Feb 19, 2020
A fierce advocate for regional theatre artists and winner of numerous awards and honours, Lisa O’Connell is the founding artistic director of Pat the Dog Theatre Creation, a catalyst for new works of theatre and PlaySmelter, Northern Ontario’s New Work Theatre Festival.
During a wide-ranging conversation on Bonn Park with Sara Geidlinger and Marshall Ward, O’Connell talked about Pat the Dog, Canadian theatre, and the upcoming Femme Folks Fest, a new month-long festival dedicated to and in celebration of women identified and presenting, launching throughout Waterloo region in March 2020 during International Women’s Month, celebrated in many countries around the world.
“It is a month when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political,” said O’Connell.
“It is essentially a month to raise awareness for the impact women have made on history, and to highlight the needs and issues many women face worldwide. It is a focal point for the championing of women's rights and gender equality. At present, there is no consistent large-scale programming dedicated to women in Waterloo region to coincide with International Women’s Month. We believe it’s time.”