The Inaugural Columbia University School of the Arts International Play Reading Festival
Featuring N. Riantiarno (Indonesia), Raeda Taha (Palestine), and Rinat Tashimov (Russia)
FRIDAY–SUNDAY, JUNE 15–17, 2018
Organized by Dean Carol Becker and David Henry Hwang, the Inaugural Columbia University School of the Arts International Play Reading Festival will present readings of three plays by living international playwrights that were not originally written in English.
The aim of this festival is to expand contemporary American understanding of theatre beyond that of English-speaking countries, and to present new theatrical voices to US audiences.
Schedule of Events
by N. Riantiarno (Indonesia)
by Rinat Tashminov (Russia)
by Raeda Taha (Palestine)
Translators Cobina Gillitt, Bela Shayevich and Mais Taha in conversation with Susan Bernofsky, Writing.
Raeda Taha, Rinat Tashimov, N. Riantiarno, and David Henry Hwang, Theatre in conversation.
"We are thrilled to have a state-of-the-art flexible performance space in our new Lenfest Center for the Arts, which gives us an opportunity to fulfill the dream of bringing international play readings to Columbia University, the neighborhood, and to the City. We hope to generate enthusiasm for these international plays by playwrights whose work may not as yet be known in New York and to fulfill our mission as a global and local arts center."
– CAROL BECKER, DEAN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
"In these volatile times, the theatre can play an invaluable role to help us understand and embrace people from around the globe. Yet US theatre for the most part remains dangerously myopic. When was the last time you saw a new non-American play from anyplace besides the UK or Ireland (perhaps Canada or Australia)? With this festival, Columbia University School of the Arts starts to fill the void, by bringing exciting international plays by living authors to New York, works which give audiences the opportunity to see our world anew."
– DAVID HENRY HWANG, FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Festival Directors
Carol Becker, Professor of the Arts and Dean, Columbia University School of the Arts
David Henry Hwang, Concentration Head, Playwriting, Theatre MFA Program
Selection Committee
Susan Bernofsky, Director, Literary Translation at Columbia, Writing MFA Program
David Henry Hwang, Concentration Head, Playwriting, Theatre MFA Program
Morgan Jenness, Theatre MFA Program
Kate Loewald, Theatre MFA Program and The Play Company
Christian Parker, Chair, Theatre MFA Program
Nominating Bodies
The Lark
The Play Company
Sundance Institute
Under the Radar at the Public Theater
Director of Events and Public Programs
Gavin Browning
Production Manager
Kirk Laing
Casting Director
Matthew Wise
Interpreters
Cobina Gillitt (also Dramaturg for Time Bomb)
Bela Shayevich
Student Producer
Paloma Estevez, MFA Producing
Literary Managers
Johnny Lloyd, MFA Playwriting
Kaitlin Premus, MFA Dramaturgy