Quincy Armorer, BFA 97 | Photo courtesy: Metachroma
Nowadays, it’s his most recent project that’s got his heart a-flutter. Armorer is one of eight actors who make up the executive of a unique Montreal theatre guild.
Metachroma Theatre is the city’s only independent theatre to specifically promote professional actors from visible minority groups.
“We wanted to make a point about the fact that we could play roles that were not specifically written for our race,” he said. “I shouldn’t have to wait until the role is for a black man.”
Armorer said his formal training at Concordia was one of the key reasons for his success. University, he said, was a time for self-discovery — a way to discover his true identity both as an actor and a young adult. That’s why he’s able to give so much of himself to every role he plays.
“My best friends now are the people that I met at Concordia,” he said. “Those years are some of the most memorable, most significant years in my life.”
In fact, Armorer says he can still remember singing “On My Own” from Les Misérables for his audition into the university’s three-year program.
“The experience of being on stage and that of being able to see professional theatre while studying — it was wonderful,” he said. “Concordia is still near and dear to my heart.”
Though an actor at heart, Armorer said he’s grateful for the chance to work behind the scenes both at the Black Theatre Workshop and Metachroma Theatre.
“Pursing a career in theatre is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work.,” he pointed out. “It takes a lot of diligence but I love what I do. I’ve always been driven by passion.”
Metachroma Theatre opened its first show, Richard III, at the Segal Centre in 2012. Armorer said feedback from the audience and the theatre community could not have been more positive.
“It was a stage full of colour and we told the story,” he said.
Armorer said the collective hopes to eventually normalize the presence of a visually diverse cast on stage.
“We get fooled into thinking we are more progressive than we are,” he explained. “We look at where we are and we subconsciously stop progressing.”
Though he spends much of his time backstage now, Armorer said he definitely hasn’t left acting behind. He completed a tour last summer as Oberon with the Repercussion Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Having three jobs can often be hectic, but Armorer said he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’m learning to navigate the journey and it’s a fun journey to be on,” he said. “I’m loving the ride.”