THE ADVENTURES OF A BLACK GIRL IN SEARCH OF GOD WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DJANET SEARS OCTOBER 21 – NOVEMBER 7, 2015
NAC English Theatre /Centaur Theatre Company co-production in association with Black Theatre Workshop
The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God
Written and Directed by Djanet Sears
featuring the 2015/16 NAC Ensemble and Guest Artists
October 21 – November 7, 2015
October 6, 2015 – OTTAWA (Canada) – Five Stars “Brilliant. One of the most profound, yet joyous new Canadian plays...a richly rewarding script.” – Toronto Star
NAC English Theatre is proud to open the 2015/16 NAC English Theatre season with Djanet Sears’ The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God, arriving after a triumphant four-week run in Montreal at the Centaur Theatre.
Rainey Baldwin Johnson is a country doctor whose family can be traced back to the origins of Negro Creek, a small 200-year-old Black community in Western Ontario. Following the tragic death of her daughter, she has turned away from her husband, her practice, and her faith. Meanwhile, Rainey’s elderly father mobilizes a group of proud septuagenarian activists to aid in the community’s struggle to uphold their dignity and honour the town’s rich history.
Rooted in African storytelling traditions, a chorus of ancestors create the mood and settings with sensuous choreography and a soaring soundscape in this moving, humorous and ultimately triumphant story, brought to life by a large cast of 22.
The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God made its debut in 2002 as a Nightwood Theatre/Obsidian Theatre co-production. It was then picked up by Mirvish Productions for another six months in 2003. The play was nominated for six Dora Mavor Moore Awards and was named one of the top plays of the decade by Now Magazine.
Recent events highlight the continuing relevancy of The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God, such as a 2015 petition which prompted the Quebec Toponymy Commission to rename 11 sites in the province due to concern over usage of racial terms now deemed offensive.
“...an often joyous affair, bursting with soulful a cappella song and willowy choreography from its 22-strong cast, and with a strand of comedy straight out of the silliest Hollywood heist caper.” – Montreal Gazette
Featuring the NAC Ensemble Quincy Armorer, Janelle Cooper, Lucinda Davis, Kayvon Kelly, Tristan D. Lalla, Amanda LeBlanc, Paula-Jean Prudat, Paul Rainville and Alison Woolridge and Guest Artists Troy Adams, Kaleb Alexander, Barbara Barnes-Hopkins, Walter Borden,
Tamara Brown, Marie-Christine Depestre, Lili Francks, Trudy Lee Gayle, Don Jordan, Evangelia Kambites, Jackie Richardson, Saidah Baba Talibah and Rudy Webb.
Joining Ms Sears in the creation of this work are Co-composer Alejandra Nunez (with Djanet Sears); Musical Director Andrew Craig; Choreographer Vivine Scarlett; Assistant Director Mike Payette; Set and Costume Designer Astrid Janson; Lighting Designer Jason Hand; Sound Designer Peter Cerone; Assistant Choreographer VaNessah-Rose Sears-Duru; Movement Dramaturg and Deviser Seika Boye; Assistant Set & Costume Designer Rachel Forbes; Stage Manager Melanie St-Jacques; Assistant Stage Manager Samira Rose; and Apprentice Stage Manager Isabel Quintero Faia.
The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God
October 21 – November 7
NAC Theatre
Previews:
Wednesday, October 21 and Thursday, October 22
Opens:
Friday, October 23
The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God Points of View:
Saturday, October 24 at 12:45 p.m. in the NAC Salon
Experience this English Theatre production through an encounter with two special guests, each offering their own unique perspective on the piece.
Talkbacks:
Wednesdays, October 28 and November 4 and Thursdays, October 29 and November 5.
Stay in your seats for a post-show question-and-answer session with members of the Ensemble.
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at 2 pm
(no performances on Sundays or Mondays.)
Tickets:
From $25 to $75
Tickets are available:
- Online on the NAC’s website: www.nac-cna.ca
- In person at the NAC Box Office
- At all Ticketmaster outlets**
- By telephone 1-888-991-2787**
**A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.
Groups of 10 or more contact grp@nac-cna.ca or visit www.nac-cna.ca
Find out more about the NAC English Theatre on Facebook and YouTube. To discover some fascinating facts about The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God visit nac-cna.ca/englishtheatre.
Embassy Hotel & Suites is proud to be the Official Hotel Partner for the National Arts Centre English Theatre.
Ottawa Citizen is a Proud Partner for the Theatre Series.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR INTERVIEW REQUESTS, PLEASE CONTACT:
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