Immigrants and refugees are woven into the fabric of American identity, and American theatre has always reflected that, from Yiddish theatre to El Teatro Campesino to Vietgone and the Ufot cycle. In conjunction with our May/June issue theme “Stage Migrations,” we’ll convene a panel of immigrants and first-generation Americans working in the theatre to discuss their work and what it signifies in an age of rising anti-immigrant hysteria and violence.

Moderator: Diep Tran, senior editor, American Theatre

Panelists: Blanka Zizka, artistic director, Wilma Theatre; Carmen Rivera, playwright (La Gringa); Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, director (The Mysteries, Restoration Comedy); Maria Manuela Goyanes, incoming artistic director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; Ngozi Anyanwu, playwright (The Homecoming Queen)

The event will take place on May 23, 6-7:30 pm, at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater (224 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014)

The event is free but prior registration is actively encouraged. Please visit TCG.org to register so that you have a guaranteed seat.

Please Note: There will be a standby line at the event, and any open seats will be given at a first come, first serve basis.

For those who do not live in New York, American Theatre will livestream the event on our Facebook page (and take questions from virtual viewers). The video will also be available on this page at a later date.

Update: The full video is below.