Arts & Culture cheryl foggo

history in the arts

This Calgary native eases into fond childhood memories of the Calgary Stampede and of community activities held at Bowness Park amidst the curious stares of those less comfortable at the sight of a gathering of Black people simply having fun. Cheryl Foggo describes herself as a filmmaker, playwright, historian, educator and author. While these hats may seem varied, her purpose and vision connect across each role: Telling the stories and documenting the history of the Black community in Alberta.

Cheryl admits that her work as a historian may sometimes create a conflict with her contributions as a playwright or filmmaker, “As a historian I am committed to the facts and truths of a story but as a playwright I am committed to writing a story that is enjoyable to the audience”. There are times where all the facts are not accessible, and in those cases she taps into her imagination to create a storyline that that bridges the gap in information.

This is best translated in her fantastical stage play, John Ware Reimagined that depicts the story of one of Alberta’s first successful Black ranchers. The story allows the audience to engage with this historical

figure in the present; a deliberate approach that is reflective of her growth as a writer, she says, “I realized how much more powerful my writing is when I sink into the present.”

Her play, Heaven, coming soon to the Citadel Theatre, narrates stories of Amber Valley, one of the first Black Albertan settlements. While the history of its development and the impact of the Amber Valley baseball team are interwoven, the story also explores Black love, a topic that is too often absent in the telling of the Black experience.

Even with her body of work, Cheryl admits that it is her role as a historian that is most consuming. The stories and impact of Black peoples in Alberta have not been well documented. Building these stories demands perpetual curiosity and a genuine passion for history as she filters familial connections to bring these stories or rather, our stories to life.

On the set of John Ware Reclaimed Image Courtesy of Shaun Robinson Helen Belay - ‘Heaven’ Image Courtesy of Janice Saxon streaming @Citadel Theatre