EDC Institute 2016

A presentation by Marc Richard and performances by Sheridan students will kick off the evening

One time, I watched an episode of Two and a Half Men with a gay character on it, and it changed my life. This presentation has nothing to do with Charlie Sheen, but everything to do with being stuck. It is okay to feel stuck. Growing up as a closeted gay teen, I felt a certain pressure from those around me to come to a conclusion about who I was, when I had no idea. I created this piece because I wanted everyone to know (including myself) that individuality cannot be contained in a word or a phrase. We are all individuals, and whatever that means to you is what matters. It looks at the coming out experience as a metaphorical traffic jam.

The piece focuses on marginalized experiences in society through the lens of the 1960s counter culture movement. With the three dancers, the piece explores what it is to be a woman, to be of colour and to be homosexual. The movement explores themes of being held back by what society labels people as and the limitations that are put on us, as well as those that we put on ourselves. The piece explores the battles that have been fought by these groups and the struggles and triumphs that have come from it. Ultimately, it is a message of acceptance and a piece for anyone who has ever felt as though they couldn't do, say or be something because of what people thought they were, based on their gender, race, sexuality etc. It focuses on a progressive future, in which people are people and we are not defined by a set of stereotypes.