GIA Productions

successful run in the 2012 Toronto Fringe Festival (the city's largest festival for theatre and drama), performing their original play entitled "Do You Remember Me". The play was given extremely favourable reviews in noted media publications such as The Torontoist, and by many who attended on a variety of social media outlets. The play continues to be performed receiving enthusiastic responses from audiences in the Greater Toronto Area. Additionally, G.I.A. has facilitated innovative symposiums comprised of a fusion of dramatic pieces followed by audience and panel discussions for the Toronto Public Library's annual Black History Month celebration. G.I.A.’s gifted cast includes Nigel Hunter (co-developer and co-writer of Vision TV mini-series "Soul"), and dancer/choreographer Tricia Cater-McKenzie (Dramatic-musical "Deep River", Toronto Centre for the Arts). The writer of G.I.A’s material, Greg Birkett, is a published author (Black History: Africa, The Caribbean, and the Americas), poet, and teacher with the Toronto District School Board. One of his poems was included in an anthology, released in February, 2013, featuring the work of celebrated Black Canadian poets titled The Great Black North: Contemporary African-Canadian Poetry. The group continues to provide highly educational, motivational, spiritual, and entertaining workshops and dramatic presentations on intriguing topics such as shadeism (skin tone/complexion bias), the use of the N-word, the state of the Black family, the unique complexities of the Black female experience, and other pressing issues in communities of African heritage. Promotion:
G.I.A. Productions presents Do You Remember Me? Written by Greg Birkett
Directed by Joan Watson
Production Manager: Tricia Cater-McKenzie

Love, Lyrics, and Life...Do You Remember Me? Do You Remember Me combines the clever wordplay of spoken word/slam poetry, and the energy of interpretive dance with the rhythm of neo-soul and gospel music to treat audiences to a one of a kind dramatic presentation! Introduction of the play:
Do You Remember Me was created when the pastor of a local church called for creative efforts to address challenging issues faced by members of his congregation. The piece was presented before an audience of over one thousand as a part of the church’s Black History Month celebrations. The overwhelmingly positive reception inspired the group, which has since taken on the name G.I.A. Productions (G.I.A.-God Is Awesome) to expand the play and take it on the road! In the summer of 2012, the play was featured in the Toronto Fringe Festival, the city's largest festival for theatre and drama. The play was given extremely favourable reviews in noted media publications such as The Torontoist, and by many who attended on variety of social media outlets. The play continues to be performed receiving enthusiastic responses from audiences in the GTA. Inspired by myths, stereotypes and painful truths connected to Black/African populations globally, Do You Remember Me features intellectual, humorous, and heartrending dialogue between male and female characters of the past and present. Productions Presents - Real Talk: Race, Resolutions, and Redemption

The innovative and interactive program examines the ideology surrounding skin tone bias commonly known as Shadeism. We will be exploring the history of Blacks in Canada and of this social phenomenon (shadeism) as well as discussing its continued effects on our society currently, with particular emphasis on its prevalence on social media and in youth culture. We will engage the audience through documentary clips, panel discussions and skits that are geared to educate and entertain. As an organization, G.I.A. Productions is a collective of spoken word artists, musicians, singers, actors, and educators that uses a unique blend of art and education to encourage youth to think critically about past and current events and to inspire social activism. Shades of You
Shades of You is a short skit written in the genre of speaker's theatre (also called litany), that explores the ideology surrounding skin tone bias commonly known as Shadeism. It begins with a confrontation between two characters representing opposite ends on the continuum of skin complexion of individuals of African heritage. The history of this social phenomenon (shadeism) is then presented in an engaging way, as humorous and emotional dialogue concerning the impact of skin tone bias on Canadian, American, and Caribbean societies commences between the characters. The piece closes with the characters understanding that difference should not be hated or merely tolerated, but rather, celebrated. Several shades within the skin tone spectrum are given the spotlight, and praised for the unique qualities that they possess. Given the prevalence of derogatory and divisive comments and other harmful messages concerning skin tone bias on social media currently, Shades of You encourages viewing audiences to take a critical look at an important issue that very rarely receives the attention that it deserves. What's in a Word? What's in a Word is a piece written and delivered in the dynamic art form of Slam Poetry/Spoken Word. The piece fuses street vernacular and academic language to unpack the etymology of the N-word and the well documented debate concerning its usage in music and everyday conversation. Strong and insightful arguments in favour of and against the continued usage of the word are made in a showdown between two different schools thought through clever word play and references to historical and current events. What's in a Word gives voice to a variety of widely held points of view on this extremely controversial issue, providing individual audience members with the opportunity to see themselves represented in the discourse while encouraging them to give respectful consideration to the thoughts and opinions held by others as well. Canada in the Black
Canada in the Black looks at the proud, longstanding history that individuals of African ancestry have in this nation. The short dramatic presentation highlights the triumphs and the challenges experienced by African-Canadians dating back to 1603. Often marginalized, or left out of the national narrative, Canada in the Black chronicles the push and pull factors that have led to the establishment of influential black communities across Canada including slavery, the Underground Railroad, waged labour recruitment, and a variety of circumstances. While the accomplishments of African-Americans are often the focal point of many African heritage month celebrations, Canada in the Black looks to educate viewing audiences concerning presence of blacks in Canada in excess of 400 years.