Speak Truth to Power: Voices from Beyond the Dark

Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 7:00 pm
Four Rivers Charter Public School proudly presents Speak Truth to Power: Voices from Beyond the Dark by Ariel Dorfman. Directed by Leah Plath and featuring Four Rivers High School Juniors.

Directed by Leah Plath and featuring Four Rivers High School Juniors, this production will bring the struggle for dignity and human rights to the Pioneer Valley.

Speak Truth to Power: Voices from Beyond the Dark is a multi-faceted project that has grown from a book written by human rights advocate Kerry Kennedy, which has inspired a moving and inspirational play by esteemed Chilean writer Ariel Dorfman. The book is based on interviews and stories of courage gathered over two years by Ms. Kennedy who interviewed an inspiring array of defenders from more than 36 countries and five continents. With 51 compelling stories of triumph over adversity, the book features human rights defenders who are willing to stand up in the face of imminent danger, speak out and make a difference.

The play examines human rights with issues as far ranging as political rights, free expression, honor killings, demilitarization, environmental activism, mental health, women’s and children’s rights, and national self-determination. The defenders come from all parts of the world and face every form of oppression and abuse, but they hold in common a profound capacity to ignite change.

Speak Truth to Power: Voices from Beyond the Dark is on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls, MA.

The price of admission will be on a sliding scale from $5-$15, though no one will be turned away from attending. All proceeds will go to the Traprock Center For Peace and Justice.

In conjunction with the play, students will present a photo exhibition based on the defenders and adapted from the original Speak Truth to Power publication.

Speak Truth to Power seeks to promote a more just and peaceful world by galvanizing public support for international human rights through cultural, educational and web-based programs. Speak Truth is a core program of the Robert F. Kennedy Centre for Justice and Human Rights (www.rfkhumanrights.org).