MISSION and PURPOSE

The Global Theatre Project develops projects and initiatives that awaken individuals and communities to the expanse of their creative and relational capacity.

Our three-pronged structure of artistic excellence, community partnership and experiential education develops projects and programming which supports the exploration of the intellectual and creative capacity of all involved.

We believe that a healthy society requires individuals who are active in and connected to their local community as well as aware of the larger issues interconnecting all living beings on this planet.

We recognize an urgent necessity for human beings to come together through what we hold in common – our capacity to care for each other – and work in partnership with Community Renewal International to see that need fulfilled.

HISTORY

The Global Theatre Project is born of the work of President and Artistic Director, Bari Hochwald who co-founded and ran Florence International Theatre Company in Florence, Italy from 2005 through 2010.  The work, which focused on integration of the various communities of the city as well as that of visiting artists and US students, led to rapid growth and  involvement levels. Very quickly it became clear that this sort of innovative, yet simple interaction can have a powerful and enduring effect on the participants and the community alike.

Building on this work, The GTP was inaugurated in 2011 with an event which put attention on the plight of Belarus Free Theatre and the people of Belarus. For about a decade our work in Los Angeles, Florence Italy, Baltimore and virtually has brought attention to complex social issues such as violence against journalists and its impact on democracy, the immigration crisis, violence against women and girls, etc. In all of our work we connected artists to community members and partners in order to deepen the conversation and suggest potential actions around each issue.

But this was not enough.

It is clear, in 2024, that bringing attention to issues will not change our world. We are proud of the work we have done up to this point, and it has shaped our approach to how we work with and within community, but something needed to change in order for our work to have true meaning in our current societal landscape.

When our Artistic Director met the Founder of Community Renewal International it began a journey that articulated both a relationship between our organizations and the development of a new approach to community-engaged work — Art for Social Renewal. We invite you to explore this site, consider joining the Creative Corps and work with us to center creativity in our communities as a pathway toward strengthening our relationships, and by extension the health of our society.

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