« We are all subjects in history. We must return ourselves to a state of embodiment in order to deconstruct the way power has been traditionally orchestrated in the classroom, denying subjectivity to some groups and according it to others. »

bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress, 1994

« Questions take us further because they lead us to the other. »

Rodney William, Apropriação Cultural, 2020

Decolonial (Hi)stories is a choreographic series conceived for educational settings. It can be performed in schools, even in class rooms.

Although initially intended for young people, it has recently been adapted for wider audiences, site-specific settings and theaters. See Decolonial (Hi)stories.

For school performances, educational tools are provided in advance (video introduction by Betty Tchomanga and educational packs). The team of performers also leads discussions with students after performances.

It is possible to design more in-depth educational projects together with teachers and community outreach staff. Each project can be tailored to specific artistic and educational issues raised by the setting and audience of the performance. We prefer to work with teachers who are committed to an inclusive, anti-racist approach to teaching. Decolonial (Hi)stories focuses on questions addressed in history classes. We are eager to work with history teachers interested in participating in the project and make connections with their class material.

Our outreach projects include practice-based workshops for students, which are directly related to the episode(s) of Decolonial (Hi)stories they’ve seen and which involve the body, voices and/or writing. It is also possible to organize a public presentation of the result of these workshops (ex. live performances, the creation of videos or podcasts), with the students’ consent.

To receive educational materials about Decolonial (Hi)stories, or for further information about our options for outreach projects, write us at :

mediation@gangproduction.com

Bibliography:

Books:

• bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress, Routledge, 1994
• Rodney William, Apropriação Cultural, Editora Jandaira, 2020.
• Achille Mbembe, The Earthly Community: Reflections on the Last Utopia, V2_Publishing, 2022.