Pangea
Written & performed by Dionne Addai,
with performers Victoria Boeteng, Omar Dyette, and Sarah Patin, percussionist Victoria Boateng, and production manager Kenya Ann Hall
Using poetry, music, and movement, this piece discusses the history and legacy of colonization, the ancient struggle for civil rights, and the conundrum of black kings and queens.
About the Artist
Dionne Addai (she/her) is an actor, writer, and teaching artist local to Chicago. She graduated from Loyola University with degrees in Gender Studies and History. She enjoys creating art that reduces the stigma that can come with talks about sex and sexuality. As an actor she’s recently been seen in Nina Simone: Four Women (Merrimack Repertory Theater), Eclipsed (Pegasus/Theater on the Lake), and We are Pussy Riot (Red Tape Theatre). For information on her teaching artist work, check out icah.org/fyi. She is represented by Actor’s Talent Group.
Discussions
KICKBACK Happy Hour
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Join director Mikael Burke and artist Dionne Addai for a conversation around the creation and themes of Dionne’s piece “Pangea.”
Artist Reflection
My name is Dionne Addai and I am of two or three worlds. Maybe more. My parents immigrated to the United States in the early 90s. They left Ghana because a line of dictators had destabilized the economy. Instability was sparked by western powers: British colonial rule and the self interested meddling of the US government. I was born in Chicago, and raised in both Nashville, TN and Decatur, IL. I grew up going to black churches and predominantly white schools. I kissed a girl for the first time when I was 23.
That is a sliver of what forged me, shaped my interests. I’d never heard of the Arts Bank before this project. When we received a description of the collections, I knew I wanted to look at the Egyptian glass slides and African historical section of the Ebony and Jet research library right away. I found the slides I needed, some of royals and architecture, others of servants and slaves. We always credit leaders with historical accomplishments. We don’t remember the many names of laborers who made it possible for monarchs to build their legacies. That has always bothered me, as a student of history. Those rulers often control historical narratives. Therefore, those narratives are often embellished and incomplete.
I randomly picked up a few books in the research library and started reading. I love graphic novels and comics, so Power to the People! South Africa in Struggle: A Pictorial History stood out to me. The history of colonization and the struggle for basic human rights rang familiar. The loss of black lives because of deception and greed is a trend we still see play out today. Police in this country repeatedly protect property over people. Black folks are over policed, arrested, and forced into legal slavery. While reading I was struck by how similar oppression has been taking place for so long in every corner of the world. Workers continually exploited and manipulated into fighting amongst themselves. I wanted to create work that focuses on examining the cycle.
After that I had a pretty clear idea of the film I wanted to make. I found images of nergobilia that highlight the way white american marketing dehumanized Black people. I overheard Pangea, a record that Mars (Rebuild’s program coordinator) was playing from the Frankie Knuckles collection. I think it’ll fit the vibe as well.
I’m grateful for this fascinating process. I’m always learning.
