Some people worry about climate change.
Others do something.
Playwright Chantal Bilodeau is doing something.
Artivist Chantal Bilodeau
And this is your chance to do something, too.
Climate Change Theatre Action is a series of worldwide readings and performances intended to bring awareness to, and foster discussion around, climate change during the months of November and December 2015.
CCTA is the brain-child of Chantal and her partners Roberta Levitow, Caridad Svich and Elaine Avila, as a joint effort of their work/organizations NoPassport, The Arctic Cycle and Theatre Without Borders.
They have curated a collection of 1-5 minute plays, poems and songs by 50 writers from all six livable continents. And some of these writers are big names - Neil LaBute, Erik Ehn, Arthur Kopit, Deborah Laufer, Ryan McCurdy of Broadway's ONCE, Andrea Lepcio and Heather Woodbury.
The Action coincides with a huge climate conference - the United Nations 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) taking place November 30-December 11, 2015.
Chantal and her partners hope that their “artivist” (love that word!) efforts will help create interest in – and perhaps pressure on –the folks at that conference to finally reach a binding agreement on carbon emissions. Before it’s too late.
“This may be our last chance to keep things under control,” said Chantal.
Some plant trees, other sow change with their words.
We here at Hope Sings find the whole idea of a theatre action for change incredibly exciting. Caridad Svich, OBIE-winning playwright and founder of NoPassport, has done them five times before – around issues including gun control and the BP oil spill. And this climate-change troika is building on her experiences – and expectations.
“Caridad got 50 events all by herself. So I said, since there are three of us, let’s go for 100,” said Chantal.
And go for it they did. They began in July, and as of October, they had 98 events signed up. That’s where your call to action comes in.
Help CCTA reach – and exceed - their goal.
Host an event. It’s super easy. You can have one at your school or in your living room.
And if you live in New York, you can support the effort by attending an event on November 2, 2015 from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Nuyorican Poets Café, 236 East 3rd Street, New York City. You’ll get a chance to hear 10 of the works from the collaborators. And who knows – you might get to meet Neil LaBute!
Obie-winner Caridad Svich
Canadian playwright Elaine Avila