Social Justice & Political Theatre

Content here focuses on theatremakers, companies, and projects with a political or social justice mission.

The Latest

Livestreaming ArtsLink Assembly: Radical Hospitality

Video

Livestreaming ArtsLink Assembly: Radical Hospitality

Resilience and thriving strategies for 2020 and beyond.

Thursday 15 October to Friday 13 November

Online

Activating the Cultural Power of a Movement

Video

Activating the Cultural Power of a Movement

Leaders from racial justice, environmental justice, immigrant rights, and economic justice groups share strategies for building movement power together

Friday 9 October 2020

United States

Black and Blue 2020: Art / Activism / Transformation

Video

Black and Blue 2020: Art / Activism / Transformation

Artists, activists, and the New Orleans Police Monitor reflect on the life of Yvonne Bechet and using stories to build social movements

Monday 5 October 2020

New Orleans, Louisiana

Howlround Theatre Commons

From the World Theatre Map

blue graphic of actor onstage against yellow background

Livestreaming the Panel: (Re)Imagine Civic Theater (ASL interpreted & live captioned)

Seattle Rep

Video

Livestreaming the Panel: (Re)Imagine Civic Theater (ASL interpreted & live captioned)

A series by Seattle Rep that brings artists and community leaders together

Thursday 29 October 2020

United States

Seattle Rep presents (Re)Imagine Civic Theater livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 29 October 2020 at 5 p.m. PDT (Seattle, UTC-7) / 6 p.m. MDT (Denver, UTC-6) / 7 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 8 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4).

Livestreaming a Conversation: "Unbought & Unbossed"

National Black Theatre

Video

Livestreaming a Conversation: "Unbought & Unbossed"

Part Three: To Be UNBOSSED ft. Dianne Smith and Lady Dane

Thursday 29 October 2020

United States

NBT @ HOME presents an "Unbought & Unbossed" Conversation livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 29 October at 3 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 5 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 6 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

An aerial photograph of a picnic table spanning the US Mexico border wall with people eating on either side.

Livestreaming ArtsLink Assembly: Radical Hospitality

CEC ArtsLink

Video

Livestreaming ArtsLink Assembly: Radical Hospitality

Resilience and thriving strategies for 2020 and beyond.

Thursday 15 October to Friday 13 November

Online

The ArtsLink Assembly convenes artists, thinkers, organizations, and activists to explore resilience and thriving strategies for art and artists in the (post)-pandemic world in a series of online events and discussions. Livestreaming Thursday 15 October to Friday 13 November 2020.

"Unbought & Unbossed"

National Black Theatre

Video

"Unbought & Unbossed"

Part Two: Issues Facing Black Women's Lives and Liberation Today featuring Stephanie Young, Rhonda Ross, and DeRay Mckesson

Thursday 15 October 2020

United States

NBT @ HOME presented an "Unbought & Unbossed" Conversation livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 15 October at 3 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 5 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 6 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Activating the Cultural Power of a Movement

blue and yellow seal with text US DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE

USDAC

Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts NY (NOCD-NY)

Arts & Democracy

Video

Activating the Cultural Power of a Movement

Leaders from racial justice, environmental justice, immigrant rights, and economic justice groups share strategies for building movement power together

Friday 9 October 2020

United States

The US Department of Arts and Culture, Arts & Democracy, and Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts NY (NOCD-NY) presented the conversation Activating the Cultural Power of a Movement livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 9 October 2020 at 1 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 3 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 4 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

black woman in dress stands with arms out in front of uniformed police officers

Black and Blue 2020: Art / Activism / Transformation

The Yvonne Bechet Theatre Project

Junebug Productions

Video

Black and Blue 2020: Art / Activism / Transformation

Artists, activists, and the New Orleans Police Monitor reflect on the life of Yvonne Bechet and using stories to build social movements

Monday 5 October 2020

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Yvonne Bechet Theatre Project presented a panel discussing issues raised in the play Black and Blue livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 5 October at 12 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 2 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 3 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

black and white photo of policewoman with text black and blue

A Performance of Black and Blue

The Yvonne Bechet Theatre Project

Video

A Performance of Black and Blue

Inspired by the real life and impact of Yvonne Bechet, who served as one of New Orleans’ first Black female police officers

Saturday 3 October 2020

United States

The Yvonne Bechet Theatre Project presented a reading of Black and Blue, a full-length play, livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 3 October at 12 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 2 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 3 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

image of woman wearing mask in orange environment

ROOTS Week 2020: The Fierce Urgency of Now

Alternate Roots

Video

ROOTS Week 2020: The Fierce Urgency of Now

Annual meeting of Alternate ROOTS: a coalition committed to building a just world through arts, community, and activism

Friday 18 September to Sunday 4 October 2020

United States

Alternate ROOTS presented ROOTS Week Annual Meeting & Artists’ Retreat livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv from Friday 18 September to Sunday 4 October 2020.

event description text with photo of street in chile

Conversations on Playwriting and Social Unrest in Chile

UPenn

Interdram

Video

Conversations on Playwriting and Social Unrest in Chile

Discussing indigenous rights and social movements in Chile

Friday 2 October 2020

United States

The Theatre Arts and Latin American and Latinx Studies Programs at the University of Pennsylvania and Interdram, the Theatrical Platform for New Playwriting, presented the second of two Conversations on Playwriting and Social Unrest in Chile livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 2 October 2020 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4) / 1 p.m. CLST (Santiago, UTC -3).

A Black person holding a Vote sign in front of a US flag.

Regina Taylor's VOTE!

Video

Regina Taylor's VOTE!

Presented by The Oaks Collective in collaboration with Regina Taylor. Short plays and conversation exploring the African-American community's relationship with the political process.

Thursday 1 October 2020

USA

The Oaks Collective presented the livestreamed of Regina Taylor's VOTE! event — which included short plays and conversation exploring the African-American community's relationship with the political process.

"Unbought & Unbossed"

National Black Theatre

Video

"Unbought & Unbossed"

Part One: The History of Black Women as Political Drivers ft. Shola Lynch, Candice Hoyes, and Val Jeanty

Thursday 1 October 2020

United States

NBT @ HOME presented an "Unbought & Unbossed" Conversation livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 1 October at 3 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 5 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 6 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

portraits of Tania El Khoury & Gideon Lester

SEGAL TALKS with Tania El Khoury & Gideon Lester (United States)

Segal

Center

Video

SEGAL TALKS with Tania El Khoury & Gideon Lester (United States)

Daily live online conversations on US and global theatre & performance

Thursday 1 October 2020

United States

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center presented Segal Talks with Tania El Khoury & Gideon Lester (United States) livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 1 October 2020 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 11 a.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:00 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:00 CEST (Berlin, UTC +2).

The Hardest Word (Scotland)

Independent Theater Hungary

HowlRound Theatre Commons

Video

The Hardest Word (Scotland)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Wednesday 30 September 2020

Scotland, United Kingdom

Independent Theater Hungary presented a performance and conversation around The Hardest Word (Scotland) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 30 September 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

You Didn’t See Anything! (Romania)

Independent Theater Hungary

HowlRound Theatre Commons

Video

You Didn’t See Anything! (Romania)

As part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020

Monday 28 September 2020

Romania

Independent Theater Hungary presented a conversation around You Didn’t See Anything! (Romania) as part of the Roma Theatre Retrospective 2020 livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 28 September 2020 at 9:30 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 17:30 BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:30 CEST (Budapest, UTC +2) / 19:30 EEST (Bucharest, UTC +3).

Collage of photos of people including James Baldin, Matthew Shepard, event title and subtitle.

A reading of Strange Fruit, Part II by Jon Bastian

LA Writers Center (LAWC)

Video

A reading of Strange Fruit, Part II by Jon Bastian

with LA Writers Center's "Breathe" online play reading series

Saturday 26 September 2020

United States

LA Writers Center presented a reading of Strange Fruit: Part II by Jon Bastian as a part of their "Breathe" online play reading series livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 26 September 2020 at 11 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC-7) / 1 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 2 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4).

Conversations on Playwriting and Social Unrest in Chile

UPenn

Interdram

Video

Conversations on Playwriting and Social Unrest in Chile

A discussion of Chile’s exciting feminist vanguard and the performance of gender in Chilean theatre

Friday 25 September 2020

United States

The Theatre Arts and Latin American and Latinx Studies Programs at the University of Pennsylvania and Interdram, the Theatrical Platform for New Playwriting, presented the first of two Conversations on Playwriting and Social Unrest in Chile livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 25 September 2020 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4) / 1 p.m. CLST (Santiago, UTC -3).

A Performance of Re-Re-Generation

CultureHub LA

Video

A Performance of Re-Re-Generation

Re-imagining performances originally created for Re-Fest 2020, CultureHub’s annual festival that brings together artists, technologists, and activists

Saturday 19 September 2020

Los Angeles, California

CultureHub LA presented a performance Re-Re-Generation livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 19 September 2020 at 7 p.m. PDT (Los Angeles, UTC -7) / 9 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 10 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

A performance of Fuglen, der (The Bird, There)

performingbordersLIVE

Warehouse9

Video

A performance of Fuglen, der (The Bird, There)

A new story about queer sexuality and re-traumatisation of the queer body by the COVID-19 pandemic, by award-winning film maker and live artist Lasse Lau

Friday 18 September 2020

United Kingdom

performingbordersLIVE20 and Warehouse9 presented a performance of Fuglen, der (The Bird, There), new work by Danish filmmaker and artist Lasse Lau livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 18 September 2020 at 2 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4) / 7 p.m. BST (London, UTC+1) / 20:00 CEST (UTC+2).

poster with pictures of Samantha Figgins, Antoine Hunter, and the event description text.

#DeafWoke: An Evening with Samantha Figgins

dancers performing against white background

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

#DeafWoke: An Evening with Samantha Figgins

Samantha shares her #DeafWoke journey as a Black Hard of Hearing woman and professional dancer

Thursday 17 September 2020

United States

Urban Jazz Dance Company presented #DeafWoke: An Evening w/ Samantha Figgins livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 17 September 2020 at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Making Theatre, or Something Else Entirely, in a Pandemic

Essay

Making Theatre, or Something Else Entirely, in a Pandemic

On Protests and Virtual Performance

16 September 2020

Soyica Colbert sits down with playwright Natsu Onoda Power to talk about protesting against the United States military presence in Okinawa, Japan; in-person audiences versus virtual ones, Natsu’s new piece Okiniawa Demo Reel, and more.

graphic hands holding letters B U I L D with title text

Build from Here: The Future of Ensemble Theater with FoolsFURY Theater Company

Network of Ensemble Theaters

Theatre Bay Area

LMDA

Calling Up Justice

Video

Build from Here: The Future of Ensemble Theater with FoolsFURY Theater Company

Conversations and workshops about labor ethics and project finance reform, design and technology, education, accessibility, and equity and diversity from story selection and development to casting.

Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September 2020

United States

FoolsFURY Theater Company presented its national convening of ensemble theater makers BUILD from Here: The Future of Ensemble Theater livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September 2020.

actors on stage with text PLAYS TO PROGRESS

Plays to Progress with Cori Thomas

The O'Neill

Video

Plays to Progress with Cori Thomas

A brief performance followed by a conversation about the resonance of Lockdown, a work by Cori Thomas launched at the O’Neill

Wednesday 9 September 2020

United States

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center presented Plays to Progress with Cori Thomas livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 9 September at 3 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC-7) / 5 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 6 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4).

Glod in red, a silhouette of a person with their arm raised.

Ashtar Theatre’s Oranges and Stones

BÉZNĂ Theatre

ASHTAR Theatre

Video

Ashtar Theatre’s Oranges and Stones

A screening and discussion of a play without words that portrays the reality of persecution in Palestine

Monday 31 August 2020

International

Glod: Political Theatre as a Civil Right presented a screening and conversation on Ashtar Theatre’s Oranges and Stones livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 31 August 2020 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 6 p.m. BST (London, UTC +1) / 8 p.m. EEST (Cluj, UTC +3).

black and white poster of historical figures' faces

A reading of Strange Fruit, Part 1 by Jon Bastian

LA Writers Center (LAWC)

Video

A reading of Strange Fruit, Part 1 by Jon Bastian

with LA Writers Center's "Breathe" online play reading series

Saturday 29 August 2020

United States

LA Writers Center presented a reading of Strange Fruit by Jon Bastian as a part of their "Breathe" online play reading series livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv beginning Saturday 29 August 2020 at 11 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC-7) / 1 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 2 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4).

A Discussion on Peace by Piece by Nabil Sawalha

BÉZNĂ Theatre

Video

A Discussion on Peace by Piece by Nabil Sawalha

Part of BÉZNĂ Theatre's GLOD: Political Theatre as a Civil Right series

Monday 17 August 2020

International

Glod: Political Theatre as a Civil Right presented Peace by Piece by Nabil Sawalha livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 17 August 2020 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 6 p.m. BST (London, UTC +1) / 8 p.m. EEST (Cluj, UTC +3).