*KISAPMATA: BACKSTAGE PASS*

**January 30 - February 18, 2024**
***We are thrilled to offer you these special extras to help celebrate the romantic story, Kisapmata.***

We are proud to present the world premiere of this unique queer love story by Calgary playwright Bianca Miranda at Lunchbox, with direction by Gina Puntil, co-produced by Chromatic Theatre and presented as part of One Yellow Rabbit’s 38th Annual High Performance Rodeo. Kisapmata has been in development since 2021, when it was part of the Chromatic Theatre IBPOC Playwrights Unit, and it was featured in both the Stage One Festival of New Canadian Work and Stage Two at Lunchbox Theatre in 2022. Playwright Bianca Miranda also recently premiered The F-Word, co-written and performed with Keshia Cheesman, in a Downstage Production at Alberta Theatre Projects, which was nominated for "Outstanding New Play" at the Betty Mitchell Awards.

Stage Two Photos

Stage One Photos

How to pronouNce Kisapmata

key-SUP-mata

The Music of Kisapmata

The song that inspired the play!

“LOVE AT FIRST READ!”

Lunchbox Theatre Artistic Director Bronwyn Steinberg: “it was ‘love at first read’ for all of us when Chromatic first presented this piece. I knew right away that I loved Bianca’s writing and that I’d love to see Kisapmata at Lunchbox. We were delighted to support Bianca’s process developing the play at Stage One and Stage Two. And now, we couldn’t ask for better partners than Chromatic to join us to finally premiere this story in a full production!”

A LOVE LETTER

**Kodie Rollan**, Artistic Director of Chromatic Theatre: “as an immigrant from the Philippines myself, it was really exciting for this piece to be the first show I program as the new Artistic Director for Chromatic Theatre. We feel that this piece is an embodiment of a bunch of different love letters - it’s a love letter to oneself, one’s identity, romantic partner, but also a love letter to the culture! We are truly honoured and humbled to partner with Lunchbox Theatre to produce this beautiful show!”

Tagalog for Beginners

- Kilig - romantic excitement, butterflies in the stomach feeling, about to squeal

- Sarap - delicious

- Nanay - mother

- Ngiti - smile

- Salamat - thank you

- Tadhana - fate

What does PO mean in the Philippines?

Respect for elders is important in Filipino culture. Some very basic and common words for showing respect are po and opo. They both basically mean “yes” in a respectful way. For example: instead of just saying “Salamat” (Thank you), you would say “Salamat po” (Thank you po) to show respect.

Queer in Alberta podcast

The Queer in Alberta podcast is hosted by Kels Delamarter and she interviewed Kisapmata playwright, Bianca Miranda. Listen in as they talk about the play and the numerous intersections that come with our experiences of being pinoy and queer in Alberta:

Fun with the Kisapmata team

Food is Love

Lola's Filipino Kitchen

Beebop Doughnut Shop

A Sinigang recipe! Sinigang is a sour soup native to the Philippines. This recipe uses pork as the main ingredient. Other proteins and seafood can also be used. Beef, shrimp, fish are commonly used to cook sinigang.

This yummy dish is referenced in Kisapmata.

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Longsilog is a traditional Filipino dish commonly served for breakfast, consisting of longganisa (sausage), sinangag (garlic rice), and itlog (egg).

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Dinuguan with puto is considered as a good meal combination for most Filipinos. This refers to pork blood stew and steamed rice cake. The pork is sauteed in garlic and onions. Water, vinegar, and pork blood are added and then cooked until it becomes nice and thick. It is best eaten by dipping (or scooping).

view recipe

Pandesal, also known as Pan de sal is a staple bread roll in the Philippines commonly eaten for breakfast. It is made of flour, yeast, sugar, oil, and salt.