The Pan-African Studies department’s African Community Theater is showing “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf,” a “choreopoem” about obstacles African-American women go through in every stage of life.

Pan-African studies in house director, Terrence Spivey, directed the production by poet, playwright and novelist Ntozake Shange.

The production was first produced in New York City in 1975 and made its Broadway debut in 1976, according to the African Community Theater homepage. It includes 20 poems about and performed by black women. Poems are accompanied by music and dance. Tyler Perry later adapted “For Colored Girls”  as a screenplay in 2010.

Spivey joined the African Community Theater as its director-in-residence last year. Since 2003, he has been the artistic director of the Karamu House, a performing arts center in Cleveland.

The production will continue showing next week in the African Community Theater. Tickets are $10 at the door for the general public. Admission is free for Kent State students with college identification.

Show times

Thursday, April 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. (matinee), doors open at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. doors open at 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. (matinee), doors open at 1:30 p.m.

Contact Kara Taylor at [email protected].