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watah theatre institute 

 

Watah Theatre Institute (aka Watah School), founded by visionary d'bi.young anitafrika, re-envisions artistic development from the inter-sectional anti-oppressive perspectives of artists who are Black and racialized, womben, newcomers and LGBTQQl2PSAA people. Watah is a call to action to acknowledge the depths of healing art provides us, and is a recognition that now, here, in our city (and in the world) it is a crucial time to create a professional theatre company and performing arts institution that is w/holistic.

 

The goal of Watah is to foster the growth and development of artists as self-actualized creative leaders who stimulate the imagination of Canadians to create a wholistic, equitable and compassionate society through 2 year-long artist residencies and a 21-day international residency: Professional Artist Development Initiative (PADI) - for emerging artists, and the Transdisciplinary Artist Program (TAP) - for emerged artists. YEMOYA is the 3rd residency which is hosted globally each year for 21 days. It is open to anyone who chooses to apply. 

 

From its inception, (in 2008 as anitafrika dub theatre) to present, Watah has mentored and supported the growth of hundreds of artists, including instigators such as Che Kothari, Liza Paul, Kim Katrin Crosby, Randell Adjei and Lishai Peel, just to name a few. 

 

The tri-annual festival series showcases the art-works of artists-in-residence as they move from conceptualizing to workshopping to full production: Mikey Smith Raw Works Festival in December, Audre Lorde Works-In-Progress Festival in March and the culminating Word! Sound! Powah! Festival of Monodrama in June. Come to each festival & experience the artists-in-residence blossoming in the global garden of possibilities.

GETTING TO THE DISTILLERY HISTORIC DISTRICT

where we are

Watah Theatre Institute and DanceMakers Centre for Creation can be accessed through the main avenue of the Distillery, through the doors on 9 Trinity. The studios are on the third floor. 

9 trinity street #317 (watah) & #313 (dancemakers) toronto ontario m5a 3c4

 

if you are driving

 

From the East:
• Don Valley Parkway South to Richmond St. exit, west on Richmond to Parliament, south on Parliament to Mill St., then left onto Mill St. to main entrance of Distillery or continue half a block on Parliament to Green P parking site on the left.
• Kingston Road to Eastern Ave. Then proceed to Front St. West on Front to Parliament, then south on Parliament to Mill St., then left onto Mill St. to main entrance of Distillery site or continue half a block on Parliament to Green P parking site on the left.
• Queen St. west to Parliament then south on Parliament to Mill St. then left onto Mill St. or continue half a block on Parliament to Green P parking site on the left.

From the West:
• QEW east to Gardiner Expressway. Take Jarvis St. exit and continue along Lake Shore to Parliament, then left on Parliament for one block to Green P parking site on the right or continue to Mill Street and turn right to main entrance of Distillery.

From the North:
• 427 south to QEW. QEW east to Gardiner Expressway. Take Jarvis St. exit and continue along Lake Shore to Parliament, then left on Parliament for one block to Green P parking site on the right or continue to Mill Street and turn right to main entrance of Distillery.

 

 

if you are using public transit

Toronto Transit (TTC)
• Subway. Take Subway to Castle Frank station on the Bloor line. Connect to Bus 65A Parliament. Ride bus straight down Parliament. Exit at Front St. and walk one block south to Mill St.
• King streetcar. Take 504 King street car. Exit at King and Parliament. Walk 2 blocks south on Parliament to Mill St.
• Cherry St. Bus 172 , Front & Bay St. to Cherry Beach via The Esplanade and Mill St.

GO Transit

• Take GO Transit to Union Station. Connect to Bus 65A Parliament or Bus 72 Pape or Bus 172 Cherry Beach.

 

 

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