Cast: Kiebpoli Calnek, Rodney Gilbert, Pat Hall, Vernice Miller, Baraka de Soleil

Salt Chocolate is a performance work that explores themes of forgiveness and healing from a political and personal perspective. The piece was premiered in NYC at The Duke on 42nd Street in April 2004 and has toured to the Austin Arts Center at Trinity College and The Groton School in MA.

Salt Chocolate is inspired by the events of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission: a system that was established to promote forgiveness and healing among apartheid’s victims and perpetrators. The piece is largely based on The Guguletu Seven, a tragic event that took place in South Africa on March 3, 1986, in the early morning hours, when apartheid police murdered seven young black men they accused of being terrorists.

Salt Chocolate is inspired by the events of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission: a system that was established to promote forgiveness and healing among apartheid’s victims and perpetrators. The piece is largely based on The Guguletu Seven, a tragic event that took place in South Africa on March 3, 1986, in the early morning hours, when apartheid police murdered seven young black men they accused of being terrorists.

The work exposes audiences to the events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, fosters questioning about how we forgive on a personal level, and addresses the idea of what it is to speak our truths as human beings.

Salt Chocolate uses the media of movement, language, song and music, to delve into the themes and emotional worlds that arise from the actual stories of victims and perpetrators. The text is culled from the testimony of those who spoke at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The music and sound score incorporates traditional and contemporary South African songs and African-American spirituals. These sources are used to create and visceral and poetic narrative.

Salt Chocolate is conceived and directed by Gabrielle Lansner, and choreographed in collaboration with the cast, which includes internationally acclaimed choreographer and dancer Pat Hall. The designers include Dean Taucher (sets) and Jeff Croiter (lights).

FOR BOOKING INFORMATION, please contact Marcia Pendelton or Brendan Wattenberg at Walk Tall Girl Productions, 646-467-7393, marciapendelton@aol.com, brendan.wattenberg@gmail.com