Keith Barker will speak about his work as a Métis artist and discuss moving forward in the times of COVID-19 during an upcoming webinar.

The online talk, held Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., is the second presentation in the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) Speaker Series hosted by Brock’s Department of Dramatic Arts (DART) and the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA).

Barker, an award-winning playwright, director and arts leader from northwestern Ontario, aims to have people sit down with a meal in front of their screen during his presentation, “Better Relations: A virtual conversation over dinner.”

He will speak about his work as Artistic Director of Native Earth Performing Arts, Canada’s oldest professional Indigenous theatre company; about his relation-based practice as an Indigenous theatremaker; and about how he is moving forward as an artist and community leader during the extended pandemic crisis.

“The best work comes from safe spaces,” Barker said while explaining his decision to invite diners to join the conversation. “The only way I know how to create a safe space is through good relations. In my artistic career, the most impactful experiences always started with food.”

Attendees are encouraged to enjoy their evening meal during the Zoom event, eating alongside Barker and interviewer Karen Fricker, Dramatic Arts Associate Professor.

This is the second event in the DART/MIWSFPA 2020-21 BIPOC Speaker Series, which provides a platform for conversations in which Black, Indigenous and People of Colour theatre leaders address issues of interest to the theatre and wider community.

Presented by the Department of Dramatic Arts, the series is supported by Brock’s Faculty of Humanities and the Decolonization Committee of the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization.

Registration is free. To reserve a virtual spot, visit ExperienceBU.