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SEPTEMBER, 2006
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ahdri
zhina mandiela and Ms. Winnie Madikizela - Mandela |
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The 50th
Anniversary of the South African Women's Liberation Celebrations -
Toronto |
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Widely
known as director and poet-performer, ahdri zhina mandiela has been
working in the Canadian arts scene since the late 70's - both
independently and with companies such as Black Theatre Canada, Theatre
Fountainhead, Canstage Theatre, Young Peoples Theatre, Company of Sirens,
Theatre in the Rough and Black Theatre Workshop. mandiela has performed,
lectured, and directed for the theatre stage in several countries; while
her poetry and other writings appear in texts, magazines, and anthologies
globally. Her solo publications with Sistervision Press, Speshal Rikwes
(1985) and the Dub Theatre Work, dark diaspora in dub (1991) have been
distributed widely, and both are featured in several post-secondary
curriculum courses. Being a
multi-disciplined artist, mandiela's independent works include dance
choreographies; recordings such as step/into my head (1995),barefoot &
black (1993), and the debut cassette first & last (1986); video
shorts, and the seminal independent film, on/black/stage/women which
premiered on Canada's BRAVO! television network in winter 1998 for a five
year run on the channel. This year she was awarded two DORA award's for
'Mentorship in Theatre' - her 'raiz'n the sun' workshop has produced many,
many notable names in theatre and film such as Trey Anthony (da kink in my
hair) and Djanet Sears (Harlem Duets) and the Silver Ticket Award for
'Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Canadian Theatre'. ahdri
also appeared at several events for the AfriCanadian Playwrights Festival
this year alongside noted author and 2002 Giller Prize award winner Austin
Green (The Polished Hoe) as part of the 'Play of the Day' series. She
conducted a reading of her new work entitled 'Who Knew Grannie' and also
directed two plays at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse at the
University Of Toronto. This
event helps to highlight her international contributions to the arts on a
socio-political level as well as her very strong local roots and ties
within the Toronto community where she lives and works and in highlighting
the achievements of women within theatre and her own, individual
pioneering methods that have opened the door for many, many women of
colour. ahdri
zhina mandiela is currently available for media interviews.
Please
contact: 416.358.0744 |