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Rites and Reason

Rites and Reason Theatre is a research and developmental theatre housed in the Department of Africana Studies. The theatre is dedicated to giving voice to the diverse cultural expressions of the New World. Rites and Reason primarily develops the works of Black playwrights who explore the vast Africana experience. Rites and Reason works in its unique Research-to-Performance Method (RPM) of developing new works for the American theatre. The RPM is a rational and systematic process that organizes teams of artists, scholars and researchers in the scholarly and creative development of new theatrical performances. These RPM teams engage in direct dialogue with the community throughout the developmental process from ideas to readings to workshops to mainstage productions.

The Rites and Reason method includes the development of innovative theatrical forms rooted in cultural traditions and expressions. Within Africana cultural traditions art is a creative manifestation of thought and culture. As such, Rites and Reason trains writers, directors and actors in the process of identifying specific intellectual and cultural traditions and rituals, translating them into theatrical forms.

For more on the many opportunities to become involved: write, perform, design, create, direct, visit the Rites and Reason Theatre website.

 

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