Especially Now - When a theatre fights for Human Rights

The Global Theatre Project, in association with Amnesty International and in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, presents ESPECIALLY NOW: CREATE THE WORLD TOGETHER, a fundraising night that is also a stimulating and provocative celebration of those who have fought for freedom.

The event is divided into three acts. With Act One, you will have the chance to see the premiere of “A Stubborn Woman: a Theatrical Memorandum on Anna Politkovskaya” by Florentine playwright Stefano Massini. Anna Politkovskaya, American citizen by birth, was a Russian journalist, author of several books and human rights activist known for her opposition to the Chechen conflict and to the Government of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Her polemical style and her investigations put her under continuous death threats since the beginning of her career.

On October 7, 2006, she was shot and killed in the elevator of her apartment. Her assassination remains unsolved and continues to attract international attention. Amnesty International continues to seek justice for her murder. Directed by Bari Hochwald, the play will be performed by an ensemble of nine young actors from the US and Italy (Carolina Gamini, Henri Lubatti, Judith Scarpone, Lisa Ciricione, Alexandra Goodman, Kate Maher, Steve Mazurek, Jason Thomas and Randolph Thompson), and will be presented bilingually, in English and Italian, with supertitles on the screen. The play has been already presented in Italy with the title “Donna Non Rieducabile”.

The Russian journalist has been interpreted by famous theatre actress Ottavia Piccolo, who had already worked with the Florentine playwright in “Processo a Dio”. Massini has worked on Anna Politkovskaya’s mémoires and articles and has adapted them to a theatrical monologue, now finally presented to the American audience.
Act Two is a panel discussion which explores the impact imposed on civil rights and developing and existing democracies when journalists suffer violent reprisal for reporting truth in conflict zones. In many places around the world journalists frequently risk their lives to tell the truth.

Why should people in the United States care about this issue? Discussion will focus on this main question, and will see the participation of journalists Sandy Tolan, Allison Hope Weiner and Amnesty Regional Field Director Kalaya'an Mendoza.

Moreover, Hochwald has planned to pass out a simple questionnaire, asking participants to share their ideas about the main topic of the evening. Their responses, and the subsequent discussion, will contribute to her next project.
Act Three offers the choice of a cocktail reception or a “call to action” in the lobby, with members of Amnesty International and special guest, actor and activist James Cromwell.

The Global Theatre Project, a non-profit corporation, was born of the work of President and Artistic Director Bari Hochwald, who co-founded and ran Florence International Theatre Company in Florence, Italy. The Project is the natural prosecution of the work done in Tuscany since 2005 and aims to a collaboration and cultural exchange between Italian and American young artists. This is the moment to expand the work of the company to a broader audience through the establishment of The Global Theatre Project in Los Angeles.

In doing so, the work done abroad can be brought to the US and shared in events which bring active attention to the importance of recognizing Americans’ global citizenry and the impact that the US has overseas. This will also give more chances to launch and establish the format of additional projects, which will allow the engagement of additional communities, promoting cross-cultural understanding.

Your contribution to ESPECIALLY NOW: CREATE THE WORLD TOGETHER establishes you as a Lifetime Founding Member of The Global Theatre Project. Through creative and community-building events like this, The Global Theatre Project crosses international boundaries to bring awareness to our common humanity.

See you on December 11, 2011 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, historical downtown L.A.. Come celebrate what we are capable of doing together! Show starts at 7.00 pm with “A Stubborn Woman”, and will be followed by the Panel “The impact of reprisal violence against journalists” and the reception/action.
Tickets begins at $15. More information at www.theglobaltheatreproject.org