Jocelyn Bioh’s acclaimed comedy School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play is a coming-of-age story spotlighting sisterhood with thought-provoking bite.
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Jocelyn Bioh’s acclaimed coming-of-age comedy School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play takes a deep dive into Black culture. Director Candis C. Jones discusses the play and her artistic vision.
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(background) Starnubia (Nana) and Matenin Sangare (Ama), (foreground) Jasmine Cheri Rush (Gifty), Markia Nicole Smith (Paulina Sarpong) and Kayla Forde (Mercy) in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The cast of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Patrice Bell (Eloise Amponsah) and Burgess Byrd (Headmistress Francis) in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play . Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Matenin Sangare (Ama), Jasmine Cheri Rush (Gifty), Kayla Forde (Mercy) and Kaitlyn Boyer (Ericka Boafo) in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play . Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Markia Nicole Smith (Paulina Sarpong) in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play . Photo by Mikki Schaffner
The cast of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The cast of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Patrice Bell (Eloise Amponsah), Markia Nicole Smith (Paulina Sarpong) and Burgess Byrd (Headmistress Francis) in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play . Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The cast of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The cast of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
(foreground) Burgess Byrd (Headmistress Francis) and Markia Nicole Smith (Paulina Sarpong), (Background) Jasmine Cheri Rush (Gifty) in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Markia Nicole Smith (Paulina Sarpong) and Kaitlyn Boyer (Ericka Boafo) in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The $10 tickets may only be purchased in-person beginning at 6 p.m. at the Playhouse Box Office on Tuesday, May 10 when the building opens. Lining up early is not necessary or recommended, because the building is closed to the public between 5 pm. – 6 p.m. Limit two per person. No advance reservations or choice of seating. Subject to availability.
Stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with the cast and crew!
Author Alice Walker defines colorism as “prejudicial or preferential treatment of same-race people based solely on their color.” SCHOOL GIRLS displays the ways colorism affects the Black community, and particularly young Black girls as they are discovering their identity.
Join us for an engaging dialogue with actors from the play and community members to discuss and share experiences and to learn about colorism. Panelists include Burgess Byrd and Markia Nicole Smith (actors from the play) and Dr. Shantel Thomas of A Sound Mind Counseling Service, and Jasmine Snellen of Mutual Dance Theatre.
This event is free, but registration is required by calling the Box Office at 513-421-3888 or visiting cincyplay.com. Playhouse Perspectives is made possible thanks to a generous gift from Barbara and Roderick Barr.
Each Marx Theatre production offers one audio-described performance during the show's run. Trained volunteers describe the visual elements of the production via a closed-circuit receiver that is approximately the size of a deck of cards and fits in a jacket pocket or on the lap. A small earpiece fits into one ear, allowing patrons to hear dialogue, music and other sound effects. The description is timed to avoid interfering with dialogue.
Each Marx Theatre production offers one signed performance during the show's run. The interpreter stands toward the bottom of aisle 5. Look at our Accessibility page for a map of best viewing locations. This performance also includes a Meet the Artists discussion with the cast and crew after the show. Funding for this program is made possible by Bartlett & Co.
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