LPTW To Present Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award Program

The International Committee of The League of Professional Theatre Women (Mary Hodges and Shellen Lubin, Co-Presidents), an organization which has been championing women in the professional theatre for over three decades, will present a week-long virtual presentation of the LPTW Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award Program. Events will take place online from February 16-22, 2021, all at 1:00pm EST.

In addition to recognizing a particular theatre artist, the International Committee (Laura Caporratti, Chair) will present a week-long series of events designed to facilitate the Program's goals. Events will air on LPTW's YouTube Channel and include panel discussions, interviews and sharing of nominees' work. The program is designed to educate viewers and listeners about the power of theatre-in traditional and innovative forms-to motivate public dialogue about these issues and stimulate action for change. Students of theatre and professional theatre artists will learn about the artists' inspirations, methodologies and techniques, and all audiences will learn that as women everywhere are rising up to demand change, theatre women are especially on the front lines in some of the most dangerous and under-resourced places on Earth.

The Award Ceremony, co-presented with the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center via HowlRound and hosted by stage, film and TV actor Tamara Tunie, will be presented on Tuesday, February 16 to the extraordinary Lebanese theatre artist, Hanane Hajj Ali. In addition to Ali, the Program honors 26 women theatre artists from 18 countries who are addressing local and global struggles through their theatre practice, including political suppression; violence against women and children; racial, gender and identity discrimination; and limited access to education, among other pressing concerns.

Additional programming will include How to Keep Creating While Everything Around You is Falling Apart, an interview with LPTW G/C International Theatre Award winner Hanane Haji Ali and a screening of a video of her work on Wednesday, February 17, moderated by Torange Yeghiazarian.

Panel discussions will include:

Women On Stage and In The Streets: Three Leading Beiruti Theatre Artists on Thursday, February 18, with Hanane Hajj Ali, Maya Zbib, and Lina Abiad and co-sponsored with the Lebanese American University. Moderated by Catherine Coray, produced by Melanie Sutherland.

Raising Social Awareness and Activating Change Through Theatre on Friday, February 19 with Maya Zbib of Lebanon, Mallika Sarabhai of India, Mihaela Drăgan of Romania, and Dominique Morisseau and Anne Hamburger of the United States. Moderated by Catherine Filloux, produced by Katrin Hilbe.

Theatre Education: Reaching Beyond the Stage on Saturday, February 20 with Iman Aoun of Palestine, Grace Gachocha Nakaka of Tanzania, Ilire Vinca of Kosova, and Stephanie Berry of the United States. Moderated by Courtney Coco Killingsworth, produced by Gwynn MacDonald.

The Dynamic Alliance of Theatre and Technology on Monday, February 22 with Lupe Gehrenbeck of Venezuela, Faynia Williams of England, Buruqe Berisha of Kosova, and Avra Sidiropoulou of Greece. Moderated by Abigail Zealy Bess, produced by Kati Hind.

This program is only possible through the generous support of LPTW members, friends of the League and others committed to the mission and activities associated with the LPTW Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award. As a 501(c)3 organization, all gifts and donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information about the LPTW G/C International Theatre Award Program, contact Joan D. Firestone, chair at Internationalaward@theatrewomen.org or visit our website: http://theatrewomen.org/programs/awards/the-gildercoigney-international-theatre-award/.

The League of Professional Theatre Women's (LPTW) Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award Program was established in 2011 in honor of Rosamond Gilder and Martha Coigney, two legendary practitioners and diplomats whose work on the international stage proved that theatre knows no international boundaries. Presented every three years, this Award acknowledges the exceptional work of theatre women around the world, promotes expanded visibility and new opportunities for the Awardee and her sister nominees, fosters connections and networking with LPTW members and local cultural institutions, and recognizes the contributions that an international theatre artist has made to her culture and the lives of her audiences.

The League of Professional Theatre Women has been leading the gender parity conversation in professional theatre for over 35 years. Since its founding in 1978, the League's membership has grown to over 500 members: theatre artists and practitioners of all backgrounds, working across multiple disciplines in both the commercial and nonprofit sectors. To promote visibility and increase opportunities for women in our industry, LPTW spearheads: public programming; advocacy projects; and media and publications that celebrate industry luminaries, the legacy of historic visionaries, and raise awareness of and nurture women+ voices. The League continues to shine a spotlight on gender parity, part of its commitment to creating a culture of EDIA: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access, both in the theatre world and the world at large. To find out more about how you can support its endeavors, please visit www.theatrewomen.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.