World Theatre Day Happens, without Austin

World Theatre Day, observed today for the 49th time, is one of those "opt-in" holidays. It's tied to the International Theatre Institute, established by UNESCO in 1949. The WTD blog and annual messages have a strong flavor of consensus- making at an international organization, including the conscientious acknowledgement of the world's vast array of economically disadvantaged countries.

The U.S. correspondent to the international observance is the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), which arranged for a video message from "Tony-award winning actor and world citizen Jeffrey Wright," head of the TAIA Peace Foundation. Wright evokes the theatre message while telling of a village festival in Sierra Leone, where he and collaborators helped finance a road. His is a thoughtful, humane message, in which with unintended irony Wright stands slightly tilted to the left.

[Apple users: Can't see the video? Click to go to Vimeo]
Austin is not celebrating World Theatre Day this year. The world map posted at the WTD blog shows no "push-pin" anywhere in the vast expanse between Chicago and Los Angeles, and the TCG map, perhaps not updated, doesn't feature LA.

Click to read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

World Theatre Day 2011 Message by Jessica Kaahwa, March 2

Thanks to @travisbedard, from the World Theatre Day 2011 blog:

World Theatre Day

The World Theatre Day Message 2011

The author of this year’s #WTD11 message is Jessica A. Kaahwa. This is meant to be read prior to curtain in the theatre on or around March 27, 2011.

A Case for Theatre in Service of Humanity

Jessica A. Kaahwa, Uganda

Today’s gathering is a true reflection of the immense potential of theatre to mobilize communities and bridge the divides.

Have you ever imagined that theatre could be a powerful tool for peace and reconciliation? While nations spend colossal sums of money on peace-keeping missions in violent conflict areas of the world, little attention is given to theatre as a one-on-one alternative for conflict transformation and management. How can the citizens of mother-earth achieve universal peace when the instruments employed come from outside and seemingly repressive powers?

Theatre subtly permeates the human soul gripped by fear and suspicion, by altering the image of self – and opening a world of alternatives for the individual and hence the community. It can give meaning to daily realities while forestalling an uncertain future. It can engage in the politics of peoples’ situations in simple straightforward ways. Because it is inclusive, theatre can present an experience capable of transcending previously held misconceptions.

Additionally, theatre is a proven means of advocating and advancing ideas that we collectively hold and are willing to fight for when violated.

To anticipate a peaceful future, we must begin by using peaceful means that seek to understand, respect and recognize the contributions of every human being in the enterprise of harnessing peace. Theatre is that universal language by which we can advance messages of peace and reconciliation.

By actively engaging participants, theatre can bring many-a-soul to deconstruct previously held perceptions, and, in this way, gives an individual the chance of rebirth in order to make choices based on rediscovered knowledge and reality. For theatre to thrive, among other art forms, we must take the bold step forward by incorporating it into daily life, dealing with critical issues of conflict and peace.

In pursuance of social transformation and reformation of communities, theatre already exists in war-torn areas and among populations suffering from chronic poverty or disease. There are a growing number of success stories where theatre has been able to mobilize publics to build awareness and to assist post-war trauma victims. Cultural platforms such as the “International Theatre Institute” which aims at “consolidating peace and friendship between peoples” are already in place.

Click to read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .