Jaz by Koffi Kwahulé

Jaz is a one woman show written by Koffi Kwahulé (Côte d'Ivoire), one of Africa's most internationally acclaimed dramatists.  Translated from the French by Montreal-born playwright Chantal Bilodeau (2010 NEA Translation Fellow), Jaz, in the words of the playwright, tries to 'defy cultural fundamentalism'.  He explains, "The work I have tried to do was to complicate the report of the African, to show he has a shifting identity. I wanted to create doubts, flaws—to make sure people come to doubt the idea that they are Africans, so they can recognize our ability to be in the process of becoming."   This powerful performance, featuring music by Ilya Gerasimenko, recounts one woman's account of the horrors she endures when infatuation becomes obsession.