International Human Rights Art Festival Winterfest
January 11, 12, and 13 at 7:00pm
The IHRAF returns this winter for its fifth festival, featuring 16 different productions of theater, music, dance and improv theater! All advocating for a better world, and all exhibiting our values of beauty, sincerity and vulnerability of presentation, celebrating diversity and opening doorways of engagement.
Wednesday, January 11, 7 pm
Rex McGregor, "Grace Finds Kel”
Director: Barry Reitman
Actors: Mark Cunningham
Victoria Freedman
A social worker wants to provide accommodation for a homeless man. But he loves his freedom.
David Taylor Little, “Admissions”
Directed by Carson Crow
Caleb is applying for student loans, but needs his brother Grant's assistance. Will their past be a barrier to them coming to some sort of agreement?
Actors: James Denzer
Mario Noto
Kelly Burr, “Three Tries”
Director: Kelly Burr
Actors: Alex: Ashley Hall
Jo: Teresa Hui
During a chance encounter on a cruise ship, Jo discovers that Alex is preparing to end their life, so Jo asks for three tries to sell the idea of continuing to live.
Pat Davis, “Four Minutes”
Director: Josh Liveright
Actors: Mom: Jane Ives
Jacklyn: Jeanne Lauren Smith
A mother and daughter fight old and new battles at an oil pipeline valve the daughter plans to shut off.
Steven Gold, “Bella Napoli”
Director: Charles Casano
Actors: Ernest: Justin Shepp
Hedwig: Katherine Elliot
Two lonely people, one cozy bench.
Joshua Piper, “10-72 Fire In Progress”
Director: Jayson Cahillane
Actors: Angel: Anthony Chavers
Diane: Brooke Lyn Sicignano
Oak: Francisco D. Morales
10-72 Fire In Progress” is a short play about a few fire watch lookouts who, through their wireless radios, search for connection in the aftermath of the AIDS epidemic.
Leonard D. Goodisman, “Jamie’s Protest”
Director: Monica Hoyt
Actors: Stan: James Santora
Ellie: Yvette Bedgood
Jamie: Kelsey Jewels
A young “African-American” feels she has to protest a painting by her white father who, with her “African-American” mother, are celebrating the painting's acceptance so the family is caught in a microcosm of a divisive world: a sensitive painterly ode to Jamie's mother or stolen ideas and images that don’t belong to his race.
Thursday, January 12, 7 pm
Aalokam Bharatnatyam Dance, “Kali”
Choreographer: Bharathi Penneswaran
Dancers: Mira
Sumathi
Revati
Maya
Aryana
Kali symbolizes wholeness and healing, Kali embodies the boundless and existential freedom to be—without seeking permission. Kali is the expression of nature. Like nature, she has a destructive side as much as a benevolent one. Kali is the quintessential embodiment of shakti, the female power.
John Malatesta, “I am No Longer"
Director: Christopher Scott
Actor: John Malatesta
A chance encounter between two people of different generations, both at a crossroads, has unexpected results for both.
Sean Eve and Susan Moon, “Bedside Manners”
Director: Susan Moon
Actors: Kit Zauhar
Owen Campbell
In a metatheatre piece exploring loss, two separate near death experiences have brought Sam and Hana closer to the edge of something without ever meeting in real life.
Rebecca Kane, “Safe Walk”
Director: Monique Pappas-Williams
Actors: Margot: Alicia Harwell
Michael: Camarey Chambliss
When Margot calls for a volunteer to walk her home on campus one night, they don’t seem to have much in common at first -- and then, suddenly, sadly, too many of the same fears.
Kai Xing Mun, “Astral”
Director Syona Varty,
Actors: Lil Rhee
Kimi Handa Brown
Jonon Gansukh.
Years after kicking out her only child, Mary reflects on how her prejudices may have doomed her to die alone as she spends the potentially last moments of her life in a coma.
Loretta Oleck, “Paper Chains”
Director: Lil Malinich
Actor: Sade Namei
One woman at a refugee camp shares an unspeakable secret about her family’s harrowing journey to escape oppression and violence in their futile quest for freedom.
Haley Rice, “Don’t Feed the Ducks”
Director: Isaac Byrne
Actors: Woman: Kathleen Donachie
Duck: Trevor Markanovic
Don't Feed the Ducks" is a woman's struggle to make the importance of rules be understood.
Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company, ‘Tribute to Ukraine”
Choreographer: Lori Belilove, inspired by Isadora Duncan
Dancers: Lori Belilove, Emily D’Angelo, Samantha Mercado, Nikki Poulos, Hayley Rose, Caroline Yamada
Evoking the cry, the terror, and loss “Tribute to Ukraine” pays homage to the heroic valor and grit of the Ukrainian people.
Friday, January 13, 7 pm
Thank You for Coming Out: LGBTQIA+ Storytelling & Improv Show, plus Talk-Back
Host: Dubbs Weinblatt (they/them);
Storyteller: Dr. Felix Graham (he/him)
Musical Director: Everly Brodie (she/they);
Talkback Moderator: JessAnn Smith (she/her)
Actors: TYFCO Community Players, feat. special guests from TRANScend Vocal Ensemble!
Thank You For Coming Out celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with improv and storytelling from performers of all backgrounds, from brand new players to Broadway stars! Based on a heartfelt coming out story from our Special Guest Storyteller Dr. Felix Graham, our improvisers devise an on-the-spot hilarious, insightful comedy show (and a musical!) that has never happened before, and will never be “scene” again!
For the first time ever, TYFCO is hosting a talkback right after the show with Founder Dubbs Weinblatt, Dr. Felix Graham and a few TYFCO community players, moderated by Co-Producer JessAnn Smith. **Audience members can submit questions at the venue before the show once house opens.** Founder Dubbs Weinblatt, Dr. Felix Graham and a few TYFCO community players, moderated by Co-Producer JessAnn Smith. **Audience members can submit questions once the house opens.**
*All attendees and artists will be required to display proof of at least 2 doses of a covid vaccination before being admitted to the space. Patrons will also be required to wear masks while indoors at all times.