University of Michigan Flint

Africana

| Africana Studies Dept-->

Department of Africana Studies
University of Michigan-Flint
346 David M. French Hall
303 E. Kearsley Street
Flint, MI 48502-1950

Phone: (810) 762-3353
Fax: (810) 766-6719

Africana Studies Performance Group

AFA/Dan 311 African World Performance Studio

The Ashe (Axe') Performance Collective

(A Yuraba word: life-force, cosmic energy. The human power and ability to deal with challenge by life and by interaction with the spiritual world; affirmation/energy of action)

Description

Axe' Performance Collective is a multidimensional and multifaceted performance collective housed in the Department of African Studies, made up of several versatile artists whose goal is to cultivate socio/political consciousness through the performing arts. This is a diverse group of University of Michigan-Flint students who all share a love for the expressive arts of people of African descent. Rooted in rich African artistic traditions, this group combines various art forms such as drama , dance, music, mime, poetry, improvisation, among other to encourage critical thinking, constructive problem solving, and social responsibility among people of "African descent in particular and greater society in general."

Mission

As a social arm of the Department of African Studies, Axe' represents the teachings and intellectual activities espoused in the Department through performance. In addition, Axe' seeks to do the following:

serve as a mechanism for the conscious expression of the vastly diverse values and experiences of African peoples all over the world.
create a forum for collective constructive discourses on pressing social issues confronting African society such as racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, among others.
expose, celebrate and commemorate all African art-forms and aesthetic traditions.
provide a training ground for aspiring performing artists of color.

Activities

Provide consistent training in Africana performance.
Produce two on campus performances each year.
Perform at selected local and national conferences.
Create and produce a touring repertoire for the city public school system. These productions will focus on specific issues confronting Black youth; as well as will include a workshop designed to teach youth problem-solving skills through performance.
Create and produce a touring show for Department of Africana Studies' recruitment.

The Africana Performance Group information continues on the next page.