Keith Barker will speak about his work as a M\u00e9tis artist and discuss moving forward in the times of COVID-19 during an upcoming webinar.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Department of Dramatic Arts (DART) and the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA).<\/p>\n
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, \u201cBetter Relations: A virtual conversation over dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
He will speak about his work as Artistic Director of Native Earth Performing Arts, Canada\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best work comes from safe spaces,\u201d Barker said while explaining his decision to invite diners to join the conversation. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Attendees are encouraged to enjoy their evening meal during the Zoom event, eating alongside Barker and interviewer Karen Fricker, Dramatic Arts Associate Professor.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Presented by the Department of Dramatic Arts, the series is supported by Brock\u2019s Faculty of Humanities and the Decolonization Committee of the President\u2019s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization.<\/p>\n