An innovative theatre festival that will shine a light on human rights issues kicks off tonight at Theatre Passe Muraille. For two weeks, Panamerican Routes will explore such topics as immigration, displacement, Canadian mining in Latin America and revolution, through theatre, dance and multi-media shows, as well as workshops, a conference and a photography exhibit.
The festival is organized by Toronto’s Aluna Theatre company, which was co-founded by writer/director/actor Beatriz Pizano, a Columbian immigrant to Canada. We met Pizano, who explained that the festival takes a hard look at global issues — but she wants people to know, “They are going to see really great art!”
The subject matter is pretty intense. Do you worry that will keep away as many people as it will bring in?
I hope not! What I intend with this festival is that people will realize these subjects are less scary than they think. Truly, they are going to be entertained by a visual extravaganza… Don’t be afraid of any of the shows. They’re not about putting politics in your face, not at all. On the contrary, artistically they are quite innovative. And you’re gonna laugh, believe me.
To coordinate this new festival must have taken great effort by many people. How did you do it?
We were very innocent when we started, thinking, "How hard can it be?" You learn as you go. But we have an amazing team. Aluna is a small company, but people are working [hard] and I was really pulling the resources of all the arts community together. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring to Toronto things that otherwise would not come here. These are very exciting companies and artists, and I really hope that people take advantage of it.
What can theatre really do for human rights?
I think it can do a lot. If you want to be didactic, no one wants to listen. Instead of being didactic, it’s about bringing awareness to issues. I think there is a lot of politics in Canada that we don’t talk about, and theatre can do it in a very beautiful and original way… We are afraid to talk about issues, and yet theatre has always been a way for society to deal with its issues. These shows are so beautiful. But theatre can only make you look at something, then it’s up to you.
Could you see Aluna collaborating in the future with other Toronto groups such as Théâtre français de Toronto or Obsidian Theatre Company?
Absolutely. “Excluding” is not something that is in my language. What I love about being an artist in this country is that I have access to the entire world.
Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave., 416-504-7529. To May 27. $15-$30, festival pass $100. Festival line-up.
Evan Andrew Mackay is a Toronto playwright and humorist who writes about culture and social justice.
