A MESSAGE FROM FAR AWAY REMOTE THEATER PROJECT’S PUBLIC ART CELEBRATION IN PORTLAND AUGUST 4TH AND 5TH
PORTLAND, Maine — July 15, 2021
Remote Theater Project (RTP) in partnership with Mayo Street Arts (MSA), The Greater Port land Immigrant Welcome Center (GPIWC), and Portland Ovations presents A MESSAGE FROM FAR AWAY, an interaction with Good Chance Theatre’s The Walk – a traveling festival of art and hope in support of refugees. At the heart of The Walk is ‘Little Amal’, a 12-foot-tall puppet of a young refugee girl, created by the acclaimed Handspring Puppet Company. Representing all dis placed children, many separated from their families, Little Amal will travel over 8,000km em bodying the urgent message “Don’t forget about us.”
From the Syria-Turkey border all the way to the UK, The Walk will bring together celebrated artists, major cultural institutions, community groups and humanitarian organizations to create one of the most innovative and adventurous public artworks ever attempted. Little Amal will at tend the culminating event in real-time, interacting with performers and the audience via a 12-foot video wall. “Remote Theater Project is thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with renowned theater artist Amir Nizar Zuabi, the artistic director of The Walk. I am so excited to bring this piece to Portland, to be collaborating with inspiring young New Mainers and partner ing with wonderful local organizations” says Alexandra Aron, Producing Artistic Director RTP
"Puppets, parades, and a little transatlantic theatrical magic,” said Ian Bannon, Executive Direc tor of Mayo Street Arts. “I'm thrilled that MSA is able to help facilitate this two-day event cele-
brating the strength, grace, and resilience of members of our community who have arrived in Portland from all corners of the globe."
The Walk has been described by The Guardian as “one of the most ambitious live artworks ever staged…a giant puppet will trek from the Syria-Turkey border to Manchester, in a moving-the atre show of solidarity with asylum seekers.” Reza Jalali, Executive Director of Immigrant Wel come Center praised the efforts to bring visibility to the plight of refugees, adding "the parade will showcase the city of Portland's role in welcoming and accepting the world's displaced peo ple and giving them a chance to start a new life here.” All events are free and open to the public.
“Ovations is grateful to be part of such a potent, artful celebration,” said Aimée M. Petrin, Exec utive & Artistic director of Portland Ovations. “The collaborations both near and far promise to shine a bright light on the power of coming together to welcome our newest community mem bers from around the world. Through stories, puppets, music and pageantry — we celebrate our shared humanity while honoring what makes us each unique. Together we can build a stronger community where everyone feels welcome, valued and joyful.”
Remote Theater Project is the only US organization to connect in real-time and through live-feed video stream with The Walk. RTP has been working with teenage refugee and asylum-seekers in Portland, Maine to create monologues, “letters to Amal.” The participants attended a writing workshop led by Mudar Alhaggi, himself a Syria refugee via Zoom from Berlin. Both Alhaggi and composer/musician Kinan Azmeh are distinguished Syrian artists participating in The Walk. Azmeh will perform with the Pihcintu Multinational Immigrant and Refugee Girls’ Chorus in A Mes sage from Far Away.
A Message from Far Away is endorsed by and has received support from Creative Portland, Wel come the Stranger, Portland Adult Education and New England Arab American Organization.
Schedule of Events
• August 4th at 6pm Portland Ovations presents a free concert with Kinan Azmeh’s City Band at the Bandstand at Fort Allen Park on Portland’s Eastern Prom. Azmeh – originally from Syria now based in NYC – is one of The Walk featured artists. Blurring the lines of classical and jazz forms, Kinan is a master clarinetist/composer from Syria recognized internationally for his rich sound, distinct compositional voice and ability to cross music styles and cultures. Kinan has appeared at Carnegie and Royal Albert Halls among other esteemed venues and is known for his work with The Silk Road Ensemble and others.
• August 5th at 12:30pm “Parade with Us” GPIWC and MSA co-sponsor a walk in support of immigrants and refugees in Portland and open to all who want to participate. The pa rade will begin at Monument Square ending at the performance with Little Amal at Ocean Gateway.
• August 5th at 2pm Ocean Gateway- Remote Theater Project’s performance for Little Amal on live-feed video. Letters written and performed by teenage New Mainers and songs performed by the Pihcintu Multinational Immigrant and Refugees Girls’ Chorus will be accompanied by the musicians of the Portland Symphony Orchestra and Kinan Azmeh‘s City Band.
Remote Theater Project
Remote Theater Project (Alexandra Aron, Producing Artistic Director) is dedicated to developing new work with artists who are geopolitically isolated and support their voices to be heard outside the confines of their region. A MESSAGE FROM FAR AWAY marks its first production since the
critical and popular success of its inaugural production GREY ROCK, written and directed by Amir Nizar Zaubi (now the Artistic Director of The Walk). RTP commissioned Grey Rock and produced it with an all-Palestinian cast in New York at La Mama Theatre. It was subsequently presented at The Public Theatre, Kennedy Center, Guthrie Theatre, Kimmel Centre and the Mel bourne International Arts Festival (2019-2020).
Portland Ovations
Founded in 1931 as the Portland Concert Association, Portland Ovations celebrates its 90th an niversary this year. Portland’s only presenter of all performance disciplines — from Broadway National Tours, to dance, theater, and multiple music genres — Ovations’ mission is to contribute to the cultural, social, and economic wellbeing of our communities by creating magical moments when audiences and artists connect, inspiring a curious and imaginative community where the experience of the performing arts is a vital part of everyday life.
Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center
The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center serves as a hub of collaboration that strength ens the immigrant community through language acquisition, economic integration and civic en gagement.
Mayo Street Arts
Mayo Street Arts serves residents of Portland's East Bayside neighborhood and beyond with per formances, classes, and workshops, embracing a variety of forms with a particular focus on pup petry, folk music, and dance. MSA strengthens its local community by providing a haven for the arts that is vibrant, safe, and inspiring; and engages area youths of diverse cultural communities in robust participation in the visual, performing, and literary arts.