Fishamble: The New Play Company and Irish Repertory Theatre
present the
2022-2023 Transatlantic Commissions Program
By CN Smith, Felispeaks, Jade Jordan and Kwaku Fortune
Mentored by Dael Orlandersmith
Directed by Jim Culleton & Nicola Murphy Dubey
Monday, March 20, 2023 at 7pm & Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 7pm
New York’s Irish Repertory Theatre and Dublin’s Fishamble: The New Play Company are proud to announce their first collaboration, the 2022-2023 Transatlantic Commissions Program, a new endeavor that aims to address head-on the historical inequalities in representation that have existed in the theatrical canon. Together, Fishamble and Irish Rep have commissioned four Black Irish artists and writers of color to work with a mentor over the course of a year to create new short works that will be presented as readings by Fishamble in Dublin, Irish Rep in New York, and in both the San Fransisco and Los Angeles Public Libraries.
The inaugural cohort comprises CN Smith, Felispeaks, Jade Jordan and Kwaku Fortune. These writers have spent a year working under the mentorship of the Obie Award-winning playwright and Pulitzer Prize finalist Dael Orlandersmith. Orlandersmith adds, “I am thrilled to be a part of the Diaspora of new work and new voices. It’s a privilege.” Helena Nolan, Consul General of Ireland in New York, added: “We are delighted to support the Irish Repertory Theatre and this important new project in partnership with Dublin’s Fishamble: The New Play Company. Both theatres play an integral role in their communities and I am particularly proud to see them investing in the careers of under-represented playwrights from Ireland, whose voices deserve to be heard both in Ireland and in the United States.”
Staged Readings of each new short play will be presented on Irish Rep’s Mainstage on Monday March 20 & Tuesday March 21
Read the performance program here!
Please note: Monday, March 20, 2023 at 7pm will be a Mask Required performance & Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 7pm will be a Mask Optional performance. Please also note there be will no late seating.
Not recommended for anyone under the age of 14.
This program is supported in part by Colleen Murphy.
Corktown
by CN Smith
A story about Dublin, set outside Dublin; about the present, but set in the past. One night, in an all-white neighborhood in Corktown, Detroit, an Irish immigrant answers a knock at her door. The black woman on her doorstep insists she is due to move into the spare room upstairs. After a small struggle, she comes inside. Now what?
BENT!
by Felispeaks
BENT! Is a Black Irish story of a young woman, Shayo, and her attempt to find and understand her purpose by achieving balance within herself. Shayo’s life has been influenced by well meaning masculine energies; such as her father. Her journey to finding balance is dotted with inspiration from Yoruba mythology and the universal elements of Air, Fire and Water. Through the integration of these elements, she decides she must take control of her own life and find her purpose. BENT! Is a Black Irish story of a young woman, Shayo, and her attempt to find and understand her purpose by achieving balance within herself. Shayo’s life has been influenced by well meaning masculine energies; such as her father. Her journey to finding balance is dotted with inspiration from Yoruba mythology and the universal elements of Air, Fire and Water. Through the integration of these elements, she decides she must take control of her own life and find her purpose.
89
by Jade Jordan
89 is a Dublin story inspired by the life of Christine Buckley, an Irish activist and campaigner, who served as the director of the Aislinn support and education group for survivors of Industrial Schools in Ireland. An honest portrayal of industrial abuse, abandonment, identity and seeking answers, 89 is ultimately a story of survival.
The Black Wolfe Tone
by Kwaku Fortune
The Black Wolfe Tone is a short play about muddled identity, and how trauma can be passed down, generation to generation. It’s about the mind, and how young men deal, or don’t deal, with the darkness. It’s about a culture of silence and raging against the machine. At its heart, it’s about a young boy seeking forgiveness, the inner child wanting only to be loved.
Maureen Kennelly, Director of The Arts Council, said:
“The Arts Council is committed to ensuring that the arts landscape is more reflective of Ireland in all its diversity and we are delighted to support this collaborative programme. Increased diversity and equality in the arts makes a richer creative arena for everyone and we look forward to the development and performance of these new works.”
Helena Nolan, Consul General of Ireland in New York, added:
“We are delighted to support the Irish Repertory Theatre and this important new commissioning project in partnership with Dublin’s Fishamble: The New Play Company. Both theatres play an integral role in their communities and I am particularly proud to see them investing in the careers of under-represented playwrights from Ireland, whose voices deserve to be heard both in Ireland and in the United States.”
Fishamble and Irish Rep are proud to foster a supportive creative environment for this cohort and to promote and celebrate under-represented voices in Irish theatre.
DUBLIN @ PROJECT ARTS CENTER
Wednesday, March 15 @ 6:30pm
After our readings in Dublin and New York, the cohort will travel to the west coast for readings at:
SAN FRANCISCO @ SF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Thursday, March 23, 2023 @ 5:30pm
LOS ANGELES @ LA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Sunday, March 26, 2023 @ 2pm
