Theatre Heaven: A Place a Lot Like Festival d’Avignon

Read my report from the 2022 festival where there was a strong and meaningful showing of work by Middle Eastern artists including works by Alireza Koohestani, Hanane Haj Ali, and Kubra Khademi.

“… As I sat there, an Iranian, a Persian, I marveled at the commitment of this Greek troupe to tell this sobering tale of war and its violent execution. It was a cautionary tale, I believe. As the Greek language filled me, I was transported to the ancient theatre of Epidurus, and I imagined Aeschylus’s original audience and their response to this harsh reflection of their nation’s ability to destroy another nation. I was reminded of the power of live performance to communicate the human condition on a visceral level, regardless of the actual language spoken. I was reminded that for millennia, theatre artists have challenged their audience to critique their leaders and empathize with their so-called enemies. And I appreciated, so very deeply, the opportunity to be in community with artists from the far corners of the earth. I felt a part of a global community that has thrived for centuries and is an invaluable contributor to a living world culture. I felt at home.”

https://www.americantheatre.org/2022/08/01/theatre-heaven-a-place-a-lot-like-festival-davignon/