October 11, 2023 | Theatre,

ArtsEmerson and the Power of Theater

At its core, theater is a transformative art, capable of not only mending emotional wounds but also effecting profound changes in individuals’ lives, leaving a lasting impact. The healing power of theater is evident in many ArtsEmerson performances, including the upcoming show, The Book of Life, opening at the Cutler Majestic Theatre on October 18.

In The Book of Life, artist and performer Kiki Katese reads letters written by ordinary people impacted by the Rwandan Genocide, with the purpose of celebrating the Rwandan people instead of focusing on the tragedies surrounding the genocide. When Kiki Katese reads the letters aloud on stage, it is almost as if “undoing the undoable” can become a reality. Like The Book of Life, below are some past ArtsEmerson productions that showcase the healing power of expression and the ways theater can transform trauma into peace and hope. 

See You Yesterday (2019) – In this show, nineteen Cambodian artists who were second-generation survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide, came together to help shatter a legacy of silence and build a hopeful future. This feat explores the fragmented narratives passed down to the performers from their parents and grandparents and reclaims the trauma to deliver a beautiful acrobatic performance.

Everyday Life and Other Odds and Ends (2022) – This production introduced audiences to three couples, with each of their relationships being impacted by Parkinson’s disease. In the show, each couple is forced to navigate the difficulties of living with a disease all while finding happiness and enjoyment in life’s everyday moments. 

And So We Walked (2022) – Artist and performer DeLanna Studi used the reclaiming power of theater to journey along the Trail of Tears, retracing the steps her great-great grandparents walked in the 1830s during the forced relocation of 17,000 Cherokee people. This performance was brought to fruition by interviews, historical research, and Studi’s personal experience, creating a story that explores what it means to take back one’s past and move forward with an empowered narrative. 

The Peculiar Patriot (2018) –  This production, inspired by Liza Jessie Peterson’s decade-long work with prison populations, unpacks the human impact of mass incarceration in America. Through her character, Betsy LaQuanda Ross, Peterson works to reclaim and transform the stories of the more than 1 million Americans actively incarcerated in the United States. 

Culture Clash 30th Anniversary Tour: Muse & Morros (2015) – For over 30 years, performance troupe Culture Clash has worked to uncover the essence of the American Character by collecting the oral histories of its diverse citizens. In Muse & Morros, the artists work to give a voice to the voiceless, continuing to highlight the concept of theater as a healing tool. 

Join Kiki Katese and Rwandan’s all-female drumming group Ingoma Nshya from October 18-22 to see the transformative power of theater play out live on the stage of the Emerson Culture Majestic Theatre. To purchase your tickets and for more information, visit our website here.