West Village Theater Festival Dedicated To Immigrants Kicks Off

WEST VILLAGE, NY — A 12-day festival just kicked off at a West Village theater that showcases the work of immigrant artists living in the United States.

The Rattlestick Theater at 224 Waverly Pl. is hosting the Global Forms Theater Festival, which began on Thursday and will run until June 12.

“The Global Forms Theater Festival highlights our shared humanity and compassion," festival producer and Rattlestick's managing director Yue Liu wrote in a statement. "As an immigrant producer who has experienced various types of discrimination in my life, I deeply understand the pains and struggles that immigrant artists are carrying."

"I feel a strong sense of responsibility to produce this festival and provide a safe environment for immigrant artists to tell their stories confidently, proudly, and authentically," she added.

The West Village festival consists of five programming sections throughout the 12 days:

• (1) Global Stage - Three (3) workshops and one (1) staged reading.
• (2) Global Dialogue - Discussions with theater companies from around the world.
• (3) Global Learn - Workshops led by immigrant artists based on their individual. specialties/expertise.
• (4) Global Share - Artists sharing tidbits about their home country.
• (5) Global Gab - A cross-cultural conversation.

There will also be four leading productions during the festival.

• "All The Lonely Women" - Written by Ines Braun and Leigh Flayton
• "Chava the Giant and the Oldest Bird" - Written by Ran Xia
• "SKIN" - Written by Yuriko Shibata and Andrew Shano
• "The Aliens Make Thanksgiving Dinner" - Created by James Clements, Maamoun Tobbo, and Derya Celikkol

Additional information about the production and ticket information can be found on Rattlestick's website.

Rattlestick Theater has served the West Village community since 1994.