International Voices Project

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010 • 7:30 P.M.

Premiere Opening of the International Voices Project: Concert Reading

THE DAKOTA DREAM

by Spanish playwright Jordi Galcerán. Directed by Henry Godinez. Translated for the stage by D.J. Sanders.

Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, 31 West Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60654

Chicago´s not-for-profit center for Spanish language and cultural exchange

Free and open to the public

Jordi Galcerán

As the opening performance of the first annual International Voices Project, the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago will host a staged reading of The Dakota Dream by Catalan playwright Jordi Galcerán. Translated for the stage by DJ Sanders, it is directed by Henry Godinez of the Goodman Theatre and Northwestern University. Galcerán’s dark comedy about a man who learns his dreams predict the future won the Ignasi Iglésias Award for theatre in 1995 by the Institut del Teatre of the Diputación de Barcelona. It went on to be voted the best new play for the 1996-97 theatre season and was awarded the Premi Butaca (Audience Choice Award). Outside of Spain, it has also played in Mexico, Argentina, France, and Hungary.

Following the performance will be a dialogue between the cast and audience and a reception featuring regional cuisine. Presented by Premiere Theatre & Performance (PTAP), the International Voices Project is a series of five staged readings of new international plays, produced in collaboration with the consulate generals of France, Japan, Canada, and India, and the Instituto Cervantes, Chicago’s cultural & learning center dedicated to the study of the Spanish language, cultural exchange, and friendship.

Curated by Patrizia Acerra and Brian LaDuca, the International Voices Project is the first event of its kind in the City of Chicago. “A festival of this kind is unprecedented in Chicago, but for us, it is inspired by the great work of Performing Arts Chicago and the International Theatre Festival, as well as the many theatre companies in Chicago that regularly produce international work,” said Acerra.

“The mission of Premiere is to support the development and production of new work, and it is our hope that this initiative will showcase the vibrant work of these artists, and, ideally, help them secure a production here in Chicago,” adds LaDuca.

Directors include Steve Scott and Henry Godinez of the Goodman Theatre, Brian LaDuca of the University of Chicago, Lavina Jadhwani of Rasaka Theatre Company, and Max Truax of Trap Door Theatre. All are free and open to the public, and reservations are suggested by calling (773) 250-7055. More information and the Project’s blog can be found at www.ptapchicago.org/ivp.

The Instituto Cervantes is a public, not-for-profit institution founded by the government of Spain in 1991 to promote Spanish language teaching and knowledge of the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries throughout the world. It is now the largest international Spanish teaching organization, and has more than 70 centers in 5 continents. The central headquarters of the Instituto Cervantes are in Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, and in Madrid.  The Instituto Cervantes of Chicago was established in 1996. For a current schedule of events, please call (312) 335-1996 or visit http://chicago.cervantes.es.

Premiere Opening of the International Voices Project: Concert Reading

THE DAKOTA DREAM

by Spanish playwright Jordi Galcerán. Directed by Henry Godinez. Translated for the stage by D.J. Sanders.

Jordi Galcerán

As the opening performance of the first annual International Voices Project, the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago will host a staged reading of The Dakota Dream by Catalan playwright Jordi Galcerán. Translated for the stage by DJ Sanders, it is directed by Henry Godinez of the Goodman Theatre and Northwestern University. Galcerán’s dark comedy about a man who learns his dreams predict the future won the Ignasi Iglésias Award for theatre in 1995 by the Institut del Teatre of the Diputación de Barcelona. It went on to be voted the best new play for the 1996-97 theatre season and was awarded the Premi Butaca (Audience Choice Award). Outside of Spain, it has also played in Mexico, Argentina, France, and Hungary.

Following the performance will be a dialogue between the cast and audience and a reception featuring regional cuisine. Presented by Premiere Theatre & Performance (PTAP), the International Voices Project is a series of five staged readings of new international plays, produced in collaboration with the consulate generals of France, Japan, Canada, and India, and the Instituto Cervantes, Chicago’s cultural & learning center dedicated to the study of the Spanish language, cultural exchange, and friendship.

Curated by Patrizia Acerra and Brian LaDuca, the International Voices Project is the first event of its kind in the City of Chicago. “A festival of this kind is unprecedented in Chicago, but for us, it is inspired by the great work of Performing Arts Chicago and the International Theatre Festival, as well as the many theatre companies in Chicago that regularly produce international work,” said Acerra.

“The mission of Premiere is to support the development and production of new work, and it is our hope that this initiative will showcase the vibrant work of these artists, and, ideally, help them secure a production here in Chicago,” adds LaDuca.

Directors include Steve Scott and Henry Godinez of the Goodman Theatre, Brian LaDuca of the University of Chicago, Lavina Jadhwani of Rasaka Theatre Company, and Max Truax of Trap Door Theatre.

All are free and open to the public, and reservations are suggested by calling (773) 250-7055. More information and the Project’s blog can be found at www.ptapchicago.org/ivp.

please call  or visit

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010 • 7:30 P.M

31 West Ohio Street