Obsidian Theatre Company

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Obsidian Theatre Company

Canada's leading diverse Theatre Compnay

Obsidian Theatre Company was born out of a passionate sense of artistic responsibility - a responsibility to bring the Black voice, in its many artistic dialects, to Canada’s cultural forefront. Obsidian encourages Black artists to expand their vision of what they perceive, create and present to a national audience. Obsidian continues to play a prominent role in Canada’s theatrical mosaic by showcasing the work of both emerging and established Black artists

08/21/2026

After nine incredible years, we're saying farewell to our General Manager, Michael Sinclair.

Michael's history with Obsidian actually goes back even further, to 2001, when he stage managed our very first production. Since taking on the General Manager role in 2017, he's been the steady hand behind our operations, a trusted partner to our artistic director and Board, and a champion for Black artists across this company and the broader theatre community.

Michael, thank you for your dedication, your wisdom, and your heart. Obsidian is stronger because of you, and we will miss you deeply. 💛

Read the full announcement 🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/wnytxnrdzd

08/19/2026

LAST CALL! 🚨 Early-bird pricing on our OTC Season Pass jumps after August 21, and Black Out Night Passes are available until Sept 2, so this is the best deal you'll get on either. 🎟️

Black Out Night is more than a show; it's the whole Black community filling the house, laughing together, seeing ourselves reflected on stage, and celebrating theatre as one. It's an experience you feel the moment you walk in.

Black Out Night Dates — $100 (Sales end Sept 2):
✨ Bootycandy — Oct 2, 2026
✨ The Fishermen — Mar 12, 2027
✨ Definition — May 7, 2027
✨ Jaja's African Hair Braiding — May 21, 2027

With our Season Pass, you'll get a front-row seat to our boldest lineup yet: four powerful stories, four unforgettable nights, all at 50% off. One pass unlocks every show in our upcoming season, and you pick the date that works for you.

Season Pass Shows — $170 (until Aug 21), all 4 shows:
✨ Bootycandy — Sept 30–Oct 17, 2026
✨ The Fishermen — Mar 2–28, 2027
✨ Definition — Apr 27–May 23, 2027
✨ Jaja's African Hair Braiding — May 13–Jun 13, 2027

Grab yours now ⚡ https://f.mtr.cool/owhgkkzaip

08/14/2026

Coming Soon: BOOTYCANDY, September 30 – October 17. 🔥

A reverend in heels. A le***an breakup gone tropical. A young Black q***r man navigating power, permission, and privilege — from the dinner table to a stranger's hotel room.

Robert O'Hara's meta-theatrical, semi-autobiographical dark comedy is razor-sharp, unflinching, and hilarious.

Bootycandy
An Obsidian Theatre and Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
by Robert O'Hara
Directed by Jay Northcott
Canadian Premiere
September 30 - October 17, 2026

Get your tickets! You don't wanna miss this one! https://sl1nk.com/i2mxpz7

07/24/2026

The OTC Season Pass is officially here! 🙌🏾

Lock in your chance to see our most ambitious season yet at our early-bird discounted rate. This deal ends August 7th, and the price will go up! 🎟️

Four bold shows. One season you don't want to miss:
✨Bootycandy by Robert O'Hara — Sept 30 to Oct 17, 2026

✨The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma, Adapted for the stage by Gbolahan Obisesan — Mar 2 to 28, 2027

✨Definition by Luke Reece — Apr 27 to May 23, 2027

✨Jaja's African Hair Braiding by Jocelyn Bioh — May 13 to Jun 13, 2027

Early Bird Rate: $170 (until Aug 7)
All prices include HST & fees. No refunds. Limited passes available!

Don't wait, early birds get the best value. Grab your pass and lock in this season.
https://f.mtr.cool/eblkhuvunv

07/23/2026

Introducing our first-ever Black Out Night Pass! Dedicated to the Black community experiencing theatre together, this pass grants you discounted access to all FOUR Black Out Nights this season! 🔥

✨Bootycandy by Robert O'Hara — Oct 2, 2026

✨The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma, Adapted for the stage by Gbolahan Obisesan
— Mar 12, 2027

✨Definition by Luke Reece — May 7, 2027

✨Jaja's African Hair Braiding by Jocelyn Bioh — May 21, 2027

Price includes HST & fees. No refunds. Limited passes available!

Grab it while it’s HOT, for only $100 get early access to unforgettable Black Out Nights! 🎟️ https://f.mtr.cool/lhgpvhkzvj

06/26/2026

Congratulations to Philip Akin, founding member and former Artistic Director of Obsidian Theatre, on being awarded the Order of Canada!

Philip's vision helped build one of this country's most vital theatrical homes, centring Black artists and stories at a time when the industry too often looked the other way. His legacy lives in every production, every voice, and every artist Obsidian has nurtured over the years.

Congratulations Philip! This well-deserved honour is a testament to your incredible achievements, and we couldn't be prouder!

06/25/2026

Every season is a collective act of imagination. ✨

This year, together, we explored the depths of ‘a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun)’, celebrated the beauty of ‘How to Catch Creation’, amplified emerging voices through Young, Gifted, and Black, gathered in community at Black Out Nights, Black Creation Market, and Black Ties, and nurtured the next generation of storytellers through our Playwrights Unit and play development workshops. 🎉

To every audience member who took a seat, every artist who stepped into the light, and every supporter who helped make the work possible, THANK YOU!!🌟

Theatre lives in the exchange between stage and audience, artist and community, story and witness. We are deeply grateful to everyone who shared in that exchange with us this season.

As one chapter closes, another begins. We look forward to continuing to create, champion, and celebrate Black theatre with you.

See you next season. 🖤🎭

A special thank you to our sponsors for the season: TD , Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario, Toronto Arts Council, The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, The McLean-Smits Family Foundation, Kingfisher Foundation, Jackman Foundation, Scotiabank, Fondation Rideau Hall Foundation, Factory Theatre , TAPA Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts

06/16/2026

TOMORROW. ✨🎭

Our Playwrights Unit Showcase + Season Wrap Party is almost here and we are SO ready to celebrate with you!

Come see brand new works in progress straight from the minds of our incredible Playwrights Unit, then stay and PARTY with the community that made this season unforgettable. 🥂

Food is on us. Drinks available for purchase. Good energy? Already guaranteed.

📅 June 17, 2026
📍 Soulpepper Theatre — 50 Tank House Lane
🎭 Showcase: 7:30 PM
🎉 Wrap Party: 9:00 PM

Whether you're a longtime Obsidian fam member or brand new to our world — come through. Meet the playwrights. Meet the community. Experience something real.

🎟️ RSVP: https://f.mtr.cool/lvyqxnqrsl

06/15/2026

📸 YGB 25/26 in snapshots!

Since February 2026, Obsidian Theatre's Young, Gifted, and Black cohort learned, created, and grew together. Through masterclasses with industry professionals, a creation residency on the Anitafrika Method led by Dr. d'bi.young anitafrika, and an apprenticeship on How to Catch Creation, the cohort built their craft. For their showcase at Factory Theatre, YGB presented Basbousa, an original play that they co-created, developed, and designed through the program.

A huge thank you to the mentors, facilitators, guest artists, and sponsors who helped make it all possible.

Abigail Whitney, Ghislan Sutherland-Timm, Nála Simone Lendor, and Stephon Smith - thank you for your curiosity, creativity, and care. What a year. ❤️

Special thanks to:
✨ Masterclass instructors Maddie Bautista, Laura Baxter, Nick Blais, Rachel Forbes, Shawn Henry, Ravi Jain, Raha Javanfar, Weyni Mengesha, Mike Payette, Kimberly Purtell, Thomas Ryder Payne and Ming Wong 黄慧明

✨ Creation Residency Intensive led by Dr. d'bi.young anitafrika

✨ How to Catch Creation mentors Heidi Chan, Teresa Przybylski, Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu and Ming Wong 黄慧明

✨The Cast of Basbousa: Bola Aiyeola and Megan Legesse

✨The Creative Team and crew of Basbousa: Lilian Adom (YGB 24/25), Robert Harding, Meryem Alaoui, Mwahib Azreg, Aden Altamirano, and ciaran brenneman

✨Our partners who support the next generation of Black artists: TD, Factory Theatre , B Street Collaborative , Toronto Arts Council , Scotiabank , and Fondation Rideau Hall Foundation .

06/11/2026

✨Introducing Amorphous by playwright Kiera Silverglen

Catch an excerpt reading of Kiera’s play at our Playwrights Unit Showcase June 17th, 2026, starting at 7:30PM at Soulpepper

🎭🔗RSVP: https://f.mtr.cool/ahpxsnneqf

Playwright:
Kiera Silverglen

Director: Andrew Moodie

Cast:
Jamar Adams-Thompson
Jewell Bowry
Ivy Charles
Arlene Duncan
Alicia Plummer
Asher Rose
Robyn Stevan

Synopsis:
Amorphous by Keira Silverglen follows Seraphina Goldman, a young Black Orthodox Jewish woman adopted into an Ashkenazi family, on the eve of her wedding. When a box of unsent letters summons three of her Black ancestors to her childhood home, Seraphina is forced to confront the part of herself she has long buried, embarking on a surreal reckoning with race, family, faith, and belonging.

Address

1089 Dundas Street East
Toronto, ON
M4M1R9

Telephone

+14164638444

Website

http://www.obsidiantheatre.com/

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