Facilitated by Tsholo Khalema | Part of Theatre Passe Muraille's Buzz In-development Series
Collage and poster design by Emily Jung
“I am, because you are.”
VUKA is Theatre Passe Muraille’s Emerging Black Creation Unit, created and facilitated by Tsholo Khalema. Focused on Black new career artists, VUKA (which means rise or wake in Zulu) will be a presentation of four in-progress works by Sebastian Urmom, Selecta Sarah, Courage Bacchus, and Dario Dvon.
Featuring performances of drag, singing, live music and theatre, join us for an event filled with community and storytelling.
VUKA Show Schedule:
Friday, December 1st, 7 pm: Courage Bacchus and Dario Dvon
Saturday, December 2nd, 2 pm: Courage Bacchus and Dario Dvon
Saturday, December 2nd, 7 pm: Selecta Sarah and Sebastian Urmom
Sunday, December 3rd, 2 pm: Selecta Sarah and Sebastian Urmom
Thanks to the Metcalf Foundation for their support of VUKA.
Show Dates
December 1st – 3rd, 2023
Running Time: 2 hrs, with intermission
Accessibility
All shows will have
Relaxed Environment
ASL Interpretation
Location
Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Avenue)
Tickets
Pay-What-You-Can-Afford
$12 | $35 | $65
All performances
– Some flashing lights (short lengths of time and only light to medium intensity)
Darkroom
– Sudden noise (door slam) and flash of light within the first 5-10min of the performance
– Explicit/course language
– Implied violence
– A video depicting the physical assault of Rodney King by the police.
– Implied police brutality
– Visual use of slurs
– Substance abuse
– Gender based trauma
If you would like information on the topics or themes in our productions, or to determine the suggested age for attending a performance, please reach out to our Box Office staff at 416.504.7529 or by email at info@passemuraille.on.ca.
Show Descriptions
The Voice that Colors the Silence by Dario Dvon
“The Voice that Colors the Silence,” a deeply personal and socially impactful musical by Dario Dvon, eloquently amplifies the narratives of voiceless Black and LGBTQ+ individuals. Rooted in Dvon‘s journey as a queer artist of color, the musical explores themes of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and the intersection of homophobia and racism. Collaborating with a diverse team, Dvon draws on various musical styles to address these important social issues. This project is not just artistically compelling but also socially transformative, providing a platform for difficult conversations and offering a beacon of hope to any individual striving for acceptance and self-expression.’
Rebirth of Courage by Courage Bacchus
A mix of body movement and visual vernacular with sound.
Darkroom by Selecta Sarah
Darkroom is a solitary act of radical self-love and actualization. 30-year-old Stephanie has been hired to be a part of an exhibit that showcases artists’ work throughout major stages of their life. However, to complete her collection, she must confront parts of herself she’s closed off too. Trapped in her darkroom with no reception and upcoming deadline, she brazenly faces her fears to redevelop the connection she once had. Will the dark room reveal her lost parts, or will it continue to hide them forever?
at the dinner table by Sebastian Urmom
What did you learn about the world just from eating with your family. What you’re allowed or not allowed to do? Who had to set it? Who got the biggest portion? Sebastian is fed up and tries to unpack this for us.
Credits
Facilitated by
Tsholo Khalema
Coordinator/SM
Tanvi Vyas
Lighting Designer
Christopher-Elizabeth
Performer/Creators
Sebastian Urmom
Selecta Sarah
Courage Bacchus
Dario Dvon
Tsholo Khalema is a versatile artist. Born in the rich culture of South Africa and nurtured amidst the sprawling prairies of Alberta, Tsholo’s artistic journey is a testament to his vibrant upbringing and deeply ingrained ancestral
connections. His artistic prowess extends beyond the stage.
Tsholo is the facilitator of the VUKA creation program at Theatre Passe Muraille and marketing manager at Pleiades theatre.
For updated information on his artistic journey checkout: www.tsholovisions.com
To schedule an interview with the artist, or staff members at Theatre Passe Muraille regarding this production, please email Red Eye Media at Suzanne@redeyemedia.ca. We will try out best to accommodate your media requests, however they are not guaranteed.
The TPM Book Club meets online monthly to discuss books – selected in collaboration with our artists – that spark a deeper conversation on the themes of our current season. For VUKA, we will be reading the acclaimed novel Butter Honey Pig Bread by francesca ekwuyasi. Sign-up for our virtual book club here.
The “Prelude” is our annual series of community events inspired by the productions in our current season. For VUKA, we will be hosting a community meal in between the two shows on Saturday December 2. More information to come!
All of our community programming is free to attend.
If you have any questions about our community programs, please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator Angela by emailing outreach@passemuraille.on.ca or by calling 416-504-8980 (ext. 2140).