Fonds F034 - Black Theater Workshop fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Black Theater Workshop fonds

General material designation

  • Multiple media

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Title statements of responsibility

Title notes

  • Source of title proper: Title based on the content of the fonds.

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

F034

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

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Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • [1940]-2016, predominant 1972-2013 (Creation)
    Creator
    Black Theater Workshop

Physical description area

Physical description

9.30 m of textual records
3833 photographs
ca. 200 drawings
104 moving images
92 sound recordings
18 posters
11 graphics
4 objects
10 collages
1 map
1 painting (reproduction)

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1972-)

Administrative history

The Black Theater Workshop (BTW), also known as the “Theatre B.T.W.," is an English-speaking theatre company located in Montreal, Quebec that “is committed to reflecting Black culture and community by developing and providing visibility for Black Canadian artists.”

Incorporated in 1972 as a non-profit organization, the BTW is the oldest Black theater company in Canada. Beginning in 1965 as the Trinidad & Tobago Association (TTA) Drama group with the goal of becoming a theatre for the whole Montreal community, the TTA drama group became the Black Theatre Workshop in 1971 with the presentation of How Now Black Man, written by Lorris Elliott and directed by Jeff Henry. To respect the rules of French language use in Quebec, the Workshop officially changed its name to “Theatre B.T.W.” in January 1984.

The mission of the BTW “is to encourage and promote the development of a Black and Canadian Theater, rooted in a literature that reflects the creative will of Black Canadian writers and artists, and the creative collaborations between Black and other artists.” The Black Theater Workshop primarily stages the work of Black Canadian playwrights and selects plays that deal with themes relevant to Black communities in Canada. Since the beginning of the 1980s, the Black Theater Workshop annually runs school tours as part of its regular season.

One of the 35 founding members of the BTW is Clarence Bayne, who also served as both president and artistic director during the first years of the theatre. Since 1991, he has been Vice-President of the organization’s Board of Directors. As Artistic Director, Clarence Bayne was followed by Errol Sitahal (1970s), Terry Donald (1970s), Dwight Bacquie (1983-1984), Lorena Gale (1984-1985), Don Jordan (1985-1988), Winston Sutton (1988-1994), Fleurette Fernando (1994-1996), Nancy Delva (1997-1999), Kate Bligh (1999-2001), Rachael Van Fossen (2001-2005), and Tyrone Benskin (2005-2011). Since 2011, Quincy Armorer has been Artistic Director at the BTW. The BTW is governed by a board of Directors, which is presently formed by Jacklin Webb (president), Dr. Clarence Bayne (vice-president), Dr. Horace Goddard (secretary), Phylicia Burke (treasurer), Yvonne Greer (member), and Allison DaCosta.

The BTW is the recipient of numerous awards, including various Montreal English Theatre Awards (META) and several Montreal’s English Critics Circle Awards (MECCA).

From 1976 to 1985, the BTW used Montreal’s Centaur Theatre performing space. In 1984, BTW opened its first administrative office, and started performing in a space rented from L’Atelier Contenu. In the 1990s, offices were located at 1827 Ste Catherine West. Since 2003, the workshop is using the spaces of the Montréal Arts Interculturels (MAI) Centre, located at 3680 rue Jeanne-Mance.

Custodial history

Scope and content

The Black Theater Workshop fonds is composed of materials created and compiled by the Black Theater Workshop (BTW) and contains materials documenting the activities and operations of the BTW from its founding in 1972 to 2016. Textual records and other materials document the BTW's administration, finances, awards, plays, programming, promotional activities, communications, and facilities, among other things. Documents are also reflective of the BTW's contributions to Montreal’s Black communities and to theater in Canada.

The fonds is divided into the following series :
F034/A Administration
F034/B Financial records
F034/C External relations
F034/D Productions / Programming

The fonds is composed of financial documents, grant applications, board meeting minutes, reports, play scripts, newspapers and newspaper clippings, promotional material, correspondence; graphic materials such as photographs, posters, logos, drawings, sound recordings, moving images, and some objects, among others.

Notes area

Physical condition

The documents are in good condition.

Immediate source of acquisition

The Black Theater Workshop fonds was donated to Concordia University Library's Special Collections in April 2019 and was transferred to Concordia on May 29, 2019. Another deposit was made by the Black Theater Workshop in 2021.

Arrangement

In most cases, materials are arranged in the order of receipt.

Language of material

  • English
  • French

Script of material

    Location of originals

    Availability of other formats

    Restrictions on access

    Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

    In most cases, reproductions are allowed for the purpose of research and private study. Other uses of the materials, including the reproduction of documents in a publication, may only be done with written consent of the copyright owner(s).

    Finding aids

    Box listings are available.

    Generated finding aid

    Associated materials

    Accruals

    Further accruals are expected.

    Rights

    Copyright belongs to the creator(s).

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    Standard number

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    Description record identifier

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    Status

    Draft

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        Accession area