NEW YORK CITY: Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA) has introduced the TYA BIPOC Superhero Project, a brand new initiative led by playwright and educator José Casas, designed to present playwrights of colour extra entry to mainstream/regional TYA theatres. In an effort the TYA/USA is looking the biggest and most complete partnership of theatres ever undertaken within the subject, 20 playwrights of colour will probably be commissioned by 24 theatres to develop their work in a one-week residency. All the commissioned works will function tales of BIPOC superheroes, and the venture will culminate in a year-long celebration with productions, co-productions, and a broadcast anthology of all of the performs.
“This project is about partnerships and community building, and creating spaces for necessary dialogue meant to create action,” mentioned José Casas, the venture’s creator and chief. “We will give opportunities to directors of color, actors of color, dramaturgs of color, and stage managers of color. It is about encouraging TYA to reassess and if they address issues of diversity, while inviting communities to be a part of the experience instead of tokenizing them. It is about reminding ourselves of why we do theatre in the first place.”
“The enthusiasm and support for the TYA BIPOC Superhero Project from theatres across the nation demonstrate the field’s commitment to represent more stories from artists of color,” mentioned Sara Morgulis, government director of TYA/USA, in a press release. “I see a whole community coming together to share new stories featuring original and complex heroes that will inspire young audiences across the country,”
This venture is devoted to giving entry to playwrights of colour devoted to writing for youth audiences. The playwrights had been chosen based mostly on their writing expertise, their experience in collaboration, their creativeness and creativity, their unapologetic view of the world, and the best way they specific that intention. The checklist of playwrights is as follows:
- José Casas
- Idris Goodwin
- Marcus Yi
- Rhiana Yazzie
- Alvaro Saar Rios
- Sigrid Gilmer
- Ramón Esquivel
- Gloria Bond Clunie
- Kwik Jones
- Carolyn Dunn
- Sam Hamashima
- Mariah L. Richardson
- Susan H. Pak
- Gregory Van Acker
- Mabelle Reynoso
- Emilio Rodriguez
- June Carryl
- Sean-Joseph Choo
- Lee Cataluna
- Dr. Manuel A. Morán
Theatres commissioning the work embrace:
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
- First Stage in Milwaukee
- Childsplay Theatre Co in Tempe, Ariz.
- Seattle Children’s Theatre
- Lexington Children’s Theatre in Lexington, Ky.
- Alliance Theatre in Atlanta
- Magik Theatre in San Antonio, Texas
- Chicago Children’s Theatre
- The Rose Theater in Omaha, Neb.
- Circle Theatre in Omaha, Neb.
- Rising Youth Theatre in Phoenix
- Collective Consciousness Theatre in New Haven, Conn.
- Trike Theatre in Bentonville, Ark.
- Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock, Ark.
- Metro Theater Company in St. Louis
- Spinning Dot Theatre in Ann Arbor, Mich.
- Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich.
- Parallel 45 Theatre in Traverse City, Mich.
- Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Mich.
- Northwest Children’s Theater and School in Portland, Ore.
- In Other People’s Shoes Productions in Los Angeles
- Honolulu Theatre for Youth in Honolulu
- New Native Theatre in St. Paul, Minn.
- Teatro SEA in New York City
Lead program sponsors of the TYA BIPOC Superhero Project are TYA/USA and Dramatic Publishing. TYA/USA will spotlight the venture at their subsequent three gatherings: At the 2023 National Festival & Conference, there will probably be a breakout skilled growth session the place facilitators will share in regards to the venture and the method. In 2024, TYA/USA will function a studying pageant of the performs, and the 2025 National Festival & Conference will conclude the venture, with the taking part theatres producing their respective performs on the similar time. Dramatic Publishing will publish an anthology of all 20 performs.
Seattle Children’s Theatre is the fiscal sponsor of the TYA BIPOC Superhero Project, with Mary Pigott offering seed funding; the venture is looking for further help for this nationwide effort. Gifts will be made to Seattle Children’s Theatre, or individuals can instantly contact SCT managing director Kevin Malgesini for extra info.
José Casas is a playwright and affiliate professor who heads the Playwriting Minor within the Department of Theatre & Drama on the University of Michigan. His performs embrace la rosa grows past the wall, all brown all chingon, aDoBe, one million whispers , the vine, la ofrenda, anyone’s kids, and Flint.
TYA/USA is the main nationwide group representing almost 1,000 member theatres, organizations, and particular person arts professionals throughout 46 states dedicated to the skilled subject of theatre for kids, younger adults, and households.
Related