ONE DROP OF LOVE Performance Explores Concept of Race at Mesa Arts Center Today

One Drop of Love, a dynamic multimedia solo performance exploring how race has been constructed in the United States, will be performed live inMesa Arts Center's Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse today, November 1 at 3:00 p.m.and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at MesaArtsCenter.com or by calling 480-644-6500.

"She's engaging with the audience and honest. One Drop conquers racial issues with honesty and an open heart. Anyone who has ever felt out of place...or had a really crazy (but loving) family will really enjoy this." - Angela Nissel, co-producer Scrubs; author: Broke Diaries, Mixed; writer on The Boondocks

How does our belief in race affect our most intimate relationships? Produced by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and the show's writer/performer Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni, One Drop of Love is a multimedia solo performance exploring family, race, love, pain - and a path towards reconciliation. Cox DiGiovanni's ultimate goal of the show is to encourage everyone to discuss 'race' openly and critically.

"...It often frustrated me that 'race' was such a strong influence in my life. I wanted to explore what was behind this influence - was I making more of it than it was; or was the real issue that others needed to see how much it influences THEM?" -Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni

The performance incorporates filmed images, photographs and animation to tell the story of how the notion of 'race' came to be in the U.S., and how it influences Cox DiGiovanni's relationship with her father - a journey that takes audiences from the 1700s to the present, to cities all over the U.S. and to West and East Africa, where both father and daughter spent time in search of their 'racial' roots.

In addition to her performance, Cox DiGiovanni will also participate in a free community dialogue presented by Mesa Arts Center and hosted by Arizona Opera on October 30, 6-7:30 p.m. The panel will explore family, history, racism, love and a path toward reconciliation, and will feature Dr. Matthew Whitaker, Dr. Kelly Jackson and Dr. Rudy Guevarra along with Cox DiGiovanni. The panel will be moderated by Arizona State University's Chandra Crudup.

Mesa Arts Center is located at One East Main Street in downtown Mesa.