Side Show Freaks and Circus Injuns - Blowoff

 Lukas Avendaño as the Authentic Cockboy

Aluna Theatre, Toronto

Photography: Monique Mojica

Norma Araiza as the Serpent Woman

Aluna Theatre, Toronto

Performance artist Lukas Avendaño and actress Norma Araiza during the recording of the blowoff pieces of Side Show Freaks and Circus Injuns written by LeAnne Howe and Monique Mojica. The blowoff pieces were directed by Jorge Luis Morejon, produced by Sue Balint, recorded by Andrew Moro and Samay Arcentales; prop mastered by Tim Hill and costume designed by Erika Annie and Kinoo Arcentales. This work, sponsored by Chocolate Woman Collective, was rehearsed and recorded from July 14 to 17, 2017, at Aluna Theatre in Toronto. 

The trans-indigenous team aimed at producing these two pieces in the context of the enfreakment perpetrated by the circus industry in North America. At the beginning of the XX century, indigenous people were exhibited as freaks because they were "indians." Lukas and Norma embodied their own freak creation process for the blowoff section of the play. They recreated the spectacle of viewing and exhibiting their own version of an indigenous freak, zapotec and yaki respectively, as they layered their indigeneity with other traits such as sexual orientation and disability.

The process included the performers' discussion and exploration of their own background in terms of language, traditions, and cultural markers. Then, there were chosen costumes and props that would aid the process of enfreakment. Third, there was created a dramaturgy that guided the performers throughout the piece in rehearsal and during the recording. They also engaged in character development and the use of voice, props and movement in function of their characters. Finally, the recording team gave the performances the final touch by lighting the set while using multiple cameras for future editing and production of the final blowoff pieces.