Playwrights to Attend 4th Annual International Voices Project, Begin. 3/7

In just under 2 weeks, playwrights from around the world will begin arriving in Chicago to represent their country in this year's International Voices Project, running from March 7 to March 17 at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago. Playwrights who are arriving soon to be in attendance at the readings of their works include:

Gabriella Maione, from France. In her own words, Ms. Maoine is "intent on bringing to the American public French contemporary theater, which can transcend boundaries of prejudice and misunderstanding in these troubled times." She has also worked extensively as an actor and director. The New York Times described her production of Quartet as "impressively acted and staged." She is a graduate of the Sorbonne in Theatre. For more information, visit GabriellaMaione.com.

Felipe Sant'Angelo, from Brazil. A graduate of São Paulo University (USP) as a filmmaker, Felipe has written and directed many short films, and won numerous prizes for his 16mm short Nossos Parabéns ao Freitas (Happy Birthday Freitas - 2003). He's been working with theater since 2000, and has written 10 plays, all with a very personal and irreverent style. He also writes for TV and has recently published his second book, the novel Bem-Casados.

Presented in collaboration with each country's consulate general and/or cultural institution, the International Voices Project will celebrate the voices of international playwrights with eight premiere concert-style readings. Each play is performed by a professional cast with stage directions read aloud to allow audience members' imaginations to create the world of the play. After each reading, there will be a post-performance discussion with the cast and audience, followed by a reception hosted by the country's represented cultural partner. The International Voices Project is the largest event of its kind in the country and introduces Chicago audiences to some of the most exciting voices on the international theater scene.

Schedule

Thursday, March 7th at 7:30 p.m.: From Switzerland, IVP presents Dog Paddle by Reto Finger, translated by Lily Sykes, presented in collaboration with the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago, the Swiss Benevolent Society of Chicago and Sideshow Theatre, and directed by Jonathan L. Green.

Friday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m.: The Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Chicago hosts the reading of Noise in the Waters by Marco Martinelli and Teatro delle Albe, translated by Thomas Simpson, and directed by Paola Coletto.

Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 p.m.: The play Symptômes, written by French playwright Gabriella Maione, will be presented through a collaboration among the Cultural Service at the Consulate General of France in Chicago, The Alliance Française de Chicago, and Trap Door Theatre, directed by Beata Pilch.

Sunday, March 10th at 7:30 p.m.: Egypt will be represented by the play In Search of Said Abu Al-Naga, written by Ahmed Hassan Al-Banna, translated by Mohammed Albakry and Rebekah Maggor, directed by Hassan Amejal, and in collaboration with the Consulate of Egypt Chicago.

Thursday, March 14th at 7:30 p.m.: The Midwest premiere of acclaimed Canadian playwright Carole Frechette's The Small Room at the Top of the Stairs, directed by Elizabeth Carlin Metz, will be performed in collaboration with the Consulate General of Canada in Chicago, The Quebec Government Office in Chicago, The Alliance Française de Chicago and Vitalist Theatre.

Friday March 15th at 7:30 p.m.: The Austrian Consulate General Chicago hosts the reading of hamlet is dead. no gravity by Ewald Palmetshofer, in a translation by Neil Blackadder, and directed by Anna C. Bahow.

Saturday, March 16th at 7:30 p.m.: IVP is proud to have commissioned the translation of the Brazilian play Artsy- A Hipster Farce by Felipe Sant'Angelo in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Brazil in Chicago and The Chicago Theatre Sweatshop, in a translation by Marcelo Eid, and directed by Mercedes Herrero and Mariana Leite.

Sunday, March 17th at 7:30 p.m.: The final reading is from Wales, represented by the play The Almond and the Seahorse by Kaite O'Reilly, and directed by Sandy Shinner, in collaboration with Victory Gardens' Access Project.

All performances are at 7:30 PM. Each event is free and open to the public, reservations are encouraged, and can be made at www.ivpchicago.org or by calling 773-250-7055. For further information, call 773-250-7055 or visit www.ivpchicago.org.

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