'Every Day She Rose' from Nightwood Theatre - Racial and Queer Politics at Toronto Pride
Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann
On a windy, rain soaked Wednesday night, a group of Canadian theatre goers came together for a performance of Every Day She Rose produced by Nightwood Theatre at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Walking into the theatre was an experience in and of itself. When you enter the space, you’re met with THE ULTIMATE PRIDE PLAYLIST. Anthems from Gaga, to RuPaul and Diana Ross. On the surface, Every Day She Rose is a celebration and a story about two friends sharing an apartment — with some of the most witty banter I have ever seen. But it gets much deeper than that.
I’m not going to spoil the plot — BUT — you should know just how important this performance is.
At Toronto Pride in 2016, Black Lives Matter interrupted the parade with demands for inclusion safe spaces, support for black queer youth, the removal of police floats from marches and parades, and many more. (You can find complete information about these demands, as well as other demands at www.blacklivesmatter.ca).
It is this moment that truly divides friends Mark and Cathy Anne. Suddenly they find themselves on two very different sides of queer and racial identities. The very passion for activism and inclusion that made them so close is ultimately their breaking point. Directors Andrea Donaldson and Sedina Fiati write; “We invite you to examine your personal relationships and examine the power dynamics within them. How do you address differences in race, class, ability, gender, and sexuality with your friends, co-workers, family? Ignite those conversations with yourself and others.”
Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann
Every Day She Rose presents a real, poignant and sad story of personal change, growth, privilege and revolution. When we ignore someone’s racial identity, are we just ignoring our privilege too? How do we “learn how to do the emotional labour of unpacking how you benefit or are challenged by systems of privilege”? (Donaldson and Fiati).
After being left with an ending that leaves you with many questions (which for me were: what happens next? What happens to Mark and Cathy Anne? Will they ever reconcile?), audience members are encouraged to further situate themselves within the play and walk through an exhibition. On the floor, the pride flag is projected and a curtain is pulled back to reveal a wall covered in colourful post it notes with messages of change and questions—questions that ultimately stuck with me. “How did we get here?” And, “Where are we now?”
Most, importantly, “Where do we go from here?”
Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann
Every Day She Rose.
A Nightwood Theatre production, presented at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Written by Andrea Scott and Nick Green.
Directed by Andrea Donaldson and Sedina Fiati.
Starring Adrian Shepherd-Gawinski and Monice Peter.
Set Design by Michelle Tracey.
Lighting design by Rebecca Picherack.
Costume design by Ming Wong. Sound design by Cosette Pin.
From now until December 8th
Tickets can be found here.