Delta Stageworks Theatre is proud to announce a collaborative community initiative aimed at raising awareness and fostering understanding of LGBTQ2S+ youth and gender identity through the arts.
This public outreach campaign, supported by the City of Delta, will coincide with the upcoming production of To Perfection, presented by Delta Stageworks in association with shameless hussy productions, playing at Genesis Theatre in Ladner from Oct. 2 to 6.
To Perfection tells the story of Gloria, an ex-celebrity TV chef and her grandchild, Alex, who are trying to bridge the ‘genderational’ divide that has opened since Alex has identified as non-binary.
The campaign brings together a diverse group of community partners, artists, and LGBTQ2S+ advocates dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for youth in Delta. This initiative is designed to engage the community through interactive art, performance talkbacks and an online forum. Additional support for the initiative has come from the Delta Community Foundation.
Delta Stageworks artistic lead Peg Christopherson-Keenleyside says inspiration for the awareness campaign comes from her lived-experience.
“My family has been on a journey towards understanding and supporting our kids gender identities, so I know first-hand that there are big challenges for families to stay connected and for youth to get the support they need,” said Christopherson-Keenleyside.
Renee Laci, artistic director of shameless hussy productions says her inspiration comes from seeing how the arts can be an invitation to community conversation and a better understanding of a sometimes-divisive social issue.
“To Perfection addresses the misunderstandings and the ‘cancel culture’ around non-binary identities,” she notes. “By holding up a mirror, the show uses humour to help us recognize the need for open conversations about LGBTQ2S+ issues in the community and at work, teaching us through laughter and encouraging the dialogue we need.”
The campaign is supported by an incredible lineup of community organizations and individuals, including, artist Meg Neufeld (she/her) and Registered Clinical Counsellor, Fiona Scott (she/her) from Alongside You, a mental health services provider in Ladner, Alexa Fraser (they/them) an education facilitator for LGBTQ2S+ youth in schools, Delta Pride Society, Qmunity and parents of Delta youth identifying as LGBTQ2S+.
The campaign has three components that the public can engage with:
Post-show Q&A sessions with experts, advocates and artists will take place after performances of To Perfection, offering a place for audiences to ask questions and learn about the challenges and triumphs experienced by the LGBTQ2S+ youth community.
During the run of the play, Neufeld will lead a fabric art installation in the Genesis Theatre lobby.
Audience members are invited to contribute to a collaborative art piece using rainbow-coloured fabrics and ribbons into a large frame, symbolizing allyship with LGBTQ2S+ youth. Following the show, the artwork will then be displayed in the lobbies of Delta Recreation Centres and the North Delta Centre for the Arts.
An online community forum will take place on Oct. 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., where Scott will moderate providing a safe platform for community members to ask questions and learn about LGBTQ2S+ issues and gender identity.
Tickets for To Perfection and the QR code that links participants to the forum are now available at: https://deltastageworks.ca/.
