Production Details

We Was Here First
We Were Here First is a thought-provoking theatrical experience that challenges historical misconceptions about race, identity, and heritage in America. The work is the latest manifestation of a project that Kristian Stovall presented at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts titled, The American Heiress: Revelations. The work delved into her journey of discovering that her colored ancestors were not all from Africa but were aboriginal to America. This exploration of identity, history, and cultural reclamation is also the foundation of Stovall’s work as the founder of The Foundation for American Indian Restoration and Education (FAIRE), an organization dedicated to uncovering and sharing the true heritage of Original Americans.

Us in the U.S.
Since 2016 US has helped the U.S.A. with the Browning of America by showcasing testimonial presentations by marginal groups and workshops to facilitate an understanding of applied theatre skills. US has produced two shows with SFIAF and is honored to be co-producing with the FAIRE Foundation this year.

Artist Biographies

Kristian Stovall
Kristian Stovall is a multidisciplinary artist and storyteller from Hayward, California. A graduate of California State University, East Bay, with a BA in Theatre, Stovall has performed in professional plays, television productions, and indie films. Her work blends performance, multimedia, and historical inquiry, centering on personal and ancestral revelations.

In September 2024, Stovall debuted The American Heiress: Revelations at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, a multimedia performance that delves into her journey of discovering that her colored ancestors were not from Africa but were, in fact, aboriginal to America. This exploration of identity, history, and cultural reclamation is also the foundation of Stovall’s work as the founder of The Foundation for American Indian Restoration and Education (FAIRE), an organization dedicated to uncovering and sharing the true heritage of Original Americans.

For her upcoming performance at SFIAF, Stovall is proud to partner with Us in the U.S., an organization focused on amplifying minority voices as part of what they call the "Browning of America." Through bold storytelling and immersive performance, she challenges historical narratives and invites audiences to reconsider what they know about American identity.