The Performance Project's Mother Tongue at the Shea

“Mother Tongue” is an original multilingual physical theater performance (for ages 12+) created by the Performance Project’s First Generation Ensemble. The piece highlights local and global social justice issues, and is inspired by the lived experiences of First Generation members, their families and communities. The Ensemble originates from Congo/Tanzania,Bhutan/Nepal, South Sudan/Darfur, Puerto Rico, Holyoke, and Springfield, MA. The 90 minute performance weaves together movement, music, dance, theater, and stories in Arabic, Swahili, Nepali, Spanish, and English and incorporates themes of language, culture, identity, diaspora, hypermasculinity, transphobia, racism, education, the school to prison pipeline and revolution.

Following the performance, the ensemble will offer a 20 minute post-show conversation with the audience, inviting reflection on the themes of Mother Tongue. Performances and post-show dialogues spark discussions about culture, identity, language, and education.