June 28 – July 1
Win the War or Tell Me a Story
Written and performed by Sayda Trujillo
Directed by Jessica Wallenfels
What does it mean to resist, to win, and to replace the global forces that perpetuate hate and domination in today’s world? Teaching in the West Bank of Israeli-occupied Palestine and growing up in Canada and Los Angeles as the child of Guatemalan civil war refugees changed Sayda Trujillo’s concept of resistance and of herself. A story of loss and waiting in line, Win the War or Tell Me a Story is a one-woman physical theatre piece that spans generations, wars, cultures and continents to explore the far reaching effects of forced immigration on those who seek refuge in unfamiliar places.
RESIST. WIN. REPLACE.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Sayda Trujillo was born in Montreal and grew up in Canada, Guatemala and the USA. She is an actress and theatre-maker/educator specializing in voice and movement, as well as devising original physical theatre performances. Her performance and teaching experience abroad includes work in Guatemala, Ecuador, Singapore, Spain, Germany, Colombia, UK, Egypt, Palestine with The Freedom Theatre, and most recently in India. Her three solo shows BANANA LEAVES, DEFINITELY OOPS, and I WAS RAISED MEXICAN have been presented nationally and internationally at theater houses including La Mama ETC, RedCAT, and NYTW. Since 2005 Sayda has volunteered for Clowns Without Borders performing for thousands of children in Latin America. Sayda teaches Acting, Tai Chi Chuan, Contact Improvisation, Voice and Solo Performance. She holds a BFA in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts; a post-graduate certificate in Physical Theatre from the Dell’ Arte International School of Physical Theatre; and a masters in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Sayda lives in Blue Lake, California, and teaches Voice and Movement at Dell Arte.
Jessica Wallenfels is a director/choreographer, educator and performer. She is artistic director of Many Hats Collaboration and teaches movement, devising and acting. She holds a BFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts and attended Dell’Arte International, and is currently an MFA Candidate in Directing at the University of Portland. Recent professional work includes direction and choreography of The Snowstorm, a new work blending movement, theatre, and live classical music. Snowstorm was included in Coho Productions’ 2014-2015 season and won the Drammy Award for Outstanding Production. Selected Portland choreography credits include Portland Center Stage, Portland Playhouse, Artists Repertory Theatre, Theatre Vertigo, and Staged! She been a choreographer for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for four seasons and six shows. Regional choreography includes: “Cymbeline,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Robin Hood,” “Love’s Labors Lost,” “Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” and “Romeo and Juliet” (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). “Dancing at Lughnasa” (Seattle Repertory Theatre); “Sometimes a Great Notion” (Portland Center Stage); “Gracie and the Atom” (Artists Repertory Theatre); “You For Me For You” and “Light in the Piazza” (Portland Playhouse). New York: “Canard, Canard, Goose” with The Civilians (Joe’s Pub), “Speed Hedda” (La Ma Ma e.t.c.), original works at HERE Arts Center, ps 122, WAX, University Settlement, Culture Project. Los Angeles credits include the Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Old Globe Theater, and The Mark Taper Forum. Other places: “Ainadamar” at Tanglewood Music Center. Wallenfels provided choreography for three shows in Cornerstone Theatre’s BH Cycle including A Beautiful Country by Chay Yew, Magic Trix, adapted by Rickerby Kinds and Broken Hearts: A BH Mystery by Lisa Loomer.
