CARTOGRAPHY is a theatrical work that explores the commonalities of migration and the concrete and metaphorical mapping at the center of worlds in motion. Created in collaboration with artist and writer Christopher Myers, the production draws on Schaal and Myers’ work with refugee youth in the United States and internationally. For audiences of all ages, CARTOGRAPHY aims to engage young people as core audience for contemporary performance. Visual tools like map-making and inventory meet performance tools like filmmaking and dancing; sculptures create a catalogue of interior and exterior journeys; sound sensor technology responds to the timbre of actors’ voices to activate a virtual storm; cellphones are used to mark memories, and distances traveled. The piece invites audiences to examine their own lives and the maps we have yet to draw.

CARTOGRAPHY developmental partners include New Victory Theatre LabWorks residency in New York, NY; New Visions / New Voices at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.; NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center in Abu Dhabi; and The Public Theater with Brooklyn College, Brooklyn NY. CARTOGRAPHY received developmental support from the Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University in Middletown CT. Kaneza Schaal is a 2019 USA Fellow.

The piece premiered at the Kennedy Center in early 2019.

PRESS

Review: ‘Cartography’ at The Kennedy Center – DC Metro Theater Arts

NYUAD’s ‘Cartography’ seeks for a greater understanding of the plight of refugees – The National

Program at John Marshall HS Helps Refugee Students Adjust to Life in the US – Idea Stream for NPR

Cartography Brings Immigrant Tales to Playhouse Square – Idea Stream for NPR

TOURING
Abu Dhabi, NYUAD – February 6-15, 2020
Toronto, Young People’s Theatre – May 5-14, 2020
Washington DC, Kennedy Center (Jan 2019)
Philadelphia, FringeArts (Sep 2019)
Cleveland, Playhouse Square (Nov 2019)
New York City, New Victory (Jan 2020)

Creative Team and Collaborators
Christopher Myers, Jane Jung, Victoria Nassif, Cheyanne Williams, Vuyolwethu Sotashe, Eden Zane, Malaika Uwamohoro, Abrielle Kuo, Raquel Palmas, Kamal Nassif, Joshue Ott, Mateo Juvera Molina, Andrija Klaric, Grace Huang, Pierre Depaz, Tommy Kreigsmann and ArKtype.

For touring inquires please contact studio@knz.org.

Photo: Christopher Myers

 

Photo by Elman Studio

 

Photo by Elman Studio

 

Photo by Elman Studio

 

Photo by Elman Studio

 

Photo by Christopher Myers

 

Photo: Nikith Nath

 

Photo: Kamal Nassif