Crafting impactful narratives: The role of media training in elevating Black artists
- Shelilah Rosario
Logo and background photo by Black Theatre Workshop
Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) is dedicated to supporting and promoting Black artists in Canada through engaging and inspiring theatre. Their Artist Mentorship Program (AMP) offers space for emerging and re-emerging artists to develop their skills as they prepare for their artistic career to take off. To help get these artists media-ready, BTW collaborated with DAYO Media & Communications (DM&C) in 2023 to produce a tailored media training experience focused on key areas essential for effective media engagement.
A closer look at the media training workshop
Interview preparation
Photo by Black Theatre Workshop
With multiple communication channels that require artist engagement, it’s important to understand platforms and the nuances that make each unique. Artists learned how to handle live television appearances, radio segments, and interviews intended for both social and print media. By going through fun role-playing exercises, the artists learned how to stay calm under pressure, think on their feet, and deliver clear and concise messages. Having a safe space to practice enabled participants to receive constructive feedback to improve their interview performance.
Narrative control
Interviewees need to know how to control the narrative and direct how the public perceives their story. Artists share their work with the world, and it’s important that their stories are told with accuracy and authenticity. DM&C’s workshop stressed the value of staying true to your message goals and provided strategies to steer conversations in a direction that highlights your work and vision. Artists were trained on how to handle challenging questions and how to maintain their part of the conversation.
Photo by Black Theatre Workshop
Utilizing social media effectively
Photo by Black Theatre Workshop
Artists mould their talent into a career; over time, people begin to recognize them as they develop their brand. The BTW group was guided on how to develop and refine their personal brand, which is essential for building a strong and recognizable presence in a competitive industry. DM&C training included tips on how to use social media effectively by creating engaging content, — all strategies that are rooted in the goal of connecting with your audience on a personal level. Through this training, the artists were better equipped to present themselves professionally and attract new opportunities.
Impact
Artists shared that they left the workshop feeling more confident and prepared to engage with the media. The skills they acquired will help them in their current endeavours and be valuable throughout their careers. By learning how to present themselves effectively, control their narrative and build their brand, these artists are now better positioned to reach wider audiences and achieve success.
This collaboration between BTW and DM&C underscores the importance of media training in today’s fast-paced and media-driven world, showcasing how targeted support and professional guidance can help artists to amplify their voices and share their stories with impact.
“We are proud to support BTW in their mission to empower Black artists and to help them succeed in their careers. Through our media training, artists gained confidence and clarity in presenting themselves and their work, ensuring their voices are heard and their stories are told with impact.”
– Dayo Kefentse, Founder and Managing Director of DM&C.
At DM&C, we remain committed to supporting the arts and culture sector, celebrating diversity and the growth of young talent. We look forward to continuing our work in elevating the voices of Black artists across Canada.