CHICAGO: The Alliance for Jewish Theatre will hold its annual conference completely online this year, with programming including award-winning speakers, international panelists, and select performers. The virtual event runs Oct. 25-Oct. 27, with all-access passes available for $45 for AJT members and $75 for non-members. Tickets for individual events will also be available for purchase.
“The conference is a means to bring together a wide range of theatre practitioners who understand the importance of theatre as a means to express the best of Jewish values,” says Hank Kimmel, AJT board president, in a statement. “We will obviously miss the in-person dynamic this year. However, through the virtual format, we hope that attendees from all over the world connect with each other, take these ideas home and transform them into something wonderfully tangible in their own communities.”
The conference will open with a keynote address from Tony-winning producer Mara Isaacs (Hadestown) and Tony-winning director Rebecca Taichman (Indecent) will close out the conference. Other sessions will include Israeli Theatre Making, How to Get Your Play Produced, Jewish Theatre Making Around the World, a playwriting workshop with Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews), an a panel on Culturally Specific Theatre and Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Blackness. The conference will also feature performances from international artists creating theatre with a Jewish lens. AJT is in the process of adjudicating submissions.
“In difficult times, we come together,” said executive director Jeremy Aluma in a statement. “It is what we have always done. Whether we call it a pod or a bubble, a tribe or a village, the truth remains: Community is where we receive the support and nurturing we need to thrive. It is no wonder AJT has seen a record rise in membership over the last six months. People want to connect. Even in this online, virtual, socially distanced, and masked world, we have found a way to connect through Jewish theatre. The beauty of the virtual conference is that we’re able to connect each little community across the globe.”
More information and conference registration are available on AJT’s website.
