Black Theatre in Canada / African Canadian Theatre

In the world context, “Black Theatre” emanates from an authentic cultural perspective in much the same way as Kabuki Theatre of Japan, the Habimah Theatre of Israel, or the Abbey Players of Ireland. Such theatre speaks first to its own, and then (as any good art), to all other humanity. One historically unique challenge to socially, politically and otherwise situating “Black Theatre” for general understanding and appreciation has been its complex, diasporic existence. Although Africa provides ontological clarity and linkage to all Black art (aesthestics), the tendency to reduce it to a ‘singular experience’ has often served to undermine rather than illuminate its inherent richness, diversity and complexity. Each particular context evolves its own artistic expression, which then becomes part of the larger world view. The Johannesburg Market Theatre, the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, Bahian theatre (Brazil),Yoruba theatre (Nigeria) and Blacktheatre in the United States, all share/dessential elements, but each evolves unique expression. The same is true of “Black Theatre” in Canada.