Theatre of the Oppressed

Give me your Red …

Give me your Red …

“I give you my Yellow … Give me your Red! I give you my Yellow … Give me your Red!” Tonight, I was shouting this out loud as I jumped, back and forth, over a bonfire. It is Chahar Shanbe Suri – the Wednesday before Persian New Year – and jumping over the fire is an important part of the celebrations. You are speaking to the fire; having an exchange, and as you vocalize those words you remember that connection to Mother earth. We are on the earth and of the earth.

Things I am missing about Kabul...

Things I am missing about Kabul...

So, today I am really missing my friends and colleagues in Kabul after two aggravating incidents. Yesterday an entitled and aggressive man sat next to me on the subway and expected/demanded I move over so his companion could sit where I was sitting.  I was confused and wanted to move away from him, so I moved.  Then today, I am walking down the street and another man rams into me and shoves me over with his shoulder.  (This is in Queens, too!)

Kabul Day Two

Kabul Day Two

I have spent two action-packed, exciting, theater-filled days with my new family of 15!  We have 2 women and 13 men representing 3 different theater groups in 3 different cities and provinces.  There are 4 men from Kandahar which is in the south of Afghanistan.  It is close to the border of Pakistan and the “tribal regions”. It is one of the more conservative parts of the country.  Then there are 4 men from Jalalabad,which is in the East. It is also very close to the Pakistani border and has a strong Pashto cultural influence and history.  Finally, there are 3 men and 2 women from Mazar-e-Sharif which is in the very north of Afghanistan. It is close to the border of Uzbekistan.

Off to the Airport

Off to the Airport

I am off to Kabul in 2 hours!! YIKES and YAY!! Right now I’m in an internet cafe in a fabulous Middle Eastern area of London.  I am staring at all the women trying to figure out how they manage to make their head scarves look so elegant and stylish.  I’ve practiced wrapping myself but only manage to look like a granny!  Why didn’t I think of this back in NY where all my beautiful sisters could have given me pointers?!