Photo by Ahron R. Foster
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Anthropologists, a NYC-based, female-led, investigative theater company launches the world premiere of their devised play "axes, herbs and satchels." The tour begins in Jersey City at Art House on February 19-20, 2025, followed by stops in Delray Beach at Arts Garage on February 23, and Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana on March 5. The show will return to New York City in Spring 2025 with performances in the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The Anthropologists’ Artistic Director Melissa Moschitto and co-director Sandie Luna helm the ensemble of Black women and non-binary artists who shine a light on the suppressed history of Black midwives, doulas, and birthing bodies. “axes, herbs and satchels” travels across generations with storytelling, movement, southern spirituals, and ritual. “axes, herbs and satchels” is an act of reparative history, offering audiences a space for communal learning, reckoning, and healing.
“axes, herbs and satchels” was developed through extensive ethnographic research, primary sources and personal accounts to create a stunning new investigative theater piece which celebrates the traditional knowledge held in the Black birth worker community and potently examines maternal mortality. The research and development of this play was supported in part by a partnership with the American Anthropological Association, who established the first anthropologist-in-residence with the company. In 2023, the company collaborated with Dr. Haile Eshe Cole; the current anthropologist-in-residence is Nadia N. Mbonde.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, along with The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre by the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in association with The New York Foundation for the Arts.
Feedback from Developmental Presentations: "Relevant, engaging, creative, and action-inciting work is always being produced by The Anthropologists. With a team comprised of Black feminine and non-binary bodies, it is… a truly powerful work of art. There was a beauty to this draft, and the dialogue it prompted, that left me thinking for days afterward." - The Theatre Times, July 2023
"The investigative theatre troupe will work with anthropologist Dr. Haile Eshe Cole to create a play about doulas and Black motherhood." - American Theatre Magazine, March 2023
Performances take place Wednesday, February 19 at 7:30pm and Thursday, February 20 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. Art House Productions is located at 345 Marin Boulevard in Jersey City, New Jersey.
* Guidance Suggested: This event may involve material that may not be appropriate for young children.
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