IHRAF Festival!
60 different performances,
12 performance blocks,
One magical week!
📢 Sixth Annual 📢
International Human Rights Art Festival
December 9th - 15th, 2024
The Tank
312 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018
Tom Block, Producer
Costanza Bugiani, Assistant Producer
Jeff D’Ambrosio, Technical Director
Lova Hellberg, Stage Manager
Kevin Frech, Videographer
Robin Michals, Photographer
Andrea Alton, PR/Marketing
Tuesday, December 10, 7:00 pm
TICKETS HERE
WADE Presents: Pride Residency and Performance
WAITING / POINTING
Gesture Theater
WAITING / POINTING is about gesture and queer time. Complete with clowning, expressive masks, linguistic lessons, TERF speeches, on-hold waiting music, and big suits, this ensemble piece is a testament to trans futurity and the limits of language. POINTING: towards, away from, through, and beyond gender. WAITING: in the words of Andrea Long Chu, “to admit that … “transsexual is not identity but desire is to admit just how much of transition takes place in the waiting room of wanting things.”
Lou Sydel (he/him) is the artistic director of Gesture Theater, a trans-led movement company that connects clowning, mask, puppetry, improvisation, linguistics, and more. His curatorial work can be seen in PhysFest NYC and WestFest Top Floor. Erika Michelle Davis (they/she), Associate Director, is a clown, actor, and physical theater artist who believes in and seeks out expression of the complexities of being alive through the honest movement of the human body. Campbell Ives (they/them) is a gender non-conforming artist who aims to rupture other binaries of mind/body and human/nature, through their movement research in improvisation, and site-specificity. Theo Duclo (he/him) is a trans actor and theatre artist whose work explores the intersections of gender, dykehood, abolition, and radical Love. Lulu Munteanu (they/them), is an artist originally from Seattle, Washington. Most recently Lulu has presented the work: “Before I was an egg I was a chicken” through Greenspace’s fertile ground and Waxworks at Triskelion Arts.
Pools
John Trunfio
Pools centers around the complex relationship between communal belonging and individual identity.
John Trunfio (he/him) is a dancer, aerialist, and choreographer who graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance and Drexel University with a MS in Arts Administration and Museum Leadership. AËLÍN (he/they) is an intergalactic multidimensional extraterrestrial traveler that transmutes emotion into sonic atmospheres. Jonathan Colafrancesco (he/him) is an Italian dance artist based and freelancing in New York City. Henry Leef (they/them/he) is a movement artist and performer currently based out of Brooklyn NY, and interested in movements relationship to text, media, identity, and lineage. Teryn Trent (he/they) was born in Santa Rosa, California where he started his training at New World Ballet, he then furthered his education at Butler University (receiving a bachelor of Science in Dance Arts Administration) and is now a freelance dancer in NYC.
Fragility Cycle
Donald Lee
"Fragility Cycle" is a movement abstraction of the UN's framework for understanding fragile states transposed into a personal context. It depicts a cyclical process of crisis, rebuilding, transition, transformation, and resilience.
Donald Lee is a conceptual mover who uses his body to explore themes of damage and repair.
Do You Still Believe?
Noel Olson
Do You Still Believe? explores the parallels of the queer community and religion: if partnership is god, then the community is the church. How do we find each other in a world that has deemed us sinners, excluded? This work tells a story of interweaving characters and lovers that live in a world that exists in the liminal space between the club and the church. What takes place throughout the hours of Saturday’s night into Sunday’s morning–intimacy, exuberance, reverence.
Noel Olson (they/them) is a queer performance artist based in New York City who exists in the long legacy of trans people making art about their gender. Peter Alfred Elizalde (they/them/theirs) Multi-disciplinary dance and performance artist. On a perpetual quest to capture truth for a fleeting moment, Jules Assue (they/them) treads with tenderness, and nerve. Ava Eriksen-Oertle (they/them) is a queer, nonbinary dance artist who is living in NYC, doing collage, and frequenting farmers markets. Nyah Malone (they/she) is a multi-disciplinary artist currently based in Brooklyn, NY. Isa Segall (she/they) is a queer dance theater artist based in Brooklyn, NY, who loves her roommates cats very much.
Passed Tents
Scene 24 Productions
An unhoused person attempts to sell “affordable, available city real estate” to a successful nurse trying to downsize.
Kelly Burr (she/her) is a playwright, director and producer who is so happy to return for her second IHRAF. Emily Seibert (she/her) is an actor, singer and musician who tours the world in the name of entertaining an audience. David Macharelli (he/him), is an actor and visual artist as well as a yogi.
Catastrophe
Hattimatim-Team, Inc.
"Catastrophe" revolves around Phoebe, an international worker in a company, Astro, a young surgery resident, and Cat, who might or might not be a soft toy. When a severely stressed-out Phoebe muses about her work-related "issues" and potential impending death, Cat and Astro try to cheer her up, though in a dramatically opposite manner.
Abhisek Bhattacharya (He/Him)- Previous credits with Hattimatim-Team include “Neighbor! Neighbor!” (in Maryland and NYC) and several other Bengali plays. Didhiti Mukherjee (She/ Her)-Previous credits with Hattimatim-Team include “Neighbor! Neighbor!” (in Maryland and NYC) and several other Bengali plays. Anushila Bagchi (She/ Her)- Previous credits with Hattimatim-Team include “Neighbor! Neighbor!” in Maryland and NYC. Nabamita Pal (She/ Her)- Excited to debut with Hattimatim-Team. Sayantan Bhattacharya (He/ Him)- Previous credits with Hattimatim-Team include “Neighbor! Neighbor!” in Maryland and NYC.
Requiem for the Wretched
Robert Galinsky
In the oppressive heat of a 1987 summer day, a young woman, unraveling from the agony of having her prescribed medication withheld by her doctors, stumbles into a park. She seeks comfort in a seemingly benign hot dog vendor. The conversation begins innocently, touching on small talk, but soon the vendor’s words grow disturbing. What seemed like a moment of potential solace takes a macabre turn. TW: Requiem for the Wretched explores intense themes of mental health struggles and the play contains depictions of trauma and disturbing situations that may be unsettling for some audience members.
Robert Galinsky is a producer, actor, playwright, and director known for his Off-Broadway solo show "The Bench," his innovative teaching at the Juilliard School, and for infusing social justice themes with compelling storytelling in his work. Alexis Sade’ Sailes is a theatre artist based in New York City, a recent graduate from Stella Adler Studio of Acting and La Femis’.
You Can Untie Them The Guards Can't Stop You
Wolf Mountain Workshop, Monte D. Monteleagre
You Can Untie Them The Guards Can't Stop You is a play where you can untie them because the guards can't stop you. Like most plays, there are prizes at the end.
Monte D. Monteleagre (He/They) "Happy to be here." Chase Guthrie Knueven (He/Him) "Please, please, I need to be untied." Jimmy Kohlmann (He/Him) "The Subway Footlong Cookie for $5 is back nationwide and better than ever after popping up in select restaurants on National Cookie Day in 2022 and 2023 - it's thick, gooey and packed with chocolate chips." Katie Ploetz (She/Her) "I too am 'thick, gooey and packed with chocolate chips.'"
Today's América
Zareh Artinian, Jr.
"Today's América" pits Gen Z Congresswoman and disabled shooting survivor, América Jonze, against a Boomer career politician in a behind-the-scenes battle on Capitol Hill over legislation to curb gun violence.
Zareh Artinian, Jr (he / him) is an award-winning playwright (Shattered! An American Fairy Tale) who believes theatre can be a transformative force that fosters empathy and prompts conversations about social justice. Cast: Annie Hartkeymer* (América Jonze) (she/they) is an actor, director, and curious spirit based in New York, NY. Mark Coffin* (William G. Bowman) is a proud member of AEA, SAG/AFTRA and The Actors Center, and is represented by Dulcina Eisen and Associates. Crew: Leela S. Munsiff (Assistant to the Director) (she/they) is a Stage Manager and Singer-Songwriter known for her commitment to racial and disability justice and their community care, disability-first approach to theatre. Marci Diamond, M.P.A.,SAG-AFTRA, AEA, (Intimacy Choreographer) (she/her) is a Vermont-based IC, actor, circus artist, and educator. Andy Kasana (Stage crew) (he/him) is a student writer/filmmaker from Slovakia. Barbare Sturua (Stage crew) (she/her) is an aspiring filmmaker and writer from the Republic of Georgia. Rob Aronowitz (Fight Coordinator) (he/him) is a New York City based Performer, Director, Fight/Stunt/Intimacy Coordinator, and Certified Fight Director.
Across The Lake
Equity Library Theater of New York
An encounter on a railcar brings old memories to the surface.
Johnny Culver is a NY based writer and director, and manages the day to day activities of Equity Library Theater of New York. Regina Yeager’s NYC theatre experience includes performances in Order Up (as Daughter) by Deirdre MacNamara at Chain Theatre and has appeared in Law & Order, Season 24, as Mrs. Kingsbury. Regina is a proud SAG-AFTRA member. Sasha Henriques has appeared in musicals, short plays, and readings. She has also performed as a classically trained musician, spoken word poet, and swing dancer in New York City since 2011. While primarily an actor, Kentucky-educated Jonathan Beebe is also a trained singer and experienced writer, having written several unpublished short works throughout his career. He is also a musician, with specialties in saxophone, piano, and ukulele.
Angelic Virtues
rhys collins
Mabel prays to the Heavens above to ask if she’s allowed to be a lesbian. To her surprise, an angel answers. The play tackles homophobia and religious trauma in order to prove that being both religious and gay is perfectly okay.
Mia Vongsavang (she/her) is an actor, model, and musician, who has performed in many stage and film productions on the east coast and loves working with her talented friends on their many wonderful projects. Emily Savona (they/she) is so excited to be a part of this production with two of their friends who they admire so much! Rhys Collins (he/they) is a writer and director, excited to bring their work to the stage with their amazing friends once again.
Wednesday, December 11, 7:00 pm
TICKETS HERE
Celebration of Immigration
Excerpts from "HOME": Oceans - Ter La
Natie
Through her music, Natie aims to share the experience of being creole (mixed race) and uprooted, with authenticity and grounding, in the hope to foster more openness and belonging. Her solo set up consists of live looping her voice and violin and creating beats live with flavors of neo Soul & World music.
Natie (she/her) is a creole musician/singer-songwriter from Reunion Island, based in New York City for the past 10 yrs. After a world tour in Beyoncé & Jay-Z's band in 2018, Natie launched her solo career.
A Very Nigerian Dream
Taiwo Aloba
The play explores the trend of young Nigerians leaving their country for a better life.
Taiwo Aloba (Playwright & Director) - She/Her Taiwo Aloba is a New York-based theatermaker originally from Nigeria. Ammunikee Gomez (Actor) - He/Him Proud alum of The American Academy of Dramatic and Operation Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy, Ammunikee is an actor and singer based in New York. Obi Nwako (he/him) is a graduate of Williams College where he studied theater. Obi is an actor and improviser based in New York City.
Through
Kenneth Keng
Through is about the simple, straightforward task of going through immigration at JFK.
Kenneth Keng is a Filipino-Chinese playwright and performer who makes work about falling in love with a culture devouring their own; while they came to America to chase the Philippines’ stolen wealth, they have stayed upon realizing that behind its global cultural hegemony is a kind and generous artistic community. Goran Popovich is a Croatian multidisciplinary theater artist and award-winning choreographer currently based in NYC. Megan Hamm is an actor, puppeteer, and certified Chekhovian Teacher trained by the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. Kayla-Lyn Montanez is a proud Puerto Rican film and theater actor currently based in NYC. Danilo Zepeda is a Mexican-American actor hailing from the Texas Rio Grande Valley, currently based in NYC.
echoes
Al Evangelista
"echoes" fuses contemporary, hip-hop, and traditional Filipinx dance forms, elevated by cutting-edge motion capture technology. This dynamic performance explores themes of migration and cultural identity, weaving together the past and present in a way that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.
Al Evangelista (he/siya) is a choreographer, artist-scholar, and Assistant Professor of Dance and Comparative American Studies at Oberlin College. Nikaio Bulan Sahar Thomashow (they/he) is a mixed Jewish and Filipinx-American dancer, composer, and choreographer originally from the Adirondacks, NY. Douglas Hertz (he/him) is a composer, educator, and multi-instrumentalist based in Queens, NY. Caitlin Kane (she/they) is a director, dramaturg, and scholar whose work sits at the intersection of theater and social change and feminist, gender, and sexuality studies.
Access Denied
Between Us Theatre Co
An exploration of a situation many of us find ourselves in when a woman wants access to her destination.
Annie (She/Her) is an actress and director from Chicago.
Wednesday, December 11, 8:30 pm
TICKETS HERE
Celebration of LGBTQIA+
Turbulence
Jill Ohayon & Ryan O'Dea
Put your tray tables up and fasten your seatbelts! Turbulence is a 20-minute musical that follows three characters over the course of a flight from New Jersey to Milwaukee. Each struggling in their own way, the three characters help each other face and begin to overcome their respective fears.
Ryan O’Dea (She/Her), a professional playwright, composer, performer, sound designer, and sound engineer. Jill Ohayon (She/Her) is a Brooklyn-based Montreal-born librettist, songwriter, actor, and singer. M. L. Redstone (She/They) is a composer, lyricist, librettist, director, stage manager, and aspiring juggler based out of Northern New Jersey. Jonja Merck (He/Him) is a music director, pianist, composer, and conductor from Berlin, Germany. He holds a BA from Bard College in Jazz Piano Performance and Theater and Performance and a MFA in Musical Theater Writing Program from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Theo Austin (they/them…and pending) is a singer/songwriter with a passion for writing music and singing show tunes.
Infractions
Maddie Moayedi
Infractions is a four-part, neo-classical ballet duet featuring two female dancers that breaks gender barriers while embracing the dancers' identities. The dance challenges the restrictive gender norms of dance partnering. The music consists of four selections from Ryuichi Sakamoto's 1996 album.
Camila Govea is a Mexican ballet dancer who training professionally in the National Ballet School "Fernando Alonso" in La Havana, Cuba, and currently is a company artist with Chevalier Ballet NYC. Sabrina Stilson is a ballet dancer from Houston, Texas, who graduated from Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City, and currently is a company artist with Chevalier Ballet NYC. Maddie Moayedi is a ballet dancer and choreographer from Baltimore, Maryland who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in dance and choreography from Towson University, and currently is a company artist with Chevalier Ballet NYC.
Lucy Joseph
Farm Arts Collective
A new Farm Arts Collective performance based on the life of a 19th century gender non-conforming pioneer Lucy Ann Joseph Israel Lobdell. Directed by Mimi McGurl with contributed story and texts from the Farm Arts Collective Ensemble, author William Klaber, and historical texts by L.A. Lobdell and others. The original musical performance is in development with Jess Beveridge, Tannis Kowalchuk, Doug Rogers, Pam Arnold, Annie Hat & John Roth.
Mimi McGurl (all pronouns) is a director, dramaturg and teacher whose work addresses questions of gender and racial perception in performance. She has been working with Farm Arts Collective since its inception. Doug Rogers (he/him) is a founding member of Farm Arts Collective and our Musical Director. John Roth (he/him) is a founding member of Farm Arts Collective and our Resident Set Designer. Annie Hat (she/her) is a founding member of Farm Arts Collective and our Choir Director. Pam Arnold (she/her) is a resident musician of Farm Arts Collective. Tannis Kowalchuk (she/her) is the founding Artistic Director of Farm Arts Collective. Tannis has directed and performed in over 30 original theatre productions in the US and Canada. Jess Beveridge (she/her) is the Company Manager and founding member of Farm Arts Collective. She is a graduate of AMDA, NY and has studied and performed with various theatre companies locally and regionally.
BIG ASS SECRET
Justin Anthony Long
Florida high schooler Jimmy Short navigates first love, friendship, family, religion, and being secretly gay in this funny and heartfelt coming-of-age musical about the struggles and joys of being LGBTQ+ in a repressive world. Past trauma around the Pulse Nightclub shooting, the expansion of the “Don’t say gay” legislation and good old teenage angst stand in the way of embracing his true identity. When an unexpected queer role model emerges, Jimmy finally finds the courage to come out, take his shot at young love, say goodbye to lost time, and live an authentic life.
Justin Anthony Long is an award winning writer and performer whose work is centered around universal joy, humor, healing, catharsis, and what unites the human family.
Thursday, December 12, 7:00 pm
TICKETS HERE
Celebration of Women
Will
Zizi Majid and Logan Reed
Will is a play about the daughter of a royal family and her struggle to make a life of her own choosing.
Zizi Majid (she/him) is a playwright whose plays advocate for a shared humanity - winner of the Kumu Kahua Pacific Rim Prize for Playwriting, Zizi recently completed the Julia Miles Residency at WP Theatre and is an alumni of the Dramatist Guild Foundation Fellowship and WP Lab. zizimajid.com.
Logan Reed (he/him) is a brooklyn-based director and producer whose artistic collaborators include Zizi Majid, Julia izumi, Kate Pressman, Gabriel Vega-Weissman, & PAC NYC (to list a few). LoganReedDirector.com
Her
Groove With Me
Groove with Me is a non-profit that utilizes FREE after-school and summer dance classes to promote and encourage positive youth development among girls, ages 5-18. The piece that will be presented at IHRAF has been created in collaboration with the students to begin developing their choreographic and performer journeys. With themes specific to the experience of being a woman but especially a young girl of color, each dancer reflects and moves to their own uniqueness under the umbrella of what ties them together.
…yet again
Catherine Cabeen
…yet again is a kinetically rich dance solo that directly takes on misogyny and mansplaining. The piece opens to a recorded dialog, written by Cabeen, performed by Cabeen and Jeff Morrison. The original musical score for the work was created by Westin Portillo. Choreographed by Cabeen in 2017, the work will be performed at the 2024 IHRAF festival by the luminous Emily Ulrich.
Catherine Cabeen (she/they) is a NYC-based multi-disciplinary artist who works at the intersection of dance, gender studies, cognitive science, and witchcraft. Emily Ulrich (she/they) is an emerging dancer, model, and film maker whose work explores embodiment, agency, and identity.
Non-Advice to a Boat
Addison Vaughn
Inspired by the works of Suzan-Lori Parks and the poem “Blessing The Boats” by Lucille Cliffton, Non-Advice to a Boat is a non-linear discussion of personhood. Our main character questions how she made it this far in life. What made her strong? Is it through holding onto tradition? Is she one misstep away from becoming like her mother? Does she need to abstain from sex and love in order not to lose herself? Or does that abstaining ruin her identity? Various characters give her answers, but none seem to fit.
SABINA ARCILA (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate Latinx theatre artist and filmmaker who loves to act, write, direct, and produce. ADDISON VAUGHN (she/her) is a writer/ director, recently graduated from Southern Methodist University and a current intern at The Tank in Manhattan! DREW SCHOENHOFER (she/her) Originally from Oklahoma, Drew is a junior acting major at NYU Tisch currently studying at the Experimental Theatre Wing. RHETT GOLDMAN (he/him) is a theatre artist and filmmaker from Texas who recently directed his original play, All Delighted People, at a fringe festival in Dallas! LUCY WILSON (she/her) is an actor/pianist from Alabama and is a recent graduate of the BFA Acting program at SMU. LAUREN REEVES (she/her) is an Theatre artist and actor located here in NYC who recently graduated with a BFA from Southern Methodist University ASHER ROSS (he/ him) is an actor, musician, and creator originally from Portland, Oregon, with a BFA in theatre from Southern Methodist University and excited to be in New York!
I AM
Miranda Stück
I AM is a modern contemporary dance work revealing the reality of life with chronic illness as well as the power and growth which occurs within womanhood. Through elements of contemporary forms and street style grooves, choreographer Miranda Stück explores her personal connection to navigating life as a woman with a disability. I AM is a dance celebration of female representation in the dance world and the joy of re-connecting with our own strength.
Miranda Stück (she/her) is a professional dancer, choreographer, writer, and actor based in New York City. As a choreographer, Miranda has presented works at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, ArtxNYC Gallery, TADA! Theater, Alpha Omega Dance Theater, Craft NY and The Tank NYC, and PMT House of Dance. Miranda enjoys telling stories through dynamic movement, fusing her technical background with her love of Fosse jazz and elements of street styles. Follower her on Instagram at @mirandastuck
Thursday, December 12, 8:30 pm
TICKETS HERE
Climate Change Action
Melting
Sarah Congress (Playwright) & Emma Denson (Director)
Kettlebells, cake donuts — climate change? The first step — as rigorous as any gym training — is getting the environment on the agenda.
Becca Berlind (Steph) is a Brooklyn based actor, originally from Vermont. www.beccaberlind.com. Sarah Congress (Playwright) is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. She is DELIGHTED to be back at the Tank for the 2024 International Human Rights Festival. Emma Denson (Director) is an Alabama-born, Brooklyn based theater director who focuses on developing socially relevant new plays, and most recently the inaugural Drama League Rose Directing Fellow in London. Metri Lyons (Jay) is a Mississippi born NY based actor, and is thankful for everyone coming together to create. Khadija Bangoura (Melissa - they/she) is a Brooklyn based theatre artist and teacher with a passion for new work and arts education.
Ǝverything Okay
Madeleine Yu-Phelps
A family relocates to Mars to avoid all the problems they face on Earth. They soon realize that it is too late to outrun them as the issues faced on Earth will travel with them until they are properly addressed. TW: Mentions of mass tragedy and gun violence
Madeleine Yu-Phelps (they/them) is a writer, director, and actor studying Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater and Media at Pace University minoring in Language & Linguistics and East Asian Studies who is super grateful for this wonderful cast, creative team, and the International Human Rights Arts Festival! Jesse Ciron (she/they) is a theater fanatic, playwright, director and now stage manager with a focus on DEI in theater! Maggie Dunn (she/her) is an NYC-based director and theater artist whose work aims to transform life's mundane moments into gripping, highly theatrical experiences: MaggieKDunn.com Justin Medina (he/him) is a BFA Actor at PACE University as well as an alumnus of EPIC Theatre Ensemble and is excited to share this excellent story. Dreana Henry (she/her) is a junior Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater and Media major at Pace University, who has skilled practice in writing and acting, and absolutely loves to take the stage! Ella Bernarduci (she/her) is an NYC-based actor and writer, currently in her senior year in Pace University’s BFA Acting for Film, Television, Voiceover, and Commercial program. Instagram: @ellarain1 Mia Vongsavang (she/her) is an actor, model, and musician, who has performed in many stage and film productions on the east coast and loves working with her talented friends on their many wonderful projects. McKenna Logan (she/her) is an NYC-based actor and producer, currently honing her craft as an Acting major in International Performance Ensemble Program at Pace University.
Eroded
JCWK Dance Lab
“Eroded” is a STEAM collaboration between science, contemporary dance, original music, and physical materials. Inspired by the benefits and destructive properties of erosion and its impact on climate change, “Eroded” is a metaphor for the ruination of the surface and its ability to reveal both the positive and negative elements that lie underneath. This piece continues JCWK Dance Lab’s exploration of soil regeneration research, began in 2023.
Martin Bonk (he/him) was a street musician in New York and played in most every fire company in Berks County; his original music can be heard at martinbonk.com DR. STEPHEN J. GRIECO (he/ him) is an active composer and music educator with an earned Doctor of Musical Arts Degree, and a progressive leadership record at the executive level; his compositions have been recorded, published, and performed in Europe and throughout the United States. https://drstephengrieco.wixsite.com/ Cady Monasmith (she/her) feels that movement is a powerful way of speaking through our bodies; in addition to dancing with JCWK Dance Lab, Cady is a licensed therapist. Arielle Ridley (she/her) is a performer, teacher, and choreographer working throughout the East Coast; currently she is dance faculty at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, performs with JCWK Dance Lab and Y.u.S Artistry, freelances, and teaches multiple styles at several different dance studios. Jessica C. Warchal-King (she/her), described as a “post mod(ern) ballerina” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, is founder and director of JCWK Dance Lab, a Reading- based contemporary dance company; she has performed, taught, and presented nationally and internationally. jcwkdancelab.org
sylvia, beginning to end and onward
Lee Harrison Daniel
Sylvia sits on the shelf in the kitchen, and she watches, and she waits.
Jake Banasiewicz (he/him) is a Queens-based theatre artist who is neither here nor there, but might be applying to Juilliard. Lee Harrison Daniel (they/them) is a Brooklyn-based theatre maker writing about transformation, cosmic happenings, and the moment before. Val Ramirez (she/her) is a fine mist in the shape of a.girl — a mouth full of dirty marbles and bulbous language and prescient visions. Adriana Sorrentini (any pronouns) is a Puerto Rican multi-hyphenate artist, performer and theatre practitioner based in New York City. Ethan Williams (he/him) is a Brooklyn based actor and theatre maker with experience working in both New York’s classical theatre and new work development scenes.
Saturday, December 14, 3:00 pm
TICKETS HERE
Celebration of Human Rights I
Under My Canopy
Rachael Sage
With "Under My Canopy", Rachael Sage brings a sneak-preview of selections from her forthcoming 2025 album "Canopy" – an album devoted to the theme of inclusivity – to the IHRAF, on the heels of a whirlwind international tour. Sage has been at the forefront of the NYC indie music scene for over 25 years, having founded MPress Records to release her and many other artists’ work. Sage’s empowering lyrics and genre-crossing musical compositions have been described as “wildly expressive” by Paste Magazine and garnered listeners everywhere from Ireland to Japan. Informed by her own experiences as am survivor of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and cancer while also harnessing a seemingly unlimited amount of idealism and hope for a better future, Sage’s music takes the listener on a journey exploring our common humanity while challenging us with difficult questions and a world reimagined, where compassion reigns supreme. www.rachaelsage.com
Rachael Sage is a New York-based singer-songwriter and visual artist whose work has been described as “wildly expressive” by Paste Magazine; a 6-time Independent Music Award Winner and recipient of the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Sage has released over 20 albums and EP's of feminist, poetic folk-pop on her label, MPress Records and collaborated/shared stages with Judy Collins, Rufus Wainwright, and Ani DiFranco. Trina Hamlin (who will be accompanying Rachael Sage): Trina Hamlin is an American folk-rock singer-songwriter and harmonica genius, known for her powerful vocals and dynamic performances alongside artists like Paula Cole, Susan Werner, Duncan Sheik, and Indigo Girls.
Another Cousin’s Wedding
Alex Manaa & Vaheed Talebian
As per Arab tradition, 20-year-old Sami is visiting his hundredth family wedding – or at least that’s what it feels like. While his aunt and uncle, Marwa and Arman, attempt to help set him up with a love of his own, Sami frets over his secret coming out. Meanwhile, Marwa and Arman are worried about protecting secrets of their own.
WRITERS OF THE SHOW: Alex Manaa (she/her) is a New York based composer-lyricist, playwright, and artist; her works have been performed at Joe’s Pub, received an AMTP workshop, and been NMTC, NAMT, and AMTP Semi-Finalists, and she’s thrilled to be premiering “Another Cousin’s Wedding” with IHRAF at The Tank! Vaheed Talebian (he/they) is a queer Persian-American composer, writer, and Off-Broadway actor who has had his work produced in New York City and Virginia, is an NMTC and AMTP Semi-Finalist, and is now an official Off-Broadway composer thanks to The Tank! OTHER ARTISTS WORKING ON THIS PROJECT: Thalia Ranjbar (she/her) is a Persian-Salvadorian-Canadian screenwriter, librettist, director, and choreographer with a passion for elevating and developing stories that include voices of queer and BIPOC communities. Michael Light Oosterhout (he/him) is a composer/lyricist, music director, and playwright passionate about genre-bending, exploring the relationship between the ancient and modern worlds, and highlighting issues affecting queer youth. Jonja Merck (he/him) is a German-raised, New York-based multi-hyphenate artist, who like to create stories that are deeply personal and character-driven and is a recurring Music Assistant for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS annual benefit concert Broadway Backwards. Nour Habbash (Marwa) is a Palestinian actor based in Manhattan and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Theater from NYU Steinhardt. Recent credits include Hair (Hawaii Performing Arts Festival); IF/THEN (Gallery Players); Pippin (NYU Steinhardt); Out of Myself- Songs of Peter Foley (Peter Norton Symphony Space). Nour Habbash (Marwa) is a Palestinian actor based in Manhattan and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Theater from NYU Steinhardt. Recent credits include Hair (Hawaii Performing Arts Festival); IF/THEN (Gallery Players); Pippin (NYU Steinhardt); Out of Myself- Songs of Peter Foley (Peter Norton Symphony Space).
MOTHER EARTH, LET ME BLOOM
The Invitation Arts Collective
MOTHER EARTH, LET ME BLOOM! is a multi-layered, explosive, and metamorphic dance theater experience that centers on the euphoria, dysmorphia, and oppression of the trans and genderqueer community. This piece highlights our connections to embracing ourselves wholeheartedly with intimacy, softness and being grounded through the Earth. Through touch, visual imagery, and fluid forms of communication, we invite audiences to embrace themselves as the piece explores intimacy, space, and grace within our bodies and how to offer that love to our chosen families around us. TW: Talks of transphobia/homophobia, abstracted illusions of gender dysmorphia, and ranges of intimacy work with touch. Lighting strobes/flashes effects. Intense sound effects: white noise, sound bowls, strings, echoing reverberations, and frequencies.
Claire Wild Munley | Director (they/he) is a nonbinary, curvy, dykey, neurodivergent, interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn who focuses in producing intimate, absurdist, and whimsical new works and adaptions. Nola Powell | Choreographer (they/he/she) is a multi-talented individual who spends a lot of their time making art through modes like film, theatre, dance, and photography. The Invitation Arts Collective | PRODUCER (they/we) TIAC is a multi-disciplinary arts collective dedicated to accessibility, activism, artistry, and their respective intersections. Francesca “Fran” Cannava | COSTUME DESIGNER (she/they) is a versatile production designer who continues to work on many different productions and looks forward to many more. Essence Black | CAST (he/him) is a multifaceted recent graduate from NYU Tisch Drama. Essence is dedicated to paving spaces for Black, trans, queer, and abolitionist works through all mediums, including theatre, film, music, and dance. Julia Norton | STAGE MANAGER (she/her) is a theatre performer and dancer from Mason Gross School of the Arts. Upon graduation, they have been performing in several productions. Gaby Hernandez | CAST (she/her) is a current student at Pace University who spends a lot of her time focusing on different facets of movement and dance. Lavender/Logan Kelley | CAST & INTIMACY COORDINATOR (fae/faer, they/them) is a performer and choreographer who has trained in physical theatre and hopes to bring those talents to this production. Kristopher Jai Pruitt | CAST (they/she/he) is a current BFA Acting student at Pace University. They moved to New York from Alabama to spread awareness of representation in the arts. Danielle Aucoin | CAST (they/them) is an educator and performing that is incredibly exciting to be a part of this cast and crew! Francisco “Cisco” Morales | CAST (he/him) is a dual major in BA IPE Acting and Film and Screen Studies at Pace University, and who loves horror, movement-based theater, and bartending. AMT Tobin | SOUND DESIGNER (they/them) is a senior directing and film student at Pace University who designs on the side—much love to the cast and crew for this opportunity! Ethan Feil | LIGHTING DESIGNER (he/him) is a New York City-based lighting designer who is currently reading Feeling and Form by Susanne Langer
Wave: A Hydrofeminist Performance
WaveLab
WAVE is a multidisciplinary performance project that explores the life and history of the sea and the lives within, through the lens of hydrofeminism. By collaborating across the disciplines of theater, music, dance, and visual arts, we aim to create a narrative that travels from the present to the past, from the land to the sea.
Shaoshing Gou (she/her) Co-founder and Artistic Director of the International Asian Culture Society. Yining Cao (Vivian)(she/her) is a NYC-based, Chinese-born creative producer and performing arts manager. (vivianyiningcao.com) Jianing Song (she/her) is a female composer, conductor, pianist, and concert organizer based in Beijing and New York. Ring Yuqi Yang(they/she) is a multidisciplinary artist, performer, and clown. @ringyyang Junru Chen (she/her) is a multimedia artist and multidisciplinary designer who merges fashion design, interactive art, and technology to create immersive, multi-sensory experiences by integrating traditional art, tactile fashion elements, and innovative digital media.(website: ruchenportfoliosite.com) Yejia Sun(she/her) is a multidisciplinary dramaturg, writer and artist. (yejiasun.com)
Pas De Deux
Joshua Piper
Adaline and Landon discuss the sea and how it speaks, the trees and the tales they tale, and the dances we do to shape our future.
Joshua Piper: Joshua Piper(He/Him) is an MFA Playwriting student at Pace and is ecstatic to participate in his 3rd IHRAF. Micaela Orourke: Micaela Orourke(she/her) currently attends Wagner College for Theatre Performance where she recently directed Spring Awakening. James Thibault: James Thibault is a freshman Theatre Performance student at Wagner and is excited to be a part of IHRAF. Mackenzie Walsh: Mackenzie Walsh is a freshman Theatre Performance major at Wagner and is thrilled to be a part of IHRAF.
We Rise
Inara Arts
We Rise is a powerful and inspiring song that addresses the critical issue of domestic violence, aiming to uplift and empower women worldwide. The song's unique blend of Bengali and Sanskrit lyrics reflects the rich cultural heritage of India while delivering a universal message of resilience, strength, and hope. The production has been co-choreographed by Rebecca Brodowski and Somdatta and draws inspiration from experiences of a domestic violence survivor. "We Rise" transcends language and movement barriers with its poignant lyrics and soulful melody and its combination of classical dance form like Bharatanatyam and modern dance. Sung in both Bengali and Sanskrit, the song symbolizes the fusion of tradition and contemporary issues. The music and melody has been composed by Prattyush Banerjee. The lyrics, written by Sugata Guha (Bengali) and Neha Krishana Kumar (Sanskrit), narrate a journey from darkness to light, encapsulating the struggles and triumphs of women facing domestic violence.
Somdatta is an interdisciplinary artist trained in Bharatanatyam, and modern dance and holds a master's degree in dance/movement therapy and mental health counseling, and channels her passion for arts to vocalize oppression through the medium of movement. Rebecca Browdowski has a degree from Stockton University and specializes in ballet, modern, tap, and jazz and has been teaching technique at the community college from 2015 to 2019 choreographing pieces for the Mercer Dance Ensemble. Debaroti Chakraborti is a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer and the founder of Abhigam Performing Arts who produce choreographic works to raise awareness on social causes. Darci Erickson is a dancer and is fluent in two languages and is an entrepreneur in the field of financial literacy and financial services distribution and the theme of 'We Rise' is based on her experiences with domestic violence.
Friday, December 13, 7:00 pm
TICKETS HERE
“Human beings are members of a whole,” Dance event curated by Tina Bararian
Ünzile
Melis Yesiller
Ünzile is a powerful depiction of the harsh reality of child marriages, where human life is disregarded. This choreography draws inspiration from the story of Ünzile, a young girl forced into marriage, whose story has become a symbol in Turkey.The piece sheds light on the deep emotional and psychological consequences of these forced marriages. It follows the journey of a woman who has lost all hope, disconnected from her former self. As she reaches her breaking point, her subconscious attempts to bring her back to life, reconnecting her with the person she was before these tragic events.
Melis Yesiller (she/her) is a Turkish contemporary dancer, studying composition at the Martha Graham Dance School and was a former ballerina from Mersin State Opera and Ballet. Madeleine Lee (she/her) is a dancer with the Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, was a former member of Graham 2, and has trained at the Ailey School.
Two solos and a duet
Cecilia Whalen
"Two solos and a duet" is a suite for two women performed to three pieces by pianist Marilyn Lerner.
Cecilia Whalen (she/her) is a New York City-based dancer and choreographer originally from North Carolina. Ghislaine van den Heuvel (she/her) is a New York City-based dancer originally from the Netherlands. Natasha Schmid (she/her) is a New York City-based dancer originally from Florida.
Built On Kindness
Tina Bararian
What are the essential components for sustaining a long-term dictatorship? If you had ultimate power, what tactics would you use to maintain control? How far would you extend your atrocities, and would you be willing to take the blame? This is a satirical dance piece on Khamenei's 40 years of dictatorship in Iran. The work explores his power-play ideologies; the enemy, the IRGC, the velayat, the maddahi and population growth through a theatrical lens, using absurdity and dark humor. "A government that is built on kindness." Ali Khamenei
Tina Bararian is a dancer and choreographer based in New York City. She is the founder of TBDC and Dancers of Iran. And most of her work explores breath and surreal movement forms. (She/Her) Lorenzo is from Florence, Italy. In 2024, he graduated from the Martha Graham School, receiving the “Armgard von Bardeleben” award for excellence in Graham studies. And it is his first season with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. (He/Him) Rebecca Pelleri, born and raised in Italy, graduated from the Maria Graham's School teacher Training Program in 2023 and is a freelance dancer in New York City. (She/Her)
"It boils the water within"
Valentina Bache
Set at the edge of despair and chaos, where a psychological border is drawn by those who love opening wounds on earth. Sit a family obsessed with the state and textures of healing O’on (collective heart). Devoting their lives to figuring it out, navigating performativity/authenticity, fun and rage and all those silly insecurities that breed hatred if you keep watering them. Rabid with hope they weave beyond this reality. One in which movement cannot be militarized and everyone can defend themselves, but won't have to. Because there is no confusion left in this world, just love. Love woven from the braids of our sisters, woven into the land like mycelium still alive under this parking lot. This world waits urgently, violently still under all that blindness.
Valentina Bache is a performance and textile artist, originally from Mexico now based in Lenapehoking. Demetris Charalambous is movement artist diva from Cyprus now based in Lenapehoking. Cristina Moya-Palacios is a dancer and Choreographer from Venezuela now based in Lenapehoking. Sarahisoke is a dancer and choreographer born and based in Brooklyn Lenapehoking. Quique is a musician, sound producer and filmmaker, from the mexican diaspora in California, now based in Lenapehoking.
Friday, December 13, 8:30 pm
TICKETS HERE
IHRAF TRANSforms: Celebration of Trans Artists
Now Boarding
Ryan Hung and Charlie Meyers
During a very peculiar flight delay, Jo meets Reggie, a magical airport employee, and Tina, a wise but quirky fellow passenger. Together, they explore questions of identity, purpose, and donuts.
Ryan is an NYC-based interdisciplinary director merging image, language, and action to generate humanist stories of underrepresented voices for the stage and camera. Charlie Meyers is a trans playwright and theatre artist based in St. Louis, Missouri whose work explores love, death, identity, poetry, and interconnectedness. Małgorzata (Gosia) Jasiniak (they/he) - Jo. Originally from Kraków, Poland, Gosia is a musical theater performer, musician and aspiring director. Robert Maisonett (he/him) - Reggie. Robert Maisonett graduated with a B.A. in theater and has numerous stage and film credits. Susan O'Doherty (she/her) - Tina. Susan O’Doherty is an actor, writer, improviser, clinical psychologist, and hypnotherapist. Gigi Taillon - Sound Designer. Gigi is excited to be working as sound designer with Ryan again and with Charlie on Now Boarding.
Translucent
Boundless Theatre Company
Translucent combines striking visual elements with a powerful text to tell the story of a young Latina trans woman who is about to immigrate to a new country. This poignant solo performance is a meditation on her journey: a farewell to her before-life in a home that did not accept her, a celebration of who she is now, and a love letter embracing her transformation in the future. The play runs 20 minutes and combines multiple artistic disciplines, including theatre, movement, poetry, and installation design.
1. Flower Estefana Rios (She/Her), Actress: Flower is a Trans Chicana writer and performer based in Brooklyn, NY, whose training includes LAB's Intensive Ensemble and Breaking the Binary's Musical Theater Intensive. 2. Gylanni Carrington (They/Them), Lighting Designer: Gylanni is a queer, non-binary interdisciplinary artist from pre-gentrified Brooklyn whose work includes Unsettling (Park Avenue Armory) and A Landfill/Sacred Ground (A.R.T./New York Theatres). 3. Stephanie López (She/Her), Costume Designer: Stephanie is a costume designer and fashion styling assistant whose work includes Sweat, Two Takes: The Peony Pavilion, and assistant credits on test shoots and photoshoots for Harper's Bazaar Vietnam and Mirror Mirror. 4. Eliana Michelle Yost (She/Her), Scenic Designer: Eliana is an actress, model, stage manager, scenic designer, and costume designer whose recent credits include “La Monja Alferez” (Teatro Círculo), “Empeño de una casa” (Repertorio Español), and “LLONTOP” (Anonymous Ensemble). 5. Mariana Carreño King (She/Her), Playwright/Director: Mariana is a playwright, director and translator whose plays include Truckers (Intar Theatre; Nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Playwriting by HOLA, 2023); Tunnels (USC); Patience, Fortitude and Other Antidepressants (Intar, LATC); Sasha’s House of Love and The Red Gene (LAByrinth Barn Series); Miss 74489 (Winner, MetLife Nuestras Voces, Repertorio Español); and Ofelia’s Lovers (Mabou Mines). 6. María-Cristina Fusté (She/Her), Executive Artistic Director: María-Cristina is a lighting designer, a producer, and the founder and Executive Artistic Director of Boundless Theatre Company, a designer-led organization seeking to investigate, push and redefine the boundaries of theatrical storytelling.
Until It Gets Dark
Rush Johnston/Kaleid Dance Collective
"Until It Gets Dark," encapsulates the complex dichotomy faced by trans individuals—where darkness represents both vulnerability and freedom. While darkness can provide a cover for violence, it can also create a shield for community, safety, and expression. Until It Gets Dark is a duet facilitated by a team entirely composed of individuals who identify as trans or queer including the cast, composer, and choreographer.
Brooklyn-based artist Rush Johnston (they/them) creates at the intersection of visual and performing art, often exploring modes of artistic expression beyond the binary. Sammie Murray (they/he) is a brooklyn based drag artist, dancer, and choreographer who likes to put himself in weird shapes and do crosswords. Griffin Lockette (she/they) is a Queer New York City based interdisciplinary artist from Oahu, Hawaii who is passionate about work that explores and addresses social and political issues and highlights marginalized voices.
Unbending
Raine Grayson
A boy visits his conversion therapist for the last time.
Raine Grayson (he/him) is a NJ-based multi-genre storyteller who specializes in special action theatre and autobiographical nonfiction, with a focus on uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community. rainegrayson.com | @rainerpism. Xiaoxiao Sun (he/they) is a Chinese actor & vocalist calling NYC home for 12 years. @sxxinyc. Connor Creagan (he/him) is an actor and comedian based in New York. connorcreagan.com | @connorcreagan. Harley Putzer (she/her) is a NYC based musician, actor, and artist who is very excited to be a part of this festival making her composing debut! @harlsbarkley
Saturday, December 14, 7:00 pm
TICKETS HERE
Celebration of Human Rights II
CRIES OF THE CHILDREN
Carolyn Dorfman Dance
CRIES OF THE CHILDREN - Carolyn Dorfman Dance (1982) “The dancers function as a Greek chorus, commenting through dance on the photographs and forming a poignant counterpoint to a lost humanity.” (The New York Times) With a haunting score for cello by David Darling and powerful pre-war photographs by Roman Vishniac, Cries of the Children speaks to intergenerational trauma, memory and legacy. Here choreographer, Carolyn Dorfman, explores the feelings, fears and dreams of a child of survivors of the Holocaust. She asks, “Who are these people I did not know?”, “Was I like them?” and the repeated terrorizing question: “Would I have survived?” Danced by a multi-ethnic cast, it expands its message to the world as the intergenerational pains of yesterday remain AND the horrific actions of today will be inherited by generations to come.
Carolyn Dorfman- Founding Artistic Director/Choreographer Carolyn Dorfman Dance (CDD)- Hailed as the consummate storyteller, Dorfman is known as a creator of evocative dances that reflect her concerns about the human condition. Her interdisciplinary and intercultural approach on the stage and in the community explores the rich tapestry of human experience, tradition, and stories. Celebrating over 4 decades of Dance- CDD Tours nationally and internationally. At the heart of her company’s programming is DEPTH- Dance that Empowers People to be more Human. Dominique Dobransky (she/her) Originally from Massachusetts, Dobransky is a Belgian-American dancer who graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Ailey School/Fordham University with a B.F.A. in Dance and Creative Writing, currently in her fourth season with Carolyn Dorfman Dance. Hannah Gross (she/her) Originally from China, Gross is a Chinese-American dancer who attended Nolte Academy of Dance and received her B.F.A in Dance and B.A. in Health from University of Iowa, currently in her third season with Carolyn Dorfman Dance. Aanyse Pettiford-Chandler (she/her) Originally from New Jersey, Pettiford-Chandler is an African-American dancer who began her training in ballet, contemporary, acro, jazz, and modern, and received her BF.A. in Dance and a Minor in Africana Studies from Rutgers University, currently in her second season with Carolyn Dorfman Dance.
Divine Hotline
Steph Prizhitomsky
A young queer girl seeks out love advice from her ill equipped priest in confession.
Juan Lopez (he/him): A senior at NYU, Juan Lopez is beyond excited to make his premier at The Tank with Divine Hotline. He’s recently spent the summer in two productions at the New York Theater festival, as well as the Act One: One Act Festival. Duality, his senior project and a short-film he’s helming, is set to be released this spring. Sabina Gaudiano: Sabina (she/they) is beyond stoked to be a part of ‘Divine Hotline’ at The Tank. When Sabina isn’t throwing herself into her creative endeavors, you can find her holed up in her room reading fantasy novels and playing Stardew Valley. They would like to thank Steph for trusting them with this story enough to cast them on-the-spot after seeing them perform as Lesbian Rivers Cuomo in a gender-bent Weezer music video for school. Steph Prizhitomsky (she/her): Steph Prizhitomsky is a director/screenwriter/playwright studying film at NYU. Her work has been featured at Marvels of Media at the Museum of the Moving Image and has won best of fest and audience choice at the Academy Art Museum's 48 hour race. Onstage, she is a winner of this year's Young Playwrights Festival.
Waterslides in the Middle East
Steve Kronovet
DECEMBER, 2001. A stockbroker, at the end of his rope, proposes a plan for peace in the Middle East.
p u r p l e f l a m e
BodyStories: Teresa Fellion Dance
p u r p l e f l a m e explores the strength of human resilience through the perspective of an individual and of a community more broadly. It specifically explores the challenge of navigating personal health challenges and navigating the journey of finding strength and adaptability within times of vulnerability. Fluidity and buoyancy act as thematic anchoring points as dancers allow themselves to fall freely through space. The work investigates personal intuition and group support, illustrating the depth and complexity of each person's lived experiences and state of being.
Teresa Fellion (she/they) (Artistic Director): Teresa Fellion founded BodyStories: Teresa Fellion Dance in 2011, after working as an independent choreographer since 2004. She has received Choreographic Fellowships from NYS Dance Force Choreographers Initiative, SummerStages Dance Festival and ICA Boston, and an American Dance Guild Fellowship for Jacob’s Pillow’s Choreographers’ Lab. Teresa has received grants from National Endowment for the Arts Window Award, O’Donnell Green Foundation for Music & Dance, LMCC, LMCC 2023 SU Casa, Brooklyn Arts Council Community Arts Fund Grant, NY Community Trust, ITE-Inception to Exhibition, MANA Arts/Armitage Gone!, Mount Tremper Arts, Field FAR Space. Emanuele Fiore (he/him) (Company Member) has been chosen to perform with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Mauro Bigonzetti's Festa Barocca at New York City Center. He got the chance to be a member of the Ailey Student Performance Group and he graduated in May 2023. Gracen Nelson (she/her) (Company Member): Gracen Nelson (she/her) is a performer, choreographer, and teacher, originally from Charleston, SC. She taught on faculty and formerly assisted at Intrigue Dance Convention, where she further developed her choreographic voice. Gracen has received numerous choreography awards throughout the years and was named 2020 Choreographer of the Year at Intrigue. Natalia Sanchez (she/they) (Company Member) is a visual and movement artist that plays with dance, photography, and graphic design. She has worked with artists Raul Contreras, Cesar Brodermann, Stanzi Vaubel, Catherine Correa, amongst others and has presented both on stage and film work at Universidad de Monterrey Theater, Triskelion Arts, Emelin Theater, and KNJ Theater to mention a few. Arianna Stendardo (she/her) (Company Member) Upon graduating in 2019, Stendardo took flight to New York City, where she studied and graduated from The Ailey School’s Professional Division Certificate Program with new knowledge and understanding of the world of modern dance. She has had the pleasure of working with such choreographers and directors as Sue Samuels, Nathan Trice, Simona Rodano, Hollie Wright, Paul Gamble, Tiffany Carson, and more.
The Blackbird Trilogy
Lindsey Wilson
The Blackbird Trilogy*, a compelling musical endeavor I have created, which captures the profound struggle for true freedom in America through three original songs written and performed by Lindsey Wilson and Human Hearts Trio: Piece of Pie, There's More To Being Free and Stand For the People. Directed by Rhonda Hansome.
1. **Rhonda Hansom** is an American stand-up comedian, writer, director, and actress known for her sharp wit and engaging performances. 2. **Roetta Collins** is an actor, writer, and producer celebrated for her innovative comedy web series that blend humor with poignant storytelling. 3. **Reggie Sylvester** was the drummer for the early Black Rock Coalition in the mid-1980s and is recognized for his contributions to the BRC Orchestra. 4. **Michael Trotman** is a talented multi-instrumentalist and composer based in New York City, known for his eclectic style and musical versatility. 5. **Violizzy** is a dynamic fiddler, singer, and songwriter who plays in various bands, including Bluestone 739, The Val Kinzler Band, and Steven Blane. 6. **Barry Kornhauser** is a popular cellist from Brooklyn who captivates audiences by performing with diverse artists throughout NYC. 7. **Frances Lozada** began her career as a professional Mambo/Salsa dancer and has since transitioned to exploring various artistic endeavors. 8. **Marcela Penalva** is a dedicated mother and wife who also shines as a talented jazz guitarist, infusing her music with passion and emotion. 9. **Bassikk** is a bold beat maker and funk mistress renowned for her electrifying sound that pushes the boundaries of contemporary music.
Sunday, December 15, 3:00 pm
TICKETS HERE
What to do? An afternoon of dance curated by Charly Santagado
The Wetting of 12pm.
Lucienne Parker
The Wetting of 12pm utilizes text surrounding bodily autonomy and reproduction, as well as physicality's derived from feminist punk rock movements. These ideas meet to confuse and re-contextualize how we understand femme bodies in rigor and creation.
Lucienne Parker (She/Her) is a Brooklyn based dancer, writer, and creator originally from Hudson Valley, NY. Her work is interested in meshing different mediums, being with unfamiliar environments, and teasing the lines of performance. Luna Rous (she her) is a Belgian performance artist based between Antwerp and Philadelphia. In her personal practice, feels an urgency to weave a bridge between thought and art through movement, writing and scorebuilding. Meg Hasou (All Pronouns) is a Philadelphia-based performer and creator working with movement, videography, installation, and sound. Nailah Murray (she/her) is a Philadelphia based mover and maker. Murray trained in Capoeira Angola with her father, Contramestre Chicago, throughout her childhood and adolescence. Lena Solomon (She/Her) is a dance artist originally from Florissant, Missouri, and is now bases in NYC. Lena is one of the 2024 recipient of the Barbra Ensley Award
Maybe We're Trash
ReFrame Dance Theatre. Nathan Forster & Michelle Lukac
Nathan Forster (He/Him) is a CA-Born-Jersey-Strong dance theatre choreographer who believes in the pluripotency of dance theatre and innate joy of dancing. Michelle Lukach is a New Jersey-based dancer and choreographer who seeks to create movement that brings joy to dancers and audience members alike.
Nathan Forster (He/Him) is a CA-Born-Jersey-Strong dance theatre choreographer who believes in the pluripotency of dance theatre and innate joy of dancing. Michelle Lukach is a New Jersey-based dancer and choreographer who seeks to create movement that brings joy to dancers and audience members alike.
pussys beat, I say to you, Amen O Lord.
VERBAL ANIMAL. Lavy and Christian Warner
pussys beat, I say to you, Amen O Lord is an durational interdisciplinary activation of two bodies within the act of undoing. Through bearing witness to a failed facade we confront ourselves in a cataclysmic and shape shifting container; withstanding the weight of revelation in all its intensity. This is violent. It is sensual. We are exhausted.
Christian Warner (he/they) is an interdisciplinary performer, creator, and director with an impetus in contributing to narrative based theater. Lavy (he/they) is a gender queer, interdisciplinary choreographer, dancer, and DJ; creating vulnerable, expressive, and fantastical narratives of deep self inquiry.
Hearsay
IMGE Dance
"Hearsay" is a mixed repertoire dance piece exploring how information is passed down through society. Through IMGE's signature powerful body language, rhythmic footwork, and colorful imagery, the pieces examine the dynamics of gossip, gender norms, and societal rules. This performance invites audiences to reflect on the complex ways we receive, interpret, and transmit information that shapes our understanding of the world.
IMGE Dance (”image”) is an American dance company that unravels traditional forms from Indian and American classical, folk, street styles, and contemporary to reinvent how movement connects our experiences.
Sunday, December 15, 7:00 pm
TICKETS HERE
Ten Minute Performance Festival
Musings of an International Student
Pritha Mukherji
A collection of 3 poems that highlight the struggles of an International Student in New York and emphasize the importance of words and speaking out against injustice.
A singer and poetess pursuing a Masters degree in Media Culture and Communication at NYU Steinhardt.
Heirloom
Tova Hopemark
Tova Hopemark unpacks family heirlooms.
Lee Hannah Conrads (she/they) is an LA-based theater director, dramaturg, and producer whose productions ask big questions, wrestle with paradox, and stage impossible things. Tova Hopemark (she/her) is an actor, writer, and filmmaker who loves using humor to destigmatize experiences that carry shame.
You Have Arrived
Little Shadow Productions
You Have Arrived," is a one-person show that brings the pressing issues of climate change and climate refugees to life without uttering a single word. Through the mesmerizing medium of a dynamic large-scale pop-up book and simple yet visually captivating puppetry, the show invites us to experience the profound transformation of our landscapes, echoing the silent yet powerful stories of displacement and resilience happening throughout the globe. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of traditional Iranian visual arts and music, "You Have Arrived" weaves a narrative that is both timeless and urgently contemporary.
Jean Marie Keevins ( She/Her/ Hers) is a New York-based puppeteer, producer, writer, and designer who has coordinated puppet builds for major productions like The Muppets, Avenue Q, and Disney on Ice's "Finding Nemo," and holds a BA in Theater Studies with a concentration in Puppet Arts from the University of Connecticut. Neda Izadi (She/ Her/Hers) is a Boston-based puppeteer, director, and human rights activist who has directed major productions with themes of human rights, such as After Dawn (2020) and The Journey of Memories (2024). She holds an M.F.A. in Dramatic Arts with a focus on puppetry from the University of Connecticut and is currently a Ph.D. student in Art Education at Florida State University. Arash Azizi (He/Him/His) is a Tehran-based musician who has composed music for numerous international productions, specializing in traditional Iranian music. Shiva Abadi (She/Her/Hers) is an art manager and puppet fabricator based in Los Angeles, with extensive experience in gallery management and art administration. Holding an MA in Arts Management from Sotheby's Institute of Art, her work spans various creative industries, where she combines her passion for art and creativity to bring unique projects to life.
Behind Closed Doors
Saidharshana Dhantu
This 12-minute production begins with the exhausting reality of caring for a sick loved one—acting as a full-time caregiver to keep them alive, coordinating treatments, scheduling doctor’s appointments, dealing with insurance companies, filling countless prescriptions, cleaning commodes, and administering IV medications. They question whether it’s selfish to want the burden to end and struggle with feelings of imposter syndrome, believing they may not deserve any attention because their loved one’s needs are more important. Around 44 million Americans, aged 18 and older, provide unpaid care and support to elderly adults and individuals with disabilities within their communities.
Saidharshana Dhantu, a dedicated Bharatanatyam dancer for over 16 years, completed her Arangetram at age 12 and has since used the art form not only to promote mental and physical well-being but also as a powerful platform for social justice advocacy, blending tradition with purpose to raise awareness on health disparities and cultural inclusivity while earning accolades in national and international competitions.
Moonlight Becomes You
Jaymie Bellous
Set in a haunted Provincetown bed & breakfast, Moonlight Becomes You tells the story of a young lesbian couple who come seeking the mystery of a woman in white rumored to haunt the place. As they unravel the truth behind the legend, they discover a lighthearted take on the resilience of the queer trailblazers who came before us.
Jaymie Bellous (he/him) is a playwright, producer, and arts administrator who has performed on stages across the country, both as himself and as his drag persona Gina Tonic; his play Coming and Going premiered at this year's Fresh Fruit Festival. Lindsey Alterman is a New York-based director and dramaturg with an MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School, and recent credits include Why (Nuworks Theatre Festival) and The Laramie Project (ASDS Repertory Season). Grace Sword is a New York based actor who is thrilled to be working on yet another queer loving project, her most recent credits including Sam Thompson(TFATOATD) and Nim (Someone Has To Die). @gracesword SAG-AFTRA Webb Sweeney Murphy Talent. Alexa Passante, a recent MFA Acting graduate from the Actors Studio Drama School and represented by Gregory Alexander (Alexander Mgmt), is very thankful and excited to be part of this amazing play and festival.
Skin Deep
sarAika movement collective
"Skin Deep" encapsulates the idea that creativity can be a potent instrument for advancing justice. This contemporary dance duet, performed and choreographed by Sara Pizzi and Aika Takeshima, both queer immigrant artists and founders of the sarAika movement collective, endeavors to bring to life themes encompassing immigration and LGBTQIA. The work communicates the profound isolation experienced by individuals unable to authentically express themselves; it resembles an acute form of aloneness that imparts a sensation of being "flung out of space". When intimacy is ultimately achieved, it is tinged with a sense of loss. This imbues the apparently simple question of "What do these women see in each other?"
Founded by Aika Takeshima(she/her from Japan) and Sara Pizzi( she/her from Italy), immigrants and queer women in New York- sarAika movement collective advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the dance ecosystem.
*These actors are members of Actors’ Equity and appear in this Equity-approved Showcase courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.
Actors Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org
