Patricia Ariza, a Columbian artist and activist, has received the LPTW Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award for her endeavors toward peace and greater awareness of women’s issues during armed conflicts.
In the performances and events she orchestrates through The Corporación, the non-profit org she manages, Ariza brings together professional artists and victims of human-rights abuses, especially widows and children, to shed light on those who suffered or are still suffering from violence, trauma, abuse, homelessness, and poverty. Survivors are ensured a platform to tell their stories.
The Corporación also puts together the biannual Festival Alternativo de Teatro (“Alternative Theater Festival”) and the internationally acclaimed Festival de Mujeres en Escena (“Women on Stage Festival”) every year.
“The important thing is not me, but what I do with the women’s movement and social movement in Colombia,” said Ariza. “I am confident that theater serves to achieve peace.” Earlier this year, she was given the National Award for Human Rights in Colombia.
Bestowed every three years, the LPTW Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award is the only US prize that celebrates non-US female theater artists. The award organizers will celebrate Ariza and 20 other internationally renowned theater artists from nearly as many countries with a weeklong celebration of their works in New York, from October 27 to November 3.
Here’s the schedule of events:
Monday, October 27
11:30 am Patricia Ariza’s work will be explored with the artist present at the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, CUNY Graduate Center, starting with a documentary on her 40-year career. Followed by one-on-one interview with Diana Taylor from Hemispheric Institute. Followed by an open rehearsal demonstration led by Ariza.
6:30 pm Award Ceremony
Tuesday, October 28
A poetry reading in Spanish and English by Patricia Ariza at the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, 680 Park Avenue, followed by an interview by Miriam Colon, Artistic Director of Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre.
Wednesday, October 29th
Nominee Panel Event — A showcase for the work of the other 20 nominees for the 2014 Gilder/Coigney Award.
Friday, October 31–6pm
Lark Play Development Center — Ariza launches an invited discussion among artists using Theatre for Social Change.
Monday, November 3
Looking back on the week with Patricia Ariza. An opportunity to bid the 2014 winner farewell and exchange final ideas stimulated during the week on working in the theatrical sphere abroad as well as the challenges women theatre artists face in a judgmental and constrictive political landscape.
