![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.quebec-elan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/organization-spotlight-BTW.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.quebec-elan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ceremoniesindarkoldmen_photo1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Ceremonies in Dark Old Men (1977)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n As ELAN Organization Member Black Theatre Workshop<\/a><\/strong> (BTW) approaches its 50th Anniversary, we spoke with Artistic Director Quincy Armorer<\/span><\/strong> about the theatre’s evolution, and the programming highlights that have helped define BTW\u2019s influential place in Montreal. Since its foundation in 1970, Black Theatre Workshop has been the longest running Black theatre company in Canada. It has played a significant role in shaping the stories told by playwrights and the opportunities available for Black theatre artists in Montreal, with resonating effects on broader Canadian theatre scenes. Founding members<\/a><\/strong> like Clarence Bayne, Errol Sitahal and Yvonne Greer (just to name a few) bring collective experience from organizations with long histories of advocacy in the arts and education in Quebec, such as the <\/span>Black Community Resource Centre<\/a><\/strong>, the <\/span>Quebec Board of Black Educators<\/a><\/strong>, and the Black Community Central Administration of Quebec<\/span><\/strong>. Today, Black Theatre Workshop has fostered a thriving community, with a strong network of collaborating theatres like Centaur, Neptune, Tableau d\u2019H\u00f4te, the Segal Centre<\/a><\/strong>, and MAI (Montr\u00e9al, arts interculturels)<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The River Niger (1980-1981)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Black Theatre Workshops’ first productions have included the work of notable playwrights like Lorraine Hainsbury, Lorena Gale, Derek Walcott, David Edgecombe, and Trevor Rhone. \u201cThe earlier focus of Black Theatre Workshop was more Caribbean, with a Trinidadian focus,\u201d says Quincy. \u201cNow the programming is more encompassing of Montreal\u2019s Black communities.\u201d\u00a0Over the years, BTW’s repertoire has staged plays that are both intimate and fiercely political, exploring issues<\/span> of self-identity, assimilation, the fragmentation of family and community, as well as sensitively approaching global issues like poverty and the sex-trade.<\/span><\/p>\n Lorena Gale<\/span><\/strong>\u2019s work has especially taken the spotlight during Black Theatre Workshop\u2019s 49th season, with the acclaimed co-production of <\/span>Ang\u00e9lique<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by BTW and Tableau D\u2019Hote Theatre<\/a><\/strong>. <\/span>Ang\u00e9lique <\/span><\/em>tells the 18th century story of enslaved Marie-Joseph Ang\u00e9lique, who attempted to flee her owner\u2019s home and is alleged to have set fire to the mistress\u2019 house. In 1734, she was convicted of arson, tortured and hanged for the fire that took at least 46 buildings in Old Montreal. Quincy Armorer noted the critical success of <\/span>Ang\u00e9lique<\/span><\/em> as a \u201chomegrown story\u201d that had the opportunity to be performed at the National Arts Centre<\/a><\/strong> in Ottawa and Toronto\u2019s Factory Theatre<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Also among Black Theatre Workshop\u2019s playwriting cohort is Trey Anthony<\/span><\/strong>, the first Black woman in Canada to have her own television series, which was based on her play <\/span>Da Kink In My Hair<\/span><\/i>. Trey Anthony\u2019s recent production of <\/span>How Black Mothers Say I Love You<\/i><\/a><\/strong> is a tale of separation and reconciliation through character Daphne\u2019s experience as an immigrant and mother in Canada. Quincy also mentions his first programmed play at Black Theatre Workshop, Djanet Sears<\/span><\/strong>\u2019 <\/span>Harlem Duet<\/span><\/i>, which was a sequel to the playwright\u2019s one-woman performance of <\/span>Afrika Solo<\/span><\/i> (2012). Djanet Sears\u2019 work also shines in <\/span>The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God<\/span><\/i>, which follows the complex story of a community descended from the Black Loyalists of 1812, who were granted Ojibwe land in Holland Township, Ontario. Local stories also resonate through the work of <\/span>Canadian actor, producer and director Omari Newton<\/span><\/strong>. The 2013-2014 season presented Newton’s play <\/span>Sal Capone: The Lamentable Tragedy of<\/span><\/i>, which was based on the 2008 police shooting of 18-year-old Honduran immigrant Fredy Villanueva in Montreal-Nord.<\/span><\/p>\n Ang\u00e9lique (2017), photo by Andr\u00e9e Lanthier (L) and Harlem Duet (2012-2013) (R).<\/em><\/p>\n An important part of Black Theatre Workshop\u2019s ongoing programming is the annual Artist Mentorship Program<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(AMP), which gives emerging theatre professionals the chance to work on a professional ensemble production. Started in the 2013-2014 season, the program is now in its sixth year with the support of the Canadian Arts Trainings Fund (part of Canadian Heritage). The Mentorship Program has evolved from its early years as more of a \u201csummer camp\u201d, as Quincy describes, to become a robust and well-respected program that helps transition recent theatre graduates toward career opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe theatre community in Montreal is watching Black Theatre Workshop,\u201d says Quincy, \u201cActors are finding work all the time. Participants in the Mentorship Program come out with real opportunities. They are cast in mainstage productions, their plays are professionally produced.\u201d Every year, Black Theatre Workshop\u2019s Artist Mentorship Program culminates with the Industry Showcase, where about fifteen participants perform a one-and-a-half hour play for industry professionals including casting agents, directors, and producers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Swan Song of Maria (2009-2010) (L), Maija of Chaggalandand (2001-2002), and blood [claat] (2007-2008) (R).<\/em><\/p>\n Quincy highlights just a few of the success stories of Artist Mentorship Program alumni, noting the diversity of disciplines within theatre that each participant brings, and the richness of their involvement in both local and international projects. In 2016, actor <\/span>Vladimir Alexis<\/span><\/strong> was awarded Black Theatre Workshop’s Gloria Mitchell-Aleong Award at the 30th annual Vision Celebration Gala. Alexis is known for his supporting role in Roland Emmerich\u2019s 2015 film <\/span>Stonewall<\/span><\/i>, as well as appearing in <\/span>X-men: Apocalypse<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Saving Hope<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Trauma<\/span><\/i> and Just For Laughs\u2019 <\/span>Nasty Show<\/span><\/i>. Actor, singer and director <\/span>Tamara Brown<\/span><\/strong> had co-founded Montreal\u2019s Metachroma Theatre in 2010, and recently <\/span>directed the world premiere of <\/span>Successions<\/span><\/i>, by Michaela DiCesare, at Centaur Theatre<\/a><\/strong>. Actor and writer <\/span>Rachel Mutombo<\/span><\/strong>, who participated in Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal<\/a><\/strong>‘s first Youth Creator Unit, has acted with Montreal\u2019s Repercussion Theatre<\/a><\/strong>, Vancouver\u2019s Pacific Theatre<\/a><\/strong>, and has recently gone on to join Toronto\u2019s Obsidian Theatre Company<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Black Theatre Workshop\u2019s Artist Mentorship Program has also included designers. Quincy mentions the work of <\/span>Sophie el-Assaad<\/span><\/strong>, who has worked in costume and set design, with recent productions like <\/span>Clean Slate<\/span><\/i> (Talisman Theatre<\/a><\/strong>) and <\/span>BLACKOUT<\/span><\/i> (Tableau D\u2019Hote Theatre). On her costume design for Cabal Theatre\u2019s production of <\/span>Tragic Queens<\/span><\/i>, Sophie el-Assaad was honoured with META awards for Outstanding costume and Emerging Artist. AMP participant and emerging theatre designer <\/span>Zoe Roux<\/span><\/strong> has done set, costume and lighting design for\u00a0<\/span>the AMP Showcase of <\/span>Harlem Duet<\/span><\/i> by Djanet Sears and <\/span>Blacks Don’t Bowl<\/span><\/i> by Vadney S. Haynes. Roux has gone on to do <\/span>set design for productions by Third Space Theatre<\/a><\/strong>, Centaur Theatre, and Geordie Productions<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God (2015-1016), photo by Andr\u00e9e Lanthier.<\/em><\/p>\n As Black Theatre Workshop nears its 50th anniversary, the team has much to celebrate \u2014 from the professional successes of the countless artists who have worked with BTW over the years, to enriching the representation and opportunities available for Black theatre artists in Montreal. Quincy acknowledges the challenge of Black Theatre Workshop remaining \u201ca minority within a minority, within a minority\u201d, given that the Anglophone community of Quebec is already a small community. This may certainly contribute to some artists leaving the city, Quincy admits, but the presence of BTW gives theatre professionals a meaningful chance to work and thrive in the city. <\/span><\/p>\n Quincy describes the importance of Black Theatre Workshop in shaping opportunities <\/span>for Black theatre professionals to work with<\/i> each other, instead of competing for a limited number of token roles. This also changes the dynamic of who is empowered to write, stage and perform in Quebec theatre. <\/span>\u201cThe Black Theatre Workshop has a significant role in giving a foundation and opportunities to actors \u2014 a very vital role in fulfilling the needs of Black theatre artists.\u201d Today, representation in theatre has moved away from merely \u201cpassing\u201d mainstream plays by writers like Arthur Miller with black actors. \u201cWe are seeing Black stories, the work of Black writers,\u201d says Quincy. \u201cThese stories are from Black communities where they are subjects<\/em>, not objects<\/em>\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n The Lady Smith (2006-2007) (top), and Gas Girls (2014-2015), photo by Antoine Saito (bottom).<\/em><\/p>\n The 2019-2020 season will be the busiest to date for Black Theatre Workshop as it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary during the 2020-2021 season. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements from Black Theatre Workshop later this month! In the meantime, the Artist Mentorship program is<\/span> accepting applications<\/a> for its next season until APRIL 20! This year’s<\/span> Industry Showcase<\/a> will be hosted MAY 10-11 at the Centaur Theatre.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Black Theatre Workshop website: blacktheatreworkshop.ca<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Black Theatre Workshop Facebook: BlackTheatreWorkshop<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Black Theatre Workshop Twitter: @TheatreBTW<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Black Theatre Workshop\u00a0 Instagram: @theatrebtw<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Follow ELAN on our Instagram:<\/span><\/strong>@elanqc<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n SEE OUR PREVIOUS FEATURES & SHORTS:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Erik Nieminen<\/strong><\/a> (Feature)<\/p>\n Vallum Magazine \/ VSEAL<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(Organization Spotlight)<\/p>\n Graham Krenz<\/strong><\/a> (Shorts)<\/p>\n Jingju Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong><\/a> (Organization Spotlight)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.quebec-elan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BTW-2.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.quebec-elan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BTW-3-1030x339.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.quebec-elan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BTW-4-1030x327.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.quebec-elan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/adventures-of-a-black-girl-in-search-of-god-lanthier-ph-1030x343.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.quebec-elan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/DSC_6154.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.quebec-elan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BTW141020-6.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n