Obsidian Theatre

Founded in February 2000, Obsidian Theatre Company has grown into a large independent theatre company with a full schedule of productions, playwright/play development and professional training programs. Since the company's inception, Obsidian has worked to change the profile of culturally diverse theatre in Canada by encouraging companies to re-evaluate the way artists of colour are involved in the work.{{Cite web |title=History • Obsidian Theatre Company |url=http://www.obsidiantheatre.com/about-us/history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928035239/http://www.obsidiantheatre.com/about-us/history/ |archive-date=2023-09-28 |website=Obsidian Theatre Company}} The company does not manage its own physical theatre and rather partners with other theatre companies to produce works.{{Cite web|url=https://www.library.yorku.ca/web/blog/2014/02/07/canadas-leading-black-theatre-company-archives-its-materials-at-york/|title=Canada's leading black theatre company archives its materials at York {{!}} York University Libraries|last=Tancock|first=Martha|date=2013-02-07|website=YFile|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-03-08}}

In 2021, the theatre created the web series 21 Black Futures for CBC Gem.Lauren Malyk, [https://playbackonline.ca/2021/01/20/obsidian-theatre-cbc-reveal-talent-for-21-black-futures-project/ "Obsidian Theatre, CBC reveal talent for 21 Black Futures project"]. Playback, January 20, 2021.

In 2022, Obsidian launched Young, Gifted & Black, a 14-month training program that invites five emerging Black artists each year and provides them with masterclasses, mentorships, apprenticeship placements, and ensemble creation.{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Toronto: Obsidian Theatre launches the pro-dev programme 'Young, Gifted and Black' |url=https://www.stage-door.com/3/news/2022-News/Entries/2022/3/toronto-obsidian-theatre-launches-the-pro-dev-programme-young-gifted-and-black-1.html |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.stage-door.com |language=en-CA}}{{Cite web |title=Young, Gifted & Black Program |url=https://www.obsidiantheatre.com/young-gifted-black-program/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Obsidian Theatre Company |language=en}}

Source:

• Awaovieyi Agie
• Ardon Bess
• David Collins
• Roy Lewis
• Yanna McIntosh
• Diane Roberts
• Kim Roberts
• Sandi Ross
• Djanet Sears
• Satori Shakoor
• Tricia Williams
• Alison Sealy-Smith
• Philip Akin

Source:{{Cite web|url=http://www.obsidiantheatre.com/about-us/board-of-directors/|title = Board of Directors • Obsidian Theatre Company}}

• Harmony Cohen - Chair
• Walter Gibbons - Treasurer
• Arlene Campbell - Secretary
• Ashima Chopra- Director
• Sascha Cole - Director
• Kevin Hanchard- Director
• Greg Holness - Director
• Stacey Norton - Director
• Bev Salmon- Director

Source:{{Cite web|url=http://www.obsidiantheatre.com/about-us/staff/|title = Staff • Obsidian Theatre Company}}

• Philip Akin - Artistic Director (2005-2020); Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu (2020-) {{Cite web |last=Sumi |first=Glenn |date=2020-01-14 |title=Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu to lead Obsidian Theatre |url=https://nowtoronto.com/api/content/551b7db2-36dd-11ea-b419-1244d5f7c7c6/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607143404/https://nowtoronto.com/api/content/551b7db2-36dd-11ea-b419-1244d5f7c7c6/ |archive-date=2020-06-07 |access-date=2020-03-08 |website=NOW Magazine |language=en-us}}
• Michael Sinclair - General Manager
• daniel jelani ellis - Artistic Producer
• Cherise Solomon - Marketing and Development Officer

An integral part of the company is the Obsidian Playwrights Unit, a venue for exploration of ideas.{{Cite news|last=Wheeler|first=Brad|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/obsidian-theatres-philip-akin-helping-young-black-directors-hone-their-skills/article37708149/|title=Obsidian Theatre's Philip Akin helping young black directors hone their skills|date=2018-01-23|work=Globe and Mail|access-date=2020-03-08}}

Playwrights commit to monthly meetings over a yearlong period (September to June). The group is headed by the Play Development Coordinator and is focused on playwright development as opposed to full-length play creation. This allows for each playwright to work on a short piece for workshop production and also explores a number of philosophical ideas that stimulate ideas and conversation.{{Cite web |title=For Playwrights • Obsidian Theatre Company |url=http://www.obsidiantheatre.com/artist-centre/for-playwrights-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928032400/https://www.obsidiantheatre.com/artist-centre/for-playwrights-2/ |archive-date=2023-09-28 |website=Obsidian Theatre Company}}

In June, the playwrights are matched with three directors to work on staging the plays for a workshop production, culminating in a Performance showcase.

• 2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play){{Cite web |title=Recipients |url=https://tapa.ca/dora-awards/past-awards/recipients/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423174829/https://tapa.ca/dora-awards/past-awards/recipients/ |archive-date=2021-04-23 |access-date=2020-03-08 |website=TAPA |language=en-US}}
• 2012 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production (Topdog/Underdog)
• 2012 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production (in partnership with Acting Up Stage Company) (Caroline, or Change)

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.obsidiantheatre.com Obsidian Theatre]
• [http://archivesfa.library.yorku.ca/fonds/ON00370-f0000555.htm Obsidian Theatre archives (F0555)] held at Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections, York University Libraries, Toronto, Ontario.

{{Authority control}}

Category:Theatre companies in Toronto

Category:Black Canadian culture in Toronto

Category:Black theatre

Category:2000 establishments in Ontario