Complacency of Silence: Darfur

Complacency of Silence: Darfur, an original theatrical play produced by Gitana Productions, Inc. of St. Louis, will use the power of theatre, music and dance to put a face on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Gitana Productions, Inc. will present nine performances of Complacency of Silence: Darfur at the Saint Louis University Theatre from May 23 through June 8, 2008.

Playwright Patton Chiles has spent more than a year doing research for the play on Darfur, which has connected her with people all over the world: Dr. Samuel Totten who investigated the genocide for the United Nations; Professor Ellen Ismail in Germany; Father Gabriel Nukta in Sudan; Daoud Hari from northern Darfur; and several other people who for security’s sake, do not wish to be named. Among the first people interviewed were Brian Steidle and his sister Gretchen Steidle Wallace, authors of the book THE DEVIL CAME ON HORSEBACK, which is based on their correspondence to each other throughout Brian’s time in Darfur. The book, which exposes the ongoing tragedy in Sudan as seen through the eyes of one American witness, was made into an award-winning film in 2007.

“These are remarkably courageous people who embraced life, loved to dance and sing, work the land, and raise their sheep and goats, aspired to make a good life for themselves, family and community. At a specific moment in time, without notice, their government turned them into prey, ” Nadal said.

“Complacency of Silence: Darfur will personalize this modern-day genocide,” said Cecilia Nadal, Executive Director of Gitana Productions. “Most of us know the Darfuri people only as statistical victims. By individualizing the stories and making them real and personal,the play will give us cause to take action on behalf of our fellow men, women and children.”