TO BE QUEER IS TO BE A SUBLIME OUTCAST

It is with great excitement that Buddies in Bad Times Theatre announces its 2010- 2011 Season.

New Artistic Director Brendan Healy says: "When I accepted the position of Artistic Director, I was aware of the company's important legacy and its need for renewal. As a queer artist, I identify with dissenters and mavericks. I have always considered myself an outsider, which affords me a perspective that is apart from mainstream ideals of beauty, art and love. I rebel against moral and cultural clichés around consumer-driven lifestyles, sexuality and identity politics. My vision for a queer theatre is one that embraces this outsider status in order to challenge established notions of morality, human relations, history and politics. In this age of cultural homogenization when difference is erased and divergence is feared, the queer point of view is more necessary than ever. This, my first official season, represents a bold reassertion of Buddies' relevance as an artistic and political force in our city."

Buddies' proudly continues its commitment to new play development, gender parity and diversity with five works written by women, two by First Nations artists, five world premieres of original Canadian works, and the return of our ever-popular annual Rhubarb Festival with a new Festival Director, Laura Nanni.

Next season, Buddies will also extend its reach nationally with two of the company's most successful recent productions embarking on cross-country tours. Both Agokwe and The Silicone Diaries will return to Buddies as they begin to travel the country with stops in Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal.

And last, but not least, Buddies will open its doors to an international perspective with the English-Canadian premiere of a major queer work from abroad. Sarah Kane's brilliant and controversial play Blasted will finally get a professional Canadian production, outside of Québec.

The 2010-11 Season engages with the broader world. It fearlessly tackles experiences of citizenship, racialization, religiosity, marginalization and social repression. It is a season that encompasses the full complexities of contemporary existence with quintessentially queer humour, intelligence and ferocity.

Come join Buddies in the theatrical expression and celebration of its uniquely queer point of view.

Please visit the SEASON OVERVIEW section for full show listings.

Press Releases for TO BE QUEER IS TO BE A SUBLIME OUTCAST

• Press release for TO BE QUEER IS TO BE A SUBLIME OUTCAST