That darkness is part of Tina Milo's world is no surprise.
The New Westminster resident, Serbian by birth, has performed against the backdrop of war in her home country.
So it seems fitting that her first solo theatre creation in Canada should look at the darkness within the depths of our minds - and the depression that accompanies it.
Milo is onstage in The Village at the Firehall Arts Centre, Feb. 24 to 28.
"The Village is about an actress auditioning for the role of a depressed woman," a write-up about the production explains. "By using the audition form for film and TV, and the audience as her 'judges,' the actress explores why women give up on who they really are, their dreams and hopes, seeking an answer to what transports us from emotional darkness to extreme happiness."
Milo unveils "the village" of different women who have given up on their hopes and dreams - mothers, daughters, brides, lovers.
As a mother herself, Milo understands first-hand how traditional gender roles can both define and confine women; she suffered from mild postpartum depression following the birth of her child, which coincided with moving to Canada and disconnecting from her family and home.
The production is described as a "unique and darkly humorous fusion of acting, physical theatre, live music and film."
Milo brings to the stage more than 10 years of experience performing and touring with various European theatre companies, including as an actor, composer and producer with Belgrade's Dah Theatre.
She conceived and created The Village, as well as composing its music, with direction and dramaturgy by Dijana Milosevic, set and video design by Nesa Paripovic, costume design by Maria Markovic and light design by Milomir Dimitrijevic.
The Village is onstage Feb. 24 to 28, with Tuesday to Friday shows at 8 p.m., and Saturday shows at 3 and 8 p.m. There's also a pay-what-you-can matinee on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
The Firehall Arts Centre is at 280 East Cordova St., Vancouver. See www.firehallartscentre.ca for information and tickets.
