Casting Blackface in Canada: Unmasking the History of 'White and Black' Minstrel Shows.

This article examines the history and cultural significance of blackface minstrelsy in Canada from the 1840s to the 1940s, highlighting its understudied nature due to limited attention to Canadian slavery. It distinguishes between "white" minstrelsy—white performers donning blackface to imitate African-American song and dance—and "Black" minstrelsy, where Black performers also used blackface to portray caricatures of themselves before predominantly white audiences. The article discusses notable Canadian figures such as Colin "Cool" Burgess and Calixa Lavallée, who performed in blackface and contributed to the minstrel tradition, as well as Black performers like Charles Barney Hicks and Billy Kersands who shaped all-Black minstrel troupes. It also addresses the ongoing impact of blackface's legacy on contemporary Canadian theatre and the importance of critically engaging with this history to understand racial representation and its effects today.