WHAT I HEARD ABOUT IRAQ

Monday, March 20th, 2006
at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center

     In a bold effort to unify the international outcry against the American occupation of Iraq, the Fountain Theatre of Hollywood, California organized a worldwide day of staged readings of WHAT I HEARD ABOUT IRAQ, a fiery new anti-war docu-drama by Simon Levy.  Timed to coincide with the third anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, theatres in fifteen different countries around the Globe (as well as fifteen different theatres in the U.S. alone) held simultaneous presentations of this powerful new work.
     Subversive Theatre was thrilled to organize the Buffalo rendition of this international event.  Our presentation drew a standing-room-only crowd to the gorgeous historic downtown building that was once the Delaware Asbury Church and is now home to Righteous Babe Records and Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center.
     Our staged reading was directed by Katie White* and enlisted the acting talents of Keith Elkins*, Patricia Armstrong*, Dava Bielefeld, Bidemi Akanbi, and -- taking the stage for the first time ever -- Subversive Theatre's Artistic Director Kurt Schneiderman* to portray the "five voices" that make up this play's startling look back at the last three years of war.
     In an attempt to further develop the link between art and activism, we chose to follow up this staged reading with a panel discussion on what can be done to end the War.  Long-time local war resister Bruce Beyer and John Curr of the New York Civil Liberties Union opened with presentations on various methods of anti-war activism.  This generated a very empowering discussion with virtually the entire audience.  Many different ideas were shared and many people expressed an interest in stepping up their involvement in the anti-war movement.
     Before, in between, and after all these events, live folk protest music was provided by Joni Russ* of The Burning Humvees as well as other local groups.
     This event was undoubtedly one of Subversive Theatre's most successful, bringing together music, theatre, and political discussion to serve as an inspiration for ordinary people to take action.
     Here's a more detailed list of who did what:

First Voice . . . . . . . . . Dava Bielefeld
Second Voice . . . Patricia Armstrong*
Third Voice . . . . Kurt Schneiderman*
Fourth Voice  . . . . . . . . Keith Elkins*
Fifth Voice . . . . . . . .  Bidemi Akanbi

Director . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie White*
Sound Design . . . . . . . John Shotwell
Poster Design . . Kurt Schneiderman*
Live Music . . . . . . . . . . .  Joni Russ*
Dramaturgy . . . . . . Heather Violanti*
Organization . . . . . .  Jeanette Rehac*
Postering Captain . . . . Jenny Peshut*

* = indicates members of the Subversive Theatre Collective

special thanks to:
Rust Belt Books for rehearsal space
Ed Cardoni & Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center for performance space