Posts tagged Black Theatre Workshop

This November, Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) returns to the Segal Centre for Performing Arts Studio with Our Place, a stirring and often humorous exploration of Canada’s immigration system. Written by Ambrose Umozo, the play lifts the curtain on the unseen lives of those who work “under the table,” piecing together love, legality, and survival in a country that both promises and withholds belonging. Running November 19 – 30, with a Special Dinner & Pre-Show Talk on November 22 featuring psychotherapist Shirlette Wint, the production is directed by BTW’s Artistic Director Dian Marie Bridge, who describes it as “a story of …

Get ready for the Second Annual Club Zed Playwrights Festival, hosted by the Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) from May 14-17, 2025! Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) is Canada’s longest running theatre company dedicated to the works of Black and diasporic communities. The company strives to create greater cross-cultural understanding by challenging its audience and the status quo. Expanding the representation of Black Canadian artists, BTW bridges cultural divides – uniting hearts, minds and communities. BTW’s community focused Club Zed Festival, which is now in its second year, is dedicated to nurturing the voices of Black Canadian playwrights through a Black perspective. With …

By Desirée Zagbai Lydie Dubuisson lived next to Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) for three years without knowing it existed. After meeting an artist from BTW she worked her way into success and will make her directorial debut at the theatre with the play Taking Care of Maman. Taking Care of Maman is about Eli (played by Seeara Lindsay) and her neighbour (played by Alexandra Laferrière), who helps Eli deal with her mother’s struggle with depression during COVID-19. The play evokes the influence of intergenerational relationships and offers the audience a message of hope and healing during difficult times. Dubuisson began …

I first knew Clarence Bayne (CB) only by sight, seeing him on the 102 or 105 bus just over 40 years ago. To me, he was Judy and Patrice’s father, the man from D e Black community. But to say that he “worked” in the Black community is an understatement. Clarence worked for the community. His primary focus was the Black community, but by extension, Montreal, which was his home. As time passed, “community” for him meant the world around him. He was fully aware that if you did your part in the world, it would have a ripple effect …

In a world rapidly acquainted with the concept of essential work, the new play by Black Theatre Workshop “Diggers” is an exploration of what it means to undertake the mundane tasks that most take for granted. Premiering February 1st and running until the 17th at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts’ Studio Theatre, this production is a collaborative effort between the Black Theatre Workshop and Prairie Theatre Exchange, promising a rich, introspective look into the lives of those who toil behind the scenes. The inception of “Diggers” was anything but ordinary. It was a photograph entered into a competition that …

Agatha Ruphine June 20, 1933 -January 20, 2024 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Agatha, January 20, 2024, at the age of 90 in Ste-Geneviève, Québec. She is survived by her sister Eastlyn, her sister Gloria, her sister-in-law Sheila Cohen, her many nephews and nieces, her stepson David Danovitch (Diane Kukla), step grandsons, Steven Danovitch (Irene Ashimwe), Jason Danovitch (Alicia Howard), Ryan Danovitch (Samantha Guillemette) and step great grandchildren Amanda Munyarigoga and Maverick Danovitch. Agatha was born June 20, 1933 in Trinidad and Tobago to Jestina Simmons and Phillip Ruphine. She was preceded …

The buzz of excitement circulating in and around Centre Sarto-Desnoyer in Dorval on Saturday, January 21, centered on Ms. Patricia Beckford and her 70th birthday celebration. She was joined by a roomful of her church family as well as the many lifelong friends who have provided support and comfort through the many phases of her life. The semi-retired Patricia continues in her private practice as a nurse and remains after 47 years, a staunched and hard-working member of the Westmount Seventh Day Adventist Church, where she serves as head of the Women Ministry and Social Committee. She has also garnered …

As one of Canada’s oldest Black theatre companies, the Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) recognized, has been championing the works of Blacks for decades. Its new artistic director Dian Marie Bridge is committed to continuing that in that tradition and building on it. Born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto, she attended the University of Minnesota’s Theatre and Dance program and has spent the last two decades in theatre, working with arts organizations nationally and internationally. The way Bridge sees it, theatre is an integral part of Black culture. “I think Art general is about not only about reflecting our experience …

By David Archer The other day someone said “don’t talk about mental health in our community.” Instead, they must have wanted to talk about how the brother of so and so has a drinking problem. “Mek wi chat bout di cousin of such and such how he smokes too much weed. You never heard about this one yet? About how the sister of the girl down di road got beaten by her new boyfriend, again?” This isn’t our problem. It’s about them. We say that time and time again. Although when people ask how we’re doing, we say “I’m fine” …

As she prepares to exit a position that kept her on the frontlines in the fight to empower women, Grace Campbell stands proud of the achievements of Women On The Rise, the organization she been leading for the past two decades and the gains made among those whom they serve. She spoke with the CONTACT about the past 20 years and the highs and the lows that she says have made the organisation stronger. It started as Black Women on the Rise in 1991 following two studies conducted by the CLSC in NDG that showed Black, English-speaking women many of …