Black Theatre Workshop

Have you signed up for our newsletter yet? Do so now to get our March edition and to learn about our Black History Month wrap-up events and find out which 5 artists will participate the upcoming Alchemy Intensive workshop. ✨

🎭Sign up today: blacktheatreworkshop.ca/subscribe/

Last week, we hosted a live listening party to celebrate the launch of Season 2 of La Parole: A BTW Podcast! It was an evening rooted in community and meaningful dialogue centered on episode 1. If you missed it, you can catch Ep 1 on Spotify, hosted by d'bi young anitafrika. 🎙Listen: bit.ly/4qNlpM6

In our final Black History Month throwback, we’re revisiting one of our earliest works, our 1974 production of 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 by David Edgecombe! 🎭

As we reflect on BTW’s rich history, we’re reminded of the powerful stories that continue to impact our vision and mission.

Artistic Director Dian Marie Bridge will be on CBC Daybreak Montreal tomorrow at 7:10 AM to discuss the CAQ’s planned budget cuts to cultural school outings. Tune in to this important conversation on arts and education on CBC Radio One 88.5FM. 🔗Listen live at: bio.link/blacktheatreworkshop

On Feb 26, 2012, the life of Trayvon Martin was cut short at the age of 17. We remember his name, life, and story that continues to inspire the movement for justice. Today, we revisit our production of 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 by Makambe K. Simamba, inspired by Trayvon’s life.

Join HEIST & BTW on Feb 28th for the free workshop reading of 𝘈 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨! Meet Sylvia Bell, the Managing Director for HEIST, and a freelance Stage, Production and Event Manager with more than twenty years of professional experience! Get tickets: bit.ly/4qCc9dN

Join HEIST & BTW on Feb 28th for the free workshop reading of 𝘈 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨! Meet the Artistic Director of HEIST, Richie Wilcox! Richie is a multi-talented director/actor/writer who has spent the last 15 years creating, devising and writing original works. Get tickets: bit.ly/4qCc9dN

Meet the Playwright behind 𝘈 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, francesca ekwuyasi! francesca (she/her) is a learner, storyteller, and multidisciplinary artist born in Lagos, Nigeria. 🎭

Join HEIST & BTW on Feb 28th for the free workshop reading of the play! 🎫 Tickets: bit.ly/4qCc9dN

This Black History Month, we’re honouring our 1979 production of 𝘈 𝘙𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘯 with the late Jacklin Webb, a dear member of the BTW community, dedicated teacher, and passionate arts advocate. Jacklin was a champion of BTW and served as President of the Board for 27 years.

🎙La Parole: A BTW Podcast is back for Season 2! Tune in to Episode 1 now! AfroJamaican-Canadian dub poet, playwright, actor, director, and scholar d'bi young anitafrika hosts a conversation with legendary Black women theatremakers. Listen: bit.ly/4qNlpM6

Join HEIST & BTW on Feb 28th for the free play reading of 𝘈 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 by Francesca Ekwuyasi! In this contemporary exploration of queer identity, Ekwuyasi reveals the balancing act between chosen family and blood family on the couple’s quest for acceptance.💍

🎫 Tickets: bit.ly/4qCc9dN

Look back at our 2014 production of 𝘎𝘢𝘴 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 with Virgilia Griffith & Alexandra Laferrière! By playwright Donna-Michelle St.Bernard, as part of her 54-ology, 𝘎𝘢𝘴 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 remains a meaningful part of our Black History Month reflections!

This Friday! BTW heats up Black History Month with Season 2 of La Parole with a podcast Listening Party & Community Talk Back on Feb 20th! Join the advanced premier with the live recording of our Black Women in Theatre Symposium from our 2025 Club Zed Playwrights' Festival! Tickets: bit.ly/3LUVVOP

This Black History Month, we’re revisiting our production of Rendez-Vous with Home/Rendez-vous lakay, written and performed by Djennie Laguerre! With three METAs nominations, this story full of Haitian dance, love, and humour remains a memorable milestone in BTW’s history! 🎉

Artists and creatives! Don’t miss your last chance to apply to the Alchemy Intensive Program! Submit your applications by February 18, 2026! 🎭

✨Apply now: bit.ly/45gk4Wt

Developed by queer Halifax-based company HEIST & presented by Montreal-based Black Theatre Workshop, writer Francesca Ekwuyasi invites you to a reading of her script, 𝘈 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. Join us on Feb 28th at 6pm for a public reading of the play! 💍✨

🎫Reserve your free tickets: bit.ly/4qCc9dN

BTW was featured in the American Theatre magazine's article, 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺! Check out their spotlight on Black playwrights and theatre companies who have shaped the course of Black performing arts and history. 🔗: bit.ly/4qJMxM9

The deadline for our Alchemy Intensive Program has been extended to February 18, 2026! Designed for mid-career & experienced creators, Alchemy brings together a cohort of five artists for a week of hands-on experimentation, play, and collaboration. Apply now: bit.ly/45gk4Wt

BTW heats up Black History Month with Season 2 of La Parole with a podcast Listening Party & Community Talk Back on Feb 20th! Join the advanced premier featuring the live recording of our Black Women in Theatre Symposium from our 2025 Club Zed Playwrights' Festival! Tickets: bit.ly/3LUVVOP

Happy #BlackHistoryMonth! For 55 years, BTW has been centering Black stories and shaping the future of Black Canadian theatre. This February, we’re sharing moments from our past, honouring our plays and rich histories. Follow along with us as we commemorate the past and celebrate our history!

There’s less than 1 week left to apply to the Alchemy Intensive Program! Designed for mid-career & experienced creators, Alchemy brings together a cohort of five artists for a week of hands-on experimentation, play, and collaboration. Apply by February 8th: bit.ly/45gk4Wt

BTW is thrilled to welcome Lora Campbell as its new Executive Director! An award-winning arts leader and artist, Lora brings over 20 years of experience advancing equity and access for historically excluded communities. We look forward to Lora's vision, care and leadership.
🔗: bit.ly/4r3qT66

Calling all theatre artists and creatives! We're accepting applications for the Alchemy Intensive, an interdisciplinary theatre program for mid-career to experienced artists seeking to expand their creative practice beyond traditional forms. Apply by February 8, 2026: bit.ly/45gk4Wt

Happy Holidays from the BTW team! Our office will be closed from December 22, 2025 until January 2, 2026. We wish you a joyful and festive holiday season and look forward to connecting in the New Year! 🎄✨

The Montreal premiere of 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 wrapped this November with powerful performances, lasting memories, and a celebration of Black theatre. From our dedicated cast and crew, to the heartfelt reception from our audience, thank you to everyone who made 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 a vibrant part of BTW’s 55th season!

Artistic Director Dian Marie Bridge will be joining OCE Concordia
for the University of the Streets Café panel on Engaged Theatre! Don’t miss the conversation & exploration of Black and Indigenous theatre as a form of activism. This event is free, open to all, and no registration is required.

Thank you to our community members, supporters, and donors for contributing to BTW this #GivingTuesday! Your donations will directly advance the development & production of bold and Black-centered plays, support our emerging artists, and help us commission new and creative stories! 🎭

This #GivingTuesday, support Black Theatre Workshop’s 55th season of TALLAWAH, a bold celebration of strength, story, and resilience. Your donations can shape the future of Black Canadian theatre! Donate today and make a lasting impact.

➡️Donate now: blacktheatreworkshop.ca/donate/

✨Our audience had buzzing responses and high praise for the performance and actors of 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦. “I really loved the acting. I thought the characters were amazingly developed.” Watch: bit.ly/4p42RaF

🎟 Don't miss the show at the Segal Centre until November 30th! Book your tickets: bit.ly/47awNdr

Our Place

Thanks to Virgin Radio Montreal for spotlighting 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦! Book your tickets: www.segalcentre.org/en/shows/202...