The government mandated COVID-19 lockdowns may have blacked out theatres, but now some arts institutions are performing their own racial black outs! (Talk about Stockholm syndrome.)
It’s true! The publicly subsidized National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa, Canada, and a theatre company in Toronto have decided to combat racism by, well, being racist. Both theatre companies have set aside a series of nights when patrons will only be admitted to Black-themed performances based on their race.
“So, basically you will only be allowed to enter based on the colour of your skin?” asked GWU! Arts & Entertainment reporter CJ Byner.
CAN I GET MY MONEY BLACK?
Although there will be no screening at the door, patrons of the dark arts are asked to self-identify as Black. That said, the Toronto theatre plans to segregate their ‘non-Black’ staff to the front entrance of the theatre during the performance to ‘educate’ attendees who question the prejudicial policy.
On February 17th and May 5th the NAC will be staging the “Black Out” nights at its Babs Asper Theatre and Azrieli Studio in Ottawa. The shows feature “Is God Is,” and “Heaven,” plays written by Black authors and starring an all Black cast. Although this sounds like something of a Hollywood sci-fi screenplay it is in fact 100% true.
I have a dream, indeed!
The concept of Black Out nights originated on Broadway, where in 2019 seats for a performance of “Slave Play” was reserved for a Black-identifying audience, an idea dreamed by the plays author, Jeremy O. Harris.
According to the Black Out Nights website the purpose of the racially segregated shows are to create an artistic environment for Black audiences that is “free from the white gaze.”
“Imagine throwing a white only-night,” ponders Byner. “I mean, I guess you could call that a tennis match, but seriously this is just getting woke-diculous!”
