WAM Announces IN DARFU Audience Engagement Series

Brenda Oppermann has served as advisor, researcher, and program manager for essential organizations - including NATO, USAID, the UN, the US Department of Defense, US Army, and the US Institute for Peace - in regions of conflict across the world, specializing in women and conflict, gender issues, traditional justice, civil society, governance, and counterinsurgency. Theo Padnos is an American journalist who moved to Yemen and converted to Islam; in 2012, after the release of his book, Undercover Muslim, about Islamic extremism, he was kidnapped and held hostage in a Syrian-run prison until his release this August, one week before journalist James Foley's beheading. These are just two of the high-caliber speakers lined up to lead discussions following each performance of WAM Theatre's production of Winter Miller's compelling drama, In Darfur. They're part of a comprehensive Audience Engagement Series organized by WAM Theatre's Education Outreach Curator Kimberly Ciola. The Series is designed to provide context for the play's 10-performance run, from October 30 - November 16, at Shakespeare & Company's intimate Berry Family Studio. Audience seating is limited to 60 per performance for this intimate, immersive experience. Opening night, November 1, is already sold out. Press performances is Sunday, November 2 at 2:30 pm. RSVP required.

In Darfur is the gripping tale of three lives that intersect in the most challenging of circumstances: a camp for internally displaced persons. The story follows an aid worker (Rich Lounello) as he strives to protect and care for victims of turmoil in a refugee camp; a Darfuri woman (Sipiwe Moyo) struggling to maintain her dignity on her quest for safety; and a journalist (Tricia Alexandro) on a dogged pursuit to deliver a front-page story that will focus the world's attention on a growing humanitarian crisis. Timely, thought-provoking, and laced with unexpected humor, In Darfur is a journey of courage and humanity in the face of peril.

WAM Theatre Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven, who is directing this production, recognized early on that In Darfur will catalyze strong responses among its audiences, and that viewers may want to share thoughts and hear more about the play's context and relevance. "I felt it was important to create a forum for discussion after such an intense show, so that our audience can have some kind of post-performance reflection, but also to provide an opportunity to learn more about the real-life situations addressed in the play - of which, unfortunately, there are many."

The first speaker of the series is award-winning playwright Winter Miller, who was inspired to write In Darfur by her first-hand experience in a refugee camp on the Chad border as a researcher for New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof during the Darfuri genocide. A founding member of the Obie-recognized collective 13 Playwrights, Miller recently attended a rehearsal of WAM Theatre's production to provide insight to the cast and crew. "I'm really excited for WAM to do this show," says Miller. "Everyone I have met from WAM is really open and warm-hearted, and that's special to find. It's a privilege for me to work with people who are so invested in bringing this play to life."

"I would like the play to stay with audiences longer than the duration of the performance," Miller continues. "I am hoping for a rise in empathy towards others, an awareness of the privileges of being born in this country. It's nothing like being born in Darfur. I would like audiences to come away with an inquisitiveness about the news they read and hear, and how it was gathered." Her participation in the Audience Engagement Series, on the October 31 preview and November 1 opening night, along with the other speakers, will go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.

In addition to the post-show discussions, WAM Theatre has organized an exhibition that further contextualizes this production. The exhibit features work by award-winning photojournalists John Stanmeyer and Ron Haviv, both of whom have spent extensive time on assignment in Sudan. Recognized for documenting humanitarian crises across the globe, they are represented by striking images that reflect the themes of In Darfur: life in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps; the plight of women in conflict zones; and the ravages of disease in South Sudan. Also on exhibit is work by local artists from the recent show, Paper Dresses, created by PRESS Gallery Chief Melanie Mowinski, which addresses the roles and expectations of women in society.

The exhibition also provides an intimate look at the beneficiaries of WAM Theatre's annual philanthropic donation: the 13 housemothers at Mother of Peace Orphanage in Illova, South Africa caring for 81 children who have been orphaned, abused, or impacted by HIV/AIDs. WAM Theatre will honor their important work and selfless dedication by giving them 25% of the box office proceeds from this production of In Darfur. Significantly, most of the housemothers plan to use this donation to invest in education for themselves and members of their families. For more details on the recipients of WAM Theatre's annual philanthropic donation, please visit http://www.wamtheatre.com/fall-production-2014/meet-the-housemothers-of-mother-of-peace-illovo/

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