The Women of Color Leadership Network at the University of Massachusetts will perform an original theater production examining the juncture and formation of social identities, racism, sexism and other social issues this Thursday and Friday.

The group will put on its award-winning “Body Politics 2011” show April 7 and 8 at 6:30 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium.

According to a Monday release from the UMass Office of News and Media Relations, the network, a part of the campus’ Everywoman’s Center, will address a variety of social, personal and cultural issues in the serious – but sometimes comical – performance.

Among the societal forces the group will deal with are “the intersectionality of social identities, cultural appropriation, discrimination and racism, manifestations of internalized oppression, sexuality, violence” and “feelings around body image, hair texture, skin color and self esteem,” according to the release.

The network will deal with these issues in an academically legitimate manner, but will also provide room for some “wisdom and humor,” the release states.

Feeling positive and proud will also be among the show’s motifs.

“Sisterhood, pride, courage and resistance are woven throughout the tapestry of this production,” the release states.

The performers will be 12 women of color who came together in the fall semester to relate their own personal narratives “through storytelling, creative writing and improvisation and dance.” Their work ultimately led to “Body Politics 2011.”

“Body Politics” has been facilitated by Social Justice Education Program doctoral candidate Andrea Dre Dominique, with local theater artist Celia Hilson serving as artistic director.

Both nights of the performance are free and open to the public.

– Collegian News Staff