Learn about South African music, theatre, and dance in the new millennium. A generation of young artists bring distinctive voices to a newly integrated society. Organizations like the Market Theatre, Cape Town Opera, and the National Arts Festival present works which express the hopes, visions, and challenges of a new democracy.

Anita Gonzalez (Ph.D.) is Professor of Theatre and Drama at University of Michigan. Her research anpublication interests are in global theatre and ethnic studies. She also directs and writes for the theatre. Dr. Gonzalez has authored two books: “Afro-Mexico: Dancing Between Myth and Reality” (2010) and “Jarocho’s Soul” (2005) that reveal the influence of African people and their cultural productions on Mexico.She also coedited the volume “Black Performance Theory” (Duke University Press 2013).

Dr. Gonzalez will present images and share stories from her recent research in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Mahkanda in this presentation.

This is the fifth in a six-lecture series. The subject is South Africa: Past, Present, and a Look Forward. The next lecture will be October 17, 2019. The title is: Innovative Disruption – A Youth Dialogue on Reforming Exclusionary Systems in South Africa.