A compelling adaptation of Kafka’s "Report to an Academy,” subtly transforming the original text into a universally relatable yet unsettling exploration of what it means to adapt as an “other” in society. This adaptation puts Red Peter the Ape in a South African context compelling him to irradiate his survival in post-apartheid existence. The fundamental structure of the story remains the container while, Red Peter’s journey presents us with an opportunity to explore, through the animal gaze, the tension between self and other.
Adapted by Phala Ookeditse from the story by Kafka
Performed by Tony Miyambo
Photos by Zivanai Matangi
ABOUT THE 2025 REHEARSAL FOR TRUTH INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL
Rehearsal for Truth International Theater Festival, honoring Václav Havel, is a showcase of contemporary European theater organized each year in New York City. Conceived in 2017 as a shared endeavor of the Václav Havel Center (VHC) and Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association (BBLA), the festival honors the legacy of Czech playwright, dissident and political thinker Vaclav Havel.
Each edition of Rehearsal for Truth Theater Festival addresses current sociopolitical trends in Central and Eastern Europe, offering New York audiences a unique opportunity to witness the region’s theatrical zeitgeist.
The program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. The festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.