The timelessness of Ntokzake Shange's play, for colored girls

for colored girls... (its full name is for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf) was written by Ntokzake Shange and it debuted in New York more than 40 years ago. At the time, it was only the second play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway, and it didn't make it there by being easy. 

It's full of difficult topics like race, sexual assault and violence, and it brought a fusion of poetry, dance and song to the stage. The play is now back onstage in Toronto and is being directed by award-winning playwright, actor and director Djanet Sears.

Sears' previous works include Harlem Duet, Double Trouble and The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God. Today, Sears joins guest host Ali Hassan in the studio to discuss her latest project.

for colored girls... is onstage at Toronto's Soulpepper Theatre until June 3. For more information, head over to the theatre's website.

— Produced by Dawna Dingwall