MUNITY CAMPAIGNS
EMOTIONAL CREATURE
THE SECRET LIFE OF GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD
ran for 12 days in Johannesburg—18 July to 30 July—and 10 days in Cape Town—6 August to
16 August 2014. Two campus locations were chosen to engage students proactively—the University of
Johannesburg Arts Center and the Baxter Theatre at the University of Cape Town.
A cast of six South African girls performed to sold out audiences. The impact the show had on them was profound,
as they each found their own power and a deep connection
with one another and their audiences. The cast included: Lara Lipschitz, Barileng Malebye, Vuyelwa Maluleke,
Ratanang Mogotsi, Zakeeya Patel, Karabo Tshikube.
The performances themselves allowed educators an opportunity to sit with their students and hear the comments and
questions they asked at the post-show talkbacks with the cast. Every educator received copies of the
book and access to the curriculum so that in-classroom conversations could continue.
Morning shows were dedicated to schools. Outreach began in the months leading up to the production
to engage teachers and principals and allow them time to make plans to send their students. Over the
course of the six morning shows in Johannesburg, 12 highs schools from around Johannesburg and
Soweto attended, enabling over 2000 youth to see the show. In Cape Town, 21 schools and youth organizations attended seven morning shows and a number of evening shows with over 1000 youth seeing
the show. A wonderful group called the G16, made up of the top sixteen Grade 12 pupils from Groenvlei
High School, attended opening night in Cape Town. On-campus marketing and activation by Student
Village brought an additional 150 college students to shows in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. Over
3000 students and youth attended performances.
One of the cast members, Karabo Tshikube, who has been active in the V-Girls movement in South Africa
since the first workshop of Emotional Creature there in 2011, stepped into the role of One Billion Rising
Youth Coordinator for 2015.
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