Original works by Shadrock Porter
For more than three decades, GAPAS has carried the history of a forgotten people onto the stage. Every production is written and directed by our founder, Shadrock Porter, a Dora Mavor Moore Award winner, and every one is built from the same materials: song, spoken word, dance and the truth of where we come from. Our performers are members of our own community, from seasoned singers and actors to children taking the stage for the first time.
Our signature production
The Journey
A theatrical tapestry of song, spoken word and dance that follows a people dispersed from the Promised Land to Ghana, Nigeria, West Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. The Journey is prophetic and historical, cultural and entertaining: humorous one moment and deeply serious the next.
It has played to sold-out audiences in Harlem, London and St. Louis, travelled to The American Theatre in Hampton, Virginia, for the 400-year commemoration in 2019, and returned home to The Meridian Arts Centre in Toronto as the centrepiece of the 40th Anniversary Celebration Weekend in July 2025.
Historical drama
Shadow of the Slaves
Six runaway slaves and an abolitionist Quaker make their way along the Underground Railroad towards Canada. Their hardships and misfortunes are met with both tears and gladness in a drama that honours Canada’s place as a haven for those escaping slavery.
The production made its mark at the Harbourfront Centre, has sold out in Toronto many times over, and brought Shadrock Porter to the attention of Vision TV, which interviewed him about the play.
Anthology
A Tribute to Our Freedom Fighters
An anthology of portraits of the men and women who fought for racial and social justice: Mary Ann Shadd, John Ware and Marie-Joseph Angélique, Sir John Graves Simcoe, Marcus Garvey, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Nat Turner and more. Each figure is brought to life through cultural song, interpretive dance and the spoken word.
Youth production · available for bookings
Freedom Fighters “In the Mind of a Child”
The same stories, told by young people aged 6 to 15. Created for schools and community audiences, this 90-minute production has been staged for the Toronto District School Board’s African Heritage Month launch, at libraries and community centres across the Greater Toronto Area, and for Black History Month audiences in the United Kingdom.
Schools and organisations can book GAPAS to bring the cast and crew to their own venue.
Music
Concerts and Celebrations
Alongside the stage, GAPAS presents gospel and soul concerts such as Soul Revolution, featuring the musicians of David’s Strings and the voices of the Chosen Remnant, together with the GAPAS Awards, art exhibitions and community celebrations.
Other works by Shadrock Porter
The Story of Ruth · For Heaven’s Sake! · The Spirit, the Passion and the Blood
Where we have performed
Harbourfront Centre · The Meridian Arts Centre · The American Theatre, Hampton, Virginia · Emerson Performance Centre · Maja Prentice Theatre · Brampton City Hall · Yorkwoods Library Theatre · Cyril Clark Library Theatre · Chinguacousy Wellness Centre · Malton Neighbourhood Services · The Accord Centre · Peel United Cultural Partners · CHRY Radio · INWWM Cultural Centres in Toronto and London