“The Philip Akin Black Shoulders Legacy Award has truly changed the trajectory of my career”

— Peter Fernandes, 2023 Award Recipient

Applications

The Black Shoulders Legacy Award is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to support and nurture young-in-craft Black Canadian theatre professionals through financial support, artistic guidance, and national promotion. Young-in-craft professionals are defined as those of any age learning or deepening a new craft.

Five applicants will be selected via submission and awarded a $5,000 honorarium towards training and other opportunities to enhance and grow their artistic craft. This national award will be given to both performers and non-performers who show exceptional promise and are working towards a future in theatre, further amplifying Black voices in the Canadian theatre landscape.

 

Eligibility

  • Must be a Canadian resident or citizen 

  • Must identify as Black

  • Must be practicing in Theatre or the theatrical arts (theatre, dance or opera)

  • Must be applying with a proposed opportunity in training and/or education with an eye to:

  • Deepening skill set

  • Learning a new skill set

  • Experimenting with new artistic craft

Candidates, whether selected or not, are eligible to apply in a subsequent year.

Application Process

  • Please submit a written submission (maximum 2 pages) or video submission (maximum 5 minutes) that outlines the proposed opportunity in training and/or education. Please tell us why you are pursuing this now, and what you hope to gain from the experience. 

  • Please include a résumé and/or CV with your submission. 

  • Please do not submit support material.

Deadline: Friday, May 17th, 11:59 PM PST

Please send applications or questions to blackshoulderslegacyaward@gmail.com 

A shortlist of applicants will be brought into the final stage, a conversation with members of the jury. You may be asked to submit support material for this round. Applicants will be notified either way. 

“This award allowed for me to take various classes, training and workshops including acting, vocal pedagogy, writing sessions through online and in-person resources…I now also have a wealth of support material to apply for further funding and to pitch to presenters and programmers. And I must mention the impact of being seen and supported in this way, the emotional impact is one I am wildly grateful for. Not to mention the industry recognition associated with winning an award of this nature.”

— Robert Ball, 2023 Award Recipient