When I heard that 3 Innocents and A Spirit was a play that uses the 'art of mime' to depict 700 years of history, I truly didn't know what to expect. How could three people display the Haitian Revolution in one hour without using words? Truth... the group didn't need to use words. Every facial expression, gesture, and body movement took me on a journey back in time to the sacred land of Haiti. Each player used pure passion to bring the characters to life.
But what did it all mean? Why did these people travel so far to tell me this story? The Memory Village, along with the play, was created to help us all remember... remember where we came from and the many who died for our freedom. They talked about how our history has the power to heal wombs. Why did we forget?
In the play, the African character wore a lock on his head. This represented the lock placed on our minds. We were told to forget, where we came from. The locks and chains are as real today as they were 400 years ago. So where is the key? Should we follow the trail of blood back in time? Or do we say goodbye to the past and welcome the future. Will our children ever understand infinite possibilities or be bound by the past?
This play left an imprint on my heart, it was heartbreakingly authentic and breathtakingly sincere. I look forward to visiting the Memory Village and my new friends in Haiti. I hope the group comes back to Kansas City again.
Go back... find your key and unlock the future.