Last week, the Embassy of Canada hosted a reading of a new play Chinoiserie by Canadian playwright Marjorie Chan. She is the incoming Artistic Director of Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille, Canada’s original alternative theatre.
Set in America’s Midwest in the late 19th century, Chinoiserie is described by the playwright as “a play about love and the stories one has to tell oneself in order to survive.” The play was brought to life in the Embassy’s theater by a cast and creative team hailing from both the DC area and Canada.
The reading was a partnership among the Embassy of Canada, the Banff Centre Playwrights Lab, and the National New Play Network. In the days leading up to the play reading, the Embassy hosted a workshop and rehearsals to refine the play’s script. These developmental workshops are part of an ongoing exchange program that brings American playwrights to Canada, and Canadian writers to theaters in the United States.
Across the United States, the Embassy and our Consulates General are proud to share Canadian culture with our American friends. The diverse range of experiences that Canadian artists bring to their work helps to shape our inclusive culture. Their stories also reflect our values and are important to showcase with audiences across the United States.
Stay tuned for more Canadian events in the DC area and throughout the United States.