The first week of the Youth Infringement Festival has ended, with some amazing shows created by young people in Ottawa. The 2024 Ottawa Youth Infringement Festival (YIF) runs until March 17 at the Arts Court Theatre, and events are created by young artists aged 16-25 who are mentored by more experienced local professionals. Fun for all ages, it’s definitely worth checking out. I caught three delightful back-to-back shows on March 7.
Patchwork
Created by: Mariana Gómez, Elif Nur Darende, Karelle Sikapi, Riley Hickey, Marina Stone, and Corinne Viau.
Directed and translated by: Corinne Viau
Patchwork refers to individual identity in that we are made up of many parts. The play unfolds in a series—or a patchwork—of vignettes focusing on how language can be used to define ourselves. The play touches on many controversial themes including racism, harassment, and linguaphobia (fear of language), and how the words we use and the way we use them can affect us. Several vignettes show how anglophones and non-official language speakers can sometimes feel like second-class citizens next to francophones in the Ottawa area. This theme felt uncomfortably familiar. Patchwork left the audience with a lot to think about. I only wish the speaking and captions used had been slower as the play would have been more accessible to those less fluent in multiple languages. This play deserves to be heard and understood.
Patchwork featring Karelle Sikapi, Mariana Gómez Bonilla, Elif Nur Darende. Photo by Jacob Nevins.
Jerome!
Created by: Matthew Godfrey
Directed by: Noah Boonov
Jerome! combines the energy of a 90s sitcom with modern situations and concerns. The titular character exchanges witty banter with their roommates and love interest while the audience supplies the laugh track. Things go sideways when Jerome has an existential crisis between takes, appealing to the audience for understanding. But Jerome’s heartaches are addressed swiftly by the other characters, wrapping up the “episode” in time for the next commercial break. Jerome! is warm and heartfelt with an appeal to those who feel unheard or unsupported.
Jerome! featuring Harley Wegner, Somya Goomer, Eris Hector, Mitchell Plunkett. Photo by Maggie Harder.
What the World Needs Now
Created by: Gabbie Cruz
Directed by: Sarah Ivanco
What the World Needs Now explores the desire to belong and the importance of inclusion. It’s also a hilarious romp through the intellectual acrobatics of conspiracy theorists. Henry knows everything—or so he says. In particular, he knows that the earth is flat, and he’s planning a conference of like-minded individuals to bring the flat-earther community together. The only problem is that Henry’s best friend is more interested in exclusion than inclusion, and Henry’s wavering certainty isn’t helping. What the World Needs Now speaks to society’s search for the perfect group representative, the perfect believer, the perfect follower.
What the World Needs Now, featuring Alec Kyte, Christopher McNeice, Canda Habonimana. Photo by Maggie Harder.
Get your YIF tickets before it’s too late!
The Youth Infringement Festival takes place at the Arts Court Theatre from March 6–17. Tickets for any of these shows can be purchased on their website.
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