a semi-staged reading of 18 short plays, poems & songs on the subject of climate change

Director Matthew Clinton Sekellick, as part of Climate Change Theatre Action and in partnership with Hallwalls and Rise Up for Climate Justice, presents a semi-staged reading of 18 short plays, poems, and songs by national and international playwrights on the subject of climate change. Ranging from comedy to drama, this diverse group of texts by some of today's most exciting playwrights presents a global perspective on issues related to climate change, from community gardens to refugees, climate deniers to drought. In Buffalo, Sekellick has recently shown work at City of Night and created Detour for Torn Space Theater.

"These plays help us see climate change in new ways, they challenge us to rethink our relationship to something that often feels big and abstract. I'm very excited to have such a talented cast, and privileged to present really beautiful texts in such an intimate venue as Hallwalls' Cinema. These plays offer something for everyone" (M.C. Sekellick).

The reading in Buffalo features Marisa Caruso (Sylvia in Sylvia at Buffalo Laboratory Theatre), Stephen Wisker (Feste in Twelfth Night at Shakespeare in Delaware Park), Priscilla Young-Anker, Marissa Biondolillo, Reed Wayne Bentley, and Courtney Frances Fallon. Featured writers include Neil LaBute (U.S.), Naomi Iizuka (U.S.), Bryony Lavery (England), Erik Ehn (U.S.), Catherine Banks (Canada), Lenora Champagne (U.S.), David Geary (Canada/New Zealand/Māori), Dipika Guha (U.S./India), Jacqueline E. Lawton (U.S.), Karen Malpede (U.S.), Chiori Miyagawa (U.S.), Sitawa Namwalie (Kenya), Lisa Schlesinger (U.S.), August Schulenburg (U.S.), Saviana Stanescu (U.S./Romania), Caridad Svich (U.S.), and Elspeth Tilley (New Zealand).

Climate Change Theatre Action is a series of worldwide readings and performances intended to bring awareness to—and foster discussion about—climate change during the months of November and December 2015. A joint venture between NoPassport, The Arctic Cycle, and Theatre Without Borders, this action is in support of the United Nations 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) taking place November 30-December 13, 2015. To date, 100 international collaborators have committed to hosting events, ranging from readings in classrooms to daylong festivals, from films and radio programs to site-specific performances at the foot of glaciers. It is part of ArtCOP21, the Cultural Programme for Paris Climate 2015.

"This 'artivist' action on climate change is an opportunity to reflect, with multiple communities, on the most vital issues on the planet, continuing our mission toward a theatre that can illuminate the relationship between humans and nature,' says Caridad Svich, playwright and founder of NoPassport.

ABOUT MATTHEW CLINTON SEKELLICK:
Matthew Clinton Sekellick is an artist and theater maker. Matthew creates plays, performances, installations, interventions, videos, and essays. He created Detour for Torn Space Theater, recently created a "play of things" for City of Night: The Old First Ward, and has assistant directed with Purchase Repertory Theater. He has performed with the New York State Theater Institute and Saratoga Shakespeare Company, among others. He holds an MA from the University at Buffalo, a BA from the Conservatory of Theater Arts at Purchase College, and has trained with Anne Bogart and SITI Company.