ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Click Here to learn more about the infamous "BROWN PAPER BAG TEST"- a form of racial discrimination practiced within the African-American community in the 20th century, by comparing an individual's skin tone to the color of a brown paper bag. The test was allegedly used as a way to determine whether or not an individual could have certain privileges; only those with a skin color that matched or was lighter than a brown paper bag were allowed admission or membership privileges. The test was believed by many to be used in the 20th century by many African-American social institutions such as sororities, fraternities, and churches. The term is also used in reference to larger issues of class and social stratification within the African American population.

Click Here to listen to the "Why We Theatre" podcast episode about "School Girls: The African Mean Girls Play"

Playwright Jocelyn Bioh and experts Afia Ofori-Mensa of Princeton University and Maryann Jacob Macias of National Crittenton join host Ruthie Fierberg to explore the questions raised about the roots of colorism and how to check your own bias, beauty standards and how to advocate for broader definitions of beauty, self-esteem and how to raise girls and women to know our own self-worth in this episode tied to Off-Broadway’s Lortel-winning and Drama Desk-nominated comedy School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play.

One of the most relatable issues that the play SCHOOL GIRLS addresses is girl-against-girl bullying. While this issue has previously been viewed as a universal rite of passage for girls, Kind Campaign recognizes that girl world can and should be a kinder, safer, and more supportive place. Kind Campaign creates real change in schools and communities around the globe with their life-changing Kind Campaign Assemblies and Kind Clubs by creating a safe space for girls to connect, come together and break down the walls and cliques that are often up in school hallways. Learn more about their educational curricula by visiting www.kindcampaign.com!

In School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, the teenage characters pine to win the Miss Global Universe Pageant, 1986. In the midst of their youth and enthusiasm, these Ghanaian young women aren’t yet aware that they are entering into a system rigged against them. The beauty pageant, as we know it, was born out of the idea that being beautiful required white skin. Click Here to read more about the history of race and the beauty pageants

In School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Paulina believes that she will be considered more beautiful if her skin is lighter, which leads her to apply a dangerous bleaching cream to her skin before the pageant. Click here to learn more about how the Ghanaian beauty standards and dive even deeper into the legacy of skin bleaching by reading this article from the New York Times.

Jocelyn Bioh is a Ghanaian-American writer, playwright and actor. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in English and Theater and got her master's degree in Playwriting from Columbia University. Jocelyn's Broadway credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. She has performed in regional and off-Broadway productions of An Octoroon, Bootycandy and For Colored Girls. She has written many of her own plays that have been produced in national and collegiate theaters Click Here to learn more about playwright Jocelyn Bioh and how she uses humor and wit to explore culture in her writing.