Controlled Damage
The story of Civil Rights icon Viola Desmond
JANUARY 14 - FEBRUARY 2, 2025
By Andrea Scott. Directed by Cherissa Richards.
Co-Presented by the National Arts Centre
Viola Desmond was a Woman Ahead of Her Time
"What happened in New Glasgow was thrust upon her, whereas I think she took her personal stand for social justice long before that night in the Roseland Theatre. She took her stand when she became a trained beautician and brought skilled methods for offering beauty and pride to Black people in Halifax, a city where a Black woman could not get her hair cut in a white owned beauty parlour. Hers was a radical stand when she went on to train young Black women in first class techniques for Black hair and complexions, sending them out like hopeful seeds of change, to continue to serve Black women in other parts of Canada, in places where otherwise Black women had no hope of receiving the beauty care and pride that came from looking their best."
-Pearleen Oliver, Canada's Crusader for Civil Rights
In this new production of Controlled Damage, Director Cherissa Richards highlights Viola Desmond's legacy as a trailblazing Black businesswoman and community leader, and how her courage to fight racial segregation came at a deeply personal cost. Controlled Damage is a portrait of a tenacious and fearless woman who has become an inspirational role model for generations to come.
On November 8, 1946, Halifax business owner, Viola Desmond went to a movie at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Unaware that she was sold a lower-priced ticket for the balcony, where Black patrons were expected to sit, Viola took a seat on the main floor: the whites-only section. Although she offered to pay the one cent tax difference, Viola was dragged from the theatre, jailed, and charged. Her story would impact history forever. In Controlled Damage, award-winning playwright Andrea Scott illuminates the true story of Canadian Civil Rights icon, Viola Desmond – a woman who took a stand against racial discrimination, by taking a seat at a theatre.
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KEY PERFORMANCES
Bell Aliant Pay What You Choose
Tuesday, January 14 - 7:30 PM
Industry Night
Tuesday, January 21 - 7:30 PM
Talkback
Thursday, January 23 - 7:30 PM
Masked Performance
Sunday, January 26 - 2:00 PM
Co-Presented by:
We gratefully thank our sponsors for their generous support:
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THE CAST
Cameron Grant
Andrew Shaver
Deborah Castrilli
JD Leslie
Jeremiah Sparks
Julie Martell
Lisa Nasson
Matthew G. Brown
Riel Reddick-Stevens
Sarah Frank
CREATIVE TEAM
Cherissa Richards Director
Jeremiah Sparks Musical Director
Rachel Forbes Set & Costume Designer
Leigh Ann Vardy Lighting Designer
Troy Slocum Sound Designer
Aaron Collier Projection Designer
Karen Bassett Fight Director
Christine Oakey Stage Manager
Kevin Olson Assistant Stage Manager
Veronica Jollimore Apprentice Stage Manager
Daniel Nwobi Chrysalis Director
BUY TICKETS
Our subscription packages are guaranteed to be the best savings on tickets this season
KEY PERFORMANCES
Bell Aliant Pay What You Choose
Tuesday, January 14 - 7:30 PM
Industry Night
Tuesday, January 21 - 7:30 PM
Talkback
Thursday, January 23 - 7:30 PM
Masked Performance
Sunday, January 26 - 2:00 PM
Co-Presented by:
We gratefully thank our sponsors for their generous support:
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