Hello KID CITIANS!
Gaosong here with an extra special blog today as we do a SPOT LIGHT FEATURE on KID CITY teaching artist, Ifrah Mansour!
Ifrah has been a teaching artist with KID CITY for 2 years now and the team is bigger, brighter and more beautiful because of all the experience, skills and stories she has to share. ONE of these stories is "How to Have Fun in a Civil War" a one-act, one-woman multimedia performance, created by none-other than our IFRAH! (Whoop! Whoop!)
Not only is Ifrah a KID CITY teaching artist, she is also a a Somali playwright and performer based in Minnesota. The first version of this play was performed at the MN State Fair in 2015 and on that marvelous day, Ifrah became the FIRST SOMALI AMERICAN ARTIST TO EVER PERFORM AT THE FAIR. Let me repeat, EV-ER.
Since then, "How to Have Fun in a Civil War" has grown into a 70 minute show, where a 7 year old Ifrah recounts her childhood memories of the 1991 Somali civil war. This play counteracts violent history with humor as a young, blissful Ifrah and the lost voices of community narratives and children's stories are brought to light. Last October, she premiered this play at the Children's Theater Company for two shows. Luckily, you can catch the show this Friday and Saturday at 7 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm! Hurry, before the tickets sell out!
KID CITY is honored to have such a kind, conscious, revolutionary AND giving artist and theater maker in the midst of our talented and humble team.
Good luck this weekend Ifrah! We are all cheering you on!
For more information about the show, Ifrah's work, or how to purchase YOUR ticket, please keep reading below!
Till next time!
-Gaosong
Tickets
- Brown Paper Tickets: 1(800) 838-3006
- Facebook Event listing
- Cost: $12.99-15.00; Children under age 6 receive free admission
Ifrah Mansour is a Minnesota-based Somali multimedia artist, performer, and teacher. She uses art to bridge cultures and generations. Media coverage includes “Minneapolis Artist Sews New Somali History that Crosses Generations” by the Star Tribune, “Ifrah Mansour Explores War from a Child’s Perspective” by City Pages, “Performance and Prevention” by Minnesota Daily and “Ten Somali artists & entertainers to watch in 2015” by Okayafrica. Recent art and performance works include Somalia’s Balloon, Lablaab the Spill, Drones and Fargans, Isug, Corn for Ayayo, and A stray film.
How to Have Fun in a Civil War
Written & performed by Ifrah Mansour
Directed By Lindsey Cacich
Sound Design By Peter Morrow
Poems by Ahmed Ismail Yousuf
Contributors:
Fifteen anonymous community interviewees, and Ahmed Yusuf.
Support Team: Julia Opoti, Ayantu Ayana, Ahmed Ismail Yusuf, Leah Honsky, Deborah Girdwood and Owen Bradford
- Best enjoyed by ages 6 and up
- January 6-8
- Cohen Stage, Children’s Theatre Company (note: Entrance is CTC’s STAGE DOOR)
- Runtime: Approximately 50 minutes, no intermission
Tickets
1(800) 838-3006
Cost: $12.99-15.00; Children under age 6 receive free admission
