America’s Wives
Farah Lawal Harris Playwright
Director Jared Shamberger
Billie Krishawn - Olayemi/Iyawo Louis E. Davis - Bald Eagle Karen Novack - Mallory/Iyale
Up until recently, I felt shame over having never traveled to Nigeria and not being fluent inYoruba, the language of my ancestors.Writing and developing America’s Wives proved that my American-ness doesn’t cancel out my Nigerian-ness, nor the fact that I was born Farah Lolade Iyabode Aduke Lawal: proud daughter of Mr. Habeeb Kolawole Lawal and Mrs. Beatrice Olufunmilayo Caxton-Martins Lawal, great granddaughter of Mr. Herbert Macaulay, the founder of Nigerian nationalism and grandson to Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first African Anglican bishop.To my parents and ancestors, ese gan—thank you so much—for your love, strength, and resilience. I also thank the director, actors, producers and creative team for treatingYoruba culture with reverence and breathing beautiful life into my play. To some,America feels like a loving husband, a faithful friend, and a dream worth chasing.To me,America often feels like an abusive husband who loves me some days and denies my humanity on others.Yet I stay married to him because like it or not, he is mine. Enjoy. Directing America’sWives has been a privilege. I hesitated--briefly--before accepting this job because I wasn’t sure if a man’s vision of this work would be appropriate given the subject matter. As I read and re-read the play, I accepted that like these characters, I also have a complicated and nuanced relationship with America.As a Black gay man,America has not always embraced me and treated me with care and yet I stay, because...where else would I go?Where else would I have the opportunities I’ve been afforded?Where else could I live my life exactly the way I choose? America is a land of success and a land of hardship; it is this dichotomy that many of us live and struggle with everyday.The cast and I had wonderful and enlightening conversations throughout the rehearsal process about how we relate to each other and how we see ourselves as Americans.This play, like most theatre that I love, holds up a mirror and asks “so now that you’ve seen yourself, what will you do differently?” It’s not a comfortable question, but I believe that discomfort is the gateway to growth. It’s ok to be uncomfortable. Farah Lawal Harris I thank the cast and production team for their wonderful work and unwavering commitment to this show.This play would not exist without Farah Lawal Harris whom I am honored to call my friend. She has found a way to make race, gender, feminism, sisterhood, greed, and patriotism funny, poetic, and relatable. Jared Shamberger
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