Shades
2016, 2018, 2019
Harbourfront Centre
Created, Choreographed and Directed by Esie Mensah
Dora nomination for Outstanding Ensemble
An Original Production by Esie Mensah Creations
SHADES re-examines the wound that is colourism – prejudice against a person based on the fairness, or darkness of their skin colour – and how it inflicts on the Black community, specifically undoing the stitches in Mensah’s and six other dancers’ personal lives. Set against choreography and text, SHADES breaks the code of silence, compelling the audience to face how such brutality, whether on a global scale with colonization, or an offhand remark from a loved one, permeates generations.
“This production has gone through many iterations but was always led by the spiritual guidance of my ancestors. Discovering as I went along to understand how to create a dance theatre work about shadeism. I give thanks to my dancers for their bravery to realize their truth in a way I never expected it.” – Esie Mensah
