Critical Stages (Jun 2020)
The Spiritual Reformation of Theatrical Practice: Interculturalism and the Modern Times Stage Company
Abstract
By examining the rehearsal strategies of Modern Times Stage Company of Toronto, co-founded and co-led by Iranian-Canadian director Soheil Parsa and Peter Farbridge, the author, this article explores the intra- and inter-personal communication that allows for interweaving of cultures within the complex social relationships of intercultural theatre. As a case study, it discusses Parsa’s rehearsal process with a Francophone cast of different cultural backgrounds of Bahram Beyz’aie’s play Aurash that took place in Montreal between 19 and 26 November 2019. The main focus is on how different histories and experiences position the artists in relation to each other in Modern Times’ intercultural theatre practices.
