Rattlestick Theater and New York Theatre Salon proudly announced the fourth edition of Global Forms Theater Festival (GFTF) – an eleven-day celebration filled with workshop productions, readings, online panel discussions, and more. The festival, which showcases and supports the works of immigrant theater artists living in the United States, explores humanity, freedom, home, and isolationism through a multicultural lens. Since the inception of the festival in 2020, Rattlestick has partnered with over 300 artists from over 40 countries. The theme of this year’s festival is Green Theater exploring sustainable theater practice. All events are free to attend and open to the public.
“Green theater is not just a trend, it is a responsibility. As global citizens, we must recognize the impact our actions have on the planet and take steps toward sustainable practices. Through the power of art, we can inspire change and create a better future for all. Let us be better tenants on earth, not just for ourselves, but for generations to come. This year’s festival provides an excellent opportunity for immigrant artists to share their unique perspectives on the topic.” – Yue Liu, Lead Producer Global Forms Theater Festival.
In 2020, Rattlestick and New York Theatre Salon formed the Global Forms Theater Festival, designed to meet urgent, specific needs of immigrant artists during the pandemic. Rattlestick’s mission – to produce ambitious plays that inspire empathy and provoke conversation that will lead to positive social change – asks that we foster dialogue and produce work addressing the difficulties faced by immigrant artists, who are often ineligible for funding and are vastly underrepresented on New York’s stages. Immigrant artists face the extraordinarily time-intensive and expensive task of applying for artist visas, and the Global Forms Theater Festival provides important paid production opportunities to showcase these applications. The Global Forms Theater Festival is made possible by the Ford Foundation and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
The Global Forms Theater Festival consists of these four (4) key programming sections:
(1) Global Stage – (Workshop Productions)
This year’s Global Stage features workshop productions of The Discarded – by Tianding He (China), The Sacrifice of Cassamba Becker – by João Victor Toledo (Brazil), and Steppe – By Masha Makutonina (Ukraine).
(2) Global Learn – (Knowledge-sharing sessions)
Global Learn is a series of three virtual Knowledge-Sharing Sessions curated around this year’s GFTF theme, Green Theater. Presented over Zoom, these educational workshops will be delivered by a range of immigrant artists from all over the world, exploring the intersections of design, movement, and healing through a climate lens. Curated by immigrant artist and producer James Clements (Scotland), these workshops are designed to inform, excite, and connect.
(3) Global Share – (Artist video series)
Global Share presents a series of artist-made videos that showcase distinctive aspects of their cultures. These videos both celebrate cultural practices and incorporate this year’s environmental theme. Curated by immigrant artist Dorothea Gloria (Philippines).
(4) Global Gab – (Panel discussions)
Global Gab is a virtual, cross-cultural conversation series. Currently in its 3rd season at Rattlestick, Global Gab continues to bring relevant and thought-provoking conversations to the immigrant artist community. This series is curated and hosted by Jody Doo (Singapore.)
Tickets are free. Advanced booking for Rattlestick patrons begins may 1st. Public on sale begins may 5th.
For more information and dates, see:
www.rattlestick.org
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