Passing

’PASSING’ is an evocative portrait of the exotic, the exhausted and the exalted. Using the notion of racial passing as a catalyst
for a series of meditative movement monologues and violent confrontations, ‘PASSING’ maps two mapless bodies
engaging in a duet of interrogation, excavation and understanding.

A conversation over oceans, ‘PASSING’ is an intersection of Amrita Hepi’s hyper-visual prowess and the
ritualistic and visceral physicality of Jahra Wasasala to create an intimate and deeply magnetic work—a private sisterhood and
twisted embrace that exists between two dusky maidens—I mean—daughters of disconnection.

"So, what happens when your first language is dead?"

- Lyz Soto, Poet

Photography: Carla Zimbler. Afterglow Festival, 2016.

Photography: Jocelyn Janon. Wellesley Studios Development, 2016.

Photography: Amanda Robinson. Wellesley Studios Development, 2016.

Photography: Lucy Alcorn. Promotional photography, 2016.

Passing - development trailer

Featuring Jahra Wasasala and Amrita Hepi in development for ‘Passing’ at Critical Path Studios, Gadigal land/Sydney, Australia.

Filmed and edited by Motel Picture Company.

2016—2017 performance dates.

Next Wave Festival.

Premiere: 12- 18 May 2016, Next Wave Festival.

Northcote Town Hall, Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.

Afterglow Festival.

22 - 25 June 2016, Afterglow Festival.

PACT Theatre, Gadigal land/Sydney, Australia.

Supercell Festival.

21 February 2017, Supercell Festival.

Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Brisbane, Australia.

“Passing is a raw, brave and beautiful work by two strong women, who are extremely
talented dancers and storytellers.”
—WeekendNotes.com

“What ensues is a discovery of self and ‘other,’ of recognition of the self in the other, and of establishing difference.. This work boldly attempts to unpack the contemporary legacy of imperialist conceptions of the exotic.”
—realtime.org.au

Passing credits.

Show duration —50 Minutes

Conceived and Performed —Amrita Hepi and Jahra Wasasala
Producer —Vanessa Varghese
Music Designer —Lavern Lee
Lighting Designer —Sophie Penkethman-Young
Costume Designer / Props —Honey Long and Jesse Carey
Photographer / Promotional Imagery—Lucy Alcorn
Wellesley Studios Rehearsal Imagery —Jocelyn Janon
Wellesley Studios Rehearsal 2 Imagery —Amanda Robinson
Show Photographer —Carla Zimbler
Development Trailer —Motel Picture Company

Sponsored by / Residencies / Venue Sponsors
Residency —Critical Path, Australia
Residency —Wellesley Studios, Aotearoa
Sponsored by —Next Wave Festival, Australia
Venue Sponsor —Darwin Arts’ Speakeasy
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, Creative Partnerships Australia through MATCH and Critical Path.

Press & Media.

Weekend Notes Review—
https://www.weekendnotes.com/passing-next-wave-festival-review/
realtime Review—
https://www.realtime.org.au/next-wave-festival-the-violence-of-internalised-oppression/