BOND STREET THEATRE

Bond Street Theatre initiates theatre-based projects for conflict resolution,
education and empowerment in critical areas worldwide.

Malaysia

In August 2017, Bond Street Theatre initiated an ongoing project in Malaysia working with refugee and migrant populations. Malaysia is not a signatory of the UN Convention on Refugees, leaving the country's refugees extremely vulnerable. Partnering with Asylum Access Malaysia, the Rohingya Women's Development Network, and Masakini Theatre, BST developed theatre-based tools to share accurate rights-based information with refugee groups in the Kuala Lumpur area. The project has resulted in the creation of two brand new theatre troupes. We are grateful to Rational Games Inc. for making this project possible.

Afghanistan

BST has launched a multiyear program to inform citizens about their legal rights and protections through theatre performances in schools, markets and locations where people congregate. Currently, much of the country relies on traditional councils for dispute resolution, with outcomes that can be arbitrary or overly harsh. The program, supported by the US Institute of Peace, promotes fair and equal access to justice. The project builds on our recent community improvement program, which engaged 400+ youth in 25 provinces in creative, constructive activities that counter violence among youth and improve their communities.

Myanmar

In 2017, BST collaborated with Thukhuma Khayeethe (Art Travelers) of Myanmar on an adaptation of Ben Jonson’s Volpone, reconfigured to suit Burmese characters and culture, and highlighting the idea of taking personal responsibility to speak out against injustice. After decades of military dictatorship and heavy censorship, the Burmese people find themselves in a nation on a precipice. The play’s interactive ending invites the audience to take a stand, to act as a jury and choose an outcome -- a new concept brought to light through a comic, yet serious, story with colorful characters.

Bond Street Theatre is the recipient of a MacArthur Award for its innovative cultural programming.
The company has a 5-star rating on Guidestar, has been TOP RATED by Great NonProfits, and is an NGO in association with the United Nations DPI.

Awards and Recognition

Above, ART/NY's Executive Director, Ginny Louloudes introduces Ms. Sherman.

In 2018, BST's Artistic Director Joanna Sherman was honored by the Cooper Union Alumni Association with the Peter Cooper Public Service Award, and inducted into the Cooper Union Hall of Fame.

Above, Pennie Ojeda, former head of International Programs at NEA, presented the Award to Mr. McGuigan and Ms. Sherman.

BST has been awarded an Otto René Castillo Award for Political Theatre. We are honored to receive recognition for our years of creating theatre for social change in conflict areas around the world.

Joanna Sherman receives the Lee Reynold Award

Above, Ambassador Cynthia P. Schneider presents Ms. Sherman with the Award at the March gala.

Artistic Director Joanna Sherman received the League of Professional Theatre Women's Lee Reynold Award in honor of Bond Street Theatre's work for social justice around the world.