RAJIV JOSEPH GETS POLITICAL!

NEW YORK, NY –The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) and the Lark Play Development Theatre will present playwright Rajiv Joseph's new play focusing on issues related to the current political landscape. A barebones production of Rajiv Joseph’s BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, directed by Giovanna Sardelli is scheduled for April 18 at the Lark Play Development Theatre, 939 Eighth Ave, NYC.
  
Working with 85 playwrights a year, the Lark seeks a myriad of unique and unheard voices. So it is perhaps representative of what artists are concerned with these days when the Lark finds itself developing multiple plays, which examine current, political themes. Joseph (ALL THIS INTIMACY, HUCK & HOLDEN) is literally taking his audience into the Middle East following two American soldiers, a talking tiger and an Iraqi translator, as he furthers his work on BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO.

Working with 85 playwrights a year, the Lark seeks a myriad of unique and unheard voices.  So it is perhaps representative of what artists are concerned with these days when the Lark finds itself developing multiple plays, which examine current, political themes.  Joseph (ALL THIS INTIMACY, HUCK & HOLDEN) is literally taking his audience into the Middle East following two American soldiers, a talking tiger and an Iraqi translator, as he furthers his work on BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO.  The reading will be followed by a BareBones ® production at the Lark and at Queens Theatre in the Park in April.  Barfield (BLUE DOOR) is continuing her relationship with the Lark on a play, which takes us into the White House, centering on an African-American woman who is working during the Woodrow Wilson administration.

As the Lark concentrates solely on the development of plays, it is considered a safe place for playwrights to comfortably examine any issue, regardless how controversial they may be.  With BENGAL TIGER, Joseph read an Associated Press news article about a bizarre interaction at the Baghdad Zoo and brought that idea to the Lark.  According to Joseph, “There's a point where the media and government's articulation of the war stops being particularly helpful.”  With his work at the Lark, Joseph is attempting to dive further into telling “a different story, articulating what it means to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

The Indo-American Arts Council(IAAC) and the Lark Theatre have had a 7 year history of collaborating on South Asian plays. The Annual IAAC & Lark Playwrights Festival of the the Indian Diaspora matured to the Indian playwrights being included in the Annual Playwrights Festival held at the Lark including playwrights from all over the world. The IAAC also awards an Annual Playwright Resident award where playwrights work with and at the Lark to develop new plays. For information please visit .

THE LARK PLAY DEVELOPMENT CENTER provides American and international playwrights with indispensable resources to develop their work. The Lark nurtures artists at all stages in their careers, inviting them to freely express themselves in a supportive and rigorous environment. It is a home for an emerging artistic community committed to reshaping how we see and experience the world. Leading the organization are Producing Director John Clinton Eisner, Managing Director Michael Robertson, and Artistic Program Director Daniella Topol.  To learn more about the Lark please visit www.larktheatre.org  

The Indo-American Arts Council(IAAC) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts organization passionately dedicated to showcasing, promoting and building an awareness of artists of Indian origin in the performing, visual, literary& folk arts of India. It is a welcoming, thriving organization peopled by volunteers, artists and supporters. Leading the organization is Aroon Shivdasani, Executive Director, Artistic Director & co-founder of the IAAC. For more information about the IAAC, please visit