‘Let’s have conversations, let’s see stories about love, sex, identity and ambition by women of colour’
For many of us, it’s only in our dreams that we get to experience a world where the colour of our skin has no bearing on how easily we successfully achieve our ambitions. But this February, a week-long festival called HEAR ME NOW: Lovesexidentityambition, comes to London to show audiences refreshingly diverse journeys through monologues by award-winning female writers of colour.
The non-stereotypical stories behind the monologues in HEAR ME NOW: Lovesexidentityambition are inspired by the ground-breaking book Hear Me Now Audition Monologues for Actors of Colour, published by Oberon, a unique collection of more than 80 original audition monologues, expressly created by a range of award-winning writers and curated by Titilola Dawudu.
The book, originally commissioned by Tamasha Theatre Company, is also ideal for actors of colour who are searching for speeches for auditions or writers, teachers and theatre-makers who are passionate about improving diversity. The book is celebrated for providing varied and nuanced stories that allow actors of colour to showcase a rich and varied range.
Over five nights, between 4 – 8 February 2020, audiences will see four actors perform 16 monologues inspired by the book, with a different director taking the helm, in London’s Theatre 503.
The festival hosts include award-winning cultural producer Tobi Kyeremetang, co-founder of TedXBrumYouth, Birmingham’s inspiring 30 under 30 leader Zeddie Lewal, Roshni Goyate, co-founder of The Other Box and Amerah Selah, spoken word artist and activist.
Directors include Liverpool based BlackFest co-founder Jubeda Khatun, Jessica Kalissa director of award-winning Queens of Sheba and Balisha Karra, the new co-artistic director of Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre.
“We’re saying we also want to see more stories about love, sex, identity and ambition. We want to highlight and celebrate the complexities, richness and nuances of women of colour.”
Each night following the performances, audiences will also enjoy post-show discussions on what stories for women of colour are being told in theatre and on screen, and debate about the many more stories there are still yet to be told.
Festival curator, writer and editor Titilola Dawudu said: “It is vital that we continue the conversation that stories about Black and brown women do not have to always be steeped in trauma. While this is important, stories that tell of heartache and break, we’re saying we also want to see more stories about love, sex, identity and ambition. We want to highlight and celebrate the complexities, richness and nuances of women of colour.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Details of HEAR ME NOW: Lovesexidentityambition:
Dates: 4 – 8 February 2020
Venue: Theatre 503, 503 Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 3BW
Time: 7.30pm
Ticket prices: From £12. Standard £15
Box office: 020 7978 7040
Booking here
