Winnipeg theatre companies’ diversity promises followed by mixed results

Some companies are still pushing back against diversity promises, artists say

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Two years after Manitoba's theatre industry made promises to increase the diversity of people working in the industry, local artists say they're not seeing changes from all companies.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/03/2022 (1602 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two years after Manitoba’s theatre industry made promises to increase the diversity of people working in the industry, local artists say they’re not seeing changes from all companies.

“I feel like it’s 50/50,” says Winnipeg actor Karam Daoud, who was born in Morocco and now lives in Winnipeg.

“Some people are hearing these things, listening and self-reflecting … What can we do better? While others are like … Whoa! Are you saying I’m racist?”

Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre was one of many Winnipeg theatre companies to make a plan to increase diversity and inclusion in the theatre industry in 2020. (Jeff Stapleton / CBC)
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre was one of many Winnipeg theatre companies to make a plan to increase diversity and inclusion in the theatre industry in 2020. (Jeff Stapleton / CBC)

To read more of this story first reported by CBC News, click here.

 

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