La Parole: A BTW Podcast
“La Parole gives BTW a way to showcase artists in the fullness of their being and practice. We talk about inspiration, history and the dreams of each guest artist. One of the most fun things about being new to an arts community is discovering the talent pool, and also expanding this community to new audiences. We are so excited to share these casual yet intimate conversations with some of my favourite creators.”
Season 2
Episode 2 – In Conversation with Marcia Johnson
Host Lydie Dubuisson sits down with acclaimed playwright, actor and dramaturge Marcia Johnson for an intimate conversation about theatre, creativity and artistic practice. This interview was recorded during Black Theatre Workshop’s 2025 Club Zed Playwrights’ Festival on May 16th 2025.
Episode 1 – Women in Theatre Symposium hosted by d’bi young anitafrika
AfroJamaican-Canadian dub poet, playwright, actor, director, and scholar d’bi young anitafrika hosts a conversation with legendary Black women theatremakers Djanet Sears, Diane Roberts, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard and Marcia Johnson.
Recorded live at Black Theatre Workshop’s 2025 Club Zed Playwrights’ Festival on May 17th 2025.
Season 1
Listen to the La Parole Trailer!
Episode 1
Setting the Stage | Welcome to La Parole with Musical Guest Kunle and an Excerpt Reading of Lorena Gayle’s Iconic “Je Me Souviens”
Co-hosts Dian Marie Bridge, Lydie Dubuisson, and musician and percussionist Adékúnlé Olórundáre (better known as Kunle) discuss getting to know Montreal, Kunle’s journey to the Stratford Festival, and the importance of being able to tell your own stories.
Episode 2
The Artistry of azm | Music, Poetry and a Look into Director ahdri zhina mandiela’s Journey and Writing.
Dian, Lydie, and director, dubpoet and elder ahdri zhina mandiela discuss the founding and impact of bcurrent performing arts, ahdri’s multidisciplinary arts career, and the history of the Black theatre community in Canada.
Episode 3
Revolutionary Voice | Trailblazer d’bi young anitafrika on Breaking Boundaries and the Decolonization of Creation
Dian, Lydie, and the revolutionary artists and teacher d’bi young anitafrika discuss Montreal as a hub for artistic experimentation, the importance of intersectionality in artistic communities, and the development of d’bi’s decolonial theatre methods.
Episode 4
Bakes and Bannock | Exploring the Connection Between Black and Indigenous Communities with Émilie Monnet.
Dian and Lydie meet with Émilie Monnet, indigenous and multidisciplinary artist of Anishinaabe and French descent to discuss the connection between the Black and Indigenous communities in Canada, especially surrounding storytelling.
Episode 5
Harmony in Narratives: Exploring the Intersection of Music, Theatre, and Black Storytelling with Brainerd Blyden-Taylor.
Dian and Lydie discuss the confluence of music and theatre in Black storytelling and the musicality of dramatic literature with Artistic Director and Conductor Brainerd Blyden-Taylor.
Episode 6
Canonize It: Function, Form, and Focus of Black Theatre | Panel Discussion with Thom Allison, Neema Bickersteth, and Kym Dominique-Ferguson
This special bonus episode of La Parole is a recording of the panel Canonize It: Function, Form, and Focus of Black Theatre. Hosted by BTW Artistic Director, Dian Marie Bridge, the panel features artists Thom Allison, Neema Bickersteth, and Kym Dominique-Ferguson. Hear them discuss the function of theatre in Black culture. How do we define “Black plays”, the hallmarks of Black theatrical works, and the influences Black theatre draws from? Recorded at the Inaugural Club Zed Playwrights’ Festival in September 2023.