They Live in You

They Live in You

Synopsis

For years, the Griot has shared African tales of a rich heritage with audiences throughout the world, to bridge gaps in understanding and to promote cultural diversity. The Griot strongly believes in using the past as a guide for the present, and as a tool to empower possibilities for the future. Through dialogue, rap, song, and dance, They Live in You deals with the past and present in hopes of a better future.

The play is about three storytellers, starting with the master storyteller, Griot. While at home preparing for an upcoming performance, he is interrupted by his nephew, Jamal, and his nephew's friend, J-Giggy. So begins Griot's essential journey with the young men, highlighting the lives of ancient African kings and queens to inspire Jamal and J-Giggy to pursue their highest potential and their purpose.

But J-Giggy, a 'right-now' urban legend and a storyteller in his own right, resists Griot's wisdom. He is the epitome of youthful arrogance, having little patience for ancient stories. To him, the past is just that-gone. The future is not promised and seems fleeting and unattainable, given his reality. J-Giggy clings tenaciously to today and lives as if there were no tomorrow. He looks down on Griot's talk about dead African kings and queens: "Me and my homies, my boyz, and my dawgs got knowledge of us, so don't need none of y'all's." Although he warily doles out respect for adults, he does respect someone with "skills." Eventually, he must admit that Griot, with his colorful chorus of kings and queens, certainly does have skills.

Jamal, the apprentice storyteller, is the bridge between the two generations. He appreciates his uncle's craft-the folktales, the history, and the rich possibilities that come from knowing one's heritage. But Jamal also likes J-Giggy's enthusiasm and hip-hop style and sees how the wisdom of the elders could benefit his friend. In light of this, Jamal joins Griot in pushing J-Giggy to a higher consciousness. J-Giggy eventually warms to the idea of his own greatness as he realizes that the kings and queens of ancient Africa are very much alive in him today.