Institute presents Theater Mitu’s production of CHAOS, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH). Theater Mitu, a New York City-based theater company, will perform CHAOS, a show created and produced entirely in Abu Dhabi, from March 2-5, 2011. CHAOS, will be staged on the shore of the Abu Dhabi Corniche against the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf. In the spirit of all NYUAD Institute events, the performance will be free for the public; however, seating is limited and reservations are required for entrance.
The production, directed by Rubén Polendo, director of the NYUAD theater program and artistic director of Theater Mitu, will be an adaptation of a quartet of short stories by Italian author and Nobel Laureate Luigi Pirandello. Working with the elegant forms of Japanese, Balinese and Arabic traditions, and featuring original live music, this expressionistic piece creates a vivid panorama to delve into the heart of the migrant experience. According to Polendo, “The themes of Pirandello’s work resonated with me, especially as they present an idea of chaos not as criticism but as potential. This is particularly relevant in a place like the UAE that serves as a cultural crossroads which continues to increase in complexity.”
“The emotions and narratives of CHAOS are not confined to any one culture or
history—instead Theater Mitu will present a hyper-theatrical expression of stories that speak to the human condition through a range of art forms, including dance and music,” he added.
The company has a commitment to conducting field research to investigate and
recreate an authentic adaptation of different performance art forms from around the world.
Theater Mitu has been fusing global performance traditions into innovative theater works since its inception in 1997. As with all Theater Mitu work, this production will be defined by the traditions the company has been exploring, training in and as performance field research.
A total of 38 people will be involved in the cast and crew, including 18 students who have been selected from NYUAD to participate in the production in apprenticeship roles including directing, music, production assistant, acting, production crew and documentary assistants.
ADACH is including CHAOS as part of the third season of World Stage program. This year-long initiative seeks to provide the best in world music and dance through the performance of a series of contemporary concerts.
Abdulla Al Ameri, Director of Culture and Arts, at ADACH said: “We are delighted to present a professional theater production conceived, rehearsed, and produced in Abu Dhabi through the World Stage program. This comes in line with the ADACH vision to make arts and culture part of people’s daily life.”
Faculty Director of the NYUAD Institute Philip Kennedy said: “This is an excellent example of how the NYUAD Institute is contributing to making Abu Dhabi a center for creative composition and original research. By making this performance accessible to all, we hope to see an engaged audience that represents a diverse cross-section of the Abu Dhabi community.”
Reservations to attend the performance can be made online at mituchaos.eventbrite.com. As seating is very limited, reservations that are not picked up at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled performance time will be released to be made available for wait-list or walk-up patrons.