Black Theatre Workshop (BTW)the oldest Black theater company in Canada, is proud to present Virgina captivating new play from the award-winning Montreal playwright Rachel Mutombo. This production delves into the complex dynamics of a Congolese-Canadian community, exploring themes of respectability politics, sexuality, spirituality and belonging through the experiences of four teenage girls. Virgin will be presented from February 12 to March 2, 2025 au Segal Center for the Performing Arts Studio. In keeping with its mission to promote and produce exceptional theater that educates, entertains and inspires, BTW invites audiences to engage in this thought-provoking narrative that challenges societal norms and promotes cross-cultural understanding.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR RACHEL MUTOMBO
Rachel Mutombo is an award-winning actress and writer. A graduate of the National Theater School of Canada, she has had the great pleasure of acting on screen and on stages nationally. As a freelance writer, Rachel has published essays and articles, notably for CBC and Intermission magazine.
Virgin is Rachel’s first full-length play, she was awarded first prize in Infinitheatre’s Write-On-Q playwriting competition and was recently shortlisted for the QWF Playwriting Prize. She has several other projects in development with theater companies across the country, including Persephone Theater in Saskatoon and bcurrent in Toronto. Rachel is also developing a play for young audiences at Young People’s Theatre, Homeroom(2021 winner of the Playwrights Guild of Canada TYA Tom Hendry Award). Most recently, Rachel received the Canadian Playwright Award from the Jon Kaplan Legacy Fund.
As an alumna of the arts mentoring program at Black Theatre WorkshopRachel is incredibly honored to see the Montreal premiere of Virgin with a theater company so near and dear to his heart.
A WORD FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
“I am delighted to highlight a talented young author like Rachel. She brings a new Black voice to the theater scene. Virgin explores Black lives beyond trauma, power dynamics, church influence, and the often hidden challenges faced by young Black girls. This work confronts memory, internalized blame and predatory behavior, capturing with depth and authenticity a too-early passage to adulthood.” – Dian Marie Bridge (Artistic Director, BTW)
Number of readings: 12
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