Shades

Shades challenges the issues of discrimination by communities of color against themselves and examines a group mentality that has plagued countries for over four centuries. We are saturated with images and ideas of the preferred body shape, hair texture, facial features, skin colour and shade; but Shadeism is an issue far beyond beauty - it lies within old ideals that fundamentally determine what we perceive as desirable. Creator Esie Mensah and her cast examine the question of how our communities became fractured. How did we start to see our own brothers or sisters as inferior because of the shade of their skin? Throughout this performance, we hope to address the roots, realities and effects of Shadeism that will ultimately lead us towards a path of reconciliation and healing.

Starring Esie Mensah, Percy Anane-Dwumfour, Miranda Liverpool, Tereka Tyler-Davis, Roney Lewis, Allyson Trunzer and Shakeil Rollock; Directed by Akosua Amo-Adem; Set and Lighting Design by Steve Lucas; Costume and Prop Design by Alexandra Lord; Original Music by Santosh Naidu and Ian DeSouza - Esie Mensah Creations at Factory Theatre Main Stage, 2018.

Follow this link for a Radio-Canada interview about the costume design:

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/premiere/emissions/y-a-pas-deux-matins-pareils/segments/chronique/88512/esie-mensah-shades