Beatriz Pizano

Beatriz Pizano is the Artistic Director of Aluna Theatre, a company that brings pluralism in the arts to the forefront. Founded in 2001 as a response to the under-representation and mis-representation of cultural diversity in Canadian theatre, Beatriz’s goal is to create theatre that gives an opportunity to as many artists from the Latin American Diaspora as possible, with a very strong focus on developing women’s voices; to work with culturally diverse artists; and to share the company’s approach to creation: one that is inspired and influenced by Beatriz’s Latin American and Canadian roots. Beatriz has built Aluna into an international company, recognized for its unique approach to creation, its daring political work, and most recently, a new international festival, RUTAS, now on its third edition. Aluna’s original productions and co-productions have earned them 26 Dora Mavor Moore nominations and 11 wins. As a writer/director Beatriz has received a number of prestigious awards including the John Hirsch Prize and the Chalmers Fellowship. In 2014 she received the K.M. Hunter award and this year she was recognized by president J.M. Santos as one of the 100Colombians who have made significant contributions to their communities outside Colombia. She was also named one of the 10 most successful Colombians in Canada and became the first Latin Canadian female actor to win the Toronto Critics award and a Dora for her performance in Blood Wedding (a co-production with Modern Times Stage Company). As a playwright she has written and directed a trilogy of plays about women and war that includes: For Sale, Madre and La Comunión. Her first play for young audiences, La Maleta (produced by Roseneath Theatre) has toured extensively in Canada and the US. All four works have earned her Dora nominations as Outstanding New Play.