Community Conversations

Women playwrights continue to be underrepresented throughout our stages. This means their voices go unheard, and their stories go untold. For International Women's Day join us as Weyni Mengesha sits down with our Six Women Writing playwrights, Trey Anthony, Sandra Caldwell, Hannah Moscovitch, Kat Sandler, and Erin Shields, as they discuss their inspirations, the challenges of the industry for female playwrights, and the value of working alongside each other. 

For over fifty years she has been on the front lines, influencing how the Black-Canadian community is seen, heard and represented across the country. The Honourable Jean Augustine, one of Canada’s greatest civil rights leaders, sits down with Weyni Mengesha to share her remarkable story and achievements, including having Black History Month officially recognized in Canada. Looking ahead to Black Futures, Weyni will also be joined by acclaimed artists, Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall, Emanuel, Savannah Ré, and Susan Carol to discuss their recent collaboration within the City of Toronto's Awakenings program with the song Freedom Heights (A song for Joshua Glover) to kick-off the Kitchen Concerts at the Inn music series. They will celebrate Black History and reflect on their dreams for the future.

Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train takes us inside Rikers Island and asks the audience hard questions about justice, punishment, and redemption. Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha moderated a post-show conversation with those on the frontlines of Canada’s justice system, including Anthony N. Morgan (Lawyer & Manager of Anti-Black Racism Unit, City of Toronto); Annamaria Enenajor (founder Cannabis Amnesty and Partner at RSED); Faisal Mirza (a criminal trial lawyer with Mirza Kwok); and Emily Lam (Partner, Kastner Lam LLP).

This Community Conversation was recorded before the surge in the Black Lives Matter movement currently happening around the world, but we invite you to use your time to listen, reflect, and take action on dismantling the systems of oppression that permeate our society and our community. 

Their work has moved you on screen, on stage, and in the jam. Now see some of Toronto’s leading Black artists up close and personal as they catch a vibe and share stories about the people and pieces that inspire them.

Featuring: Philip Akin (Artistic Director, Obsidian Theatre), DJ L’Oqenz (DJ, producer, music director, sound designer and cultural curator), Weyni Mengesha (Artistic Director, Soulpepper Theatre), Amanda Parris (Playwright, Host on CBC Radio and Television), and SATE (Singer, Actor, Mover).

This Community Conversation was recorded before the surge in the Black Lives Matter movement currently happening around the world, but we invite you to use your time to listen, reflect, and take action on dismantling the systems of oppression that permeate our society and our community. 

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2019, five of Canada’s groundbreaking artistic leaders sit down to ask each other questions about their journeys and aspirations as industry leaders. Join Andrea Donaldson (Nightwood Theatre), Mel Hague (Rhubarb Festival), Nina Lee Aquino (Factory Theatre), Weyni Mengesha (Soulpepper Theatre Company), and Kelly Thornton (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre) for an intimate and inspiring conversation, and a performance by Carvella Lee. Proceeds from the event were donated to support the incredible initiatives at the Artists Mentoring Youth (AMY) Project.

PLEASE NOTE: Around the 7 minute mark there are some technical issues with the audio, which lasts about 2 minutes. Sorry for the inconvenience, but keep listening - it's worth it.