Tree of Life: Honoring Ancestors, Celebrating Future Generations

 

Golden Threads Tree of Life campaign is inspired by the Wishing Trees frequently encountered in the and symbolizes the continuity of life from our ancestors to future generations. It is an inspiration to the design and story of our season-opener, Night Over Erzinga offering an opportunity for the community to be represented in the play. The 5-foot Tree of Life bearing family names and dedications from donors like you will be on display in the theatre lobby during Golden Threads 2011 season. Audiences will be invited to tie a wish of their own to the tree and enrich it with their family stories and dedications.

The Campaign Goal.

We need to raise $50,000 by the end of the year, planning to raise $10,000 of that online here on IndieGoGo.

This drive is part of Golden Thread's 2011 Tree of Life campaign, inspired by the Wishing Trees frequently encountered in the Middle East.  This ancient tradition left a mark on Adriana as she traveled to Armenia, and the image has found its way into the play as a symbol of life.  A 5-foot  tree has been constructed by a local artist and be on display in the theatre lobby.  Donors of $500 or more will be able to make a dedication on a Leaf ($500), Stem ($1,000), Branch ($2,500), Root ($5,000) or a Trunk ($10,000).  Audiences will be invited to tie a wish of their own to the three and enrich it with their own family stories and dedications.

All donors will be acknowledged in writing in the production playbill. 

   

The Company.

Golden Thread Productions is a theatre company based in San Francisco dedicated to exploring Middle Eastern cultures and identities as expressed around the globe. It presents alternative perspectives of the Middle East by developing and producing theatrical work that is aesthetically varied and politically and viscerally engaging, while supporting countless Middle Eastern artists in all phases of their careers. Golden Threads roots in the Armenian Community run deep. In 2002, it staged the Bay Area premiere of Nine Armenians by Leslie Ayvazian, and in 2008, the West Coast premiere of A Girls War by Joyce Van Dyke. Golden Thread has held theatre classes at KZV Armenian School. In fact, the cast for Night Over Erzinga includes a student from the school.

The Partnership. 

Middle East America: A National New Plays Initiative is a first-of-its-kind national collaboration involving Golden Thread, New Yorks Lark Play Development Center and Chicagos Silk Road Theatre Project. The initiative is designed to encourage and support the development of Middle Eastern American playwrights and Middle Eastern American plays through a $10,000 bi-annual commission, developmental support from the Lark Play Development Center, and staged readings and possible productions at Golden Thread Productions and Silk Road Theatre Project.  Adriana Sevahn Nichols was its inaugural winner in 2008.  Egyptian-American playwright Yussef el Guindi won the award in 2010. 

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Partner with us in 2011 and be an integral part of giving Middle Eastern voices and perspectives the attention and support they need, and deserve. Please take a moment right now to make a contribution to Golden Thread Productions. No amount is too small, or too big!