A festival featuring immigrant and refugee artists
STAND Festival Theatre Series co-presented by Blackout Art Society and Presentation House Theatre
November 1 – 17, 2024
Ages: 12+
Presentation House Theatre is proud to co-present the Theatre Series of the 4th annual STAND Festival, a celebration of immigrant and refugee performing artists. With intriguing performances by artists from around the world, STAND offers the chance to connect with inspiring newcomer artists and their stories.
The goal of STAND Festival is to centre and support immigrant and refugee voices while addressing social issues concerning race, class, and gender. The programming offers the chance to connect with inspiring newcomer artists who share their stories of survival, courage, failure, and hope.
Welcome.
November 9, 2024
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Join us for an evening filled with laughter, storytelling, and a celebration of resilience! Our comedy theatre performance draws inspiration from the self-published masterpiece by Roushi Rouzbehani, celebrating the remarkable lives of 50 inspiring Iranian women. Through an interactive experience, attendees will engage directly with the content, selecting stories from the book to shape the improvisation on stage. With themes highlighting women’s liberation and immigrant experiences, this bilingual show—predominantly in English with elements of Farsi—is designed to resonate with a broad audience.
Bekhand (بخند) is committed to empowering the representation and voices of the Iranian diaspora while building community through improvised theatre.
November 10, 2024
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Experience an allegory of the labyrinth within the web of family relationships and the power dynamics that insidiously sustain its structure. Inspired by Frantz Fanon’s exploration of revolt and violence, this thriller drama unapologetically examines the interplay between repression and transformation. The Toad Canes invites profound contemplation on the ethical quandaries that emerge from raw assertion and confrontation of power.
Audience Advisory: Please be advised that The Toad Canes contains a few scenes depicting violence, blood, and the use of flashing lights.
November 15, 2024
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Work in Progress)
Enjoy two work-in-progress performances, each 25 minutes long, with one ticket. A brief transition will occur between the shows. Don’t miss this chance to experience exciting new theatre.
The performance celebrates queer and trans diasporic tales. By embodying ancestral teachings and rituals from diverse cultures, the performance invites audiences to delve into the depths of understanding love as a radical collective. With a focus on permission to fail, witness, and evolve, this play offers a transformative experience that honors the complexities of identity and community.
November 15, 2024
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Work in Progress)
Enjoy two work-in-progress performances, each 25 minutes long, with one ticket. A brief transition will occur between the shows. Don’t miss this chance to experience exciting new theatre.
This performance tells a tale of resilience in the face of adversity—a poignant narrative aiming to preserve hope amidst Iran’s darkest days. It honours everyday heroes navigating paths to enlightenment, even amid loss and sorrow. It’s a courageous journey confronting fear, doubt, and uncertainty on the road to freedom—a testament to human spirit and perseverance.
November 16, 2024
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Through this compelling performance, Pablo Zacarías shares his unique perspective on his family’s narrative of intergenerational displacement and the profound quest for identity and belonging through songs, stories, and jokes.
Pablo is a human rights advocate and pioneer in Spanish-language stand-up in BC. He headlined the first Latinx comedy show at the Vancouver Playhouse. He became the first Vancouver-based Latinx comedian to perform solo at venues like Performance Works and Presentation House Theatre.
November 17, 2024
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
This performance is a Drag Queen Storytelling Time show featuring Juanita Bang Bang, a campy comedy queen who explores Paraguay’s infamous number 108. Once used to discriminate against presumed homosexuals during Dictator Alfredo Stroessner’s regime, this number has been reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community as a symbol of pride. Through extravagant performances, dazzling outfits, and heartfelt storytelling, Juanita Bang Bang illuminates the authentic experiences and challenges of the LGBTQ+ community in Latin America, resonating deeply with many immigrants.
Audience Advisory: This performance contains references to historical LGBTQ+ discrimination and violence, including homophobic, and derogatory terms, to highlight efforts to reclaim symbols of past injustice.
November 4, 2024
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Presentation House Theatre (Gallery)
Limited spots available
Instructor: Wen Wei
This workshop is designed to help participants develop a unique personal language through their own body and movement, using creative thinking to express cultural identity, individuality, and individual voice. It starts with breathing exercises and stretching warm-ups, progresses to improvisation techniques, and culminates in the creation of a short solo piece, making this an enriching experience for all involved.
November 6, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Presentation House Theatre (Gallery)
Limited spots available – Expert Guidance for STAND Artists
Instructor: Gabrielle Martin
In this session, you will gain valuable insights into PuSh’s curatorial vision and explore how to promote creative projects effectively within contemporary performing arts markets. This workshop is tailored specifically for STAND artists, providing a unique platform to learn from industry experts and enhance your approach to artistic promotion and festival participation.
November 7, 2024
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Presentation House Theatre (Gallery)
Limited spots available
Instructor: Alvin Erasga Tolentino
Embark on a journey through the power of movement and community through dance. This unique workshop invites participants to delve into the profound narratives of migration, exploring themes of identity, integration, and the human experience through poetic gestures and expressive movement. Engage the freedom to dance together while discovering how personal stories can be embodied and communicated through the art of movement. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, create, and explore with Tolentino in a transformative dance and cultural expression exploration.
November 12 & 14, 2024
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Presentation House Theatre (Gallery)
Limited spots available
Instructor: Heidi Taylor
Through experimentation with space, sound, light, and objects, participants will gain experience in creating theatre scripts that go beyond words. This workshop will serve writers and makers curious about developing onstage moments that inspire directors, designers, and actors to make theatrical magic. Participants can bring their written content and will work collaboratively to create short experiments.
November 13, 2024
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Presentation House Theatre (Gallery)
Limited spots available
Instructor: Sarvin Esmaeili
Join us for an immersive workshop led by Sarvin Esmaeili as the facilitator. The workshop brings together various participating artists: Angelic Goldsky, Chantal Gering, Rae Grant Duff, Tanaz Roudgar, and Anjalica Solomon. Each team artist brings a unique perspective and creative expertise, enriching the workshop with their passion for embodied play and cultural observations.
This workshop, with a maximum number of participants of 20 and a minimum of 10 persons, focuses on the art of full-bodied play, grounding techniques within various natural environments, and exploring cultural and political nuances in public spaces through free writing. Participants will delve into their inner and outer worlds, culminating in an open sharing of their discoveries through a communal poetry cypher. This engaging workshop offers a unique opportunity for self-expression and creative exploration.
November 9 – 10, 15 – 17, 2024
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Presentation House Theatre (Studio)
Curated by Annie Hung
First Generation showcases the artwork of young immigrants and older generations whose voices are often unheard by the public. At the beginning of their journeys, immigrant children still develop their cultural identities when they find themselves in a new country. This art exhibition is juxtaposed with older adults, who have a wealth of lived experience and have had the time to create a body of work that speaks to that. Showcasing art created by these two demographics, this exhibit bridges the generational gap that immigrants often face due to being separated from their cultural origins.
STAND Festival Team
Artistic Director: Amir N. Hosseini
Executive Producer: Soha Sanajou
Marketing Manager and Public Relations: Shideh Taleban
Festival Organizer: Neda Majidi
Festival Stage Manager: Shila Amin
Digital Marketing Specialist: Anahid Flores
Education Coordinator: Faedra Mirhashemy
Volunteer Coordinator: Yassaman Hosseini
Outreach Associate: Hedyeh Vahidy