Virtual Humanity reminds us that everyone has a story to tell, we just need to listen.
By Brittany Tiplady
@yellowbird888
COVID has robbed us of many things, the pleasure of enjoying arts and culture live and in-person included. What I would give to stand in a busy, bustling concession line up, waiting for my $13 glass of cheap wine, before bumping shoulders, whisper-yelling “sorry!” as I shimmy sideways into my theatre seat.
But, alas, such luxuries are still not possible. Arts companies around the globe have continued to tailor their productions to fit the mold of what live-performance must look like in a pandemic-era and Zee Zee Theatre is amongst them.
This month, Zee Zee Theatre presents the world premiere of Virtual Humanity, an ambitious iteration of Human Library, tweaked and shape shifted into a new digital production.
According to the press release, Virtual Humanity, co-curated by Sam Chimes and Bunny (Daisy Joe), will feature an array of new and returning “Virtual Humans”—with a particular emphasis on representation from BIPOC individuals—available for 20-minute loans over the course of four weekends.
“What we’re trying to do is honour what the project has always been,” says Virtual Humanity Producer Jordy Matheson in a phone interview with Loose Lips.
“[We want to] retain that sense of spontaneity and intimacy of storytelling one-on-one on Zoom, while also adjusting it in certain pivotal ways because there are just differences in how we engage online than we do out walking about in a library which is where [this production] used to exist.”
Through one-one-one storytelling and dialogue, Virtual Humanity aspires to foster conversations that promote empathy and break down the barriers of otherhood.
Vancouver theatre veteran, Raven John is one of the prolific storytellers taking part in Virtual Humanity this month.
“I’m developing a script to give a history and breakdown of my own relationship with what it means to be two-spirit. It’s a huge part of my identity and also my activism and artistic practice. And a lot of people still don’t necessarily understand what it means,” they explain.
“I remember during the first couple years where the title [two-spirit] gained traction and there were non-Indigenous people identifying with it, not realizing where it comes from and why it holds such importance with Indigenous communities. I wanted to be able to open peoples eyes in that way, and also give space to people who just want to be able to talk to queer folks but now there’s no way to see us out in the wild.”
The technical aspect of Virtual Humanity can seem complicated, but it’s really not. After all, we’re all Zoom-pros by now. To participate, audience members can buy a day-pass ticket online, book a storyteller and login for story time. There will be Zoom links and emails a plenty, but Matheson assures that attending Virtual Humanity should be accessible even for those who aren’t so techy.
“I’m super excited about a sense of community in being able to gather in such a way,” shares John. “It’s always something that I thought was super important and it’s something that I’ve definitely missed and being able to connect with people. I’m just super excited to be able to share my experience and figure out who else is out there and who else is interested in this sort of project when it comes to participating as a viewer.”
Virtual Humanity is a A Zee Zee Theatre Production inspired the Human Library created by Stop The Violence (Copenhagen). Virtual Humanity is running Saturdays & Sundays in March, 12 pm – 3pm via Zoom. Zee Zee is pricing tickets to ensure that the event is accessible for all. Following the event, you will receive an email prompting you to pay what it’s worth.
Brittany Tiplady is a writer, editor, former ballet teacher, and the co-founder of Loose Lips Magazine. She loves the great indoors, fast wifi, and a generous glass of red wine. She’s a self-proclaimed wizard of time management and a notorious loud talker with a penchant for all things Internet and pop culture
