The Upstage Interview

This Old House, This New Face

Upstage Contributor Gaspare Borsellino spoke with Quincy Armorer about his recent appointment as Artistic Director of Black Theatre Workshop. Below is an abridged version edited by Estelle Rosen CharPo Editor-in-chief.

I went off to do some theatre in Ontario, came back to do the interview, went back to finish then gig,  then got the call offering the position.

UPSTAGE

What was your reaction when you found out you had been appointed Artistic Director (AD) of Black Theatre Workshop (BTW)?

ARMORER

I was very excited and honored.When the position became available in May when former AD Tyrone Benskin was elected to Parliament,  I was very interested in applying for it. I went off to do some theatre in Ontario, came back to do the interview, went back to finish then gig,  then got the call offering the position.

UPSTAGE

How does it feel coming in as new AD?

ARMORER

Feels great! Looking forward to seeing the company hopefully grow and keep the same success and reputation it’s had for 40 years.  The company is  in a very good place now; well respected within the community, does great work. I’d like to be able to make sure the company keeps its good name and continues to do great theatre.

UPSTAGE

When did you first come into contact with BTW?

ARMORER

I had seen and heard of BTW for many years.  The first time I was associated with them was 1999. Every year we do a school tour for Black History Month. I did one of the school tours.  We did a play called New Canadian Kid.

That there’s already history between Board and staff made it a lot easier.

UPSTAGE

Have you worked with them since then?

ARMORER

Yes, in a number of capacities. Did a couple of mainstages with them. I was Associate  AD under Tyrone Benskin in his first season as AD. Taught in youthworks  program, and  worked in the office. I know the company well so it’s been a  smooth transition.  That there’s already history between Board and staff made it a lot easier.

UPSTAGE

You’ve been doing theatre  these last years. Are you ready for this transition?

ARMORER

I’ll still be performing. When I was offered the position, I already had a couple of acting contracts in place.  Those are still there and will be able to do them. We’ll have to do a little time adjustment at the office to accommodate that  but am very happy it’s worked out that I can still do those contracts and be AD.

UPSTAGE

Do you see yourself performing in some BTW productions?

ARMORER

Not thinking about that at the moment. Lots  of talent in the city that can do those parts, so for now am going to focus on running the company.

The thought of one day being at the  helm of BTW is certainly not the first time it’s come to my mind, but to see it actually happen - that’s quite a trip!

UPSTAGE

Did you ever think in the past about taking on this kind of administrative role?

ARMORER

I’ve worked  in theatre administration for a long time and also at BTW. Being associated with the company for so long, it’s always something that’s in your brain. I’m a black actor living and working in Montreal. The thought of one day being at the  helm of BTW is certainly not the first time it’s come to my mind, but to see it actually happen, that’s quite a trip!

UPSTAGE

Theatre season for BTW for this season has been set up?

ARMORER

Yes first mainstage play coming up at MAI  is Story Ya by Toronto playwright Joan Kivanda. A one woman show about this woman who has moved to Canada from Tanzania.  Basically telling the story of her house being repossessed. The script itself is like her last dinner in her home. The audience essentially are  her dinner guests. Chock full of rich characters,  music, and a great performer, Warona Bhembe. 

This is a Canadian play we’re doing for our mainstage. I think it’s important to foster our own Canadian talent.

UPSTAGE

I noticed on the website that this year BTW will be featuring African Canadian plays.

ARMORER

Part of the mandate is to focus on tellling our Canadian stories as much as we can. Doesn’t always happen. There are  lots of voices in the Black community; African Canadian, African American, African Caribbean. Being a Canadian Black theatre company, we do try to give voice to our  Black playwrights, directors actors and actresses as much as possible. This is a Canadian play we’re doing for our mainstage. I think it’s important to foster our own Canadian talent.

UPSTAGE

What are the challenges for BTW; are we seeing audiences going down or not? 

ARMORER

Not sure yet but as we say, can never have enough bums in seats so we want to try to make sure we can market productions properly. It’s always a challenge to try and get as many people as possible to come out to theatre. Especially if we look at the nature of the way the world is going.  Younger people’s attention span is different since Gameboys, iPods etc. Everything is going so fast, often hard to get young people especially, to sit in a theatre.  But I’m a firm believer if you give people a good quality product then that will continue to build our audiences. As long as we do good quality work then hopefully if we build it they will come.

UPSTAGE
Any projects you’d like to do in future years?

ARMORER

Yes. While I’m focusing on immediate now, am also thinking long term. There are a few projects that I’d like to explore for future seasons. Everything is still in embryonic stages of development, but there are certain productions I’d like to consider collaborating with other theatre companies, both in Montreal and outside Quebec. There’s a lot to gain by working with other theatre companies. 

I would also like to help younger playwrights have an opportunity to produce their work.

 UPSTAGE

Has BTW ever taken shows on tour?

ARMORER

I think so in early days. Right now we have our school tour in February. In  terms of mainstage productions, can’t  think of any but that’s something to think about too. I’ve worked a lot outside Quebec and realized that while BTW has a great reputation, outside of the Province, people have only heard about it but don’t know much about it. That’s something I would like to see change. I would also like to help younger playwrights have an opportunity to produce their work. As an established and respected company, we could offer that opportunity.

UPSTAGE

Does BTW have a  Playwright in Residence program?

ARMORER

We have had in the past. If not already in place, that would be something I would definitely like to do for next season if possible.

Black Theatre Workshop Website