Mark Rylance to Host Peace Direct USA Launch Event, 5/16

On Monday, May 16, 2011 at the Yale Club of New York City, luminary actor of Broadway and London's West End, Mark Rylance, will perform a specially commissioned dramatic monologue called "The Peacebuilder."

This select theatrical event marks the formal launch in the United States of Peace Direct, an award-winning international non-profit that promotes and supports peacebuilders in war zones worldwide.

Rylance, who is a patron of Peace Direct, is the star of the acclaimed Broadway show "Jerusalem," which has been hailed by critics as "a performance for the ages" (New York Times) that is "destined to go down in legend" (Vogue), "the best play of the season" (Bloomberg News).

Now, for one night only, he will star in "The Peacebuilder", a dramatic monologue telling the life story of Henri Bura Ladyi - an extraordinarily brave and charismatic Congolese man whose peacemaking work in his war-torn homeland has earned him the name ‘Africa's Schindler.'

Kidnapped and tortured by rebels deep in the African bush, his life held for ransom, Ladyi faced a stark choice early in his adult life: join with rebels to avenge those who had threatened him, or devote his life to building peace in the Congo. He chose the latter, treacherously harder path, and over the years has persuaded a thousand militia members to lay down their weapons, rescued hundreds of child soldiers from the bush, and brought traditional enemies together in Task Forces to resolve over three hundred conflicts through mediation, negotiation, and other non-violent strategies.

This is the dramatic story of one man's work to bring an end to the violence that has cost the lives of 5.4 million people. It has been specially written by Fiona Lloyd-Davies, based on extensive interviews in the field with Ladyi.

Rylance is appearing in the show to launch Peace Direct in the USA, who fund Henri Ladyi's life-saving work. Ladyi will be in New York for the May 16 event, and will join Mark on stage for an informal question and answer session with the audience. Guests, who will be invited to contribute to the organization's work, will be able to meet both men afterwards.

Peace Direct, which received The Charity Times' "Best New Charity" award shortly after its launch in London in 2005, is an international humanitarian organization that operates on the belief that local people are the key to preventing, resolving and healing conflicts around the globe. Peace Direct's mission is to add value to the on-the-ground efforts of local peacebuilders: by raising funds for their programs, building recognition for their work, offering management support and advice, putting them in touch with those in the wider world who can assist with funds and influence, and promoting the concept of locally-led peacebuilding to the international community. Peace Direct's United States Board of Directors is comprised of cutting-edge social entrepreneurs, expert scholars, business leaders, and distinguished international relations practitioners.

The expansion of Peace Direct to the United States highlights both the organization's growing global reach and its commitment to supporting greater numbers of local peacebuilding heroes like Ladyi.

For tickets to this exclusive event and further information, see www.peacedirectusa.org or contact Kathryn Becher at kathryn@peacedirectusa.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos