The groundbreaking poetic monologues accompanied by dance and music, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf is the next production in the NIU School of Theatre Dance, opening Friday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
The show is co-directed by Roxanna Conner, director of the NIU School of Theatre and Dance and Sarita Smith Childs, assistant professor in the School of Theatre and Dance, explain in their directors’ note that Ntozake Shange’s acclaimed 1976 work has special meaning to them.
“Fifty years after the first publication, Ntozake Shange’s play holds a special place in our hearts and artistic lives,” they wrote. “When we were in our twenties, we both performed in for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf. One in Trenton, New Jersey, the other in Bronxville, New York. We would not know each other or become colleagues until we were, let us say, more seasoned, but we agree the piece made indelible marks on us as women and artists.
“From choreopoems about the power of self-love, entering adulthood, betrayal, and loss, this is a love story of sorts. Encouraging us to address the world’s chaos, forgive ourselves, and to find a “fierce” love for ourselves. We are honored for the opportunity to work with the next generation of artists.”
Smith Childs choreographed the pieces, and additional choreography was done by four cast members, Irismichelle Martinez-Garcia, I’Yanna Miller, Aja Sanders and Naija Sherwood. Vocal direction was provided by David Tay, instructor of voice in NIU’s School of Music.
Performances will be held in the O’Connell Theatre in NIU’s Stevens Building, the home of the NIU School of Theatre and Dance. Tickets are available at go.niu.edu/arts-tickets and there is no charge for NIU students with a reserved ticket.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., Friday, October 24, Saturday, October 25, Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31, with 2 p.m. matinees, Sunday, October 26, and Saturday, November 1. A talkback with cast and crew will be hosted by Dr. Ajewole Duckett of NIU’s Center for Black Studies, following the performance, Saturday, October 25.
Runtime is 90 minutes with no intermission. There is a content warning that the production includes racial and homophobic slurs, as well as references to abortion, sexual assault and domestic abuse.
The full program, including cast and crew bios is available at niuarts.com/for-colored-girls.
