Experimental Theatre Students Perform in London Festival

By Richard Pierce

Last spring, the Experimental Theatre Wing (ETW), a professional studio in the Department of Drama at the Tisch School of the Arts, was invited to London to take part in the third annual Accidental Festival, which is produced by students of the Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, and hosted by the Institute for Contemporary Art.  Seventeen ETW students performed Drums on the Dam, written by French playwright Hélène Cixous. Kevin Kuhlke, arts professor in ETW, directed the production and delivered the festival’s keynote address.
    “The festival focuses on new approaches to theater making,” said Kuhlke.  “It brings together young theater makers from the UK and abroad who share a common interest in cutting-edge work. It was very exciting for our students to be a part of the event.”    
    Drums on the Dam is based on a 10th century Chinese puppet play that deals with themes of environmental abuse, corruption, civil war, natural disaster, and human greed. Kuhlke explained that the ETW production was set in a grade school classroom in New Orleans, and the actors played children who used battered dolls and stuffed animals for puppets.  
    “Being able to take our production to an international theater festival was an opportunity I cannot imagine having outside of NYU,” said cast member Maya Erskine (TSOA ’09). “To see so many young people from all over the world come together truly impressed me. I was inspired by the hard work, organization, and talent of a group of so many young theater artists.”
    The production manager was Rosemary Quinn, associate arts professor and director of ETW. Original music was written by Cynthia Hopkins; alumnus Dan Safer (TSOA ’96) created the dances.