August 5th 

Please click for full schedule of the conference: Crescendo Fest

Please click to purchase tickets and find out more: TOAST

----------

August 6th

Sunday Service: Pastor Minis Stairs (Faith Community Church)

Grand Parade Square - 1pm 

1st Annual Black Theatre Festival - Introducing 7 new Black Playwrights

Anthony Bryan - 

Title: "Vertices"

Synopsis : A choreographer slips into a crisis of culture when they reunite with their estranged mentor

during an online movement workshop. Hilarity or something like that ensues. 

Louis Anthony Bryan (he/him) is a theatre artist and educator from Trinidad and Tobago. A graduate of St Thomas University’s English program, Anthony is based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, working primarily as a writer, dramaturge, and stand-up comedian.

Anthony is a contributing member of his local art scene. He has been affiliated with several theatre and film companies, including Notable Acts, TNB Young Company, Rebel Femme Productions and Strike Pictures. He has been an instructor at TNB since 2019, developing The Young Playwrights: an afterschool program for younger artists dedicated to the fundamentals of scriptwriting and storytelling.

Anthony’s writing is focused on blending film and theatre narratives, Afro-surrealism, and the vibe of early 2000s Saturday morning cartoons. Recently, he has been working on creating spaces for immigrant and racialized storytellers in New Brunswick and having a softer appreciation for fanfiction. (Photo credit to Madigan Donovan-Downs.)

Mubarak Salaam -  

Title: "The Slippery Slope"

Synopsis: The play about the challenges of marriage and how couples can beat

these challenges and have a balanced approach in their relationships.

Hi, my name is Mubarak Salaam and I am Nigerian student studying at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax. I have had the opportunity of being a background actor for a show and I am passionate about culture and history topics especially if it relates to my heritage. In my free time, I play Tennis, video games, watch movies or hangout with friends. I like to design websites (without coding) and I like to consistently seek growth.

Maxine McNichol -

Title: Am I My Mothers Daughter?

Synopsis: A 73yr old Black woman, who has spent her life determined not to follow her mother's marginalized and submissive life experiences, come to understand how her mother's endurance and faith, not only shaped her determination for a better life but gave her the strength to overcome any obstalces in her way. 

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, her professional calling led her to work with Intellectually Challenged Individuals with severe disabilities.

To achieve that, she went back to school to complete her degree in Applied Social Science (BA). She has enjoyed activities which benefits the community and allows her to meet new people. She loves travelling to new places, socializing with family and friends, and is a dedicated SGI Buddhist practitioner. She currently lives in Nova Scotia with her husband.

Cyndi Cain-Holmes - 

Title: Strong and Courageous

Synopsis:  A poetic and musical glimpse of the lives of 2 hearts brought together by Faith, Friendship & Love.

Cyndi Mae Cain- Holmes is a Canadian singer songwriter actress and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Cyndi was raised with her parents Lillian (of Rear Monastery) and the late Wylie Cain (of North Preston). At the age of three, Cyndi’s parents already had her performing at family functions and could often be found singing in the children’s choir at Toronto’s First Baptist Church. Cyndi later took musical theatre at Sheridan College, which led to years of work abroad in the Caribbean performing show-tunes and Motown songs as a professional musician. After returning to Canada, she released her debut album Essentially Cyndi (2009) and an acclaimed retro follow-up Soul Food (2013). Both received East Coast Music Award nominations and led to her winning the Galaxie Rising Star Award (2011) and the African Nova Scotia Music Award for Artist of the Year (2014). Cyndi was recognized for her talents and excellence with the ANSMA Pioneer Award and also named the 2022 HEIST Portia White recipient. Considered one of Nova Scotia’s Pioneers of Soul and R&B, Cyndi has shared the stage with the likes of the late Aretha Franklin, Charles Bradley, Symphony NS, Michael Bublé, Lauryn Hill, and sang for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her music has been featured in the hit CBC show Diggstown, and she has recently lent her vocal talent to the hip-hop of Maestro Fresh Wes and electro-pop of Rich Aucoin. As a multi-talented artist, Cyndi recently acted and sang in Neptune Theatre’s award-winning play Controlled Damage (2020), the story of activist Viola Desmond. Cyndi is currently in the process of recording an inspirational gospel album.

Nicole Johnson -

Title: "Love Language"

Synopsis: This play is about the maternal relationship between a Mother & her teenage son. Each learning the effectiveness of their own LOVE LANGUAGE, and the parts they play in making LOVE an ACTION not just a WORD!

Nicole is a daughter of Preston Township where she was born and raised.  Her family still resides there. Nicole has studied and worked aboard working with inner city kids to corporate groups as a group facilitator in areas of team building and junior leadership coaching. Her time  working as an international Intern at Covenant Harbour – Christian Camp and Retreat Center in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA, was a learning a stretching time of personal growth and branching out.

Nicole is a fashion designer by trade.  She has studied at the Centre for Arts and Technology school in Halifax and graduate from the Fashion and Merchandising Program in 2014. Nicole, but has a true passion for fashion since a very young age through creative play and fashion illustration.   Nicole has created, produced and hosted a radio show at CIOE FM community radio station. She is the driving force behind the radio show, “A Seat at the Table”.

Nicole currently is the Associate Producer with “African Macho Radio” in partnership with the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute for community radio stories reflecting the African NS lived experiences. Nicole has also produced creative cooking shows that has showcased community chefs and cooks in support of youth programs for life-long learning in culinary arts.

Juliet Mawsui - 

Title: "A Step to Healing"

Synopsis: Mateo is trying to break his family’s alcoholism curse after losing everything.  She's passionate about social issues and giving back to her community through arts.

Juliet Mawusi is a film director, a broadcast journalist, and an actor who resides in Halifax Nova Scotia. She's originally from Ghana in West Africa, an alumnus of Nova Scotia Community College.

Natasha Thomas -

Title: "Turning Point" - is for the better

Synopsis:  Young woman, struggling with her day to day life. When Her life gets turned upside down and she is not sure what to do next.

Natasha Thomas is tenth generation ascendant African Nova Scotian. Music Arts Graduate Nova Scotia Community College and artistic director of "The Beyond Imagination Puppet Crew”. Natasha was the Chrysalis Director under the mentorship of Jeremy Webb for the Chrysalis Program at Neptune Theater and helped Direct the Billy Elliot show. Assistant Stage Manager Dartmouth Players Theater 2022 production “The Murder Room” and the play “Dear Brutus” 2023. Natasha was also the Assistant Stage Manager, Lighthouse Theater 2022 production “Hood Habits”.

Natasha is a talented soloist, working on her script "In the Eyes of The Fire" with the goal of bringing it to stage.