Angels Rising, International Festival, San Juan,PR

In June 1998, Johnson, Wamer and Vasquez performed in Warsaw at the Teatr na Woli at the invitation of Niedzialkowski. The strong reception to the short works that were presented inspired the creation of the International Mime Art Festival, Warsaw, Poland, May 2000. Johnson has been invited to present his larger company works, Angel’s Rising and Asylum, and some others. Niedzialkowski has also requested two works from Goldston, a solo and a trio, and a solo from Wamer. Alithea Mime Theatre is responding to this summons. Alithea Creations will also sponsor the fourth consecutive Beyond the Word seminar in America at the School for Mimes this summer, July 2000.

Although mime is one of the oldest art forms that exist, it is also a form rarely seen or experienced in a concert stage venue. International mime festivals exist rarely if ever. The past popularity of the 1970’s is gone, and visibility of the art is the responsibility of the few mimes passionately involved with an art that is rare, eloquent and often magical. Up till now, Europe and the U.S. have shared a love of the art through the fifty-year career of Marcel Marceau, the French mime considered the father of the art, at least for the 20^th century. Exposure to American mimes in Europe has happened only on very rare occasions, and this festival is the opportunity to win public opinion and credibility abroad for the Americans that have toured here in the United States. Although mime is much more a traditional and accepted art form in Europe, this festival is an opportunity to bring something new, a new perspective, style, vision and perhaps a new breath to an art needing a shot of vitality. With Marceau in the twilight years of his performing career, this opportunity becomes even more important.

Notable Tours:

International Mime Art Festival, 1999 & 2000 Warsaw, Poland

First International Mime & Physical Theatre in the Caribean, 2001, San Juan, Puerto Rico

China Shanghai International Arts Festival, 2004, Shanghai, China

United Nations Youth Assembly, 2006, New York City, New York