Episode Three

Finding the source

As each day passes, I am feeling, at times, so terrified of failing. Yet, in the same turn, I feel exhilarated by the movement of this piece in my life, in the lives of others. I can't lie, this has been one of the hardest processes that I have ever had to endure. In the beginning, when I first got wind of this project, I knew that I had to be a part of it no matter what. I wanted to act in it so badly it hurt my insides. I remember telling Carmen that this play had brought us together for a reason. She smiled in agreement. That was the beginning.

Fast forward five years, after everything, and I am still as passionate and moved by this piece as I was when I first read it. Never before have I connected so viscerally to a piece of theatre. I am more grounded now in why I feel it needs to be produced. I now only want to share it with Canadian audiences (hopefully international audiences). I know for a fact that Carmen has been carrying this play in her soul for over ten years. It's time to let it out, let it have it's own life. (Right Lusha?)

Today is a big interview day for me. Peter is going to ask me personal questions about why I am producing The Refugee Hotel. I'm nervous and really want to do justice to the work, the play, because it is not just for personal reasons that I am producing this work. It is for much more universal and selfless reasons.

I will leave it at that. Watch the next episode...coming in a few days.

Thanks for reading.

Marilo

Episode Two

On my mind...

Two week have passed since my last entry and my anxiety levels have definitely gone up. I am continuing to fundraise...does it ever end? No! But that's just part of producing a play! I have to laugh though, because in every production that I have ever produced, we (the administrative staff) always ask ourselves how we can continue to put ourselves in this position! It's incredible how stressful this job is. Looking for Sponsorship, asking people for donations, getting contracts out to the artists, making sure designers are beginning to put their ideas in place, marketing, marketing, marketing... But we continue because it is so rewarding when the production is on. Incredibly rewarding! Just think of the collective synergy that happens in a dark theatre as the lights come up! It's pure magic! For the artists, for the designers, for the producers, and especially for the audiences. I can't wait to see the show!

The buzz has begun within the community, I can feel it in the air. Just yesterday I got an email from a young woman who is starting up a business venture for business people within the Latin American community. She's Chilean herself and arrived here in Canada in 1985. She wants to help me sell as many tickets as possible for this play because she is excited about what the play talks about: being from someplace else,being an exile, being a new immigrant in Canada. The plays are few and far between that can speak to and connect with the Latin American audience in Canada. My friend Bea (who is in Refugee Hotel and who has her own company, Aluna Theatre) also struggles with trying to reach out to the Latinos...but we must. It is imperative that we create an outlet, a voice, a forum for this growing voice in Canadian theatre. How else can we create positive changes within and outside of our community?

For those who are not Latin American, Refugee Hotel will speak to anyone, and everyone who is from someplace else. So that basically means every Canadian! LOL!

We've got a new episode of the blogumentary up for you. And so it moves forward...

Thanks so much for joining me on this journey. It makes me feel less alone.

Marilo

Episode One

Making The Refugee Hotel

So, I feel really, really lucky to have married a man with so many talents. He (my husband Peter) is a filmmaker, a web designer, graphic designer, carpenter, father...my point is, when you are doing the biggest project of your life, with not a lot of money to do it with, it really helps to have a man like Peter in your life. He's designed the website (check us out at www.alamedatheatre.com), he's designed all of the marketing materials for this show (see above) and, AND he's making a documentary film about The Refugee Hotel (this enormously ambitious play that I decided to produce back in 2004). I have to count my lucky stars. Truly.

So, what exactly is this little documentary about, you ask? It's about a play, written by a Latin American Canadian, produced by a Latin American Canadian, with some Latin American Canadian (and non-Latinos as well) actors in it. The play was written by Carmen Aguirre over ten years ago. It's never been produced. Ever. We will be producing the World Premiere. A small, independent theatre company run by Latinos. Yes, we are crazy. I think as the documentary unravels it will capture the essence of the play we are producing. Love, Exile, Love...But you never know with documentaries. I may have a nervous breakdown along the way, there may be some screaming, there will be tears (of joy and frustration, for sure!). I have money to raise (I don't want to scare the cast and crew) and we are 10 weeks from opening. Just writing that scares the shit out of me. This journey has been really, really difficult. I will not lie. But, it has been a labour of love for me and all those involved. The play, this play, is so good. When we did the staged reading in 2007 at Harbourfront's Lakeside Terrace, 300 people showed up. I was staggered! Three hundred people to hear a reading of a play? Unheard of, I was told. And when the audience leapt to their feet at the end, and a gentleman yelled out, "Viva Chile!", we cried. Tears of joy. (I'm Chilean and so is the playwright).

This play is big. Twelve actors in a hotel...I will leave it at that for now. Join me, join us on this journey. I promise you, you won't be disappointed. Thanks for coming here today. - Marilo Nunez