Blog
Traces, true or false?
Are you at the theatre or in a museum? Are we telling you a story or recounting memories? From January 31st to February 11th, 2012, Théâtre la Seizième invites you to determine what’s true from what’s not in Traces, an original work from Craig Holzschuh and Anita Rochon, presented in French with English surtitles.
Anita Rochon and Craig Holzschuh in rehearsal for Traces © Fabrice Grover
Emerging from a period of mourning, Daniel returns to the museum he curates to discover it is on the brink of bankruptcy. As he searches for the next big idea to bring his workplace back to life, he finds a video wherein Catherine, one of his employees, describes her memories of a work which is no longer on show to a group of school children. This anecdote triggers an exhibit, and the exhibit becomes a huge hit.
A meditation on perception, image and the marketing of intimacy, Traces explores with humour the grey zone between reality and fiction, art and the products it inspires, as well as privacy and its place in the media. Mobilizing their respective artistic points of view, Craig Holzschuh and Anita Rochon till a fertile ground where a romanticized reality full of shadows, illusions and half-truths makes everyone both plundered and plunderer. Because while contemporary artists draw inspiration from reality for the material they can’t invent themselves, the average North American uses fiction in abundance in order to ease or improve their existence, be it in their living room, at work or on YouTube.
Directed by the co-creators, JOEY LESPÉRANCE and JESSICA HEAFEY, experienced actors both, offer singular performances, each drawing the audience into their private worlds. They are supported by a group of veteran designers: JULIE MARTENS (Set); JEREMY BAXTER (Lighting); STEVE CHARLES (Music); and CORWIN FERGUSON (Video). The creative team would also like to thank the actors GILLES POULIN-DENIS and BRIAN DOOLEY for their contributions to the creative process. The Stage Manager is NOA ANATOT.
Date & Time: January 31 to February 11, 2012 – 8 pm
Post-show talkback: Friday, February 3
Venue: Studio 16 – 1545, West 7th Avenue, Vancouver
Tickets: $24-27, $8 student tickets available at the door on show nights only
Box office: 604-736-2616
