Oskuneru
Miami, Florida | Theatre
Adventure, History
This is the story of my ancestors, the Maroons of Suriname, and their journey to self-liberation. I wrote it to address one of slavery’s greatest crimes: cultural genocide. I aim to bridge that gap and showcase more of Black history on stage, honoring their legacy and resilience for all to see.
Oskuneru
Miami, Florida | Theatre
Adventure, History
2 Campaigns | Florida, United States
0 supporters | followers
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Goal: $5,000 for production
This is the story of my ancestors, the Maroons of Suriname, and their journey to self-liberation. I wrote it to address one of slavery’s greatest crimes: cultural genocide. I aim to bridge that gap and showcase more of Black history on stage, honoring their legacy and resilience for all to see.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Step into the World of "Oskuneru"
"Oskuneru" is a powerful fictional story inspired by the resilience of the Surinamese Maroons, created by Sefanja R. Galon during the "Black Lives Matter Summer" of 2020. This play honors a legacy of resistance and survival, celebrating rich cultural heritage through African dance, Caribbean rhythms, and Brazilian Capoeira.
What began as a Zoom reading hosted by the Black Student Union at New World School of the Arts has evolved into a live college production, workshop performances, and readings at City Theatre's Homegrown series at the Arsht Center. Now, with support from the Miami Downtown Development Authority, the Consulate of Suriname, Live Arts Miami, and the IDEA Center at MDC, we are preparing for a full-scale production in February 2025.
Immerse Yourself in the Story
"Oskuneru" follows the journey of Akosua, a 14-year-old boy and the youngest son of Chief Baa Akua, who enjoys a peaceful life in the African village of Nsuo Efie. This tranquility is shattered when white colonizers invade, forcing Akosua and his siblings to confront the harsh realities of colonialism. As Akosua grapples with loss and upheaval, he embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery, seeking his divine purpose amid chaos.
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Akosua is a stubborn, energetic boy who, despite moments of laziness and distraction, senses that life holds more promise than what he's been told.
The play also follows the lives of three other African children as they confront the brutal realities of slavery and colonialism. Each child's journey to adulthood is shaped by their unique experiences of enslavement and their relentless quest to understand their place in a changed world. Written, directed, and performed by students and recent graduates of the New World School of the Arts, this original work was created in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, honoring the legacy of the Surinamese Maroons and highlighting their resilience and cultural heritage.
A Personal Journey
"Oskuneru" is inspired by the true events of my ancestors, the Maroon people of Suriname, and follows the lives of four African children during the colonial era. Each child experiences slavery differently as they grow into adulthood. The title "Oskuneru" came to me in a dream while living in the rainforest of Suriname, where I heard it sung to me.
I wrote "Oskuneru" in the summer of 2020, a time I refer to as the "Black Lives Matter Summer." During this period, I became acutely aware of the deep injustices faced by the African diaspora for generations, particularly the cultural genocide that has erased much of our heritage. Understanding my family's ancestry helped me recognize that the narrative surrounding the African diaspora is often incomplete, primarily defined by the legacy of slavery.
This play aims to address the origins of our socio-economic and racial divides by illustrating the profound impact of cultural genocide. It seeks to make this history more tangible and relatable, moving beyond textbook excerpts to a more lived experience. I want people to recognize that although the history of the African diaspora was interrupted by slavery, it is not our origin, nor will it define our future.
— Sefanja R. Galon
WHAT DO WE NEED?
As the old African proverb says, "It takes a village," and our project is no different. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with Governor Ron DeSantis's $32 million reduction in state arts funding from Florida's 2025 budget, has strained many sectors, including the arts, making it increasingly challenging to raise funds. That's why we are asking for your help to reach our goal. The funds raised will go directly toward producing "Oskuneru."
Goal: $5,000
Cast and Crew: While we have received donations of supplies and time, we need to compensate individuals for their talent and effort; therefore $3,000 will be allocated for this purpose
Production: Once we have assembled our team, we need to acquire supplies and secure a workspace. This includes funding for makeup, costumes, props, instruments, and set pieces to create the world of 1700s Africa and the Guyanas. $1,000 will cover these essential costs.
Music Design: "Oskuneru" is a play with music that requires a full production of the score. We want to allocate $500 for music design to develop the sound for the play, including instrumentation, hiring musicians, and sound mixing.
Event Orchestration: The final $500 will be dedicated to event orchestration, which includes renting venues, transportation, obtaining insurance, conducting onsite COVID-19 testing, and maintaining a reserve for emergencies.
Your support is vital to bringing "Oskuneru" to life.
STRETCH GOALS
Your contributions help us dream even bigger! Any funds raised beyond our goal will:
- Transform "Oskuneru" into a touring production.
- Create an official cast recording to preserve this story for future generations.
Donations are tax-deductible.
JOIN THE VILLAGE
Theatre comes alive with an audience to hear the story, so we invite you to JOIN THE VILLAGE! We need as many hands as possible to help make "Oskuneru" a success. Become part of our Oskuneru Village of supporters by pledging any amount. Your contributions will help us achieve our dreams and provide you with rewards directly from the creative team.
Follow us on Seed&Spark! If we reach 500 followers, we’ll earn products and services that will aid our production.
Connect with the Village on Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter @Oskuneru, or visit our website at Oskuneru.com.
You can also email us at [email protected].
Help us spread the word by sharing this project! Call, email, tweet, or post about it. The more people who join our cause, the better. As we always say, "IT TAKES A VILLAGE!"
BEFORE YOU GO!!!
These past few years have been a journey for all of us, and we want to express our heartfelt THANK YOU! We appreciate you taking the time to read and engage with the story we are sharing. Even if you are unable to contribute financially at this moment, we invite you to witness our journey and help spread our message to those around you.
We are excited to bring creative work into the world for people to enjoy and hope that the stories we tell resonate in the hearts of all who come to hear them. Your support, in any form, is invaluable to us.
Together, we can honor the legacy of the Surinamese Maroons and celebrate the rich cultural heritage that inspires "Oskuneru." Thank you for being part of our journey!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Production
Costs $1,000
To cover the costs of rehearsal spaces, costumes, set pieces, and props.
Event Orchestration
Costs $1,000
This will go towards the venue, transportation, and production supplies.
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a bunch of recent graduate actors from New World School of the Arts and based in Miami, Florida. We want to make our artistry accessable to the world and tell stories we that empower and embolden us. We are on a mission to breathe more life into the present and tell the stories that have been left unheard.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Step into the World of "Oskuneru"
"Oskuneru" is a powerful fictional story inspired by the resilience of the Surinamese Maroons, created by Sefanja R. Galon during the "Black Lives Matter Summer" of 2020. This play honors a legacy of resistance and survival, celebrating rich cultural heritage through African dance, Caribbean rhythms, and Brazilian Capoeira.
What began as a Zoom reading hosted by the Black Student Union at New World School of the Arts has evolved into a live college production, workshop performances, and readings at City Theatre's Homegrown series at the Arsht Center. Now, with support from the Miami Downtown Development Authority, the Consulate of Suriname, Live Arts Miami, and the IDEA Center at MDC, we are preparing for a full-scale production in February 2025.
Immerse Yourself in the Story
"Oskuneru" follows the journey of Akosua, a 14-year-old boy and the youngest son of Chief Baa Akua, who enjoys a peaceful life in the African village of Nsuo Efie. This tranquility is shattered when white colonizers invade, forcing Akosua and his siblings to confront the harsh realities of colonialism. As Akosua grapples with loss and upheaval, he embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery, seeking his divine purpose amid chaos.
Akosua is a stubborn, energetic boy who, despite moments of laziness and distraction, senses that life holds more promise than what he's been told.
The play also follows the lives of three other African children as they confront the brutal realities of slavery and colonialism. Each child's journey to adulthood is shaped by their unique experiences of enslavement and their relentless quest to understand their place in a changed world. Written, directed, and performed by students and recent graduates of the New World School of the Arts, this original work was created in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, honoring the legacy of the Surinamese Maroons and highlighting their resilience and cultural heritage.
A Personal Journey
"Oskuneru" is inspired by the true events of my ancestors, the Maroon people of Suriname, and follows the lives of four African children during the colonial era. Each child experiences slavery differently as they grow into adulthood. The title "Oskuneru" came to me in a dream while living in the rainforest of Suriname, where I heard it sung to me.
I wrote "Oskuneru" in the summer of 2020, a time I refer to as the "Black Lives Matter Summer." During this period, I became acutely aware of the deep injustices faced by the African diaspora for generations, particularly the cultural genocide that has erased much of our heritage. Understanding my family's ancestry helped me recognize that the narrative surrounding the African diaspora is often incomplete, primarily defined by the legacy of slavery.
This play aims to address the origins of our socio-economic and racial divides by illustrating the profound impact of cultural genocide. It seeks to make this history more tangible and relatable, moving beyond textbook excerpts to a more lived experience. I want people to recognize that although the history of the African diaspora was interrupted by slavery, it is not our origin, nor will it define our future.
— Sefanja R. Galon
WHAT DO WE NEED?
As the old African proverb says, "It takes a village," and our project is no different. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with Governor Ron DeSantis's $32 million reduction in state arts funding from Florida's 2025 budget, has strained many sectors, including the arts, making it increasingly challenging to raise funds. That's why we are asking for your help to reach our goal. The funds raised will go directly toward producing "Oskuneru."
Goal: $5,000
Cast and Crew: While we have received donations of supplies and time, we need to compensate individuals for their talent and effort; therefore $3,000 will be allocated for this purpose
Production: Once we have assembled our team, we need to acquire supplies and secure a workspace. This includes funding for makeup, costumes, props, instruments, and set pieces to create the world of 1700s Africa and the Guyanas. $1,000 will cover these essential costs.
Music Design: "Oskuneru" is a play with music that requires a full production of the score. We want to allocate $500 for music design to develop the sound for the play, including instrumentation, hiring musicians, and sound mixing.
Event Orchestration: The final $500 will be dedicated to event orchestration, which includes renting venues, transportation, obtaining insurance, conducting onsite COVID-19 testing, and maintaining a reserve for emergencies.
Your support is vital to bringing "Oskuneru" to life.
STRETCH GOALS
Your contributions help us dream even bigger! Any funds raised beyond our goal will:
- Transform "Oskuneru" into a touring production.
- Create an official cast recording to preserve this story for future generations.
Donations are tax-deductible.
JOIN THE VILLAGE
Theatre comes alive with an audience to hear the story, so we invite you to JOIN THE VILLAGE! We need as many hands as possible to help make "Oskuneru" a success. Become part of our Oskuneru Village of supporters by pledging any amount. Your contributions will help us achieve our dreams and provide you with rewards directly from the creative team.
Follow us on Seed&Spark! If we reach 500 followers, we’ll earn products and services that will aid our production.
Connect with the Village on Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter @Oskuneru, or visit our website at Oskuneru.com.
You can also email us at [email protected].
Help us spread the word by sharing this project! Call, email, tweet, or post about it. The more people who join our cause, the better. As we always say, "IT TAKES A VILLAGE!"
BEFORE YOU GO!!!
These past few years have been a journey for all of us, and we want to express our heartfelt THANK YOU! We appreciate you taking the time to read and engage with the story we are sharing. Even if you are unable to contribute financially at this moment, we invite you to witness our journey and help spread our message to those around you.
We are excited to bring creative work into the world for people to enjoy and hope that the stories we tell resonate in the hearts of all who come to hear them. Your support, in any form, is invaluable to us.
Together, we can honor the legacy of the Surinamese Maroons and celebrate the rich cultural heritage that inspires "Oskuneru." Thank you for being part of our journey!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Production
Costs $1,000
To cover the costs of rehearsal spaces, costumes, set pieces, and props.
Event Orchestration
Costs $1,000
This will go towards the venue, transportation, and production supplies.
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a bunch of recent graduate actors from New World School of the Arts and based in Miami, Florida. We want to make our artistry accessable to the world and tell stories we that empower and embolden us. We are on a mission to breathe more life into the present and tell the stories that have been left unheard.