Official Launch of the Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre at the University of Regina.
[Regina, April 17, 2023].
The University of Regina celebrates the official launch of the Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre (C-SET) on April 21st, 2023. C-SET is a centralized location for the ongoing research associated with the Canada Research Chair in Socially Engaged Theatre program. Housed in the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance, the Centre initiates and supports new research on a range of theatre and performance projects focused on the Canadian Prairies. The mission of C-SET is to create innovative artistic programs in socially engaged creative practices that will mobilize community ideas, inform policies, and reposition voices from the margins to the center.
The launch of C-SET represents a significant step forward in addressing issues of race relations and belonging through arts-based research and is marked by the unveiling of the newly renovated C-SET space, which offers a needed place for scholars and members of the community to come together on projects. The C-SET space, located at Riddle Centre 179 at the University of Regina, highlights the University of Regina’s commitment to supporting this important work and looks forward to the positive impact that the Centre will have on the community.
Under the leadership of Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Canada Research Chair and Assistant Professor in the Theatre Department at the University of Regina, the Centre uses performance arts as a creative tool to address the knowledge gap around policing and racism, immigrants’ experience, and policy making. The research activities focus on exploring the particular socio-cultural experiences of Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, African immigrants, and People of Colour to advance critical thinking and change public perspectives on these issues.
“The vision of the Centre has been supported by various quarters—within and outside the University, and the launch is a celebration of such collaborative efforts and the unveiling of the Centre’s mandate for our local and global communities,” says Dr. Afolabi.
The Director of C-SET, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, is a theatre professor and practitioner from Nigeria. With decades of experience working across a variety of creative and community contexts in over a dozen countries across four continents, Dr. Afolabi is passionate about helping students, researchers, scholars, and the community find meaningful ways to connect and collaborate.
Dr. Afolabi’s appointment as a Canada Research Chair (CRC) and his research contributions, which have gained national and global recognition, were recently congratulated with a letter from the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. This recognition is a testament to the outstanding work being done by CRC holders like Dr. Afolabi, who is advancing the University of Regina and Canada Research Chair’s research agendas. As a CRC holder, Dr. Afolabi is part of a selected group of researchers who are driving Canada’s national strategy to become a leader in research and development. The Canada Research Chairs Program plays a pivotal role in this strategy, aiming to achieve research excellence, improve the quality of life, and enhance Canada’s international competitiveness. Moreover, the program seeks to equip the next generation of highly skilled individuals with the tools and expertise necessary to tackle the challenges of the future.
For questions or media enquiries, please email cset@uregina.ca
Media is welcome to attend the event, but we require an RSVP via email prior to the event.
About [C-SET]
The Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre is a hub for intellectual discussion among scholars, artists, drama educators, and community partners and collaborators committed to engaging with the CRC program research questions. C-SET was initiated in January 2022 and has since grown to include a global team of advisors, affiliates, volunteers, and both domestic and international graduate students. Research projects in the areas of justice, immigration, decolonization, cultural policy and art and wellness aim to inspire new dialogues, initiate new programs, and mobilize community knowledge by using the performing arts as a creative tool to address the knowledge gap around policing and racism, immigrants’ experience, and policy making.