International Women's Day

4 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020 Celebrating International Women's Day EACH FOR EQUAL Dear 2030, We have a problem. Currently, only 16% of newly licensed engineers in Manitoba are women. That's why I have decided to become an engineer. You need me, 2030. You need me and all my friends to help make engineering and geoscience a more diversified profession. Research proves diversity enhances creativity, problem-solving, performance and an organization's bottom line. So, in short, be prepared 2030, because by then, I'll be in university showing you how a girl from 2020 is going to change the world for the better. Yours truly, Lochlan B. dear2030.ca Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba is on a mission to ensure that 30% of newly licensed engineers are women by the year 2030. Change on the stage By Jennifer McFee Sarasvàti Productions is staging its much-anticipated Cabaret of Monologues during International Women's Week as a way to explore how to navigate our changing world. On Saturday, March 7, performers of nine stories will take the stage with a focus on this year's theme of "Changes." The diverse lineup includes monologues penned by Canadian playwrights, along with an array of performance pieces. "We started off by calling it the Cabaret of Monologues, but it's actually transformed in the last number of years to be a cabaret of solo pieces," said Hope McIntyre, artistic director of Sarasvàti Productions and director of Cabaret of Monologues. "It's a unique blend this year and we're excited about it. We wanted to get a little bit of everything so people can see that stories can be told in different ways." In addition to traditional monologues that are written by a playwright and performed by an actor, the audience can also look forward to a performance by singer-songwriter waNda wilsoN. Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie will share insights through spoken word, and deaf artist Joanna Hawkins will perform a storytelling piece through mime and ASL poetry. As well, comedian Kristen Einarson will entertain the crowd with a piece that combines stand-up comedy with storytelling. "We tell stories so people can understand different perspectives and different life experiences. We want people to be able to share that as widely as possible," McIntyre said. "All the work explores changes. Maybe it's an individual change in someone's life that has brought about questioning of their experience, identity or perspective. Maybe it's external changes that have affected them. Main characters manoeuvre this changing world that we live in, and all of the stories somehow connect to this notion of change." Instead of only performing on International Women's Day, Sarasvàti is extending the focus to an entire week. "It's interesting that in some parts of the world International Women's Day is a much bigger event and here some people don't even realize it happens. I think we often feel like equality has already been achieved, but when you look at the data, it hasn't been," McIntyre said. "For us, marking International Women's Day annually — in conjunction with events that are happening with other community organizations nationally and internationally — is a good way of reminding everyone that there is still work to be done." In addition to two public performances of the full lineup on March 7, Sarasvàti stages community performances from March 2 to 8 at locations across the province. "What's exciting is that we get to connect with a lot of folks who might not otherwise go to theatre. We were in Steinbach last year and it was phenomenal, so we're excited to take three of the pieces back there. We're also going out to Altona and Winkler as well this year," McIntyre said. "It's really great for rural communities who might not get an opportunity to see this kind of work." The mission of the local production company is to use theatre to create social change through shows such as the Cabaret of Monologues and FemFest in September. "When we thought about whose stories aren't getting told, that led us to doing so much work that is female-based," McIntrye said. "There is such a great array in the Cabaret of Monologues. What I love about it is that you're getting to see so many short pieces. It's an evening packed full of different ideas and perspectives. There is some heavier work and some lighter and comedic work, so there's really something for everybody." Two showtimes are available on March 7, starting at 4 and 8 p.m. at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film, located at the University of Winnipeg (400 Colony St.). Tickets cost $15 each and they are available through the Sarasvàti Productions website (www.sarasvati.ca) or by calling 204-586-2236. ◗ Clockwise from top left: Lizzie Knowles, Renée Hill, Joanna Hawkins and waNda wilsoN will be performing in Cabaret of Monologues: Changes! Photos courtesy of Sarasvàti Productions

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