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How Trey Anthony's latest play explores the love and sacrifice of black motherhood

Anthony's latest play unpacks the immense pressures put on mothers to be "perfect" — and how we might try to see our mothers through a less judgmental lens.

The play 'How Black Mothers Say I Love You' unpacks the immense pressures put on mothers

Lucius Dechausay · CBC Arts ·

Playwright Trey Anthony on exploring 'How Black Mothers Say I Love You'

8 years ago
Duration 2:51
"I come from this legacy of women who leave their children behind and this was a way for me to examine how this affected us." - Trey Anthony

The prospect of a better life drives many immigrants to make unimaginably difficult choices. But a largely untold story within these migrations are the family members and children who are left behind.

For How Black Mothers Say I Love You, playwright Trey Anthony has tapped into her own personal story of being raised by her grandmother in England for four years while her mother sought work in Canada. "I come from this legacy of women who leave their children behind, and [this play] was really a way for me to examine how this affected us," Anthony says.

In this video, Anthony unpacks the immense pressures put on mothers to be "perfect" — and how we might try to see our mothers through a less judgmental lens.

How Black Mothers Say I Love You. Written and directed by Trey Anthony. Until Mar 5. Factory Theatre, Toronto. Mar 8-12. Maja Prentice Theatre, Mississauga, On. Mar 22-25. Centennial Building, Whitby, On. Mar 29-Apr 1. Richcraft Theatre, Ottawa. www.girlsinbowtiesproductions.ca

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucius Dechausay

Lucius Dechausay is a video producer at CBC Arts, as well as a freelance illustrator and filmmaker. His short films and animations have been screened at a number of festivals including The Toronto International Film Festival and Hot Docs. Most recently he directed KETTLE, which is currently streaming at CBC Short Docs.

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