“Om Mission is more than a performance. It's an act of historical recovery and communal celebration.” - Emmanual-audience member
Om Mission is a two person multi-media show exploring the parallels between the lives of the performers and those of Gladys Bentley, a Black drag artist of the Harlem Renaissance, and other notable lesbians. Video clips, humor, original songs, storytelling, the sounds of the sitar and incredible vocals create an immersive experience, a sweet love story and a taste of Black Chicago history.
During our nine show run, we were especially struck by the way our stories resonated with the young people in the audience, gay and straight. They stayed around after the performance, eager to share their reactions and experiences with us. This has led us to the idea of residencies, during which, we could: hold storytelling workshops; present the performance of Om Mission; and then have story sharing sessions with students and community members, providing a safe space to explore queer experiences and perspectives.
Black lesbian representation is about recognition, respect, and the importance of fostering an inclusive world where all individuals can be seen and heard in our authentic selves.