Wild Swan Theater to Put MHC Grant Toward Arab Folktales Project

Wild Swan Theater, Ann Arbor's award winning professional theater for families, has received a $15,000 grant from the Michigan Humanities Council (MHC), an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. MHC made awards to 24 organizations during the Fall 2016 grant cycle totaling $274,575.

These grants play a vital role in defining our culture, our state, our community and ourselves, and are intended to connect us to Michigan's rich cultural heritage and historical resources. The 2016 Humanities Grants, support projects exploring history, poetry, reading, education and community identity. In addition to this direct support, each agency was required to present matching cash or in-kind cost share, bringing an additional $568,288.68 to the table.

Funds will be used to develop, in collaboration with the Arab American National Museum, an original production for elementary school audiences inspired by Arab folktales - Marketplace Stories: Folktales from the Arab World. "Our goal in creating the work is to celebrate the Arab American culture in Michigan because it is such a vibrant part of our state's heritage," said Hilary Cohen, Co-Artistic Director of Wild SwanTheater. "Funding from the Michigan Humanities Council allows us to make theater for children and families that expands learning across cultures." With this new collaboration and theatrical production, we help our audiences embrace the benefits of an increasingly diverse world. In order to build and nurture successful communities; we believe theater helps our audiences understand and appreciate many cultures, establishes relationships with people from cultures other than our own, and builds strong alliances with different cultural groups."

Marketplace Stories: Folktales from the Arab World will premiere at Towsley Auditorium on the campus of Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor and at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn in May 2017. All performances will be American Sign Language shadow interpreted for Deaf patrons. Backstage touch tours and audio-description are available for blind theater patrons. Marketplace Stories: Folktales from the Arab World will be added to our touring production repertoire, which will extend its reach and educational value to schools, libraries, museums and theaters around the state.

Wild Swan Theater is dedicated to producing professional children's theater of the highest artistic quality for young people and families that is accessible, diverse, and inclusive, through affordable ticket prices and innovative outreach programs. The company recently opened its 37th season. For more information contact us at 734-995-0530 or visit the Wild Swan Theater website at www.wildswantheater.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Wild.Swan.Theater.

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