Aluna Theatre

La Comunión is OPEN – see this important work January 2010

Posted on 6 January 2010 | No responses

written and directed by Beatriz Pizano.

Starring: Micheline Calvert, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Carlos Gonzalez-Vio, Rosa Laborde, Sam Malkin, Natalia Naranjo Moncada, Marilo Nunez, Michelle Polak, and introducing Carlos Arellano and Luis Delgado.

Scenography: Trevor Schwellnus
Sound Design: Thomas Ryder Payne
Costume Design: Andjelija Djuric
Stage Management: Sandy Plunkett

January 12 – 31, 2010
at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St.

La Comunión opens in three weeks

Posted on 11 December 2009 | No responses

Running at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St (near College Subway), from January 12th to January 31st, 2010.

We have just taking our Christmas break from rehearsals – taking stock of the work so far – the movement, design, the mood and quality of performance – we spend more time laughing during these rehearsals than I am used to. Today we introduced two new members to the cast – Luis and Carlos, young men that we first met at the Menonite Centre as part of their orientation programs for refugees. They stepped into the room and took a brave leap into a series of movement excercises that challenged even our more experienced performers (thank you for the bruises, Anita!). Gracias compadres!

An unbiased review of our Medellin workshop

Posted on 21 November 2009 | No responses

Arden was a key member of our team in Colombia last month – she provided a sober second impression of what we were doing, and was able to use her diplomatic skills to open many doors (and hearts) to us while we were conducting our workshops in Medellin. This is her report on what she saw:

We realized only on arriving how significant Arden’s contribution to our project would be.  One of the most common denominators among the youth who had been involved in fighting with any of the armed groups was a childhood lacking in security and love.  When Arden would arrive and quietly draw pictures or do homework for a day while her mother worked, they saw a child being cared for and respected.  They saw a childhood protected by love.

Postcard II – playing a soldier

Posted on 1 November 2009 | No responses

When I was in Colombia I met a former child soldier who had fought for the FARC from the age of 11. Over four years he witnessed and took part in atrocities that I cannot put into words, experiences that I have read about in the newspaper or watched in war movies. Experiences that I cannot understand.

However, I have been given a task, a role. Play a child soldier in Aluna’s upcoming play La Communion. No small feat I thought, but doable; I am a trained actor after all. I can play someone ruthless and tough and cold hearted. But my director and producer are smart. They brought me Colombia to meet some of these kids. I was glad to go, thought it would be an adventure – how naive of me. I didn’t see the gift they were giving me and my character until I was there, until I was face to face with kids no older than my baby brother who have lived horrors that no man woman or child should ever be subjected to.

Now here are the questions: what did I learn? What is a child soldier? Who are these kids?

This is my answer: They are my friends. They are smart and funny. They are quiet and inquisitive and most importantly they are full of love.

Now I know what you are thinking: Zarrin! These kids have murdered! They must be stupid monsters!

No, if I learned anything on this trip, I learned that they are just like you and I but they were forced into something that robbed them of their humanity for a time. They did not join because they were stupid or cruel, they simply had no choices. So yes they have recovering to do and experiences that will never leave them. But they are full of love and humanity.

So this is now my goal: to play Pantera, a smart young girl who is full of love and joy, but a young girl who had no choice but to survive. And to survive she had to become a soldier, and in becoming a soldier she had to…

I am not just playing a fictional person on paper, I am telling their story. I am telling my Colombian friends’ stories. And I have a responsibility to do it right. And for them I will do my best and I will do it with love.

I’ll see you at La Communion

Zarrin Darnell-Martin

Postcard from Medellin – by Zarrin Darrnell-Martin

Posted on 24 October 2009 | 2 responses

When Bea told me that she was going to ask the student to improv, my first reaction was: what will the theme be, what are their objects, what are the guidelines.

Bea said simply: nothing, they may do whatever they please. So the kids were divided into groups and given 10 minutes to put on a show about whatever they liked. I was sceptical I even said to Bea that I thought a particular group would have a really hard time because a few of them looked shy…but what do I know. Nothing obviously.

They blew my mind! They went for in 110% Huge characters, extensive dialog, complex themes.

First you must understand this. I am a recent graduate of the NationalTheatre School of Canada and I and 11 others were chosen from hundreds of applicants all over Canada, and we ccouldn’t hold a candle to the improvs these first time Colombian students did. Every single one of them just went for in and played like I have never seen before. It took my class mates and I months and months of teaching to accomplish what these kids did in 15 minutes. And why is that? Are they more talented then we are? Are they better actors? I don’t think so. I think they simply have a deep desire and willingness to tell their stories. They have passions and they have a need to communicate in such a deep way. I learnt from them. I learnt what really going for it means. Even the shy students got up there and gave it their all!!!

Oh and the themes. A child molesting father, a young man trying to find his way through music, women complaining about their mens’ penis size!  Tragic-funny.  The bravery.  I am a better actor because I have seen these kids play.  I understand the Colombian way of life a little more. Be bold. Tell a story. Go for it. If you commit people will listen.

Zarrin is a Toronto-based actor who will be playing a child soldier in Aluna’s upcomig play, La Communion, at Buddies in Bad Times, January 2010.

Photo Diaries – report 1

Posted on 17 October 2009 | No responses

Catherine Hernandez has put together our first missive from Medellin, documenting the beginning of our learning and sharing with youth from the Comunas:

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