Movement Theatre brings US Embassy-supported shows to multi-ethnic communities in Georgia's south
Actors in 'Thirst', a Movement Theatre production directed by Ioseb Bakuradze. Photo via Meskheti Theatre/Movement Theatre.
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The Tbilisi-based Movement Theatre troupe is in Georgia's south to bring two of its shows to multi-ethnic communities in the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, with the initiative supported by the United States Embassy in Georgia.
The group is bringing the premiere of their production based on American playwright Eugene O'Neill's play Thirst and an on-tour show of Tamada in Manhattan, another work from the company repertory, to three municipalities of the region notable for their diverse ethnic compositions.
In Akhaltsikhe, a city of the municipality of the same name, they premiered Thirst, staged by artistic director of the company Ioseb Bakuradze, at the Meskheti Theatre venue of the city on Tuesday, with another bill coming up on Wednesday.
The non-verbal production is designed as a "show without a language barrier, for viewers of all nationalities", the troupe have said. Its premiere signified the launch of the three-part project, International Culture for Integration, involving the Movement Theatre and the embassy support.
In the second stage of the same project, members of the Tbilisi theatre company have been involved in leading master classes on stage art, event management and more for local youth in Akhaltsikhe. With these, the company aims to share their experience of organising shows for audiences involving people speaking different languages, enabling local creatives to do the same.
In the third segment of the initiative, the Movement Theatre will also perform on tour in three municipalities of Samtskhe-Javakheti with Tamada in Manhattan, a production staged at the Tbilisi troupe in collaboration with their counterparts from Washington DC's Company E.
Directed by Paul Gordon Emerson, the Broadway-styled musical will be on the tour bill for shows between April 12-14 in Ninotsminda, Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe municipalities.
International Culture for Integration is funded through the Alumni Grants Program of the US Embassy in Georgia.