The Ukrainian Words Project
See description for multiple locations
Minneapolis, MN 55413
United States
As part of the Worldwide Readings Project, The Ukrainian Words Project features new play readings and optional Story Circles with members of the Ukrainian diaspora here in Minnesota. In an effort to uplift Ukrainian voices, each event presents an hour-long staged reading of excerpts from newly commissioned plays by Ukrainian playwrights written since the war began in February 2022. We present excerpts from the following works:
- A Dictionary of Emotions in War Time by Olena Astasyeva
- Call Them by Their Names by Tetyana Kitsenko
- Harry Potter by Yurii Hudymenko
- I Want to Go Home by Oksana Savchenko
- Just Tell No One by Oksana Savchenko
- Peace and Tranquility by Andriy Bondarenko
- Planting an Apple Tree by Iryna Harets
- Three Attempts to Improve Daily Life by Maksym Kurochkin
- Three Rendezvous by Natalka Vorozhbyt
The readings are followed by optional Story Circles, welcoming a collective processing of the work and sharing of stories from our Ukrainian community members. Story Circles give Ukrainians, others from the post Soviet diaspora, and general audiences in Minnesota a chance to process what's happening in Ukraine.
Performances will be held during April 29 - May 12, 2024, at various locations across Minnesota:
- Monday, April 29: Ukrainian American Community Center (Minneapolis)
- Tuesday, April 30: Minnesota State University (Mankato)
- Friday, May 3: The Museum of Russian Art (Minneapolis)
- Wednesday, May 8: History Theatre (St. Paul)
- Friday, May 10: Barbara Barker Center for Dance (Minneapolis)
- Sunday, May 12: Zeitgeist Center for Arts & Community (Duluth)
All performances will take place at 7:30pm.
Readings will be performed in English with printed texts provided in Ukrainian. Ukrainian and Russian translators are available during Story Circles. ASL interpreters are available upon request.
Each event will run approximately 2 hours total. Admission is FREE, with limited seating available. Donations to support Ukrainian efforts are highly encouraged. Reservations available at https://bit.ly/UWP_Reservations.
Artistic Team:
- Directed by Lisa Channer and Vladimir Rovinsky
- Featuring Barbra Berlovitz, Pearce Bunting, Paul de Cordova, and Adelin Phelps, with music by Lev and Olga Frayman, and Yev Rosso
- Stage Management by Jaya Robillard
- Community Outreach Coordination by Olivia Brantstetter
- Graphic Design by Sofia Rovinskaya