Blessed Unrest's DORUNTINE Begins Tonight

Blessed Unrest presents Doruntine, a bilingual international collaboration with Teatri ODA of Kosova, co-written by Matt Opatrny and Lirak Celaj, and co-directed by Jessica Burr and Florent Mehmeti. Doruntine runs from tonight, April 23 - May 10, 2015 in a limited engagement at The Interart Theatre, located at 500 West 52 Street (at the corner of 10th Avenue) in New York City. Previews begin tonight, April 23 for an April 25 opening.

Performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 5pm and Mondays at 7pm (no show on Sun, May 3). The Saturday, May 2 8pm performance, along with a 3pm matinee, will take place at the Emelin Theatre (153 Library Lane) in Mamaroneck, Westchester. Tickets are $18 for performances at The Interart Theatre and can be purchased online at BlessedUnrest.org or by calling 646-238-0829. Tickets for performances at the Emelin Theatre can be purchased online at www.Emelin.org. The running time is approximately 80 minutes. For info visit BlessedUnrest.org, Like them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/pages/Blessed-Unrest/357285333462, and follow on Twitter at @_BlessedUnrest_.

A marriage that spurns tradition, an impossible journey on horseback, a brother who defies the grave. Inspired by the ancient Albanian legend, Doruntine is a mythical tale of family loyalty, forbidden love and the power of a promise that can never be broken.

Blessed Unrest of New York and Teatri ODA of Prishtina, Kosova (aka Kosovo) have been collaborating since 2005, creating and performing original, bilingual plays in New York and on tours through the Balkan nations of Kosova, Macedonia and Albania. In 2008 they realized the first ever U.S./Kosovar theatre collaboration in the U.S. with their acclaimed production of Doruntine, followed by a sold out Balkan tour in 2009. This partnership is building a cultural bridge to Kosova, one of the newest nations on the planet whose Albanian language and culture is among the oldest.

TimeOut New York said Doruntine packed "emotional intensity, sheer originality and delightful surprises." NYTheatre.com called it "a wholly theatrical and moving telling of a very relevant and powerful story. A testament to the exciting work Blessed Unrest and Teatri ODA are producing." OffOffOff.com cheered it as "thrilling, inventive, exciting theater that crosses artistic as well as national and cultural boundaries...the kind of production you'd expect to see as part of BAM's Next Wave Festival."

The cast includes Kevin Chu (Fresh Tracks at New York Live Arts), Eshref Durmishi (foreign film Eduart), Nentor Fetiu ("Familja Moderne" in Kosova), Njomeza Ibraj Fetiu ("Our Coffee Shop" in Kosova), Tatyana Kot (Salome at The Flea, A Christmas Carol with Blessed Unrest), Poppy Liu (Drunk Shakespeare), Ilire Vinca Celaj (Sworn Virgin at 2015 Tribeca Film Festival) and Nathan Richard Wagner (After Midnight with Target Margin, Lying with Blessed Unrest).

The production team includes Anna Alisa Belous and Matt Opatrny (Set Design), Justin Partier (Lighting Design), Anna Alisa Belous? and Annelise Nussbacher (Costume Design), Beth Lake (Sound Design), Emily Goforth (Production Stage Manager) and Rachel Gilmore (Production Manager).

About Teatri ODA: Shortly after the conclusion of the Balkan Wars of the 1990s with U.S. and NATO military intervention, Teatri ODA was founded to exert the power of arts and culture in defining their new nation and in the building of a democratic and open society. The founding of Teatri ODA in 2003, the only independent arts organization in the country, was unprecedented. They now perform extensively across Europe and average 180 events and 50,000 visitors annually in Prishtina. For info visit http://TeatriODA.com/en-us/Home.

About Blessed Unrest: Jessica Burr and Matt Opatrny are the co-founders of Blessed Unrest, an award-winning, ensemble-based, experimental physical theatre company generating original plays in NYC and abroad since 1999. Blessed Unrest has staged 25 full productions (15 world premieres), and pursues international exchange and partnerships, including with Teatri Oda of Kosova with whom they create original bilingual plays. The ensemble received the 2014 Caffé Cino Fellowship Award for sustained excellence from the NY Innovative Theatre Awards. In 2008 they received a NY Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Play. Burr and Opatrny have taught workshops in physical and devised theatre at Texas Tech University, Centenary College (NJ), Stephens College (MO) and Prishtina University (Kosova).

Blessed Unrest uses the safe structure of training, rehearsal and performance to create an environment where dangerous things can happen. They are committed to producing dynamic, disciplined and exuberant new works for the stage in New York City and abroad, building original pieces and reconstructing established texts with their diverse ensemble of artists.

Jessica Burr was honored with the 2011 Lucille Lortel Award from the League of Professional Theatre Women, in recognition of her work as a director and the body of work that Blessed Unrest has created under her leadership. She received the 2013 NY Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Choreography/Movement. She has directed and choreographed numerous productions and workshops for Blessed Unrest since 1999, and co-created and leads the company's training program. She has many directing credits outside the company including at Eastern New Mexico University. Burr has trained with SITI Company and received degrees in Theatre and Dance from Bard College.

Matt Opatrny is a playwright, actor, and director of violence, with many credits Off-Broadway and in regional theatre. He has taught and directed movement and stage combat at The School for Film and TV, Greenwich Academy, and Columbia Preparatory. With Blessed Unrest Matt has written and adapted many scripts, and co-created and leads the company's training program. He has served on several grant review panels, has taught workshops in grant writing, and was a guest artist at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. He has trained with the SITI Company and is a graduate of Clemson University.

Following every performance audience members are invited to stay and mingle with the artists and actors at post-show parties in the theater lobby. The Interart Theatre is accessible from the C, E, 1 to 50 St, N, Q, R to 49 St and A, B, D train to 59 St.

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