Exciting Theatrical Event in New York City

by Mary Dino

On November 29, 2005, CPC will co-sponsor "Theatre of Hope: Fostering Healing in War Ravaged Lands," a video/lecture with live performance, presented by Bond Street Theatre of New York and Exile Theatre of Kabul. The event will take place at The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue (between 34th and 33rd Streets) at 6:30 pm. Admission is free and reservations are not required.

Bond Street Theatre of New York and Exile Theatre of Kabul met while performing in Afghan refugee camps in Preshwar, Pakistan shortly after September 11, 2001, and decided to embark on a series of artistic and educational collaborations. Bond Street Theatre and Exile Theatre have traveled to orphanages, rural villages, and schools across Afghanistan, using theatre-based techniques as a way to mediate, solve problems, and encourage self-esteem. Together, their efforts have reached over 25,000 children and adults.

The current tour in the U.S. will showcase the humanitarian aid work that the two theatres have initiated in Afghanistan since 2002, using theatre as a creative way to ease the hostile environment of a war-torn nation and the difficulty of returning to homes that have been destroyed.

"Theatre of Hope: Fostering Healing in War Ravaged Lands" is a video-lecture presentation describing Bond Street and Exile Theatres' creative work in refugee camps and areas of conflict with specific focus on Afghanistan. The video shows life in the refugee camps and a glimpse into the reality of travel in war-torn regions. It was filmed in cities and rural areas across Afghanistan, and refugee camps in northern Pakistan.

Lectures investigate Afghanistan's cultural and political landscape from the unique perspective of Afghan artists who have survived over twenty years of war and occupation. Featured speakers from Exile Theatre discuss living and working in Afghanistan, the history of the conflict and theatre's unique ability to cross cultural barriers, address the most sensitive of issues and revitalize artistic heritage.

Former child star and actress, Anisa Wahab, speaks about her choices and sacrifices as a Afghan woman pursuing a highly public artistic career. The healing nature of the arts is dramatically evident in the work with children.

"Theatre of Hope: Fostering Healing in War Ravaged Lands" is presented in conjunction with Beyond the Mirror, the new staged work of the two theatre groups: Nov. 3-13 in Baltimore and Nov. 17-Dec. 4 in New York. Both "Beyond the Mirror" and "Theatre of Hope" have been co-created by Bond Street and Exile Theatre during multiple trips by members of Bond Street Theatre to Afghanistan over the last three years.

There will be a post-performance reception sponsored by the Graduate Center, CUNY.