Theater Scene: Being Chaka

by Christopher "Caz" Caswell

One of humankind’s greatest gifts, self-awareness, is also one of its most troublesome attributes. When we observe ourselves, we observe others, and upon inevitable comparison we find differences; these differences provide fertile ground for fear and judgment. Racism is just one of those results; it is as old as the world itself yet it continues to be a fresh and persistent stain in modern times. Fortunately, the arts is just one avenue providing a balancing voice, and the world premiere of TÉA Artistry’s Being Chaka at the New Ohio Theatre raises three such voices from playwrights Tara Amber, Chuk Obasi, and Nalini Sharma.