Intermediate Senior Drama

'Da Kink in My Hair by Trey Anthony; Djanet Sears (Foreword by) Recommended for Grade 11/12. 'Da Kink in My Hair was written in 2005 and it follows Novelette, the owner of a Toronto hair salon, as she styles hair and catches up on all the gossip from her clients. This play captures a glimpse of the lives of the women who come into the salon and each of their stories are captivating, heartfelt and beautifully told. The play has also been adapted into a TV show of the same name that aired for two seasons.

A Man a Fish by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard Recommended for Grade 9/10. A Man A Fish was published in 2015 and it follows Prosper, a fisherman whose life is seemingly at a standstill as he grapples with the loss of his mistress, his wife who is struggling to make their marriage work and a salesman who has just arrived in town. It explores themes of generosity, change and acceptance.

Courting Johanna by Marcia Johnson Recommended for Grade 9. Courting Johanna depicts the adolescent desire to meddle in the business of others as teenagers Sabitha and Enid write letters to the housekeeper, Johanna, on behalf of Sabitha’s father, Ken. They convince Johanna to follow him and care for him when he has fallen ill, but will they realize there were mixed messages along the way?

Serving Elizabeth by Marcia Johnson Recommended for Grade 10. Serving Elizabeth follows two storylines, the first is set in Kenya and follows Mercy, who is hired to serve Princess Elizabeth when she visits. The second storyline follows Tia, a Kenyan Canadian intern working for a television network. The two stories weave in and out to depict a unique perspective on colonialism and nationalism.

Sistahs by Maxine Bailey Recommended for Grade 10/11. Sistahs takes a glimpse into the lives of a group of women gathering to make soup. They share stories and experiences as they all contribute to the soup. The play explores themes such as identity, loss and the meaning of family.

The Bridge by Shauntay Grant Recommended for Grade 11/12. The Bridge is a play which follows the relationship between two brothers. Lies, deception and secrecy lie within the folds of their brotherhood and in a small Nova Scotian town, gossip runs rampant. The play explores family ties, the choices we make in life and rebuilding relationships.

Harlem Duet by Djanet Sears Recommended for Grade 12. Harlem Duet offers a unique perspective on Shakespeare’s Othello, as it tells the story of Othello’s first wife, Billie. The play centers around their marriage before and after he meets Mona. It is a tragic play that examines race and relationships in contemporary Harlem.

Controlled Damage by Andrea Scott Recommended for Grade 10/11. Viola Desmond was a prolific figure in the Canadian civil rights movement when she refused to give up her seat in a segregated movie theatre in Nova Scotia. Controlled Damage depicts Viola Desmond’s actions as well as the effects they have on society to this day.

Black Acting Methods by Sharrell Luckett (Editor); Tia M. Shaffer (Editor) Black Acting Methods seeks to offer alternatives to the Euro-American performance styles that many actors find themselves working with.　 A wealth of contributions from directors, scholars and actor trainers address afrocentric processes and aesthetics, and interviews with key figures in Black American theatre illuminate their methods. This ground-breaking collection is an essential resource for teachers, students, actors and directors seeking to reclaim, reaffirm or even redefine the role and contributions of Black culture in theatre arts.