Minority Theatre in Canada, Reaction Paper Example

In the last two decades, Toronto has struggle with accepting and adapting to other minority groups. In Canada, they already have difficulties with French Canadian and British Canadian (Everyculture 1). It very difficult to be involved in culture exchanges with other groups when other groups are trying to find their own identities(Gilliard,no date 1).The black minorities were still fighting for independence during slavery but managed to forge their way into theatre by using the church as their own theatre. The blacks struggle for acceptance in Canada but they were no stranger to theatre because they had develop some of their theatre experience in the early 1800 in New York with playwrights like Garland Anderson(Blackpast(2015). The Afri-Canadian Church was the one place of structured that was the school, the political foundation, the social club and a place of music and expression (Breon, 1988). This is a period of cultural sensitivity, system racism, and lack of access to mainstream Canada. In addition, the minorities were not just fighting for the theatre but fighting to be included in political and cultural events(Gonzalez & Irasseur 14). The Canadian arts preferred the European theatre actors while not wanting to see the Asian, Black or Latins artist and actors. The Asians overcame their status while adapting and creating thrilling shows that became the staple of their communities including the Korean theatre showmanship. The blacks overcame the begginings of ministrel shows to providing major theatre entertainment but with resistance.(Hill 1).This was the primary reason that the actors of color had problems playing Canadian theatres because the preference at that time was European actors only(The Canadianencyclopedia 5). In the 1980’s, the minorities began to be more involved in politics and theatre associations which led to the art community, councils and associations across Canada to pass the 1944 Racial Discrimination Act.(Human Rights in Canada 1). At the persistence of the minority advocates and artist, the policies and discriminatory practices began to change(Rubin, 410). The has been an legacy from the minorities that paved the way for equality in the Canadian Theatre while searching for an identity of their own in theatre(BlackTheatreNework 1).  In the readings “Performing African Canadian Identity: Diasporic Reinvention in “Afrika Solo” written by Jacqueline Petropoulos it was stated that during the 1980’s the minority Canadian movement was hurt by the closing of the largest companies called Black Theatre Canada and Theatre Fountainhead. However, the minority theatre has flourished into one the most entertaining and wanted venues in Canada such as the “Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre”.(Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre 1). The breakthrough for the minority theatre groups came in 1942 with the production of Negro Theatre Guild production that open the doors for multiculturalism in Canada(Sheridan Zach 4).

References

Black Theatre Nework.(2013). Black Theatre Network: Dedicated of the exploration and preservation of theatrical visions of African Diaspora. Retrieved April 7, 2015 from http://www.blacktheatrenetwork.org/

Blackpast.(2015).Anderson Garland(1886-1939. Retrieved April 7, 2015 from http://www.blackpast.org/aah/anderson-garland-1886-1939

Breon, R. (1988).Form: The Growth and Development of Black Theatre in Canada: A Starting Point. Retrieved April 7, 2015 from http://journals.hil.unb.ca/index.php/tric/article/view/7342/8401

Country and their Cultures. Canadians. Retrieved April 7, 2015 from http://www.everyculture.com/

Gilliard,D.(no date). The Black church in Canada. Retrieved April 7, 2015 from http://www.mcmaster.ca/mjtm/1-5.htm

Gonzalez,M. & Irasseur,P.(2013).Authencity and legitimacy in minority theatre: Contructing identity. Newcastle: United Kingdom.Cambrigde Scholars Publishing.

Hill,A.(2015). The Black Presence in Theater through the Centuries in the Historical Dictionary of African American Theater – See more at: http://www.blackpast.org/perspectives/black-thespians-through-centuries-historical-dictionary-african-american-theatre#sthash.bxZOtVj7.dpuf

Human Rights in Canada.(2015). The Racial Discrimination Act adopted in Ontario. Retrieved April 7, 2015 from http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/en/timePortals/milestones/45mile.asp

The Canadianencyclopedia.(2015). Dance history. Retrieved April 7, 2015 from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/dance-history/

Rubin.C.(2004).Canadian Theatre Hisotry. Ontario, Canada. Playwright Canada Press

Sherida Zach.(2015 Mar).Ethnic minority theatre: Prezi Presenation. Retrieved April 7, 2015 from https://prezi.com/cyh_gdlgpomt/ethnic-minority-theatre/

VancouverAsian Canadian Theatre.(2014).About us. Retrived April 7, 2015 from http://www.vact.ca/about/index.htm