PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian
PRESERVING ANCESTRAL VOICES
THROUGH THE THEATRE AT NAASR
The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
will present a lecture by playwright, professor, and director Dr.
Nishan Parlakian entitled “Preserving Ancestral Voices: The Theatre
and Armenian Identity” on Thursday, April 7, at 8:00 p.m., at the
NAASR Center, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA.
How can Armenian identity and the voices of our ancestors be
transmitted across the generations? What are the most effective
ways of preventing these voices from being lost? Unquestionably,
the theatre is one of the most potent vehicles for conveying the
shared experiences of Armenian group and family life in a way that
will continue to be meaningful with each passing generation.
Dr. Nishan Parlakian has been one of the leading exponents of
Armenian-American theatre for several decades. He will explore the ways
in which drama can entertain, excite interest in Armenian culture and
history, and maintain Armenian identity, in a lecture that will also
include readings by Parlakian from Watertown-born playwright Barbara
Bejoian’s Dance Mama, Dance and by Joyce Van Dyke from her acclaimed
play A Girl’s War.
Experienced Writer, Translator, and Director
Parlakian is professor emeritus of drama at John Jay College in New
York City. He is a playwright whose works include Grandma, Pray For
Me and an experienced theatrical director who has staged plays in
Armenian and in English. He has written extensively on Armenian
theatre and has also translated numerous dramas from Armenian,
including Shirvanzade’s For the Sake of Honor and Evil Spirit.
He is the co-editor, with S. Peter Cowe, of Modern Armenian Drama: An
Anthology, and the recently-published Contemporary Armenian American
Drama: An Anthology of Ancestral Voices. All of these books will be
on sale and available for signing.
The NAASR Bookstore will open at 7:30 p.m. The NAASR Center and
Headquarters is located opposite the First Armenian Church and next to
the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available around the building
and in adjacent areas. The lecture will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.