From Page to Stage: Approaching Text as a Practitioner
VLACC is pleased to present a special community event, From Page to Stage: Approaching Text as a Practitioner, led by director and dramaturge Luciana Silvestre Fernandes and playwright-performer Luis Bellassai.
The session will begin with an introduction to the historical and creative foundations of the I am 108 play, followed by a conversation on shared histories. Participants will then work in pairs with a script excerpt to explore how text informs staging, considering elements such as setting, character, and design. With guidance from Luciana and Luis, each group will develop their own interpretation of the piece, with time for sharing and reflection. This interactive session offers a unique opportunity to explore the creative process behind their upcoming production, I Am 108, premiering May 8 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre.
Open to theatre-makers, students, and curious minds alike, this workshop offers a practical and engaging introduction to turning text into performance. No prior experience is required, just a willingness to explore, imagine, and create.
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: East Studio – The Post at 750 (750 Hamilton St #110, Vancouver, BC V6B 0E9)
THIS IS A FREE EVENT!
About the Play
I Am 108 is a new play by Luis Bellassai that blends documentary history with personal narrative through the electrifying presence of Juanita Bang Bang, a comedic drag performer. The play revisits the story of “108,” a number historically associated with the persecution of homosexuals under Paraguay’s Stroessner dictatorship, while investigating the unresolved murder of Bernardo Aranda Valdez. Through music, performance, and storytelling, the work moves between past and present, ultimately revealing a deeply personal reflection on migration, identity, and belonging.
This community event invites participants to engage directly with the text of I Am 108 as both readers and creators.
Link to event: https://vlacc.ca/events/from-page-to-stage-approaching-text-as-a-practitioner/
Disclaimer: LatinEventsBC is not affiliated with or responsible for the event listed. Please verify details with the event organizers.