Sara, a young African-American scholar of pop culture is writing a book about Saartjie Baartman, better known as the 19th-century sideshow sensation “The Hottentot Venus.” The deeper Sara delves, the more tragic and shocking Saartjie’s story becomes, and the more Sara is forced to confront her own identity and complicated relationships. Faced with frequent dreams of Saartjie and pressure from her publishers, Sara is forced to wonder; can she honor the life and memory of Saartjie Bartman and still write a bestseller? Written by Northwestern alumni, Lydia R. Diamond (Stick Fly, Smart People, The Bluest Eye), this bold, often comedic, and revealing drama won the Joseph Jefferson Award for “Best New Play” in 2006.

Estimated Running Time: 2hrs with one intermission.

Audience Advisory: Please be advised this production contains depictions of partial nudity, sexual intimacy, violence, blood, strong language, and suggestion of rape. Recommended for ages 15+

TASIA A. JONES (Director) is a professional director, actor and theater educator hailing from Boston, MA. Her recent directing credits include NO CHILD and WHITE (Northwestern University) FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE / WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF (Boston University), HIDDEN FACES OF COURAGE (On With Living and Learning), OLEANNA (Can’t Wait Productions) and the world premiere production of MARGARET IN SEARCH OF HERSELF (ARRT/New African Company). She has appeared in such works as SATURDAY NIGHT/SUNDAY MORNING (The Lyric Stage Company), GOOD TELEVISION (Zeitgeist Stage Company), THE EMBRYOS (Fresh Ink), and THE BLUEST EYE (Company One). She holds a BFA in theatre arts from Boston University and is currently in the MFA Directing Program at Northwestern University.

LYDIA R. DIAMOND (Playwright) Award winning Plays include: SMART PEOPLE, STICK FLY, VOYEURS DE VENUS, THE BLUEST EYE, THE GIFT HORSE, HARRIET JACOBS, THE INSIDE, and STAGE BLACK. A recipient of many playwriting awards, Lydia was also an 2005/06 W.E.B. Du Bois Institute non-resident Fellow, a 2007 TCG/NEA Playwright in Residence at Steppenwolf Theatre, a 2006/07 Huntington Playwright Fellow, a 2012 Sundance Institute Playwright Lab Creative Advisor, is a Board Member with Chicago Dramatists and a 2012/13 Radcliffe Institute Fellow. Lydia is a graduate of Northwestern University (Class of 1991), has an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Pine Manor College and was 2013/14 Playwright in Residence at Arena Stage. Lydia is on faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she teaches playwriting.

Creative Team

Scenic Designer: Woongjin Oh
Costume Designer: Stephanie Ross
Lighting Designer: Joseph Franjoine
Projections Design: Deidre Searcy
Choreographer: Breon Arzell
Fight & Intimacy Chorographer: Gaby Labotka

Performance Schedule

Friday, May 17 at 7:30PM
Saturday, May 18 at 7:30PM
Sunday, May 19 at 2:00PM
Thursday, May 23 at 7:30PM
Friday, May 24 at 7:30PM
Saturday, May 25 at 7:30PM
Sunday, May 26 at 2:00PM

Post Show Discussion with Playwright, Lydia R. Diamond: Sunday, May 26

Ticket Pricing

Adult $25
Seniors (62+) $22
Area Educator $22
NU Faculty/Staff/Emeriti $20
Full-Time Student $10
NU Student $6/Adv. $10/Door

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