Delta Stageworks is hosting a new 'My Mother's Story for Diverse Voices Workshop' series that welcomes women and men from the Delta community who identify as culturally or racially diverse to come together and share their mother's life story.
The program runs in August with three storytelling workshops on Sunday afternoons Aug. 8, 15 and 22, led by Marilyn Norry, Delta Stageworks artist associate and author of Writing Women's History, Starting with Your Mother.
Norry’s foundation, mymothersstory.org, encourages the public to share diverse cultural perspectives through writing and storytelling.
“Greater Vancouver is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, and yet it's surprisingly rare that we hear or see the life stories of women who come from this incredible cultural mosaic that's all around us,” Norry says.
The August series is available as either an in-person or online (Zoom) option.
“The journey you'll take over our three weeks together is to write the 2,000 word story of your mother's life, from beginning to end, just the facts, where you are just one of the facts,” she says. “In writing this story you will discover things about yourself, your mother, and your family that will surprise and empower you.”
Support for the workshop series is coming from The Harmony Initiative Society (THIS) with offers of workshop space and participant bursaries. Fostering diversity and inclusion in the arts is top of mind for both Delta Stageworks and THIS as the two groups collaborate on the return of live arts events in Delta. THIS will present an arts and culture show featuring My Mothers Stories in September 2021.
The My Mother's Story workshop for Diverse Voices is open to all Delta residents and specifically those who identify as culturally diverse. Registration is now available on the Delta Stageworks website deltastageworks.ca. The cost is $65 (taxes and fees included).
THIS will provide a bursary for participants who wish to share their diverse stories - applications can be sent to [email protected].
THIS co-founder Geeta Schallig believes it's important to bring arts and culture events to Delta audiences that build community, harmony and respect across cultures.
Delta Stageworks co-founder, Peg Keenleyside concurs.
“We believe that when we share each other's stories in a creative, supportive space, we truly get to know each other, and it's in sharing our stories that we can build connections across some of the cultural divides we know exist in our community,” said Keenleyside.
Delta Stageworks invites businesses in Delta who have a mandate to support diversity and inclusivity in our community to support the My Mother's Story for Diverse Voices series through sponsorship opportunities the company is offering with ArtsVest BC, a matching grant program that brings local businesses and the arts together.
Delta Stageworks in-person workshops meet ActSafe BC standards for the professional performing arts in B.C.