It will be an emotional day for the Dixon family on Sunday, November 9 when New Stages Theatre presents Footnote to Freedom, written and performed by Beau and Lance Dixon, at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough.
The brothers are dedicating the show to their father, Reverend Canon Blair Dixon, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 12 at the age of 89.
A workshop presentation featured as part of New Stages Theatre’s Brand New Stages Festival of new and emerging theatre, Footnote to Freedom is a musical about the life of the brothers’ grandfather, Private George Dixon, who served in the No. 2 Battalion, Canada’s only segregated Black battalion in World War I.
In August 1914, as tens of thousands of men across Canada rushed to be recruited for service in the First World War, Black men were being rejected. Many were told it was a “white man’s war,” while white men told recruiting officers and commanding officers that they refused to serve with Black men. This led to protests from Black Canadians and leaders.
Given there were not enough men to provide the reinforcements needed at the front, an all-Black infantry battalion was not an option. The British War Office additionally refused to allow Black units into combat on the Western Front for fear that Black infantry units might act against British authorities in the colonies.
Instead, on July 5, 1916, a Black labour battalion, called No. 2 Construction Battalion, was formed because labour was in short supply though critical to supporting the troops. The battalion was initially headquartered in Pictou, Nova Scotia, but moved to Truro that September. It was one of few units allowing recruitment from across the country and had men from U.S.A. and the British East Indies as well.
In 1917, the battalion of under 600 men sailed to Liverpool, England, but were unable to go on to France because they were too small a battalion. Instead, they were renamed “No. 2 Construction Company” and performed supporting tasks, like improving logging roads, building logging railways, operating and maintaining the system that provided water to all the camps, and supporting timber operations. The men faced harsher living conditions in comparison to their White compatriots, were neglected basic needs, and were often not treated for illnesses by military doctors.
When they were officially disbanded in September 1920, there was no ceremony or recognition for their services or sacrifices.
Though in July 1920 a commemorative plaque recognizing No. 2 Construction Battalion’s casualties was unveiled at the provincial legislature in Toronto and rededicated in September 1926, the battalion was soon forgotten since it was a non-combat unit. The Government of Canada recognized the creation of the battalion as a national historic event in 1992, and in 2002, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized on behalf of the federal government to descendants for the systemic racism experienced by members.
Now, through Footnote to Freedom, the Dixon brothers are ensuring the stories are not forgotten by offering original songs and dramatic personal stories of the impact of the No. 2 Construction Battalion on their grandfather George, their father Blair, and on themselves. The songs would have been enjoyed by George, who was a cornet player with the No. 2 Construction Company band, which was formed originally for recruitment at churches and rallies, though later provided great entertainment to the men.
Beau is a self-taught, award-winning actor, composer, playwright, sound designer, and music director living in Peterborough, while Lance is an education specialist in racial justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for the Catholic school board in Calgary, Alberta. The musical is based on Lance’s memoir, A Footnote to Freedom: Reclaiming the Life and Legacy of a Black Soldier, which has an anticipated release of February 2026.
Beau is also the composer and sound designer for the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s production of 291, which opens on Saturday (November 1) and runs until November 15. Directed by Lisa Dixon (Beau and Lance’s sister), the play was written by Lisa’s daughter Jade O’Keeffe and tells the love story of 20th-century American modernist painter Georgia O’Keeffe and American photographer and art promoter Alfred Stieglitz.
VIDEO: “Footnote to Freedom”
While New Stages Theatre offered to postpone the November 9 performance in light of their father’s passing, Beau and Lance decided to keep the original date and instead dedicate it to their father, who is one of the main characters.
As of the date of this story, only around 20 tickets are still available for the 7 p.m. performance, which is suitable for children aged 10 and up and will be followed by a Q&A. Tickets cost $29, with a $22 “welcome rate” for those who need it and a $36 “pay it forward rate” for those who can afford it, and can be purchased at the Market Hall box office at 140 Charlotte Street, by calling 705-749-1146, or online at tickets.markethall.org/?category=20.
The following day, on Monday, November 10 at 12 p.m., there will be a bonus private performance for schools, veterans, and other groups. Veterans will be given free admission, while other groups of four or more and invited to contact New Stages at info@newstages.ca.
On the morning of the November 9 opening of Footnote to Freedom, the Dixon family is inviting the community to join them at 11 a.m. at the Market Hall for a celebration of Reverend Canon Blair Dixon’s life.
Like his father before him, Blair began a military career, though it was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and later faced racial discrimination when pivoting to Anglican priesthood. Eventually, he became the first Canadian-born Black man to be ordained in the Anglican Church of Canada, following two Black priests who had been immigrants.
Those unable to attend the celebration of life can register at eventbrite.ca/e/1835630874359 to receive a link to view the service online.
