The show is called Mixed-Race Mixtape and Smartt says it uses Hip-Hop, theater and dance to encourages people of every background to reflect on what has shaped their identity. Created and performed by a diverse team of millennials, it’s fresh and fun while still being able to move audiences to tears.
Rapper and Hip-Hop artist Andrew “Fig” Figueroa wrote and stars in Mixed-Race Mixtape, which will be presented by William Paterson University at Shea Center for the Performing Arts, 300 Pompton Road in Wayne at 12:30 and 7 p.m. The performances are free and the public is invited.
Figueroa, through spoken word, monologue, and rap, shares experiences growing up “mixed.” A son of a white mother and a Latino father, Figueroa’s songs explore the struggle to be seen as authentic, both by himself and by others. Each song examines everyday interactions and how race affects relationships with teachers, friends, family, and police.
“Growing up as a mixed-Latino, I have struggled through many confusing, uncomfortable, and alienating experiences — never sure where I fit, even when I knew where I wanted to fit,” Figueroa said. “Media has a big influence on how we shape our identities and how we think we should identify others. This show provides positive alternative role models, and its content will start important conversations about these themes in many communities of color.”
With humor and interaction with the audience, Mixed-Race Mixtape takes on difficult topics while answering what it is like to be “ambiguously brown” and how to navigate that world and feel proud, authentic, and safe. Figueroa wrote the show as part of his senior thesis project at Hampshire College and each performance includes a “talkback” session to give audience members a chance to ask deeper questions about the performance and its themes.
Smartt, who performed at VHS under Erik Lynch, Amanda Hamilton and Max Morden in the Marching Maroon and White, Jazz Band, Chorus, is also an alumna of Hampshire College. Her company Smartt Productions also stages the nationally acclaimed solo show, MOM BABY GOD. She has worked at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Barrington Stage Company and the Five College Dance Department, and her design for theatre and dance can be seen and heard at The Club at La MaMa, Barrington Stage Company, Chester Theatre Company and Arts in Odd Places Festival in New York City.
You can watch the official trailer of Mixed-Race Mixtape here:
The Mixed-Race Mixtape tour was a success last week at William Paterson University. The performance by “Fig” was made to a full house of over 900 young students, many of whom could associate with the message of the show…life being ambiguously brown person.
Despite the disappointment of show’s cancellation in CT earlier in the week, the crew, gathered from 4 states across the country, put on their best performance for the students in NJ.