By Terry Costa

I was raised in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The tiny island of Pico in the archipelago of Azores shaped the person that I am today. Then, in my adolescent and adult years, Canada gave me the opportunities to develop who I am and express it to the world. You, the audience, give me the strength to keep on doing what I believe in, and my artistic world keeps flourishing.

Being Canadian by birth was one of the many gifts that my parents provided—they were on a getaway trip in search of the new world when I came knocking in my mother’s womb. Being raised Portuguese was yet another gift. Neither one of them was a choice—it was human nature. When it comes to my sexuality, once again human nature took its course, and being gay was just who I was, who I am.

Being raised in a very queer culture (the Portuguese) with music, dance, and theatre being a part of my daily childhood life has not changed much in my Canadian adult years. Sometimes I argue that the third part of my life, my career, was also an act of nature and not necessarily a choice; though it is clear I could have always changed it, if I was not happy with it. I am speaking of my career as an artist, because even smoke and mirrors could not change my being Portuguese-Canadian and homosexual.

Heritage, sexuality, and career are the top three characteristics that form a being; when ignoring one of them, we are basically shutting out a third of ourselves. Through the years, I have been shaping my world in order to include all three major aspects in my daily life. Seeing a project on stage that has to do with my Portuguese heritage and does not shy away from the diversity of our Canadian life is not only been a dream realized, but it has given me a purpose to keep doing what I do.

Playing Mozart on a bandolim at the age of six, or portraying Jesus at 14, coming out gay at age 16, being invited to join a dance company at 20, running my own theatre at age 21, moving to Vancouver (well known around the world as Lotusland) at 27—it all shaped the work I do today. My strengths rely on being able to work with anyone who has passion; no matter the discipline, age, colour, sexuality, or background.

I invite you to continue the process of creation and join me at theatres, dance, and music halls, clubs, or even come with me on a trip to the site of the mythical Atlantis. Life is what we make of it—let’s ensure ours are as complete as possible!

Terry Costa is a director, producer, and event manager, and the founder of Vancouver’s Portuguese Heritage Month festival.