Massey and Me: Conversations at the End of Theatre

Abstract

Massey and Me: Conversations at the End of Theatre is a four-part audio and lecture experience inspired by the renowned Canadian Massey Lectures, with a dangling fifth part that introduces video in an attempt to disrupt the originating structure. This series delves into the cultural influence and enduring legacy of the Massey Commission, which has played a significant role in shaping Canadian culture since its establishment in 1951. The Massey Commission, led by Vincent Massey, was a critical undertaking that sought to investigate and revitalize Canadian arts and culture in post-World War II Canada. Its sweeping recommendations, including increased government funding and support for the arts, and a disavowal of Indigenous cultures, have had a profound impact on the development of Canadian identity, artistic expression, and Canada's place in the world. “Massey and Me” examines how these recommendations have influenced Canadian society and through introspective argumentation and personal narratives, aims to illuminate the cultural stranglehold that the Massey Commission has had over Canadian society and the narrator's own life. This research-creation is an exploration of the intersections between culture, identity, and public policy, encouraging audiences to critically examine the enduring impacts of the Massey Commission, and structures that help to reify them, like the Massey Lectures and, without knowing what they are, seeks to open a portal for future possibilities.