Ukrainian theater performance and talkback (Saturday, Nov. 5)

13 Front Street,Frenchtown NJ 08825

05 November, 2022

Description

A theater troupe formed by Ukrainian actors in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of the country will present a new performance exploring motherland at ArtYard’s McDonnell Theater over two evenings in November. On Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5, Slovo. Theater Group will perform Mothermotherland, an original work inspired by the Ukrainian writer Mykola Khyvylovy, his novella I Am (a Romantic), and the actors' own personal stories. A post-show artist discussion follows the performances, offering the opportunity to discuss theater in translation, Ukrainian cultural heritage, and the current movement of Ukrainian artist-activists. Slovo. Theater Group is Audrey Rose Degez, Daria Holovchanska, Yuliia Linnik, Maksym Panchenko, Veronika Shuster, and Olesia Zakharova. Mothermotherland Synopsis: In Khyvylovy’s 1924 novella I Am (a Romantic), the head of the local Cheka, a communist law enforcement agency, must decide whether or not to sentence his mother to death in the name of the ideals of the Commune. Khyvylovy lived, worked, and ultimately committed suicide at Slovo House, as a protest against the 1933 Soviet extermination of Ukrainian artists and intellectuals. The performance is presented as a partnership by ArtYard and Colab Arts, the latter of which is Slovo. Theater Group’s fiscal sponsor. For more information on Slovo. Theater Group and how this performance came to be, please read our announcement. Tickets for the performance are $20. Proceeds support Slovo. Theater Group. Additional donations can be made here to Slovo. Theater Group via Colab Arts. Please write "Ukraine" in the information box to ensure the donation is directed to Slovo Theater Group. About Slovo. Theater GroupSlovo. Theater Group is dedicated to increasing the visibility of Ukrainian culture in the United States and stimulating dialogue between Ukrainians and Americans. Formed in Pittsburgh in August following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Slovo. Theater Group comprises five actors from Kharkiv, Ukraine led by Audrey Degez who are bringing a new performance exploring “Motherland” to venues across the Northeast through January. Their performance is inspired by the short story I Am (Romance) by Ukrainian writer Mykola Khyvylovy in the styles of Jacques Lecoq, Berezil Theater, an avant-garde Soviet Ukrainian theater troupe founded by Les Krubas in the 1920s, and post-documentary theater. The group includes: Audrey Rose Degez, a Pittsburgh-based American-French producer, co-director, actress, and manager of Slovo. Theater Group Yulia Linnik, Ukrainian actress, co-director,, and publicity manager of Slovo Theater Group Daria Holovchanska, Ukrainian actress, co-director, and puppeteer Maks Panchenko, Ukrainian actor, co-director, and performer Veronika Shuster, Ukrainian artist, co-director, and performer Olesia Zakharova, Ukrainian actress, co-director, and performer