A scene from the 2013 premiere of Social Studies at the Prairie Exchange Theatre in Winnipeg. | Photo courtesy of Prairie Exchange Theatre

Social Studies, a comedy play written by Trish Cooper and presented by the Firehall Arts Centre, takes on topics that address Canadian values and culture through the story of a Sudanese refugee who is adopted by the Wilson family of Winnipeg.

Although inspired by her own family’s background, the play and the story’s reality differ from one another.

“This play was based on a real life experience. My mom invited a Sudanese refugee to live with her,” says Cooper. “Just at a time when I was moving back to Winnipeg from Toronto, and was hoping to crash at home for a few months – and was met immediately with my new African brother.”

Serious humour

Where humour and script are the norm for Cooper, she still faced challenges when writing a comedy about such an intense subject.

“My background is in sketch comedy, and everything I’ve ever written is comedy – even if it’s not that funny! But seriously, even though ‘Deng’ [the Sudanese character’s name] had an incredibly tragic past, there were immediately funny things that happened,” says Cooper. “Mostly from the awkwardness that comes out of realizing you no longer get to complain about anything, ever.”

There are very serious elements in her play and she didn’t want to undermine them. Yet she chose comedy, as it can be one of the most effective ways of making people think and see themselves.

“I didn’t shy away from the comedy, but I didn’t want to make ‘jokes’; and my biggest fear was that it would seem like I was making fun of refugees,” says Cooper, on why she decided to broach such a deep topic as a subject for a play in the form of a comedy.

Because of the contrast in themes, Cooper personally had to fight against many contradictions while writing Social Studies.

“My instinct, in real life, is to diffuse a heavy or awkward moment with comedy or jokes,” says Cooper. “So I was always fighting that instinct.”

The creation of Social Studies began in 2006 and was completed in 2013.

“This was before so many refugees lost their health care and so few were allowed into Canada,” says Cooper. “Things got much worse for refugees since this play was written.”

Praise from the public

Playwright Trish Cooper. | Photo courtesy of Teresa Trovato

Audience appreciation and regard for the play is also important to the play’s author.

“I love that people were arguing in the lobby about whether Val (the mom) was justified, or Jackie (the daughter) was racist, or Deng is taking advantage of this nice family,” says Cooper. “People had very different reactions based on their own perspectives, which is great.”

Social Studies addresses many larger themes while telling a singular story. It is about one family only, stresses the playwright. It isn’t about stereotyping refugees or Canadians.

“It’s a story about a somewhat typical Canadian family, and we can all ask ourselves what would I do? How would I behave? It’s easy to know right and wrong, until you have to step up and actually do the right thing,” says Cooper.

Social Studies is a show many people have put a large amount of work into, and has received high praise from CBC, Winnipeg Free Press and CBC Manitoba Scene.

“I hope the play gives audiences the chance to learn and talk about these issues, but also just experience a great night of theatre,” says Cooper.

For more information, please visit www.firehallartscentre.ca