A world premiere
In this daring one-woman play, the action follows an actor as she responds to a casting call and slips into a musing multiverse of narratives. With a poetic style and interweaving perspectives, watson brings her razor-sharp humour, impassioned imagination and piercing cultural critique to a kaleidoscopic explosion that spins you into a big, black hole called: shaniqua.
Crow’s Theatre, in association with paul watson productions and Obsidian Theatre Company, presents the world premiere of bahia watson’s new work shaniqua in abstraction, directed by Sabryn Rock, with choreography by Fairy J. The performance takes place in the Streetcar Crowsnest Studio Theatre from Tuesday, April 9 to Sunday, April 28, with a Black Out Night performance on Friday, April 26.
“i wrote this play to understand myself better, as an actor and storyteller, and as a black woman. the identity of the black woman is loaded with things we didn’t ask for and didn’t put there. some of those things we’ve made the most of, some of them we hold close, others we abandon. and some follow us around like a shadow, haunting us. this play is both an honouring and a dismantling of the narratives we carry. it is my attempt to create, through language, a ground i can stand on, where i can feel free. it is a process of finding the voice in the chorus that is mine.”
– bahia watson, writer & performer
bahia watson is an award-winning actor, playwright and creator based in Los Angeles and Toronto. shaniqua in abstraction is her Crow’s Theatre playwriting debut, following her appearances in Crow’s productions of Someone Else and The Seagull (co-produced with The Company Theatre) – and, most recently, thrilling audiences with her unforgettable turn as Sonya in Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
About Crow’s Theatre
For 40 years, Crow’s Theatre has been a leading force in the Canadian theatre landscape, recognized for its provocative and award-winning theatre work. Crow’s Theatre is distinguished as a pre-eminent cultural organization for its far-reaching imagination, cultural exchange, and grassroots belief that the arts are essential to healthy and thriving communities. Recent celebrated productions include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, The Master Plan, Uncle Vanya, Fifteen Dogs and As You Like It, A Radical Retelling by Cliff Cardinal.
About paul watson productions
paul watson productions is a free-spirited, fun-loving, world-building force dedicated to creating art for the people. From the Caribbean vaudevillian Fringe hit pomme is french for apple, to the island-kissed travelling circus comedy MASHUP PON DI ROAD, paul watson productions supports artists who challenge oppressive entities while also valuing the utmost importance of play.
About Obsidian Theatre Company
Obsidian Theatre Company is an award-winning theatre company passionately dedicated to the exploration, development, and production of the Black voice. As Canada’s leading culturally specific theatre company, it has a threefold mission to produce plays, develop playwrights and train emerging theatre professionals.
(Photo credits: Crow’s Theatre. Top: Artwork by blackpowerbarbie. Bottom: bahia watson.)
Event details
Hosted by: Crow’s Theatre, in association with paul watson productions and Obsidian Theatre Company
Type of event: theatre performance
Written & performed by: bahia watson
Directed by: Sabryn Rock
Choreography by: Fairy J
Dates: Tuesday, April 9 – Sunday, April 28, 2024
Start times:
- Tuesdays – Saturdays @ 8:00 PM ET;
- matinées on Saturdays & Sundays @ 2:00 PM ET;
- additional matinées on Wednesday, April 17 & Wednesday, April 24 @ 2:00 PM ET
Black Out Night performance on Friday, April 26 @ 8:00 PM ET. Black Out Performances are evenings dedicated to celebrating Black stories, Black artists, and Black audience members by providing a safe space for them to experience theatre that is for and by the Black community.
Masks are mandatory for the performance on Sunday, April 14 @ 2:00 PM.
There will be a post-show talkback on Tuesday, April 16; and a pre-show chat in the lobby on Sunday, April 21.
Duration: Approximately 75 minutes (no intermission)
Cost: Tickets range from C$28.25 for arts workers – $90.40 for premium reserved seating (with pricing options for students, arts workers, under-30, seniors and premium reserved seating add-on)
There are Pay-What-You Can (PWYC) Performances on Sunday, April 14 (this is also a mask mandatory performance) and Sunday, April 21. Limited PWYC tickets available day-of. PWYC tickets will be available IN PERSON ONLY at the Box Office, starting at noon.
Tickets for Black Out Night are C$20.
Location: Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4M 2T1
Trailer: Watch the trailer
Booking link: Book your tickets here. Tickets are also available in person at the box office one hour before show time.
Contact Details: Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4M 2T1, Canada; Box office phone number: 647-341-7390 ext. 1010 (Monday – Friday, 12:00 pm – 5:00 PM); boxoffice@crowstheatre.com, crowstheatre.com
Content warning: Mature language and subject matter.
Accessibility: Info here.
Refund policy: Box office and ticket info here.
COVID-19 policy: Masks are mandatory for the performance on Sunday, April 14 @ 2:00 PM.