“Oh Lord, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
This inspiring prayer is not only a fervent, active, and personal communication with God, acting as a direct line for guidance, strength and gratitude, but also a tool for communion with our inner spirit.
In a broader sense, Serenity is an abstract, site-specific, contemporary, devised theatre performance centered on exploring human experiences of failure and success to understand who we are, where we are going, and how to remain calm in the midst of chaos through prayer.
Subsequently, activating our inner spirit to attain our purposes in life.
The second year drama students of the University of the Free State (UFS), under the direction of Dr Obakeng Kgwazi, reminds us that in life, not everything goes our way every time.
“Still, with faith, we tend to overcome all obstacles, challenges, and tribulations we encounter, understanding that sometimes a great act of prayerful obedience is needed to connect with one’s inner spirit.
“Thus, in whatever form human tribulations are defined, it is imperative to seek equilibrium in serenity.”
The performers take spectators on a journey through loss, healing, and renewal depicted through the art of bodily movement.
The aim is to cultivate a peaceful internal state of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional freedom, for the only freedom worth having lies in the search for serenity.
The director’s posture in this theatre and performance device allows performers to communicate their thoughts and emotions about the explored theme through a particular form or content.
Within this devised performance, the Bosophytric theatre method and practice is used to afford spectators fewer words or texts of rational explanation as a form of communication.
“The audience would rather experience the immediate thoughts and emotions of the performance delivered through bodily movement, the story unfolding in space and time where it is embedded in the symbolic of eco-cosmological aspects that, from ancient times, have been and still, in contemporary times, are meant to heal the body, mind, and spirit of society.”
Serenity will be performed in the Scaena Theater on the main campus of the UFS.
Performances are scheduled for Thursday 26 March and Friday, and will commence at 18:00.
Entry costs R25 to R60, with tickets either available on webtickets.co.za or at the door.
