A groundbreaking initiative is taking the St. John's theatre scene by storm, offering a transformative opportunity for Black artists. Centra Cultural Collective, a non-profit championing the Black community, has launched the Black Theatre Training Program, a comprehensive five-stage journey. This program is designed to empower Black theatre artists by addressing the unique challenges they face within the local theatre landscape. The program's focus spans playwrighting, production, stage design, stage management, and directing, ensuring a holistic approach to skill development. What sets this initiative apart is its commitment to inclusivity and diversity, addressing the lack of representation in the stories being told. The program's founder, Nicole Obiodiaka, a Nigerian-born artist, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Black theatre artists. Her journey, which began with the play 'Beauty Behind the Norms,' set in rural Nigeria, highlights the obstacles she encountered in a predominantly non-Black theatre environment. The program's funding, sourced from organizations like the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (AOCA), the Arts Infrastructure and Programming Fund, and The Art of Being Black (TABB), ensures participants are compensated for their time and dedication. One of the program's standout features is its mentorship component, with Santiago Guzman, a director and founder of TODOS Productions, leading the playwriting workshop. Guzman, a Mexican-born artist who has been involved in plays across Canada, shares Obiodiaka's passion for diversity on stage. The playwriting workshop is divided into two parts, catering to both established Black artists with developed scripts and emerging storytellers seeking to grasp the fundamentals of writing for the stage. This initiative not only provides a platform for skill development but also fosters a supportive environment where Black artists can thrive and contribute to the rich tapestry of St. John's theatre.
