Wed 7/24 @ noon-1PM
Cleveland’s BorderLight Theatre Festival had its first event in 2019 and then ran into the headwinds of the pandemic – and survived. It went virtually in 2021 and had an all-fringe festival. This year’s festival takes place July 24-27 and will feature international artists, fringe shows and workshops, across a huge range of performance discipline on 20 stages in and around Playhouse Square, with some that are family-friendly (yes, there’s a face painting event) and others that takes risks. There’s standard theater and interactive events, dance, music, circus performances, poetry, spoken word, acrobatics and even “Afghan kite making.” Many of the performances deal with serious issues such as LGBTQ and minority rights and mental health; others are strictly entertainment.
In light of a dangerous and chaotic election coming up, we’re especially interested in Election Day by well-known local writer Lee Chilcote and directed by Cleveland theater mainstay Jimmie Woody. The synopsis says, “Ohioans tell their life stories on the way to the voting. Booth. Are we really so different? Exploring our common humanity amidst political differences.” Alas, yes, today we ARE so different and it’s hard to find “common humanity” with people who don’t believe in YOUR humanity. It will be interesting to see where Chilcote finds reconciliation.
The festival is overwhelming so if you plan to go and want a little guidance, stop by the outdoor plaza at Playhouse Square for another of the City Club’s public outdoor forums. Several of the artists featured will take about the importance of diversity in the arts. They include actor/author Paterson Joseph; Gabriela Muñoz, who performs as Chula the Clown; and champion Fancy Dancer Kenneth Shirley (Diné). Josy Jones, BorderLight’s associate producer and director of community building, will moderate.
Register here. It’s free.
representation-matters-voices-from-the-borderlight-festival
Cleveland, OH 44115