Rachel Dratch Joins Cast of NYC Benefit for Afghan Women Writers

The Afghan Women's Writing Project (AWWP), in partnership with Magic Futurebox, has announced that actress Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live) has joined the cast of the group's three-event benefit performance series in January 2012.

The Afghan Women's Writing Project (AWWP) was founded in 2009 by Brooklyn resident and award-winning writer Masha Hamilton. Through the all-volunteer project, accomplished American women writers teach secure online writing workshops to women in Afghanistan. Most of these women participate in secret, hiding laptops under burqas or walking hours through Taliban territory to upload their assignments. The AWWP has also opened a safe space at an undisclosed location in Kabul where participants gather, write, and share stories. Their work is published at www.awwproject.org, where visitors from around the world read it and offer praise.

On January 21 and 22, 2012, the AWWP and Magic Futurebox will present Comedians of New York for Afghan Women Writers, a three-performance event series in Brooklyn, New York. Performance schedule and details appear below. The event is co-produced by Magic Futurebox (www.magicfuturebox.com) and by AWWP's creative outreach director, L. Stephanie Tait, (www.AWWPpresents.org).

Rachel Dratch will appear at the 4 PM show on January 22.

Proceeds from this event series will benefit the AWWP, helping pay rent on the writers' secure gathering space in Kabul and providing them with computers and Internet service.

At the performances, female comedians from New York's premier improvisational stages will read the poetry and prose of participants in the AWWP. Rachel Dratch will headline Sunday's 4 PM reading.

"We think nothing of the freedom to blog, tweet, Facebook, and Tumblr every detail of our day. For the women of the AWWP, some of whom literally hide their laptops under their burqas, writing about their lives is an act of incredible bravery - and an inspiring gift to all of us. Everyone should hear what they have to say," said Rachel Dratch, whose memoir, Girl Walks Into A Bar, will be released in April.

AWWP executive director Elisabeth Lehr describes the link the group sees between female improv comedians and AWWP participants. "Women writers in Afghanistan and female improv comics in New York have not shared the same set of challenges. But they are all women who by definition go against the grain, forge creative connections with others, and speak with candor, courage and humor," she says. "We are deeply grateful to Rachel Dratch and to all of those who are generously donating their time to amplify the authentic, unfiltered voices of real Afghan women."

Other performers include Jessica DeBruin, Corinne Fisher, Dawn J. Fraser, Chrissie Gruebel, Tracy Mull, Roopa Singh, and Katie Sullivan. Co-Producers: L. Stephanie Tait, Suzan Eraslan, Kevin Laibson. Co-Directors: L. Stephanie Tait, Mike J. Brown.

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT
Three-event performance series featuring poetry and prose by participants in the Afghan Women's Writing Project, read by female improv comedians, with the third event featuring Rachel Dratch.

WHERE
Magic Futurebox, 55 33rd St., 4th floor, Brooklyn NY. www.magicfuturebox.com

WHEN
Three events as follows:
January 21, 2012: New York Comedians for Afghan Women (prose reading event)
7-10 PM. Magic Futurebox (55 33rd St., 4th floor, Brooklyn NY; magicfuturebox.com). $50

New York's premier female improv comedians perform pieces written by Kabul-based participants in the Afghan Women's Writing Project. Performers will surround the audience in an immersive storytelling circle. Brief Q&A and reception will follow, along with silent auction of photos and Afghan crafts for sale. Space very limited. 100% of proceeds benefit the Afghan Women's Writing Project. Ticketing: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/216775

January 22, 2011: New York Comedians for Afghan Women (two poetry reading events)

2 PM and 4 PM. The 4 PM show will feature Rachel Dratch. Magic Futurebox (55 33rd St., 4th floor, Brooklyn NY; magicfuturebox.com).

2 PM show: $30 ($15 with student I.D.)

4 PM show: $40 ($20 with student I.D.)

This poetry event is designed as an installation designed to represent both the isolation and the independence of Afghan women writers. Chairs will be available for those unable to stand for 45 minutes. Small reception and Q&A to follow, along with Afghan crafts for sale. 100% of proceeds benefit the Afghan Women's Writing Project.

Ticketing:

2 PM https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/216779

4 PM https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/216781

About the Afghan Women's Writing Project

In a country where a woman may be forbidden to let a stranger hear her voice - let alone see her face - the Afghan Women's Writing Project's over 75 participants have begun, often at serious risk, to unveil their souls: to each other and to the world. Founded in 2009 by award-winning writer and Brooklyn resident Masha Hamilton, the AWWP provides secure online writing workshops to women in Afghanistan. Many of the participants conceal loaner laptops under their burqas or walk hours through Taliban territory to visit their secret gathering space in Kabul. The goal of the AWWP is to remove the filters of male relatives and the media and amplify the real voices of Afghan women. The organization is run by volunteers in New York, Kabul, and several other states and countries. In 2010, the AWWP was honored by the New York State Division of Human Rights. The AWWP believes that the right to tell one's story aloud is a human right.

About Rachel Dratch

Rachel Dratch was a cast member on Saturday Night Live for seven years. Some of her memorable characters include Boston teen Denise, Debbie Downer, and the "Lovers" professors with Will Ferrell. She started out at the Second City Theater in Chicago, where she wrote on and performed in four revues on the mainstage. For the latter two she received the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress in a Revue. Other live comedy credits include Improvolympic in Chicago, ASSSCAT 3000 at the UCB Theater in New York, and the sketch show "Dratch and Fey" with Tina Fey which played at Second City, Aspen Comedy Fest and UCB. Other TV credits include "King of Queens," "Frasier," "Monk," "Ugly Betty" and "30 Rock." Film credits include "Down with Love," "Click," "Spring Breakdown" "My Life in Ruins" and "Just Go with It." Rachel is the voice of Esmargot and Koi in the Disney channel's "Fish Hooks." Her book, "Girl Walks into a Bar," will be published in the spring by Gotham Books.

About Magic Futurebox

Magic Futurebox was founded in 2010 as a playground for the development of theatre and other collaborative forms of art that bring audiences together. Magic Futurebox has worked with over 200 directors, actors, designers, musicians, and roboticists on 13 different productions. Magic Futurebox in 20,000 square feet of rehearsal, development, and performance space, appropriately located in a still-functioning factory in Brooklyn's Industry City.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos