The Growth and Development of Black Theatre in Canada: A Starting Point

Type of resource
Author/collaborator
Title
The Growth and Development of Black Theatre in Canada: A Starting Point
Abstract
The author notes that the first truly professional Black theatre in Canada, The Negro Theatre Guild, emerged in Montreal in 1941. The mandate of the Guild was “To utilize the enthusiasm, sincerity and native talent of colored youth, in the presentation of plays of social value, is the principal aim of our organization. We feel that in the common struggle against fascism and Hitlerism, the Negro has not only his blood and his labor to contribute, but has a distinct cultural contribution to make.” The Guild's first production was a mounting of Marc Connelly's play, The Green Pastures, featuring Charles Horrace Phillips in the lead role and directed by Don Haldane, the first Canadian graduate of the Yale School of Drama. It was presented at His Majesty's Theatre in May 1942. The Negro Theatre Guild continued into the early 1970's later changing its name to the Negro Theatre Arts Club of Montreal and then to the Black Theatre Workshop of Montreal, which continues in the pioneering tradition established by the Negro Theatre Guild over fifty years ago.
Publication
Theatre Research in Canada / Recherches Théâtrales Au Canada
Volume
Vol. 9
Issue
no. 2
Pages
216-228
Date
1988
Language
en
URL
Citation
Breon, Robin. “The Growth and Development of Black Theatre in Canada: A Starting Point.” Theatre Research in Canada / Recherches Théâtrales Au Canada Vol. 9, no. 2 (1988): 216–228. https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/tric/article/view/7342/8401.
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