By Isake Tom

Last Friday I had the pleasure of meeting the amazing cast and crew of Radiance; a drama directed and developed by ahdri zhina mandiela of the rAiz’n ensemble. Based on the original piece by Australian playwright Louis Nowra, from Oct 12-15th the all female cast and stage production team re-enacted the original play for a three day showing at the Wychwood Theatre. The captivating drama focused on the lives of three half sisters-each with their own sordid tales, reunited once again for their mother’s funeral. It is during this period, that they discovered deep and dark family secrets that would ultimately strengthen their relationships with each other.

Mandiela, the brains behind the rAiz’n ensemble is also the founder/artistic director of esteemed theatre company b current launched 20 years ago. Through its rAiz’n ensemble program, b current has propelled and mentored the careers of  Trey Anthony of ’da Kink in my Hair as well as creator/performer d’bi young. According to their official website, the organization is one of Toronto’s premiere platforms that “support African and black identity and artforms in innovative ways.” Now operating out the new Artscape Wychwood Barns studio, avid theatre goers can expect more impressive works from this collective of talented and emerging artists.

“b current brings with it a sense of community. Many artists who were apart of b current in the past as students, have come back to facilitate or lend a hand in one way or another. Thanks to ahdri zhina mandiela (artistic director of b current) b current has established themselves as a nest for growing artists. We’re always growing, and ever changing. Also, as an artist I have a greater need to relate to what is out there. I know I’m not alone as an emerging actress of colour in Toronto,  and what better way to do that, than to join a community that celebrates my story,” says Malube Uhindu Gingala, emerging actress and assistant producer for Radiance.

One thing that strikes audience members about this play is the sheer passion, chemistry and talent that exists between the small cast of three. Maxine Marcellin plays the eldest sister Cressy who has enjoyed a career as an opera singer overseas. Meghan Swaby plays Mae; the middle sister who takes care of their mother until her death and Amanda Nicholls portrays the young and energetic Nona; the wildest of all three sisters. The women are just three of eight women participating in the current rAiz’n cycle that has resulted in the production of Radiance.

While Nicholls’ character Nona, adds a touch of light humour to the production with her promiscuous ways, at the core of this play is a story that adresses serious issues such as sexual abuse, mental illness, and more importantly the dynamics of sisterhood. Sisterhood could certainly describe the relationship that  rAiz’n ensemble members enjoy in the tight-knit community they’ve created amongst their eight female members. Eight women that represent a new wave of young and talented  black actresses that will no doubt take the theatre industry by storm in the near future.

“I’m glad I was surrounded with women I knew from the birth of this production,” says Uhindu Gingala, “Also seeing the growth from the beginning of the module to the end of production is remarkable. I’m truly thankful that I was able to explore this play inside and out.”

For more information on b current, the rAiz’n ensemble and their upcoming showcases check out their official website.