12 litres / 88 hundred steps

12 litres / 88 hundred steps is an interdisciplinary odyssey into the world of those who have lost loved ones to addiction: an intimate portrait of one woman’s journey in coming to terms with the fragility of her own mental health as she witnesses the demise of her partner through addiction. This first 15 minute iteration introduces us to the Woman and the Horse as they navigate the dualistic worlds of magic realism and the stark realities of addiction and mental health. Real and imagined scenes will be woven together, choreographies explored, moments of conversation with the audience will take place to create a composite of what a person who loves an addict experiences and chooses to endure. With this piece I want to challenge the assumptions and judgements that much of society has about alcoholics/addicts as well as reveal how living with one can trigger its own set of mental health issues in the caregiver. Addiction and mental health issues are on the rise in our society. This timely piece can contribute to illuminating the realities of living with these illnesses and help to finally eliminate the stigmas that keep those who live with them – and their families – in a place of shame and fear.

October 19, 2021 at 7:00 PM

About the artist

Anita La Selva is a director, dramaturg, actor and teacher and is the 2019 recipient of the Gina Wilkinson Award for Emerging Female Director.  She is interested in creating interdisciplinary pieces that explore the beauty and brutality of what it means to be human. Recently, she created and directed Stones, (Aluna/Stones Project) and served as the Dramaturg/Artistic Associate for The Solitudes with Aluna.  She also directed This is War (Sheridan College/UofT Mississauga), Perdida (Danceworks/Co-works), and has worked as an actor in theatres across the country. Anita holds an MFA in Directing from York University and teaches in the York U and Seneca College Acting programs.