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Aaron Davidman

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Aaron Davidman BIO

Aaron Davidman is a playwright, actor, director and producer. He is drawn to stories of ethnic history and cultural complexity that challenge our assumptions of the “other”. He served as Artistic Director of Traveling Jewish Theatre from 2002-2011 where he wrote, directed, performed in and produced dozens of original plays reflecting Jewish identity and experience.

​His new film, AMERICAN SOLITAIRE, tackles the thorny topic of guns in America, through the lens of a U.S. soldier trying to make sense of civilian life. The project plans to begin production in 2023.

His play WRESTLING JERUSALEM, commissioned by Theatre J and supported in part by the Sundance Institute Theatre Program, received its world premiere at Intersection for the Arts in San Francisco in 2014 to critical acclaim and has since toured North America to numerous venues including the Guthrie Theatre, Mosaic Theater of DC and Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. The play has been made into a feature film directed by Dylan Kussman and starring Mr. Davidman.

Mr. Davidman received the 2016 TIKKUN Award for the compassionate multiple perspectives presented in his play WRESTLING JERUSALEM. The award celebrates him as “a supreme teacher of empathy, a first step toward the reconciliation of Israelis and Palestinians for which much of the world yearns.” He was a recipient of the New Generations Fellowship from Theatre Communications Group and the Duke and Mellon Foundations, and has developed collaborations throughout the U.S. with leaders in the field of the American Theatre and Jewish Culture.

Davidman designed the post-performance and post-screening facilitated conversation program for WRESTLING JERUSALEM which brings people of different backgrounds into dialogue with one another. These peace-building conversations have been held following nearly every one of the more than 160 performances of WRESTLING JERUSALEM where more than 16,000 people have seen the play and participated in facilitated dialogue. For the past two years Davidman has been working with Google, presenting WRESTLING JERUSALEM for leadership trainings on “complexity and collaboration,” followed by discussions that look to apply multiple-perspective taking into the workplace of these influential international executives. He is considered a thought-leader concerning multiple-perspective taking with both his embodiment of his written material in WRESTLING JERUSALEM and with his experience talking with people from a wide range of backgrounds about the Israel/Palestine conflict, polarization and the importance of staying curious about the “other”.

Among many works at Traveling Jewish Theatre he conceived, co-wrote and directed the international collaboration BLOOD RELATIVE about the Israeli-Palestinian story; co-wrote and performed in GOD’S DONKEY; originated the role of Momik Neuman in SEE UNDER: LOVE, based on the David Grossman novel; and directed DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Davidman’s other work includes directing the world premiere of THIS WORLD IN A WOMAN’S HANDS by Marcus Gardley and the world premiere of Gardley’s LOVE IS A DREAM HOUSE IN LORIN, both at Shotgun Players, and the world premiere of Gardley’s THE ROAD WEEPS, THE WELL RUNS DRY at Perseverance Theatre in Juneau, Alaska.

Davidman received his theatrical training at Carnegie Mellon University, earned a BA from the University of Michigan and an MFA in creative writing/playwriting from San Francisco State University.

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Aaron Davidman News


World Premiere of DIRTY WHITE TESLAS MAKE ME SAD to be Presented by The Magic Theatre and Campo Santo


The Magic Theatre and Campo Santo will present the world premiere of 'Dirty White Teslas Make Me Sad' by Ashley Smiley.

Mosaic Theater Company Of DC Announces Four New Season Productions


Mosaic Theater Company of DC announces an update to our Season Four lineup. The world premiere production of Aaron Davidman's The Shooting Gallery, which was scheduled to run in repertory with the regional premiere of Native Son, has recently undergone exciting creative changes. No longer a solo performance piece, it has expanded to feature two additional actors alongside its author. Additional workshop and rehearsal time, in coordination with director Michael John Garces' busy schedule this spring, will push the production into a future Mosaic season. Mosaic will present a workshop reading of the revamped project on February 11 and 12, 2019.  

Mosaic Theater Company Announces Its Fourth Season


Mosaic Theater Company of DC announces an eclectic lineup for the 2018-2019 season, offering serious comic release alongside searing indictment; sustaining its commitment to local writers alongside its long-running Voices from a Changing Middle East Festival, while championing intercultural encounters and honoring iconic figures in African-American culture. In addition, Season Four is the first season to achieve gender parity for Mosaic's playwrights: four of the plays are written by men, and four by women.

Play With Songs Inspired by Israeli Documentary Comes To Mosaic Theater Company


The sixth production of Mosaic Theater Company's third season will be Paper Dolls, written by Philip Himberg (Producing Artistic Director of the Sundance Institute Theatre Program) and directed by Broadway veteran Mark Brokaw. This uplifting, entertaining, and thought-provoking play with songs illuminates the world of five gay male Filipino nurses in Tel Aviv who care for elderly Orthodox and Chasidic men six days a week-and headline a drag show on their day off!

Philadelphia Theatre Company Welcomes Summer Club for A Big Band Valentine's Day


An evening of song and swing awaits local music lovers as Philadelphia Theatre Company presents "The Summer Club: A Big Band Valentine's Day." Cupid shoots his arrow down music's memory lane this February 14th as audiences are transported to an era when clubs were hot, everyone dressed up and martinis came straight up. Take the Lead Dance Project will have everyone swinging in the aisles with free dance lessons before the show. Champagne cocktails will be pouring at the bar and Asher's Chocolates will provide a sweet treat to remember the night. This one-night only event takes place at Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad). Doors open at 6:00pm, with showtime at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale for $25 to $69 at philadelphiatheatrecompany.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420.  

Philadelphia Theatre Company Welcomes SUMMER CLUB


An evening of song and swing awaits local music lovers as Philadelphia Theatre Company presents The Summer Club: A Big Band Valentine's Day. Cupid shoots his arrow down music's memory lane this February 14th as audiences are transported to an era when clubs were hot, everyone dressed up and martinis came straight up.

Mosaic Theater Company Launches National Tour Of Renowned Voices From Changing Middle East Festival


Mosaic Theater Company of DCtakes its acclaimedVoices From a Changing Middle East Festival on tour this winter, bringing several of its seminal Festival productions (I SHALL NOT HATE, VIA DOLOROSA, and the recent film adaptation of WRESTLING JERUSALEM) to the University of Oklahoma, Grinnell College, and Eastern Mennonite University for presentations of each project, and culminating in a special evening at the University of Chicago's Logan Center for the Arts where excerpts from all three works will be shared in a single evening. The tour reflects different dimensions of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the efforts to achieve reckoning and reconciliation through live performance and discussion, in works performed in English, Arabic, and Hebrew (with translated surtitles).

Lightning-Quick UCB Touring Company to Land at PTC for Two-Night Stand


Local audiences can get ready for some high-octane laughter to finish out 2017 when Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) welcomes the venerable Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company for a two-night stand.

Lightning-Quick UCB Touring Company to Land at PTC for Two-Night Stand


Local audiences can get ready for some high-octane laughter to finish out 2017 when Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) welcomes the venerable Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company for a two-night stand.

Philadelphia Theatre Company Warms Hearts This Holiday Season with Princess Concert and Sing-Along 12/17


Philadelphia Theatre Company welcomes everyone's favorite princesses for a heart-warming afternoon concert for the entire family. During A Dream Is A Wish: Holiday Princess Concert audiences will sing-along with a gathering of princesses from popular movie musicals and television shows in a one day only event, Sunday, December 17 at 3:15pm. Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite prince or princess. After the show, there will be a meet-and-greet reception with holiday cookies, apple cider and photo opportunities. The Holiday Princess Concert will take place at Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street). Tickets are on sale for $35 (or save 10% off for a family four pack) at philadelphiatheatrecompany.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420. Note: This production will be a relaxed performance that welcomes children with autism or sensory or emotional sensitivities.

MUSICAL THRONES: A Parody of Ice and Fire Brings Westeros to Philadelphia


Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) heats up winter with dragon fire,dramatic power-struggles and bloodthirsty violence as Musical Thrones: A Parody of Ice and Fire makes a stop in the City of Brotherly Love on its 30 city national tour February 9-10, 2018. This hilarious send-up of HBO's wildly popular series, which is heading into its final season, will take center stage at Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street). Tickets are on sale for $25-$45 at philadelphiatheatrecompany.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420.

Master Storyteller Mike Daisey presents TRUMP CARD Follow-up On Presidential Election Anniversary


Master storyteller Mike Daisey returns to Philadelphia Theatre Company with two new monologues that explore the normalization of Trump's administration and the rise and fall of the press. In the follow-up to critical smash The Trump Card, This Is Not Normal (November 9-11th) addresses the fever gripping all of us and how quickly that fever can become fascism. In The End of Journalism (November 10-11th), Daisey explores how journalism as we know it in America has ended, peeling back layers of real and fake news to find the darkly hilarious truth. Daisey's performances are part of PTC's 2017-2018 festival-style theatre season that includes plays, music, comedy and political commentary. Daisey is the third national voice at PTC this fall, following NPR's Bob Garfield and Golden Globe Winner Kathleen Turner. Normal and Journalism will take place at Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street). Tickets are on sale for $25-$69 at philadelphiatheatrecompany.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420.

Philadelphia Natives Kerrigan & Lowdermilk to Preview THE MAD ONES in P.A.


Hometown musical theatre duo Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk are giving local audiences an exclusive treat - a preview of their musical The Mad Ones, about to debut Off-Broadway in New York.

Philadelphia Theatre Company Continues Season With WRESTLING JERUSALEM


Philadelphia Theatre Company continues its 2017-2018 festival-style theatre season with the local premiere of Wrestling Jerusalem, written and performed by Aaron Davidman and directed by Michael John Garc s. This one-man show grapples with identity, history, and social justice and was the impetus for the 2016 film, Wrestling Jerusalem, that has been a selection at film festivals around the country. The gripping performance takes over the stage at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street) October 18-November 5. Press Night is Friday, October 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets run $25 to $69 and are available at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre box office, online at philatheatreco.org or by phone 215-985-0420.

Aaron Davidman's WRESTLING JERUSALEM Goes from Stage to Screen Starting Tonight


Aaron Davidman's innovative one-man play Wrestling Jerusalem, which has toured North America for four years including multiple sold-out performances at 59E59 in New York City in 2016, has made the leap to the silver screen in a film directed by Dylan Kussman and will have its New York theatrical premiere at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space.

Aaron Davidman's WRESTLING JERUSALEM Goes from Stage to Screen


Aaron Davidman's innovative one-man play Wrestling Jerusalem, which has toured North America for four years including multiple sold-out performances at 59E59 in New York City in 2016, has made the leap to the silver screen in a film directed by Dylan Kussman and will have its New York theatrical premiere at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space.

Bob Garfield's RUGGEDLY JEWISH Makes World Premiere at Philadelphia Theatre Company


Philadelphia Theatre Company kicks off its 2017-2018 festival-style theatre season with the world premiere of Ruggedly Jewish: An Evening With Bob Garfield. Garfield's crazy-quilt, hilarious odyssey is a search for self: the American self, the suddenly-emerging threatened self, and his own baffled self - a secular Jew. The Lower Merion native, and the co-host of public radio's On The Media, returns to his roots by launching his one-man show right here. The show is three performances only, on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 8:00pm, and Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 3:00pm and 8:00pm. All performances are held at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street). Tickets are on sale for $25 to $50 by visiting www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org or by calling 215-985-0420.

Bob Garfield Takes Center Stage at Philadelphia Theatre Company


Philadelphia Theatre Company kicks off its 2017-18 season with the world premiere of Ruggedly Jewish, a multimedia monologue written and performed by Bob Garfield. The show is presented for three performances only, September 15th (8 pm) and 16th (3pm and 8pm) at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre before embarking on a nationwide tour through 2018.

Philadelphia Theatre Company Announces New Season and Membership Program


Philadelphia Theatre Company announced today the starting lineup of the organization's 2017-2018 season, including the Philadelphia premieres of two plays, a concert series of pre-Broadway musicals, knife-edge comic theater, a musical parody of The Game of Thrones, and sing-a-long holiday programming for family audiences.

Mosaic Theater Company Announces 2017-18 Season Three Lineup


Mosaic Theater Company of DC announces its most ambitious and theatrically varied lineup to date with its 2017-18 season. Compelled to respond to changing and challenging times in our country, Season Three grapples with our current political climate, celebrating outspoken heroines (of fluid gender and sexuality) in two new musicals, while embracing documentary inspired reportage, sharp political and social satire, and stirring family drama. 

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