The Expanse Festival is back for another year with shows celebrating movement and storytelling, including a world premiere. The festival’s theme this year is “Generations,” and the works included in the lineup amplify diverse stories about the past, present and future that aren’t commonplace on stages.
“In terms of programming, we have some really, really awesome work,” says Sue Goberdhan, co-artistic producer of Azimuth Theatre. “What I really like about this work is that there are a whole bunch of different types of productions, and we’re also bringing in a couple of performances from our friends in Calgary.”
The lineup features nine shows including Where the Two-Spirit Lives, a memoir and drag extravaganza, and Tune to A, a new play by Carly Neis, Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks and Cameron Kneteman, about a 13-year old girl named Ava with cerebral palsy and a love for music. The character is inspired and played by Neis.
“This is the show I needed when I was Ava’s age. We all need a lesson sometimes in how to support other peoples’ needs, disabled or not,” says Neis. “I can’t wait for kids with disabilities to see themselves in the show and learn that there is a whole world out there waiting for them to tell their stories.”
The Expanse Festival is operating at a limited capacity to allow for social distancing in the theatre. Each show is being filmed for online viewing after the in-person festival ends.
“Folks will be able to engage in whatever way that they are able to because we acknowledge that, although restrictions are lifting, they’re not lifting for everyone in terms of what’s possible with their lives and their bodies,” says Morgan Yamada, co-artistic producer of Azimuth Theatre. “So that’s another way that we’re really hoping to open the doors and keep them open. And, we also have most of our festival ASL interpreted as well.”
Expanse Festival is on from March 24 to April 3 at the Westbury Theatre and Studio A in the ATB Financial Arts Barns Building, located at 10330 84 Ave. NW
