GATHERING

Created atThe Shed in New York City, June 20-22, 2024.

TEAM
Created & Directed by: Samar Haddad King
Assistant Director: Stephanie Sutherland
Dramaturg/Performer: Enrico Dau Yang Wey

Costume/Prop Design by: Nancy Mkaabal
Rehearsal Director: Zoe Rabinowitz
Lighting Designer: Muaz Jubeh
Premiere Cast: Waseem Alzer, Aya Aziz, Nicole Baker, Sebastian Charles, Joshua Leon Eguia, Dahlia Khair, Yukari Osaka, Zoe Rabinowitz, Arzu Salman, Mohammed Smahneh, Samaa Wakeem, Enrico Dau Yang Wey, Ash Winkfield

TOURING INFORMATION

Cast: 7-8
Local Performers: 6-10
Touring Company: 10
Duration of work: 80 minutes (no intermission)
ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS*
*available upon request

One day creative process workshop 
with local artists + showing
Multi-day creative process workshop
with local artists + performance
Gathering events with local theater staff + community

For more information click here.

Photos © Heather Cromartie, The Shed

“A deeply moving and powerful work of art that explores themes of love, loss, dignity, the sanctity for human life and connection.” – Alex Poots, Artistic Director, The Shed

Conceived, written, and directed by Samar Haddad King (Artistic Director, Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre), Gathering is a full length work that tells the fictional story of a village under siege and one woman’s struggle to reconcile her fragmented memories.

Created in collaboration with seven YSDT artists (from Japan, Palestine, Taiwan, Turkey, and the US) along with six local performers, Gathering is part staged work, part interactive experience in collaboration with local artists and audiences. With the goal of breaking traditional performance boundaries and uniting diverse groups through creative encounters, Gathering invites audiences to join as participants or witnesses in the collective action.

Featuring original movement, text, song, dance, puppetry, and play, Gathering includes music from Max Richter’s Vivaldi: The Four Seasons and original compositions by King.

“I left with a renewed sense of empathy and connection, grateful for the chance to be part of such a powerful and personal exploration.” Dr. Rachel Mccaulsky, The Arts Office, NYC Department of Education

This work is made possible with support from the British Council, Center for Arab American Philanthropy, a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant, Howard Gilman Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, New Music USA, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, and The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation.

Gathering: New York City is commissioned by The Shed (2023-24 Open Call Series) and created with the support of a 2022-23 CUNY Dance Initiative Residency at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden and a 2023 Residency at Dance Place in Washington D.C. The third edition of Open Call is organized by Tamara McCaw, Senior Advisor and former Chief Civic Program Officer; Darren Biggart, Director of Civic Programs; Dejá Belardo, Assistant Curator, Visual Arts and Civic Programs; and Daisy Peele, Associate Producer. More information is available at the shed.org/opencall.