Under the direction of Artistic Director Rahul Varma, I spent an unforgettable three months at Teesri Duniya Theatre. This cross-cultural theatre company, with a history of over forty years, is dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and encouraging social change. As an undergraduate student majoring in East Asian Studies and History, and as a member of the queer community, my internship experience at this theatre company has not only equipped me with practical and professional knowledge but also laid an important foundation for my future academic journey.
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During my internship at Teesri, I was responsible for a project called "Trans-Formation." This project is a community-based initiative that includes theatrical presentations, extensive workshops, and public events. Our goal was to connect with the BIPOC queer community and share their stories with the public. By encouraging queer participants to share their stories, we hoped to help them openly embrace their identities and heal their wounds. At the same time, I believe our project provided a broad platform for both queer individuals and the general public, offering opportunities for dialogue across different political backgrounds, races, sexual orientations, religions, and generations. We hope this will bring more attention, understanding, and acceptance from the public to the BIPOC queer community.
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Beyond the project, I wrote a paper based on my observations and experiences during the internship. It explores how cultural background and life experiences influence the expression of identity among Asian queers and how queer immigrant communities resist the trauma from their families, the denial of identity by themselves and others, and the isolation they face while struggling to survive in a foreign land. This paper is expected to be published after the internship.
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The experience of executing this project has been immensely rewarding. Not only was I able to put into practice what I learned at McGill, but I also engaged deeply with different ethnic communities, gaining a profound understanding of the living conditions of BIPOC queers and the very real social challenges they face. My interaction with them greatly expanded my horizons and knowledge, and I made many passionate, sincere friends with a strong sense of social responsibility. I also connected with many activists and scholars who provided valuable guidance for my research. Through this process, I significantly improved not only my academic and research skills but also my interpersonal and communication abilities.
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I am deeply grateful to my colleagues Shailee, Isha, Yolanda, and Gaby, who helped me familiarize myself with the company's operations and workflows and assisted me in refining my work. I would also like to thank Iftekhar, Atif, Pasha, and other important queer rights activists who communicated extensively with me during the project's development, helping me connect with more queer communities and providing me with many valuable resources and suggestions. My greatest thanks go to my supervisor, Mr. Varma, who showed invaluable patience and encouragement in guiding my work, pointing me in the right direction whenever I felt lost. I couldn't have accomplished my work without his assistance.
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I am also grateful to the Arts Office and the Dean of Arts Development Fund, for making all of this possible. The experiences I gained this summer are invaluable, and my gratitude is beyond words.
