Global Drama

Other than my three-year stint as an ensemble actor, probably one of the best things to happen to Dallas theater would be the International Theater Festival. Now in its 13th year, the festival brings companies from around the world to expand our idea of what the stage can convey. Teatro Dallas and the South Dallas Cultural Center have collaborated to bring ensembles from Venezuela, Spain and Nigeria with the help of our two other cultural centers and Kitchen Dog Theater, proving that theater as a collaborative can kick ass. The festival opens with a Venezuela-USA mash-up performing a comedy about a nympho who marries a man and then kills him. Spain brings a political satire that's making its international debut, and Nigeria closes the festival with a heavy-sounding drama about the context of war and its aftermath. Ironically, an American production of Cabaret Unkempt could be the biggest, telling the potentially funny and moving tale of "a performer of 'size' in a culture where size definitely matters." Workshops and acting classes are also offered throughout. The festival runs Friday through February 8 at various theaters. For information on schedule, locations, classes and tickets, call 214-689-6492 or visit teatrodallas.org.
Feb. 1-8, 2008