Theater News

National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene to Host Immigration Arts Summit

John Leguizamo will be the July event’s keynote speaker.

John Leguizamo will deliver the keynote address at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene's Immigration Arts Summit.
John Leguizamo will deliver the keynote address at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene's Immigration Arts Summit.
(© David Gordon)

The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF) will host a two-day Immigration Arts Summit on July 17 and 18 during the off-Broadway run of the musical Amerike — The Golden Land. With a keynote address by John Leguizamo (Monday, July 17, at 5 p.m.) and a closing-night outdoor concert (Tuesday, July 18. at 7 p.m.), the two-day summit will bring together leading artists, presenters, and community leaders that serve immigrant communities or present work inspired by cultures from abroad to a wide audience.

Participating organizations include the performing-arts producers Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, Repertorio Español, Irish Repertory Theatre, the Kairos Italy Theater, the Irish Arts Center, and the Turkish American Repertory Theater & Entertainment, as well as such museums and cultural organizations as the Romanian Cultural Institute, Israel’s Office of Cultural Affairs in the US, and the Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance.

Confirmed participants include the musicians Larry Kirwan (Irish rock band Black 47) and Frank London (The Klezmatics); performance artist Jenny Romaine; Morris Vogel, executive director emeritus of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum; and journalist Ann Curry.

Taking place at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, the summit will consist of panels, talks, and workshops led by distinguished artists whose work reflects immigrant experiences and ethnic traditions; prominent cultural leaders; and scholars, authors, and journalists who have studied and covered the contributions of immigrant groups to the welfare and unique identity of the United States.

Directed by Drama Desk nominee Bryna Wasserman, Amerike — The Golden Land is a reconceived production of Zalmen Mlotek and Moishe Rosenfeld's musical (originally titled The Golden Land). Offering a musical journey of the American immigrant experience, the production runs from July 4-August 6 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

For tickets to the Immigration Arts Summit, click here.
For tickets to Amerike — The Golden Land, click here.

Featured In This Story