In Depth: FemFest Workshops

Every year when planning FemFest, Sarasvati Productions looks for new and exciting ways to connect with Winnipeg communities. We strive on representing as many communities as we can and helping them tell their stories. FemFest 2012: Staging Identity is so much more than just some actors on a stage. Women’s storytelling aims to engage the audience and force them to see something inside themselves and create their own artistic viewpoints and spaces. We are pleased to present, as part of our already stellar festival line-up, two excellent, hands-on workshops from two of our touring performers and companies.

Another exciting aspect about FemFest is the opportunity to present readings and lectures from distinguished and established playwrights and artitsts. It is importanting to attend readings of works in progress in order to better understand and appreciate the writing process. We are proud to be presenting writers from across Canada and across genres as part of the line-up of FemFest ancillary events!

Q&A with Renee Iaci

Renee Iaci is a co-founder and co-artistic director of shameless hussy productions out of Vancouver, British Colombia. Renee is one of the writer/researchers of the hussies original play Sonofabitch Stew: The Drunken Life of Calamity Jane – which is making its Winnipeg debut at this year’s FemFest 2012: Staging Identity. She also alternates in the role with her hussy collaborators Deb Pickman and Daune Campbell and is the original director. Check out the rootin’ tootin’ Calamity Jane at FemFest – for info on how you can get your tickets check out www.femfest.ca

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What is one thing every actor needs to know? Stay in the moment – much easier to say than to do!

What does every great story have to have?  I like a story with a beginning, middle and end. Oh yeah, and a female protagonist.

What is your favourite word? Martini?

Complete the sentence: If I wasn’t typing this email interview right now, I would be… Dirt bike riding. I’ve just taken up the sport in the past year and I love it!

The most surprising thing that happened to me was  getting pregnant. Ok, we did plan it but it was still a shock and surprise when it happened. I’m still shocked to think I’m a mother. I just said to my 4.5 year old last week, “I’m your mother, can you believe it?!?

A common misperception of me is…if only I was observant enough to know what the misperceptions were. . .

You know me as an actor but in truer life I’d have been… a boxer. I got into it a little too late in life (33) but I absolutely loved it. If I had started when I was a teen, who knows? I did manage to have one TKO in my amateur career. And oh, how I really wish I could sing. Perhaps that’s everybody’s fantasy but I still dream of being Mary J Blige or Aretha Franklin or some totally cool  kick-ass vocalist who everybody loves. . .