We Are Proud to Present ...

... a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Südwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915

A play by Jackie Sibblies Drury
Directed by Nigel Semaj

Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, 2022

Rehearsals descend from collaborative to absurd as a group of idealistic actors — three black and three white — gather to tackle the challenge of theatrically presenting the little-known story of the first genocide of the 20th century: the extinction of the Herero tribe at the hands of their German colonizers.

Armed only with boxes of letters from German soldiers they sent home to their wives and families, our characters navigate how to tell the history of this Genocide when the only record that remains is of the perpetrators’ story. If that was not enough of a challenge, they must also maneuver how to talk to each other about racism, genocide, and systemic oppression.

Along the way, they test the limits of empathy as their own stories, subjectivities, assumptions, and prejudices catalyze their theatrical process. Ultimately the play takes a dark turn as the American wounds and the historical tragedy overlap within this ensemble’s process.

Content Notice:

We Are Proud to Present deals with themes of racial prejudice, genocide, and historical erasure. This production also contains violent language, racial epithets, and stark imagery depicting Jim Crow era racism.

Please note:

This production will feature different performers and post-show facilitators on different days. A schedule of performers and facilitators is posted on the website.

If you would like to see a particular performer or facilitator, please carefully check the schedule before you purchase your tickets!

Accessibility:

Open captions are available at every performance except Saturday at 8 pm. The caption screen will be located on the right-hand side of the theatre, but is visible from almost any seat. Email Director of Operations & Production Jess Bien for more information.