Samar Haddad King

The Shed

Kenneth Branagh in King Lear by William Shakespeare

### Event Description: Open Call: Yaa Samar Dance Theatre - Gathering: New York City

**Event Title:** Open Call: Yaa Samar Dance Theatre - Gathering: New York City

**Dates:** June 20-22

**Time:** 7:30 PM

**Location:** The Griffin Theater at The Shed, 545 West 30th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues, New York, NY 10001

**Event Overview:**
Join us for "Gathering: New York City," a unique night of storytelling, celebration, protest, and play. This event is part of The Shed's Open Call series and is produced and performed by Yaa Samar Dance Theatre (YSDT), a transnational company working between NYC and Palestine. Directed and choreographed by Samar Haddad King, the performance features text and original music by King and includes seven international YSDT performers from Japan, Palestine, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK, and the US, along with six local artists.

**Performance Details:**
- **Running Time:** Approximately 90-100 minutes
- **Audience Participation:** Optional. Attendees will be asked to remove their shoes before entering the performance space and will receive a brown paper bag for their belongings. Oranges will be used within the performance area.
- **Special Effects:** The production includes haze effects.
- **Seating:** There is no late seating.

**Ticket Information:**
- **Admission:** Free with a ticket reservation.
- **Member Reservations:** Members receive early access to reservations starting Tuesday, June 4.
- **General Public Reservations:** Available starting Thursday, June 6.
- **Waitlist:** For sold-out performances, an in-person waitlist will be available 15 minutes before the show begins.

**Accessibility:**
- **Accessible Seating:** Available. Please contact accessibility@theshed.org or call 646-455-3949 in advance to discuss your needs.
- **ASL Interpretation and Audio Description:** Available at the Friday, June 21 performance. Audio description is delivered via the free Listen Everywhere app on your personal device.
- **Assistive Listening Devices:** Available at the entrance to the theater. A driver’s license will be held to check out the device.

**About Yaa Samar Dance Theatre:**
Founded in 2005 by Samar Haddad King, YSDT creates invigorating performance and education programs that expand access to and promote understanding through the arts. The company has performed in 18 countries across four continents and is committed to uniting diverse artists and audiences in the creative process.

**Contact Information:**
For more information, visit [Yaa Samar Dance Theatre](http://www.ysdt.org) or contact The Shed at infotheshed.org or 646-455-3494.

**Support and Acknowledgments:**
This event is commissioned by The Shed and supported by various foundations and organizations, including the British Council, Center for Arab American Philanthropy, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Don't miss this extraordinary event that invites you to be a part of a collective action, whether as a participant or a witness. Reserve your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable evening at The Shed's Griffin Theater.

Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre