It might be the longest title in PlayMakers Repertory Company history.

PRC’s next mainstage production is (deep breath) “We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Südwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915,” by Jackie Sibblies Drury – opening Wednesday, February 24, and running through Sunday, March 13.

The title is irreverent and comical, but it also refers to the troubling specter of colonialism and its aftermath – and fittingly, director Desdemona Chiang says the play too is wildly funny but also highly challenging. It’s about a group of actors in the present day, white and black, rehearsing a performance piece about a little-known colonial genocide (which really happened); the actors are well-intentioned, of course, but along the way their own assumptions and prejudices come to the fore – with “powerful, surprising, and terrifying” results.

Desdemona Chiang spoke last week with WCHL’s Aaron Keck.

 

“We Are Proud to Present” has played to rave reviews in New York; it’s making its Chapel Hill debut with PlayMakers.

Related special events include a discussion with the director and cast at Fearrington Village’s Granary Cafe on Monday, February 15, at 6 pm; an all-access performance with sign language interpretation and audio description on March 1; and free post-show discussions sponsored by the NC Psychoanalytic Society on March 12 and 13.

Visit the PlayMakers site for ticket information.