Calgary theatre explores Canada's black heritage in new series

Black History Month is almost over, but a Calgary-based theatre group wants to keep the spirit of the annual observance alive.

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The Ellipsis Tree Collective, an Afrocentric performance society, is getting ready to host its Black Canadian Theatre Series. 

The series, which will feature a trio of plays focusing on Canada's black heritage, is the first of its kind in Alberta.

The first play, The Real McCoy, tells the story of Elijah McCoy. He invented the lubricating drip cup for engines that revolutionized the railway industry in the late 1800s.

"I was inspired by his work, inspired by all that he had to go through to survive and he did well," said the play's director Edward Ogum.

"And so that inspiration is what I hope other people would feel when they see the play itself."

All three plays in the series were written by black Canadian playwrights.

Janelle Cooper, one of the founders of the Ellipsis Tree Collective, also hopes the play will inspire and enlighten.

"If we can present people with work that has a cultural inclination ... then we have the opportunity to connect with more people in the community, widening the demographic of the artistic community in Calgary," said Cooper.

The plays will run from March to September in Calgary.

Cooper says they have already received requests to bring the series to Edmonton and Ontario.