Fugee, a powerful play exploring the lives of refugees and child soldiers, delves into the heartbreaking journey of Kojo.

It vividly portrays the loss of innocence and childhood, as these children are forced into a life of warfare instead of play and education.

The production’s vision focuses on showcasing the hardships faced by refugees, fostering empathy and understanding among the audience. By staging the play in the intimate upper theatre, a closer connection between the cast and the audience is established, making the experience personal and impactful.

The themes of love, family, friendship, and pain resonate throughout the performance, highlighting the deep emotional connections formed amidst adversity.

The story not only sheds light on the struggles faced by child refugees but also addresses the plight of child soldiers and the challenges they encounter. By creating awareness about these issues, Fugee aims to educate and engage the audience.

The set design utilizes a cardboard aesthetic to symbolize the rawness and constant change within the refuge. The choice of colours in the costumes, such as white, black, and blue, with accent colours of red connect characters effectively and communicates the connections and disparities among individuals and groups.

The decision to perform in the upper theatre also adds to the darkness and confinement experienced by the characters, while the actors’ involvement in moving the set emphasizes their active participation in shaping their world.

In the play, I portrayed the roles of the brother and a woman passing by. I embodied the innocence of the brother’s character, making him as fun-loving and carefree as possible, a massive impact of the story is when the brother is shot, showing his innocence before the event is of massive importance for his character.

Our performance was well-prepared a very proud piece with symbolism hidden in every scene, with effective lighting and sound cues that helped tell the story of Kojo and his life.

Reflecting on the experience, I gained valuable insights into the lives of refugees and child soldiers. I also recognized the importance of projection and movement in delivering a compelling performance.