Annex Theatre Presents ANASI AND THE HALFLING

"I wanted to write a story about a black woman who was searching for her place in the world." - Madison Jade Jones, Playwright

Jones and an ensemble of artists will command the stage in Annex Theatre's final mainstage production of Season 31: Anansi and the Halfing, written by Madison Jade Jones and co-directed by Brandon J. Simmons & Jay O'Leary.

Returning to simplicity in storytelling and stagecraft, directors Brandon J. Simmons and Jay O'Leary will transform playwright Madison Jade Jones's words as she portrays Maizah, a young black woman desperate to find herself, embarking on a mystical journey of discovered identity, ancient truth, and incredible fun. Bob Williams (Sound Theatre, Pony World Theatre) plays Anansi, the trickster god of West African mythology alongside the ensemble of Patrick Tolden, Saige Hawthorne, and Anjelica Wolf (Row Yr Boat) who portray students, Gods, and characters in the stories seen onstage.

"I think with everything going on in the world, feeling hopeless is a commonality. I wanted to write a story about someone who was hopeless finding out that something that they hated about themselves was the key to their happiness. I wanted to write a story about a black woman who was searching for her place in the world, and who turned to her ancestry for inspiration and answers. I wanted to write a story with dancing fruit. I live this piece, and I hope that everyone can find something relatable in Maizah's journey." - Madison Jade Jones

African storytelling has many forms. Ancient wisdoms were passed down through song, dance and (often comical) metaphorical re-tellings. Anansi and the Halfling strives to bring those storytelling mediums to light in a modern way through the experiences of a young, black millennial. As the story snakes through a college classroom, a mystical story realm, and the home of the gods themselves, puppetry, drumming, and movement are as crucial to the storytelling as the words themselves are. Our heroine strives to learn that in order to know where you're going, you have to know where you came from... even when the past is painful.

Purchase Tickets. $10-$20 Sliding Scale Tickets at bit.ly/AnansiTickets. Annex Theatre is located at the corner of 11th & Pike in Capitol Hill.

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