New York City's International Human Rights Art Festival and The Tank Theater are thrilled to announce the the International Human Rights Art Festival’s Winterfest, January 11-13 at the Tank, 312 W. 36th Street, NYC.
The Festival will take place in the 98-seat main stage.
The evenings will include a series of carefully curated, advocacy 10-minute plays, dance and finishing on the last night with Thank You for Coming Out (TYFCO), LGBTQ improv, followed by a talk-back with actors, storytellers and TYFCO founder Dubbs Weinblatt.

Full Schedule

Wednesday, January 11, 7 pm

Rex McGregor, "Grace Finds Kel”

Director: Barry Reitman

Actors: Mark Cunningham

Victoria Freedman

A social worker wants to provide accommodation for a homeless man. But he loves his freedom.

David Taylor Little, “Admissions”

Directed by Carson Crow

Caleb is applying for student loans, but needs his brother Grant's assistance. Will their past be a barrier to them coming to some sort of agreement?

Actors: James Denzer

Mario Noto

Kelly Burr, “Three Tries”

Director: Kelly Burr

Actors: Alex: Ashley Hall

Jo: Teresa Hui

During a chance encounter on a cruise ship, Jo discovers that Alex is preparing to end their life, so Jo asks for three tries to sell the idea of continuing to live.

Pat Davis, “Four Minutes”

Director: Josh Liveright

Actors: Mom: Jane Ives

  Jacklyn: Jeanne Lauren Smith

A mother and daughter fight old and new battles at an oil pipeline valve the daughter plans to shut off.

Steven Gold, “Bella Napoli”

Director: Charles Casano

Actors: Ernest: Justin Sheppard 

Hedwig: Katherine Elliot 

Two lonely people, one cozy bench.

Joshua Piper, “10-72 Fire In Progress”

Director: Jayson Cahillane

Actors:   Angel: Anthony Chavers

              Diane: Brooke Lyn Sicignano

              Oak: Francisco D. Morales

10-72 Fire In Progress” is a short play about a few fire watch lookouts who, through their wireless radios, search for connection in the aftermath of the AIDS epidemic.

Leonard D. Goodisman, “Jamie’s Protest”

Director: Monica Hoyt

Actors: Stan: James Santora

Ellie: Yvette Bedgood

Jamie: Kelsey Jewels

A young “African-American” feels she has to protest a painting by her white father who, with her “African-American” mother, are celebrating the painting's acceptance so the family is caught in a microcosm of a divisive world: a sensitive painterly ode to Jamie's mother or  stolen ideas and images that don’t belong to his race.

Thursday, January 12, 7 pm

Aalokam Bharatnatyam Dance, “Kali”

Choreographer: Bharathi Penneswaran

Dancers: Mira

Sumathi

Revati

Maya

Aryana

Sahana

Kali symbolizes wholeness and healing, Kali embodies the boundless and existential freedom to be—without seeking permission. Kali is the expression of nature. Like nature, she has a destructive side as much as a benevolent one. Kali is the quintessential embodiment of shakti, the female power.

Sean Eve and Susan Moon, “Bedside Manners”

Director: Susan Moon

Actors: Kit Zauhar

Owen Campbell

In a metatheatre piece exploring loss, two separate near death experiences have brought Sam and Hana closer to the edge of something without ever meeting in real life.

Rebecca Kane, “Safe Walk”

Director: Monique Pappas-Williams

Actors: Margot: Alicia Harwell

Michael: Camarey Chambliss

When Margot calls for a volunteer to walk her home on campus one night, they don’t seem to have much in common at first -- and then, suddenly, sadly, too many of the same fears.

Kai Xing Mun, “Astral”

Director Syona Varty,

Actors: Lil Rhee

Kimi Handa Brown

Jonon Gansukh.

Years after kicking out her only child, Mary reflects on how her prejudices may have doomed her to die alone as she spends the potentially last moments of her life in a coma.

Loretta Oleck, “Paper Chains”

Director: Lil Malinich

Actor: Sade Namei

One woman at a refugee camp shares an unspeakable secret about her family’s harrowing journey to escape oppression and violence in their futile quest for freedom.

Haley Rice, “Don’t Feed the Ducks”

Director: Isaac Byrne 

Actors:  Woman: Kathleen Donachie

  Duck: Trevor Markanovic

Don't Feed the Ducks" is a woman's struggle to make the importance of rules be understood.

Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company, ‘Tribute to Ukraine”

Choreographer: Lori Belilove, inspired by Isadora Duncan

Dancers: Lori Belilove, Emily D’Angelo, Samantha Mercado, Nikki Poulos, Hayley Rose, Caroline Yamada

Evoking the cry, the terror, and loss “Tribute to Ukraine” pays homage to the heroic valor and grit of the Ukrainian people.

Friday, January 13, 7 pm

Thank You for Coming Out: LGBTQIA+ Storytelling & Improv Show, plus Talk-Back

Host: Dubbs Weinblatt (they/them);

Storyteller: Dr. Felix Graham (he/him)

Musical Director: Everly Brodie (she/they);

Talkback Moderator: JessAnn Smith (she/her)

Actors: TYFCO Community Players, feat. special guests from TRANScend Vocal Ensemble!

Thank You For Coming Out celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with improv and storytelling from performers of all backgrounds, from brand new players to Broadway stars! Based on a heartfelt coming out story from our Special Guest Storyteller Dr. Felix Graham, our improvisers devise an on-the-spot hilarious, insightful comedy show (and a musical!) that has never happened before, and will never be “scene” again!

For the first time ever, TYFCO is hosting a talkback right after the show with Founder Dubbs Weinblatt, Dr. Felix Graham and a few TYFCO community players, moderated by Co-Producer JessAnn Smith. **Audience members can submit questions at the venue before the show once house opens.** Founder Dubbs Weinblatt, Dr. Felix Graham and a few TYFCO community players, moderated by Co-Producer JessAnn Smith. **Audience members can submit questions once the house opens.**