Local actor taking the stage in Monologues

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This article was published 14/02/2020 (2042 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Joanna Hawkins, of St. Francois Xavier, is one of the actors featured in Sarasvàti Productions’ Cabaret of Monologues held annually to celebrate International Women’s Week.

Winnipeg theatre company Sarasvàti Productions launched this production in 2003. Over the years it has featured over a hundred monologues showcasing a range of voices, issues and styles. This year’s performances will occur from March 2 to 8, with full performances set for Sat., March 7 at 4 and 8 p.m. at the University of Winnipeg’s Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (400 Colony St.).

Hawkins, who has called SFX home for three years, will perform as a solo mime. She said this marks her second time performing in the cabaret.

She is relatively new to theatre, but has aspired to act for years.

“Long story short, I was rejected to admit into acting school at U of M (University of Manitoba) due to my deafness 19 years ago. I chose a different career path until seven years ago when Shannon Guile from Hot Thespian Action formed a mime workshop for the Deaf with ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters and they recruited me to join 100 Decibels: A Deaf Mime Troupe,” Hawkins said in an email message.

Hawkins has also performed in Winnipeg theatre company Sick + Twisted’s Lame Is cabaret, featuring performers with disabilities, for three years and in Sick + Twisted and AA Battery Theatre’s 2019 production of The Threepenny Opera.

She said one challenge she faces as a deaf actor is that if there is no ASL interpreter then there’s a communication barrier. However, local theatres have offered interpreters so far and it’s been great.

“Other challenges are that Deaf actors need extra prep time to rewrite their script (if offered any) because ASL has its own grammar rules and we do not sign word for word. And sign language is not universal. It’s the same as speaking a foreign language worldwide,” she said.
Hawkins views acting as a profession and hobby. She said her role models are Mr. Bean, Charlie Chaplin and Lucille Ball.

Tickets for Sarasvàti’s Cabaret of Monologues are $15 and can be purchased at http://sarasvati.ca or by calling 204-586-2236.