If it was co-developed with schools, is this appropriate for my kids?

This production was initially developed because students felt that prejudice and discrimination were significant issues in their communities that deserved to be explored. Teenagers will enjoy the show, but it is not recommended for those under the age of 12 due to some mature language and themes.

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Will the performance be triggering for those who have experienced discrimination?

We feel that audience members know themselves and their individual needs best—and respect that frank discussions of discrimination may be upsetting to some people. In our experience, it is often empowering and impactful to see a reflection of our own experiences in performance, and numerous individuals who have personally faced mental illness have found the production moving and insightful. Alternately, the show is intended to educate those who might have little to no understanding of the challenges many marginalized individuals or communities may face. Though the creators have been as objective as possible, the show does not claim or attempt to encompass all possible perspectives on these issues. However, the themes explored do include race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and (dis)ability.

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What is verbatim theatre?

Sometimes called ethnodrama, docudrama, or interview theatre, the term refers to any work that reconstructs and presents the precise words spoken by people interviewed about a specific topic or event. Shows like The Laramie Project and artists such as Anna Deavere Smith have popularized the technique. In The Magic in this Soul, the actors portray real people discussing their personal experiences with discrimination and prejudice—incorporating their exact words as well as emulating their tone, inflection, and body language.

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What is the Fringe?

Fringe began in 1947 when eight groups appeared uninvited to the Edinburgh International Festival and performed “on the fringe” of the main festival—in church basements, storefronts, streets and alleys. The Edinburgh Fringe is now the largest performing arts festival in the world: more than 500 companies from around the globe give thousands of performances during the 5 weeks of that festival. In the decades since, Fringe Festivals have been established throughout the world to provide an opportunity for artists to showcase their works and performances in a setting unconstrained by censorship, judgment, or the status quo. Fringe Festivals provide platforms for artists of all origins and disciplines to collaborate and share their art with each other and with the local community. 2018 is the sixth annual San Diego International Fringe Festival.

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How long is the show?

The show is approximately 1 hour long and does not have an intermission. 

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