READ THE FULL LINEUP AND PRESS RELEASE HERE

2018-2019 OBSIDIAN THEATRE DORA AWARDS

WINNERS:

SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY BY JOCELYN BIOH

IN ASSOCIATION WITH NIGHTWOOD THEATRE

- Outstanding Production

- Nina Lee Aquino – Outstanding Direction

NOMINATIONS:

Congratulations to all of the artists we have worked with this season

on the 10 Dora Award Nominations!

SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY BY JOCELYN BIOH

IN ASSOCIATION WITH NIGHTWOOD THEATRE

-       Outstanding Production

-       Nina Lee Aquino – Outstanding Direction

-       Natasha Mumba – Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role

-       Bria McLaughlin – Outstanding Performance in a Feature Role

-       Rachel Forbes – Outstanding Scenic Design

-       Joanna Yu – Outstanding Costume Design

-       Reza Jacobs – Outstanding Sound Design

ORALTORIO: A THEATRICAL MIXTAPE, WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY MOTION, MUSIC AND PERFORMED BY DJ L’OQENZ,

PRESENTED BY SOULPEPPER THEATRE COMPANY

-       Mumbi Tindyebwa – Outstanding Direction

-       Thomas Ryder Payne and DJ L’Oqenz – Outstanding Sound Design

JUDAS NOIR, ADAPTED BY LEIGHTON ALEXANDER WILLIAMS FROM THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT BY STEPHEN ADLY GUIRGIS

BDB PRODUCTION’S INC. PRESENTED BY OBSIDIAN THEATRE

Philip Akin to step down as Artistic Director of Obsidian Theatre

Philip Akin has announced that he will be stepping down after 14 seasons as the Artistic Director of Obsidian Theatre, Canada’s leading culturally specific theatre company. Though he will remain in his position until 2020, the search for new artistic leadership begins now.

In 2000, Philip along with 12 other prominent Black artists came together with the vision for an organization by and for Black theatre creators; one that would never need to reach for whiteness. Obsidian Theatre was formed, named for a black volcanic glass that alluded to creation and breaking new ground. Philip served on the board of directors, and as the company’s administrative producer before becoming Artistic Director in 2006. After the company celebrates their 20^th season, he will leave the Obsidian in the hands of someone new.

“This transition marks an important time for both the company and the theatre community. Under Philip’s leadership since 2006, Obsidian Theatre has grown to become a hub for Black theatre makers across the country. We are now known as a company that creates space for risk-taking; values and pays for the work of artists; and which works for change by creating a culture of radical generosity. As Artistic Director, Philip has worked tirelessly to provide opportunities, guidance, and ongoing support for young-in-craft artists. He will be deeply missed.”

- Harmony Cohen, Chair of Obsidian Theatre’s Board of Directors

Read the full release here:

http://www.obsidiantheatre.com/wp-obsidian/wp-content/uploads/Philip_Announcement_Final.pdf

We are proud to announce that our Artistic Director, Philip Akin, has been named the 2018 Artist Award laureate for the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, along with his selected Emerging Artist Leighton Alexander Williams.

They are sharing these honours with imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, the 2018 Arts Organization laureate – the world’s largest festival showcasing film, video, audio, and digital & interactive media made by Indigenous screen content creators.