communities. Director’s Comments: At a time when there are doubts about the survival of the theatre, directing and writing a community play has filled me with optimism. This will be an important theatrical activity in the future. Sisters/Strangers has proved to be a profoundly invigorating experience and it has renewed my belief in the transformational power of the theatre. I am privileged to have witnessed the creative force of a community engaged in the production of a play. I am deeply thankful to all my sisters/strangers for sharing this experience with me.