Special Drama Presentation for Schools during Black History Month 2008!January 8, 2008 Dear Educator: Special Drama Presentation for Schools during Black History Month 2008 I am very pleased to invite you and your students to a special drama presentation by AfriCan Theatre Ensemble during the 2008 Black History Month. For five days only, the Ensemble will present the acclaimed play, Have You Seen Zandile?, by South African favourite poet, storyteller and dramatist, Gcina Mhlophe, and directed by Bunmi Oyinsan. It features top-notch performers, including Toronto's multi-award winner d’bi young as Zandile, one of the most acclaimed Nigerian actors, Joke Silva as the gandmother, and Oliva Duodu as Zandile's friend, Lindiwe. Date: February 4-8, 2008 Feb 7th & 8th 9:30 am Length of show: 80 minutes General Inquiries: 416 364 7313; africantheatre@bellnet.ca. Set in South Africa during the traumatic apartheid era, Have you seen Zandile? is a play whose strength is in its ability to focus on and capture the day to day longing for the stories and games of childhood. The play’s handling of nostalgia, a universal emotion, represents a significant shift from the spectacular rhetoric of victimhood that has been a response to domination in the black experience in South Africa in particular and the black Diaspora in general. Have you seen Zandile? documents the playwright’s extraordinary emotional journey. It is based on the playwright’s childhood desire to grow up, to escape, and to be part of a larger and more exciting life. The play is a refreshing way to celebrate the diversity of Canadian culture and historical heritage. It delightfully introduces students to different forms of theatre. It utilises an accessible story-line, dialogue, music, song, dance and storytelling from an African cultural context. It authentically reflects one of the cultures from which the Blacks in the New World originate. Synopsis Into this idyllic childhood a white car intrudes; it has come to take Zandile away. The kidnapped girl is forced into a new routine of rules calculated to turn her into a “traditional” woman. The audience comes to discover that Zandile was a product of complex love and family relationships. Back in the city, Zandile’s grandmother looks in vain for Zandile who has been kidnapped. Time passes. Zandile grows and her consciousness develops. As soon as she is independent, she goes in search of her grandmother. But is she too late? Why educators and students need to see this show “Our school had the pleasure of watching AfriCan Theatre Ensemble present Market of Tales in February 2006… As an audience we felt very connected to the seven performers as they told us stories, danced, sang and played musical instruments. At times we felt their dancing vibrate through our bodies as we shared the stage floor with the company. The performance had many layers that appealed to a wide range of ages. I would highly recommend this theatre company to educators looking for a rich, engaging presentation that leaves the audience wanting more.” (Janet McBeth-Mutter, Principal, Pelmo Park Public School). “What a superb and provocative performance today! We were totally spellbound by the textured theatrical messages, music, movements and design! Thank you for extending the invitation. We will have much to discuss, debate, question and reflect upon over the coming days... I was thrilled to see a 'full house' and look forward to your upcoming projects!” (Arlene Campbell, Teacher, Lincoln Alexander Public School, on Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels, at Burton Auditorium, February 16, 2007). I have no doubt that Have You Seen Zandile? will appeal to your students, and will provide stimulating opportunities for discussion and learning about the crafts of theatre and African and Black theatre in particular. The elegant and beautiful Burton Auditorium will also contribute to your students’ experience of theatre. Have You Seen Zandile? is recommended for English, Drama, Human Geography and African History students and Literacy Programs, Grades 4 - 12. An educational guide will be available upon request to schools that will be attending. These schools can take advantage also of our Visiting Program whereby specialists from AfriCan Theatre Ensemble, who include professional theatre practitioners and professors of African drama, can make presentations to students at their schools in advance of the show. For reservations for school orders please call 416-736-5888 or email boxoffice@yorku.ca. General Inquiries: 416 364 7313; africantheatre@bellnet.ca. With best wishes, Modupe Olaogun, PhD
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