the birds that are your hands: how to start a fire under siege

By Sol Kelley-Jones

Directed by Sol Kelley-Jones

Against the backdrop of occupied borderlands torn asunder, the multi-media performance, the birds that are your hands: how to start a fire under siege, explores disparate yet overlapping tales of tyranny and resistance from Israel/Palestine to the U.S/Mexico border. From stony hills laden with olive trees to the blurry haze of a line in the sand among saguaros; from the bullet-riddled corridors of an ancient holy city to a chain gang of a modern metropolis, a tangled collage of stories unfurl and draw attention to the hands of those enclosed by borders, those making the crossing, and those who capitalize on the construction of walls: wielders of stones, bakers of bread, upholders of state. Shepherds emerge alongside Goliaths' patrol, lovers find themselves to be terrorists, and Ingrid thinks we should all just lay down our arms and play violins.

Broom Street Theater proudly presents Sol Thea Kelley-Jones' new work the birds that are your hands: how to start a fire under siege -- a multi-media work from the theater's newest playwright. Kelley-Jones, an activist and artist, has been re-imagining justice-making through the performing arts since her youngest years. In 1999, out of a desire to create theater and give platform to marginalized voices, she co-founded Proud Theater with Callen Harty, now Broom Street Artistic Director. Through the years, her art has reflected her belief in the interconnection between struggles for justice. She has continued to employ the theatrical arts in ever-widening circles. After teaching theater in refugee camps in the Palestinian Territories and working on behalf of immigrant rights at Coalicion Derechos de Humanos on the U.S. Mexico border, she embarked on her most recent theatrical work, which explores the peoples and militarized landscapes of these two border places.

the birds that are your hands: how to start a fire under siege boasts the talents of both veteran Broom Street actors and newcomers. Make sure to mark your calendars to see the provocative world premiere.

Produced by Broom Street Theater at Broom Street Theater, 1119 Williamson Street, Madison

Performances: March 13 - April 19, 2009

Performance Times: Friday and Saturday @ 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. There will be talkbacks after the March 22, 29, April 5, and 12 performances.

Ticket Prices: $9 on Friday and Saturday, $6 on Sunday.

Call 608-244-8338 for reservations or more information.