“All journeys are full of challenges. I think you have to be true to yourself and not compromise what you believe in"
Beatriz Pizano is a Colombian-born award-winning artist and activist who has been called one of Canada’s most important Latin-Canadian writer/directors.
Back in 2001, when there was a lack of cultural diversity on Canadian stages, Beatriz struggled to find work as a woman of color. But she didn’t give up there, and instead opened up her own theatre Aluna to mount her plays and overtime grew it into a platform for other diverse artists to showcase their art as well.
Beatriz is an inspiring voice in the theatre industry and continues to create more opportunities on stage for BIPOC artists today.
In this episode, Beatriz talks about:
Her early years in Canada as a fresh immigrant
Getting cancer in her twenties, being forced to give up a career in dance and returning to her first love: acting
Challenges faced by BIPOC artists in theatre: “[We] still have to work triple hard to get the same recognition to this day”
Creating your own opportunities
The job that changed her life
The creation and evolution of Aluna Theatre
How Aluna is creating opportunities for BIPOC and women artists in Canada
How to make theatre more diverse
Advice to BIPOC artists: be true to yourself, know your values and hang on when you want to give up
Beatriz Pizano: @beapizano
Aluna Theatre: @alunatheatre
Wiser Living with Sissi Wang: @wiserlivingpodcast
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