How does performance contribute to building peace in conflict regions around the world? What happens to the artistic integrity of works with overt political purposes?

From October 4 through October 8, the Brandeis Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence explored these questions in a conference, Acting Together on the World Stage: Setting the Scene for Peace (Actuando Juntos: Trabajando por la Paz en el Escenario Mundial). The event included public performances, workshops, and conversations with distinguished international theatre artists, cultural workers, and coexistence experts.

The highlight of the conference was appearances by Ana Correa and Augusto Casafranca of Grupo Cultural Yuyachkani. Yuyachkani's work with the Peru Truth and Reconciliation Commission earned them Peru's 2000 National Human Rights Award.

Information about Yuyachkani: Yuyachkani: Performance and Politics in Peru Translation of Rosa Cuchillo Summary of Adios Ayacucho

"Yuyachkani asks spectators to become participants in Peru's rich performance traditions...and to bear witness to Peru's history of extermination and resistance; alienation and tenacity; betrayal and remembrance."

Local Latino communities were invited to Yuyachkani's free performance of Rosa Cuchillo on Saturday, October 6th. The actors also performed at an open class on Friday, October 5th, and performed Adios Ayacucho at a public symposium, Art vs. Politics and Other False Dichotomies, on Sunday, October 7th.

International theatre artists from conflict regions around the world presented in open sessions of Brandeis University classes on Friday, October 5th and Monday, October 8th. Schedule of classes.

On Sunday, theatre artists, peacebuilders, and sustainable development experts participated in Pieces of the Coexistence Puzzle: Part II. Topics for these problem-solving workshops range from improving inter-ethnic relations in post-war Serbia to reducing violence in Sri Lanka to strengthening immigrant communities in Waltham. By invitation only.

Conference presenters included:

• Kevin Clements, Director, Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies
• Erik Ehn, Dean, School of Theater, CalArts
• Roberta Levitow, Founder, Theatre Without Borders
• Dijana Milosevic, Director, Dah Teatar and Research Center
• Eugene van Erven, Leading Authority on International Community Theatre

Thank you to StageSource: The Greater Boston Theatre Alliance; International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life; and Brandeis University for making this event possible