Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The Watah Theatre is sad to announce its closure after four years of supporting and developing the legacy of Black Theatre through the production and cultivation of Black & diverse works. BUT this is not a time to mourn – it is a time to celebrate all that Watah has accomplished in just 4 years! On June 26, at the Theatre Centre, The Watah Theatre will be hosting the D’BI. FAREWELL FUNDRAISER GALA, which will feature live performances, music, food and a good old-fashion dance party! Doors open at 7pm and the live performances kick off on the main stage of the Theatre Centre at 7:30pm. It will be followed by a Gala with music by DJ Glamma, starting around 10:00pm. Advance tickets are $25 and tickets will be available at the door for $30.
All proceeds from the event will go towards d’bi.young anitafrika’s GoFundMe campaign, helping this Canadian treasure further develop the Anitafrika Method at Goldsmiths, University of London, this fall.
Research shows the risk of dying before the age of 60 from either heart disease or stroke is four times higher for Black women than it is for White women, and the rate of depression 50% higher. In light of these health outcomes, international award-winning artist, educator, theatre performer, and creator d’bi.young anitafrika has crafted the Anitafrika Method to benefit populations who are underserved by existing healthcare systems. d’bi has built the Anitafrika Method on the pioneering work of her mother, cultivating her practice by providing hundreds of hours of tuition-free residencies and workshops to marginalized groups.
d’bi hopes to crystallize her twenty years of experience into theory by completing her Master’s Degree in World Theatres at Goldsmiths, University of London. There she will further her research under the leadership of Professor Osita Okagbue, who specializes in African and Caribbean theatre. d’bi is excited and grateful for this opportunity that will make her one of the first Black female educators to show how participatory theatre, grounded in feminist scholarship, improves health outcomes for Black women and others. d’bi must raise $75,000 to pay the costs of her education.
D’BI FAREWELL FUNDRAISER GALA will feature live performances by d’bi.young anitafrika, Motion, Prince Amponsah, Olunike Adeliyi, Lexi Sproule, Desmond Miller, Randell Adjei, Uche McKenzie, Zakisha Brown, Paul Ohonsi, Babette Burrell, Anique J Jordan, Kemba King, Ase Eshu Bafamet, Blane Solomon, Daniel Ellis, Aisha Bentham, Debbie Nicholls-Skerritt, Waleed Abdulhamid, Beth Jordan, Savannah Clarke, Najla Nubyanluv, Sashoya Shoya Oya and a special presentation from the 2017 cast of Soulpepper’s For Colored Girls... Akosua Amo-Adem, Ordena Stephens-Thompson, Tamra Brown, Evangelia Kambites, Karen Glave and Sate. BUT THAT IS NOT ALL: returning to the stage as our honourable guest will be Pioneer Dub Poet and inspiration for the Anitafrika Method, Anita Stewart.
Join us on June 26 and celebrate four years of The Watah Theatre – this is a party you do not want to miss!
For tickets please visit: dbifarewellfundraisergala.bpt.me
Advance tickets: $25
Tickets at the door: $30
Doors open at 7pm
Photo: d’bi.young.anitafrika.
2018-06-01
Toronto: The Watah Theatre will close with the D'bi. Fundraiser Gala June 26