Canada’s top taxpayer-funded theater is sparking fury by hosting a “blacks-only” show that bans white and Asian people from attending
- A Canadian theater is planning to celebrate Black History Month with an exclusive performance for “Black theatergoers only.”
- On February 17th, Ottawa’s Babs Asper Theater will host the first ever Black Out night with an all black performance of the play Is God Is
- The 897-seat venue will be open exclusively to an “All-Black identifying audience,” with people of other races encouraged to attend the play each night during its run
Canada’s top taxpayer-funded theater has sparked fury with a “blacks-only” performance – and banned white and Asian people.
The National Arts Center in Ottawa will hold the event in the middle of Black History Month on February 17th with a performance of “Is God Is” at the Babs Asper Theatre.
The 897-seat venue will be open to an “all-black identifying audience” only, with people of other races encouraged to catch the play at one of the other eight shows February 9-18.
The center has stated the purpose is to “feel conversation and involvement throughout the theatre.”
The National Arts Center in Ottawa intends to host a black-only performance of “Is God Is” at the Babs Asper Theater in the middle of Black History Month
The 897-seat venue will be open to an “all-black identifying audience” only, with people of other races instructed to attend the play at one of the other eight remaining shows
The theater says those coming will identify themselves based on an honor system and no one will be turned away at the door.
“There will be no checkpoints for Black Out Night ticket holders and no questions will be asked about the identity, race or gender of anyone,” the theater stated.
The venue says the decision to host such an evening was inspired by something similar that happened on Broadway for Jeremy O’Harris’ Slave Play in fall 2019.
“A Black Out is an open invitation for Black Audiences to come and perform with their community.
“The evenings will offer black theatergoers a special space to witness a show that reflects the living kaleidoscope that defines the black experience,” the theater said in a press release.
The theater’s decision to host such an evening did not go down well with many on social media.
“A Special Room for Black Theatergoers” There is so much wrong with that. It’s not progressive. By definition it is racism.
“At the National Art Center. I would also question the value of the event’s content, but that’s for another tweet,” wrote one Twitter user.
Another described the decision as “cultural apartheid”.
The theater’s decision to hold black-only performances did not go down well with many on social media, with one suggesting that whites might be sabotaging the event
“The identitarian left proudly appropriates an oldie but goody. Canada is starting to make the US look like Hungary,” said David Rieff.
Another social media user suggested others were trying to sabotage the event.
“During Black History Month, the NAC hosts a Black Out Night Performance of Is God Is.
“Prepare not to be shocked: although there are many other performances, white losers buy tickets to Black Out Night in protest.”
Written in 2016 by American playwright Aleshea Harris, Is God Is tells the story of twin sisters who travel from the south to the California desert to seek revenge on their abusive father.
The center also plans to host another “Black Out” night on May 5 for a performance of “Heaven,” a play about the African-Canadian settlement of Amber Valley, Alberta
The center also plans to host another “Black Out” night on May 5 for a performance of “Heaven,” a play about the African-Canadian settlement of Amber Valley, Alberta.
No other ethnic groups have received their own night of special performances from the National Arts Center, but those who self-identify as Indigenous Peoples can get tickets to shows for $15.
Black Out Nights have been hosted by other theater companies, including Toronto-based Theater Passe Muraille.
Their website even stated what would happen if non-black customers came to a show.
“If someone self-identifies as a non-Black person and requests to enter the room, a member of our staff will be present to speak to that person.
“We are trying our best to have that working country with a non-Black employee and we will have non-Black front of house, executive or engineering and production team members in the lobby to de-escalate such situations.” ‘