Neptune Theatre, in partnership with Prime Mover Theatre Company, announces a new development in the Halifax company’s 2020-21 RBC Chrysalis Theatre Project with the announcement of multidisciplinary artist Patricia Cerra as its first artistic director intern.
The project is dedicated to the professional development and advancement of Indigenous, Black and People of Colour artistic leaders. Now in its third year, the Chrysalis Project was reimagined in October, with the nationwide company Prime Mover coming on board as a partner to help address the issue of diversity in Canadian theatre.
“As an IBPOC artist, I’m committed to passionate leadership that engages in the inclusivity of diverse voices; building these bridges will be invaluable for our communities and our industry,” said Cerra in the announcement of her new opportunity with Neptune Theatre.
“As uncertain as the future feels right now, a shift has happened. Seeds have begun to be planted, and I have great hope that something beautiful will emerge.”
Since it began, the Chrysalis Project has provided hands-on learning and mentoring to emerging theatre artists in multiple disciplines on stage and behind-the-scenes. With the live theatre industry currently shut down due to COVID-19, Neptune and Prime Mover saw an opportunity to make the project a force for change by designating it as an artistic director internship for emerging IBPOC arts leaders.
“The refrains of ‘there aren’t enough qualified candidates of colour and representation begin at the board and leadership level’ have been heard so many times that they have become damaging tropes, the status quo, and an excuse for the theatrical community to avoid taking decisive action to make change,” said Prime Mover’s founding artistic director Ray Hogg, also deputy artistic director of the Toronto-based Musical Stage Company.
An award-winning director, performer and educator, Cerra will relocate to Halifax in January and begin her new role on Jan. 18. She will work closely with staff at both Neptune and Prime Mover to develop the 2021-2022 season, redraft policies, develop programming and advance community outreach while adding to an already-substantial resume that includes involvement in over 30 productions with theatres around Canada, world premieres of new works and play development, collaborations with numerous Canadian and international writers at the Banff Playwrights Lab, and the debut of her upcoming short play as part of the 2021 Sprouts Festival in Edmonton.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Patricia to the Neptune family,” said Neptune Theatre’s artistic director Jeremy Webb. “Working with Patricia and Ray is a positive step towards building capacity in the Canadian theatre landscape for IBPOC artists.
“It is opportunities such as the RBC Chrysalis Project that will help nurture the next generation of artistic leaders.”
