Stageworthy

This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes Javier Vilalta, a Mexican-Canadian interdisciplinary artist, stage director, movement coordinator, translator, and co-founder of 8ROJO Theatre. Based in Calgary, Javier shares his journey through performance, directing, and devising unique and often non-verbal theatre experiences. He reflects on his early challenges as an immigrant artist, the evolution of his creative voice, and his mission to help shape Calgary’s cultural identity. This episode explores: Javier’s early artistic influences and his pivot from acting to directing The founding and philosophy behind Ocho Rojo Theatre Creating intimate, high-concept work for small audiences His experience directing across Canada and internationally Thoughts on diversity, representation, and creative freedom in Canadian theatre His recent production of Mary Stuart and the upcoming queer retelling of Romeo and Juliet with The Shakespeare Company Guest: