“A sweet-tempered testament to the power of story.”—The Guardian

How do we undo the un-undo-able? We let them live again.

During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, one million people were killed in one hundred days. The Book of Life is an uplifting theatrical experience blending storytelling, shadow puppetry, and  drumming, that dwells on resilience and recovery — not loss — as it explores how people contend with tragedy through a fierce and joyful assertion of life. Featuring the true story of Rwandan writer/performer/women’s rights advocate Kiki Katese and her “Book of Life”—a collection of letters written by ordinary Rwandese to the victims of the genocide — this play sheds a hopeful light on the plight of women and girls in Rwanda and the possibility of improving lives through art.

Co-created, written, and performed by Gakire Katese Odile “Kiki”
Co-created and directed by Ross Manson
Projection design by Sean Frey
Composed by Mutangana Moise
Featuring Ingoma Nshya, The Women Drummers of Rwanda

Approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes (no intermission)

PERFORMANCE TALK/Q&A
Join us immediately following the performance for a conversation with Kiki Katese.