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
