Theatre Junction Grand's Mark Lawes Selected as Paris Laureate

While in Paris on a six-month research stint, Theatre Junction Grand's Artistic Director Mark Lawes developed a new idea for a play. Based on the theme of globalization, the piece will explore the limits and the expansions that globalization places on culture.

Appropriately, while in Paris, Lawes also discovered the International Residence Program at Recollets. The program — funded by the City of Paris and the Institut francais — would allow him to develop his play while living in Paris, and then premiere the piece in Calgary. It was clear to Lawes that this multi-city approach to creating the play would work perfectly with his play's theme of globalization. After a rigorous and competitive application process, Paris agreed and granted Lawes the three month residency.

Along with 19 other artists from around the world, Lawes will be provided with a studio, a residence and a stipend from July to September 2012 to develop his play. The residency is hosted at the Recollets convent in the centre of Paris.

"This will help to legitimize [Theatre Junction Grand's] work and get some recognition in Calgary and on an international stage," says Lawes. "Globalization is here. We do live together. It's important as artists today to share work across borders."

Lawes is one of only six performance artists chosen for the residency, and he hopes that his time in Paris will open the doors for opportuniteis to tour cities in Europe with Theatre Junction Grand. 

Lawes' current production, Lucy Lost Her Heart, will be playing at Theatre Junction Grand from March 14 to 17, 2012. Tickets are available at theatrejunction.com.

Lucy Lost Her Heart