theater
24 • December 30, 2015 • ABQ FREE PRESS
Revolutions Sans Limit: Theater Defies Borders
by Megan Kamerick
A
Palestinian woman and a stranger clash over shelter, resources and water — all without words. A soldier hides from a war amid the ruins of a circus. A group of men struggle to survive in a collapsed mineshaft. Polish women explore the bright rooms and dark corners of motherhood. That’s just a sampling of what’s on tap for the 16th annual Revolutions International Theatre Festival. Given the fear around borders and international visitors sweeping the nation lately, it couldn’t come at a more opportune time. Along with Globalquerque, the Revolutions fest is a signature event that makes Albuquerque feel a bit more cosmopolitan. Among this year’s participants are artists from Palestine and Colombia who join a growing roster of alums from all over the world. Revolutions Artistic Director Juli Hendren says the fest’s mission — empowering communities and connecting people — has remained consistent throughout shifts in company leadership and members. “Now more than ever, this is the kind of thing we need,” Hendren says.
for conversation before shows, around shows and after shows. We try to create an environment where we can ask those questions; it’s intimate enough that [audience members] feel they can speak to our artists,” Kaufman says. “It’s not just going to the show. It’s becoming involved in the conversation.”
“The festival is about cutting edge — it’s about different, newer,” says Revolutions Artistic Director Juli Hendren. “We do not do traditional American theater” Palestinian company Ashtar Theatre promises to be most provocative. The group took part in an international theater symposium Tricklock created over the past year. Ashtar specializes in the genre known as Theatre of the Oppressed, using the art form to explore vital, volatile issues such as the impact of Israeli occupation. Ashtar’s show, “48 Minutes for Palestine,” explores these themes with two actors
Teatr Kana’s “Mother: The Project”
Having attended nearly every year since 2004, each iteration of Revolutions has delivered at least one amazing experience for me — usually more. One of my most vivid memories is of a collaborative piece Tricklock created years ago with a German company; it required the audience to go through “immigration hearings” and walk through different immigration scenarios at a local high school. Hannah Kaufman, Tricklock’s associate artistic director, describes the event as “cultural diplomacy.” “What’s so important for us is providing that space
using only physical action and music. Teatr Kana hails from Poland and will explore ambivalence around motherhood. On the company’s website, member Bibianna Chimiak reveals that she wanted to delve into her own difficulties after her child was born. She felt alone, overwhelmed and at a loss about what to do. Realizing she was far from alone, her thoughts turned to the cultural taboos around admitting the hardships of motherhood. “Mother: The Project” was born. Aztec Economy, a company from Brooklyn, reframes a mine collapse to
delve into the male psyche in crisis with “Butcher Holler Here We Come.” This performance promises to be an immersive experience where the audience shares a sense of the claustrophobia and darkness that miners trapped underground experience. Lucho Guzman Cardozo’s “Ceniza” Paper Doll music. Tricklock will perform “Her Militia, whose Murder Ballad,” a work they premembers hail from Scotland and the miered this fall, and host a workshop United States, will enact a “silk and for its first co-designed, communitychain” aerial show titled “LoopsEnd.” -created piece “Desert City.” The group’s origin story involves a cup Blackout Theater’s “The Show,” of coffee, poetry by Tim Burton and a local improv showcase, is also on splashes of Trent Reznor, according to the schedule, as is the ever-evolving the New Orleans Advocate. That may Reptilian Lounge. (Pro tip: Bring lots of offer insight into what’s in store for change for Target Girl.) “The festival is witnesses to the Militia’s show, where about cutting edge; it’s about different, gravity is more suggestion than law. newer,” says Hendren. “It goes against Tricklock alum Kate Schroeder the grain. We do not do traditional returns to Albuquerque with a fauxAmerican theater.” -theatrical documentary by company Tricklock debuted Revolutions just Nellie Tinder titled “Emily Climbs (Mabefore our world became more fearful chine Méchant).” In the film, a woman after 9/11, and the group has often named Emily Climbs is reborn in the struggled to get visas for performers future and emerges as three people, all and raise enough funds to cover costs. exploring the burdens of individualism Money comes from a variety of sources, and the American Dream. including the City of Albuquerque, the Colombian newcomer Lucho GuzUrban Enhancement Trust Fund, New man Cardozo’s show, “Ceniza,” relates Mexico Arts, individual donors and the story of a soldier fleeing war, ticket sales (which raise $20,000 of the hiding among circus remnants, hoping $100,000 budget). to be rescued. I interviewed Hendren in early De Comedian and Citizen Nation cember, and she revealed Revolutions podcast host Jamie Kilstein will be the was facing a $12,000 funding gap. “I’m face of the Free Speech Comedy Series. definitely in that mode where I wake This component of Revolutions was up in state of panic,” she said. “And created years ago by one of the event’s I have to say, ‘It will work out. You’ll founders, Joe Perrachio, and comefigure it out. It’s a great community dian Paul Provenza. Kilstein’s Rock and there’s help. Somehow it always Rants combine standup with guitar kind of works out.’” licks. People such as Noam Chomsky, The festival kicks off Wednesday, Jan. Janeane Garofalo and the late Robin 12, and runs through Thursday, Jan. 31, Williams have praised Kilstein while at venues around Albuquerque, includGlenn Beck called him a doofus. It ing Theatre X at the University of New sounds promising. Mexico, North Fourth Arts Center and Local spoken-word artists will also Tricklock’s home base (110 Gold Ave. show off their artistic chops. Poets SW). For more information and a full Hakim Bellamy and Carlos Contreras schedule of events, visit tricklock.com. and emcee and singer-songerwiter Colin Diles Hazelbaker will offer up Just Verb, a live on-the-spot creation comprised of dance, paint, poetry and
Megan Kamerick is an independent radio and print journalist and producer at New Mexico PBS.