International Human Rights Art Festival: Ten Minute Performance Festival

Friday, December 15th @ 7pm

Featuring:

Musings of an International Student presented by Pritha Mukherji

A collection of 3 poems that highlight the struggles of an International Student in New York and emphasize the importance of words and speaking out against injustice.

Heriloom presented by Tova Hopemark

Directed by Lee Hannah Conrads

Performed by Tova Hopemark

Tova Hopemark unpacks family heirlooms.

You Have Arrived presented by Little Shadow Productions

Neda Izadi, Puppeteer and Puppet fabricator
Arash Azizi. Music composer
Shiva Abadi, Puppet Fabricator
JeanMarie Keevins , producer

You Have Arrived," is a one-person show that brings the pressing issues of climate change and climate refugees to life without uttering a single word. Through the mesmerizing medium of a dynamic large-scale pop-up book and simple yet visually captivating puppetry, the show invites us to experience the profound transformation of our landscapes, echoing the silent yet powerful stories of displacement and resilience happening throughout the globe.
Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of traditional Iranian visual arts and music, "You Have Arrived" weaves a narrative that is both timeless and urgently contemporary.
This unique production transcends language barriers, inviting audiences as young as seven to explore, empathize, and reflect on our collective future. Ideal for educational institutions and cultural venues, this show promises to ignite curiosity, foster compassion, and inspire meaningful dialogue about our changing world.

Behind Closed Doors presented by Saidharshana Dhantu

This 12-minute production begins with the exhausting reality of caring for a sick loved one—acting as a full-time caregiver to keep them alive, coordinating treatments, scheduling doctor’s appointments, dealing with insurance companies, filling countless prescriptions, cleaning commodes, and administering IV medications. Behind closed doors, the caregiver is burned out, having lost themselves in the process of caring for someone else. They question whether it’s selfish to want the burden to end and struggle with feelings of imposter syndrome, believing they may not deserve any attention because their loved one’s needs are more important. Despite these overwhelming feelings, they felt utterly alone—only to later realize they were part of millions, an invisible army of family caregivers working tirelessly across America. Around 44 million Americans, aged 18 and older, provide unpaid care and support to elderly adults and individuals with disabilities within their communities. Their unpaid labor is what helps keep our troubled healthcare system afloat. Yet, because our culture romanticizes and overlooks the harsh realities of caregiving, few have shared their stories publicly. This lack of preparation and support can lead to their own health issues, including depression and anxiety. This is a call for an intervention that provides financial support and recognizes and amplifies the voices of those who carry the vital, often overlooked, responsibility of caring for the seriously ill.

Moonlight Becomes You presented Jaymie Bellous

Set in a haunted Provincetown bed & breakfast, Moonlight Becomes You tells the story of a young lesbian couple who come seeking the mystery of a woman in white rumored to haunt the place. As they unravel the truth behind the legend, they discover a lighthearted take on the resilience of the queer trailblazers who came before us.

Skin Deep presented by sarAika movement collective

choreographed and performed by Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

"Skin Deep" encapsulates the idea that creativity can be a potent instrument for advancing justice. This contemporary dance duet, performed and choreographed by Sara Pizzi and Aika Takeshima, both queer immigrant artists and founders of the sarAika movement collective, endeavors to bring to life themes encompassing immigration and LGBTQIA. As a celebration of Women/Women in Power as part of our identity and our voice as social justice artists, the piece roots itself in love and concludes with a reflection of love throughout. The portrayal of queer love acknowledges its diverse forms across different cultures, expressions, and for Sara Pizzi and Aika Takeshima, it embodies tenderness, unconditional acceptance, and serenity in adversity. Through subtle gestures, gentle touch, and eye contact, the piece delves into profound themes related to identity, history, and love. "Skin Deep" is an exploration of human magnetism, the physics and optics of eros. The work communicates the profound isolation experienced by individuals unable to authentically express themselves; it resembles an acute form of aloneness that imparts a sensation of being "flung out of space". When intimacy is ultimately achieved, it is tinged with a sense of loss. This imbues the apparently simple question of "What do these women see in each other?"