CMAP's Fall Lineup to Feature National Theatre of Ghana, Puppet Circus Sideshow, DFFF, And More

The University of Michigan Center for World Performance Studies partners with CMAP to present the National Theatre of Ghana in an open air performance of 10 Blocks on the Camino Real, written by Tennessee Williams. This one-act play is a crossroads of world theater, drawing on Williams' experiences in Mexico, and inspired by German theater, Chinese opera and commedia del'arte. Ghana is the source and setting for this new production, directed by David Kaplan.

While the spoken English text is performed as written by Williams, Spanish songs have been translated to Ghanaian songs and Ghanaian languages. Other details are exchanged for Ghanaian specifics: pesos for pesewas, fiesta for jubilee, the character of Don Quixote has become Okomfo Okokye, the founder of the Ashanti line of kings, who finds his sidekick, Osei-tutu. The presiding musician plays two blue djembe drums, rather than a blue guitar.

Free and open to all. Performance is outdoors. Bring your own chair or blanket.
Interactive Shadow Puppet Circus Sideshow
September 22 & 23, 7:00PM-12:00AM
Electric Park at DIA, 5200 Woodward

As part of Dlectricity 2017, The Shadow Puppet Circus Sideshow, an original CMAP production, uses light and analog overhead projectors to create a series of interactive display booths that pair the visual iconography of old-style amusement parks with Detroit-centric content.

The show is based on painted sideshow banners by artists like FrEd Johnson and Snap Wyatt, the Shadow Puppet Circus Sideshow booths use hand-cut silhouettes to cast oversize images of Detroit-inspired sideshow characters (The Man of Steel is Ford power-lifting a Model-T by its axel; the Fire Eater is the Nain Rouge; the World's Tallest Man is Dave Bing, etc) on carnival cutout displays. Each display is staffed by a sideshow barker encouraging viewers to "STEP RIGHT UP!" and choose the character they wish to pose as, taking Polaroid photos for viewers to keep as a souvenir. 4th Annual Detroit Fringe Forward Festival
September 28, 29, 30 & October 1
CMAP 2221 Carpenter St (Thursday, Friday, Saturday Daytime, & Sunday)
Lightbox 8641 Linwood St (Saturday Evening)
Tickets are on sale now! Purchase Here

CMAP's largest event of the year, the Detroit Fringe Forward Festival, brings together performing artists from across the Midwest, for a four-day exploratory, immersive & experimental entourage of performing, visual & fringe theatre, open to all.

The festival highlights works of regional playwrights and performing artists by providing a venue for contemporary work across a variety of genres, funding a commissioning program that grants production stipends to support festival shows and continuing to maintain the relationships between current and past festival participants, extending the reach of the Fringe Forward network as artists produce creative work. Running on the momentum from 2016, the festival will continue to explore new works and celebrate connections made through the performing arts.

The full line up can be found here. Walk-ins welcome, however keep in mind there is limited seating. First come, first served. $20 suggested donation for all adult shows or $75 full pass. $10 suggested donation for youth performances (Sat/Sun at 2PM), kids under eight are free! #savethedates #DFFF2017 .

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