Theatre Hosts Play for Black-Only Audience

A taxpayer-funded theatre in Canada plans to host a play for Black audiences only.

They’re calling it a “Black Out.”

This sounds like segregation to me.

The National Arts Centre in Ottawa plays the segregation card by inviting a “Black-only” audience to their latest theatrical showing. It’s not racist, it’s inclusive!!

Watch Fake News Friday with @AndrewLawton and @SueAnnLevy: https://t.co/voAmzJ8ACW pic.twitter.com/sWzzWW3bzF

— True North (@TrueNorthCentre) January 29, 2023

What is the old saying – a rose by any other name would smell as sweet?

Well, this rose stinks of segregation!

Here’s what Fox News had to say:

A theater in Canada that receives federal funding has sparked backlash for offering a performance of a play about Black women next month that is open only to “Black-identifying” audience members.

“Is God Is,” which was written by and stars Black women, is about twin 21-year-old sisters Racine and Anaia, both who have burn scars from a childhood incident. Upon receiving a letter, they visit their mother, nicknamed “SHE” or “God,” who also has scars all over her body.

At her deathbed, their mother reveals that their father, referred to as “Man,” was the one who set the fire. SHE instructs the sisters to go where they can find and kill Man and his new family.

So even if this sounds like a Tony Award-winning play you’d like to see, check your skin color before you buy the tickets.

The theatre’s website explains how they plan to handle non-Black audience members:

Black Out Nights are performances exclusively for Black audiences

What happens when a non-Black person tries to enter the space during Black Out Night?

Theatre Passe Muraille welcomes everyone who self-identify as Black to attend this performance. However, if someone self-identifies as a non-Black person and demands to enter the room, a member of our staff will be present to chat with this person. We try our best to have this labour land on a non-Black staff member and we will have non-Black front-of-house, leadership, or technical and production team members present in the lobby to help de-escalate such situations.

We will also specify across our ticketing and show pages, social media, and other communications that the Black Out Night performance is dedicated to Black audiences.