Mission |
developing dialogues between indigenous artists
The New York based Australian Aboriginal Theatre Initiative, Inc. (AATI), founded in 2003 by Artistic Director Karen Oughtred, presents new plays to an American audience by established and emerging indigenous playwrights.
AATI aims:
- To create perpetual artistic and international exchange between indigenous artists.
- To develop an appreciation of the high quality and rich diversity of indigenous work.
- To raise awareness of indigenous issues.
- To create a forum for discussion of contemporary indigenous theatre
- To expose theatre audiences to indigenous culture through ongoing Staged Readings with a discussion following each and a yearly mainstage production.
AATI works with professional international and national indigenous playwrights, directors and actors to present plays resonating with indigenous audiences and also appealing to the mainstream. Themes focus on contemporary and traditional historical social and cultural events impacting indigenous people's lives.
AATI collaborates with renowned international and national organizations including: the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, American Friends of NIDA, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, The American Indian Community House, Immigrants' Theatre Project, the Culture Project @ 45 Bleecker, Malthouse Theatre, Ilbijerri Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Theatre Cooperative, New Group, New Dramatists, the Drama Book Shop and CityLore.
AATI has been featured in Backstage, American Theater, Talking Stick, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Australian Women in New York, Australian Consulate newsletter, United Nations, NY Theatre Wise, Aust. Lit. Gateway News, American Australian Association and internationally; Canberra Sunday Times, European Network for Indigenous Australian Rights and Lowdown Performing Arts Magazine.
AATI receives funding and support from LMCC/DCA, NYSCA, Arts Victoria, Australia Council, VACLang, Australian Consulate General (NY), AAA, NMAI, Commonwealth Bank (NY), American Friends of NIDA, New York Council for the Humanities, The Common Ground; and support from Malthouse Theatre, Ilbijerri, Hotel Chandler, Westfield Garden State Plaza, AICH, ADVANCE, yellow tail, Sunburnt Cow, De Bortoli Wines, Currency Press, Hodder Headline, Hair of the Dog.
AATI dedicated to educational outreach including colleges, universities, high schools and theatre institutes arranges workshops by the visiting artists. Post-Show Discussions with the writers and invited indigenous experts are an integral component of AATI 's work.
Australian Aboriginal Theatre Initiative, Inc. is a nonprofit 501c3 organization. Donations to "Australian Aboriginal Theatre Initiative, Inc." are fully deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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