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

Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, 2022
in the Baker Theatre

by Jackie Sibblies Drury
Directed by Nigel Semaj

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.

Video Preview

Behind-the-Scenes Feature Video

Feature Story

Interview with director Nigel Semaj on WMUH-fm

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 29, 8 pm
Friday, Sept. 30, 8 pm
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2 & 8 pm
Sunday, Oct. 2, 2 pm

Content Advisory:

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.

Accessibility:

Open Captioning will be available for all performances except Saturday at 8 pm. The caption screen is located on the right-hand side of the theatre, but is visible from almost every seat in the theatre. For more information, please email Director of Operations & Production Jess Bien.

Scheduling Note:

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

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

Tickets:

This production has closed.

Performer & Facilitator Schedule:

Thursday, September 29, 2022 | 8:00 pm

Actor 1/White Man - Sam McGuire
Actor 2/Black Man - Matthew McCray
Actor 3/Another White Man - Chris Rubingh
Actor 4/Another Black Man - Bryson Brunson
Actor 5/Sarah - Ava Pirie
Actor 6/Black Woman - Amira Jackson

A post-show reflection led by Nigel Semaj and Elizabeth Muriel will immediately follow this performance.

Friday, September 30, 2022 | 8:00 pm

Actor 1/White Man - Ryan Weintraub
Actor 2/Black Man - Matthew McCray
Actor 3/Another White Man - Chris Rubingh
Actor 4/Another Black Man - Bryson Brunson
Actor 5/Sarah - Elizabeth Vichness
Actor 6/Black Woman - Naava Wilson

A post-show reflection led by Hershey Vazquez Millner and Bridget Wiggan will immediately follow this performance.

Saturday, October 1, 2022 | 2:00 pm

A post-show reflection led by Hershey Vazquez Millner and Bridget Wiggan will immediately follow this performance.

Saturday, October 1, 2022 | 8:00 pm

A post-show reflection led by Hershey Vazquez Millner and Elizabeth Muriel will immediately follow this performance.

Sunday, October 2, 2022 | 2:00 pm

A post-show reflection led by Hershey Vazquez Millner and Nigel Semaj will immediately follow this performance.