portrait by Kate Dalton

Manifesto

Written winter 2020 and edited winter 2021.

I can promise, with much certainty, that some/all of the thoughts in this exploration will change as a I continue to learn and grow. So please tread with an open heart and mind.

I (we) must break down this system of coercion and abuse. Of consumer culture. Of capitalist dogma. Of the currency of my (our) livelihood. If I (we) do not break down this system I (we) will cease to live and become a withered being tied to my (our) devices of media and capitalist consumption (as I write this on my iphone), devoid of any human connection. Devoid of communication. Devoid of eye contact. Devoid of breath. Devoid of physical contact. Devoid of full hugs that last more than five seconds. Devoid of tears. Devoid of laughter and joy. I (we) must divest myself (ourselves) of this system in order to create meaningful art. 

In order to break the bonds of injustice that exist in our neo-liberal society; based around a racist, colonial, capitalist democracy, I (we) must reach to my (our) ancestors. I (we) must return to the teachings of the land. I (we) must respect my (our) matriarchs. I (we) must break the binary. I (we) must tear apart the rich. I (we) must devour them as pieces of theatre. The purest form of ‘Canadian’ theatre is eating Conrad Blacks’ liver with a side of Kennebec fries, while listening to Joni Mitchell on full blast! (She’s from Saskatoon, ya know)

I (we) must embrace the soft powers of the world! I (we) must acknowledge the power of love and community! I (we) must be loud and direct in my (our) tender touches and quiet and curved in my (our) harsh punches!

Radical* Inclusion! Radical Joy! Radical Love! Radical! Radical! Radical!

The purest form of theatre on this land is watching Pinet roozh/Red Pine trees grow. The purest form of theatre on this land is listening to the soft voice of our mothers as they tuck us in at night. The purest form of theatre is this Land.

I (we) must question everything. Yet walk blindly into the unknown. I (we) must never be satisfied. Yet hold my (our) head high and honour my (our) accomplishments. I (we) must love unconditionally. Yet always challenge.

I (we) must create a critical community that asks questions beyond the aesthetic merit of my (our) theatre and questions the impact on society as a whole.

No more reviews that complement the direction.

No more reviews that complement the design.

We need writing that comments on the societal impact.

We need writing that comments on community engagement.

MY (OUR) ART IS NOT A PRODUCT FOR CONSUMPTION BUT AN EXPERIENCE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND PROMPT LIVENESS. MY (OUR) ART IS AN ACT OF HEALING. MY (OUR) ART IS MEDICINE. MY (OUR) ART IS JOYFUL. MY (OUR) ART IS ANGRY. MY (OUR) ART IS CLEAR. MY (OUR) ART IS INCLUSIVE. MY (OUR) ART IS RADICAL*. RADICAL. RADICAL.

*The noun, radical, comes from the Latin radix "root," and in fact, radical and root are synonymous as technical terms in fields such as math and linguistics.*