Artists Rep's Explosive, Hilarious Play About Race 'We Are Proud to Present..."

Published: March 19, 2016, 12:24 a.m.

b'Artists Repertory Theatre production of Jackie Sibblies Drury\\u2019s "We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915" is a nervy farce-meets-race riot.

The play follows a troupe of actors \\u2014 half black, half white \\u2014 as they struggle to prepare for a presentation about the first genocide of the 20th century, the extermination of the Herero people of Namibia by German soldiers. However, rehearsals devolve and the group is nudged over the edge by simmering questions about race, authenticity, and truth.

As part of our \\u201cWhat Are You Looking At?\\u201d series, State of Wonder sent producer Aaron Scott to see and discuss the play with Kimberly Howard, program officer at the PGE Foundation and former head of the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center.

Read the full story: http://www.opb.org/artsandlife/article/artists-rep-we-are-proud-to-present'