Abolition & the Performing Arts

Abolition is the active removal of a system, institution, or practice that has systematically caused harm to a marginalized community. Rooted in the work of Black feminist thinkers and organizers, abolition has historically referred to the abolition of colonial systems including enslavement, and now primarily refers to the abolition of the prison industrial complex. Contemporary Black liberation movements have supported broader communities to develop an understanding of what abolition is and can be.  

In theatre, we like to say that we are shaking up and changing the system a lot, but if we don't address systemic issues, such as racism or ableism, from an abolitionist view then we risk perpetuating the systems that got us here. 

For a deeper dive into learning how the framework of abolitionist movements can influence the theatre making process, we recommend jumping over to the incredibly robust site Stages of Transformation, a multi-year arts research project led by Nikki Shaffeeullah, with contributions from dozens of other leading abolitionist artists. 

"Stages of Transformation is a multi-year project of research, rumination, creative exploration and conversation, bringing together theatre artists, arts workers, and creative communities from across so-called Canada. It takes up the imperatives of abolition movements and transformative justice frameworks, and investigates their applications to our work in the theatre sector. “