African Theatre Ensemble
Winter 2009
African Theatre Ensemble
In This Issue: Softown..........................1 School Tour Info............1 Woman King..................2 ATE Gala and Soiree......3 Contact Information...................3
This compelling drama integrates live music, storytelling and dance to depict a significant period in South African history. The story takes place in a ‘freehold’ home in Sophiatown in the 1950s. The head of the house is a widow whose two children – Lulu and Mingus live with her. The family has other tenants, including Princess, and a journalist Jakes. Into this household arrives a young Jewish woman, Ruth Golden.The young woman is responding to an advertisement by the Jakes for a ‘white girl’ to come share his apartment so that he can observe a white woman’s ways. However, the young woman has come on a search of her own. She wants to find out: how does it feel to be black? Ruth’s question is expanded by the other characters as what does it mean to be white, to be Jewish?
‘Softown’ is an abridged version of Sophiatown specifically adapted for students from Grade four to 12. 'Softown' runs for 45 minutes, short enough to retain the students'attention and still fully engage them with the themes and lessons retained from the original unabridged text. Once again offer an optional post performance 15 chat with the actors and directors. Study Guides are available to educators with the booking of a performance to further explore and reinforce the lessons and themes within the play.
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Woman King presented at the Buzz Festival The Buzz Festival, presented by Theatre Passe Muraille from December 15 to 18, 2009, gives the opportunity for new and upcoming playwrights to debut their works. This hands on festival offers the audience a 15 to 30 minute sneak peek look at plays in development where the actors will ask the audience questions and in turn, the
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audience offers their answers and feedback. About Woman King After WWII there was political upheaval in the town of Abeokuta, Nigeria. A group of women who were very unhappy with the colonial government, its taxation practices and its laws began protests in the street. The voices of the women were heard as the protests eventually
became mass demonstrations and the women, defiant against the tax laws, attracted an increasing number of the men folk into their ranks. “Woman King� tells the story of these women, who were able to force the King to abdicate the throne and cause the colonial government to re-think its status in the land.
African Soiree-Fundraising Gala ATE held its annual fundraising gala on Saturday, October 17, 2009 featuring special guests such popular African singers, dancers and drumming artists. As the largest fundraising initiative for this organization. All proceeds went towards supporting the theatre production work of AfriCan Theatre Ensemble and enjoyment of African Theatre in Canada.
African Theatre Ensemble
Winter 2009
AfriCan Theatre Ensemble recognizes the power of live art to inspire and renew the human spirit and to forge human relationships across cultures, creeds, ethnicities, genders and social classes. To that end, our work presents the different theatrical traditions and experiences of Africa and in so doing creates an avenue for cultural exchange between Africa and Canada. In addition to staged productions/ performances, the company creates opportunities for international collaborations and exchange of ideas. ATE recognizes Africa’s creative dialogue with its Diaspora and with other parts of the world. Collaborations that reflect this dialogue constitute a part of the Ensemble’s work. In presenting distinct African traditions, creations and techniques in the theatre arts, the Ensemble corrects the assumptions of a homogenous Black experience. Our mission is to make African theatre accessible to Canadians through performance, education, community outreach, and professional development of classic and new creations originating from or inspired by Africa.
AfriCan Theatre Ensemble is a not-for-profit, charitable organization licensed under registered charity #869973677RR0001. Our Staff and Contacts: Executive Director and Artistic Producter: Modupe Olaogun Director of Development: Karen Dempster Outreach and Program Coordinator: Vendredi Mounsey Office Administrator: Brian Finucane African Theatre Ensemble 250-703 Consumers Rd. Toronto, Ont. M2J 4V6 We are proudly supported by the following sponsors: