Celebrate World Theatre Day with Performances from South Africa, Sweden, and the US of an American Classic at Georgetown University.
Groundbreaking at the time, the 1959 Broadway play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry showcased to a wider public the struggles of a poor African-American family in the United States. Prominent high profile productions took place for the first time ever in 2016 in Sweden, directed by Josette Bushell-Mingo, OBE, and at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg, directed by James Ngcobo. Arena Stage’s Mead Center for the American Theatre in Washington, DC will produce the play in April of 2017.
Dreams Deferred, a one-night-only event, will explore the resonance of this classic play in three different cultural contexts – South Africa, Sweden, and the United States – as well as the larger cross-current themes of racial equality and justice, the legacies of author Lorraine Hansberry, the Civil Rights Movement and Apartheid.
The evening will include scenes from A Raisin in the Sun and other pieces artistically inspired by the monumental legacy of Hansberry’s play, a discussion with Swedish director Josette Bushell-Mingo, James Ngcobo, Artistic Director of the Market Theatre, Johannesburg, and international artists and experts, moderated by Prof. Soyica Colbert, as well as the US World Theatre Day address from Kwame Kwei-Armah, OBE.
Please note: this event has limited seating, which is available on a first come, first served basis. Any tickets not picked up 15 minutes prior to curtain may be released to patrons on standby.
Date and Time
Mon, March 27, 2017
7:30 PM – 10:30 PM EDT
RSVP to attend here
Location
Georgetown University
Gaston Hall, Healy Hall
3700 O Street, NWWashington, DC 20057
Dreams Deferred is produced by The Lab and the Global Theater Initiative in partnership with the Swedish Embassy, and in association with the South African Embassy, Riksteatern, and the International Theatre Institute. It is part of World Theatre Day, and will be livestreamed by HowlRound TV.
Created in 1961, World Theatre Day, is celebrated annually on March 27 by International Theatre Institute Centers around the world and the international theater community. Each year, a renowned theater artist of world stature is invited to craft an International Message to mark the global occasion.