Skin We Are In offers children fresh science-backed perspectives, on race and diversity

If parents wanted to have these conversations with their children, they’d be advised to avoid the idea that children can’t see skin colour. Rather, they should unpack ideas like social construct vs skin colour, race vs skin colour, how terminology creates categories, issues of control and power, as well as the fact that diversity and variation are essential for our survival. These complex ideas are brought to life by the writers and the production team.

Dr Magona is a well-respected author, poet, playwright, motivational speaker and storyteller in South Africa. Among her internationally acclaimed works are Beauty’s Gift; Living, Loving, and Lying Awake at Night; To My Children’s Children. Her plays include I Promised Myself a Fabulous Middle-Age and Vukani. Magona is the recipient of numerous awards and has contributed immeasurably in various capacities to the work of the United Nations (UN), an organisation she served for 20 years. She is also recognised for her work in women’s issues, the plight of children and the fight against apartheid and racism. Ms Magona is the founder and Executive Director of South Africa 2033. A worker for peaceful change during the years of struggle in South Africa, she was one of the founding members of the Women’s Peace Movement in 1976. In recognition of her literary and humanitarian contribution, the State President, Jacob G Zuma, conferred Sindiwe Magona with the Order of Ikhamanga in Bronze on 27 April 2011.

Dr Magona teamed up with Nina G. Jablonski, Professor of Anthropology at The Pennsylvania State University to write Skin We Are In. Her research into primate and human evolution centres on the evolution of human skin and skin pigmentation. She is concerned with understanding the history and social consequences of skin-color-based race concepts. Her work on science education for youth, led to a scholarly initiative in South Africa, with the support of STIAS (the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study). The “Effects of Race” (EOR) program brought together groups of senior and junior scholars from South Africa, the U.S., and Europe to discuss and formulate new approaches to the study of race and the mitigation of racism.

Playwright Omphile Molusi turns this science-backed book into a lively text for The Kwasha! Theatre Company actors to perform. Molusi’s plays have toured internationally as well as at home: Cadre performed at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Edinburgh Festival 2013, Market Theatre and Grahamstown NAF 2013. Balalatladi featured at Washington DC’s Kennedy Centre, while Itsoseng was published by Junkets publishers and Oxford University Press SA, adapted as a BBC radio play, and performed at various local and international venues including Edinburgh festival 2008. Molusi was recognised with the prestigious ASSITEJ Inspirational Playwrights Award 2021 at the 20th ASSITEJ World Congress in Tokyo.

Together with its post-show discussion and resource packs, the production promises to take difficult conversations and make them meaningful for children who are beginning to grapple with issues of difference and identity. It forms part of ASSITEJ’s ongoing and global campaign to Take a child to the theatre.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION CREATIVE TEAM

Writer:                                                             Omphile Molusi

Director:                                                          Mosie Mamaregane

Mentor to the Director:                                    Dr. Refiloe Lepere

Musical Director:                                             Bokang Ramatlapeng

Designer:                                                        Nomzamo Molaba

Post-Performance Discussion Trainer:          Brigid Schutz

Teacher Resource Pack:                                Alison Green

Stage Manager:                                              Lucy Malefano

For tickets, or to book a performance for a school, please contact Anthony at The Market Theatre.

To make block bookings and discounts please contact Anthony Ezeoke 011 832 1641ext 203/ 083 246 4950 anthonye@markettheatre.co.za

For further information, interviews and images, contact:

Lusanda Zokufa 072 367 7867 or lusandaz@markettheatre.co.za