JUDY VERAMENDI, PLAYWRIGHT and Fulbright specialist in the Arts, first became interested in developing a play based on Pakistani culture about three years ago.
After some research she had discovered that the Pakistani culture possessed great richness and beauty, unknown to most of the world.
Most Americans’ knowledge had been about terrorism and violence there. She believed, as she had in her first six theater plays and productions, that knowledge and empathy of another’s culture goes far to create international trust and appreciation.
Another Fulbright specialist, Frances Anderson, who had been to Pakistan twice on grants, shared with Judy a lovely book of Punjabi folk songs entitled, “Voiceless Melodies.” The folk songs have been passed down from generation to generation by Punjabi women; this is the first time they have been published, and in a bilingual Punjabi/English version.
Judy was drawn to the beauty of the folk songs and began to visualize a play with Punjabi music and dance, with a storyline featuring the folk songs.
Through Chicago Fulbrighter Frances Anderson, Judy got to know the author of ‘Voiceless Melodies’, Dr. Iftikhar N. Hassan, an eminent Fulbrighter and writer who teaches at Karakoram International University, Gilgit-Baltistan in Islamabad. Judy proposed the play to the International Voices Project Festival of Victory Gardens Theater, and it was accepted for inclusion on April 24, 2016.
Judy was set to travel to Pakistan to work on developing the script, but due to the insecurity of the situation there, Dr. Hassan traveled to Evanston instead.
Christened “Playwright of the Third World” by a local Pakistani artist, Judy Veramendi feels very grateful that she has been able to foster international cultural and artistic exchanges, thanks to the Fulbright Commission, the International Artists’ Exchange program of the State of Illinois, the Evanston Cultural Fund, and the Puffin Foundation.
OUR FULBRIGHT FRIEND, alumna and supporter Judy Veramendi is presenting her play “Alegrías y Lágrimas” (Happiness and Tears) directed by Ruth Camargo.
WHEN Dec. 2, 4, 9, 11 at 7:30 pm. and Dec. 5 at 2:00pm.
Enjoy our holiday play and help Centro Romero! Our beloved neighborhood institution that has served Latinos continuously for 34 years, is now threatened with closure due to State of Illinois budget cuts. This is a fundraising event.
Remember your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents who arrived to our city, broke and starving, to find aid in our community and religious organizations.
Enjoy a wonderful evening and support an important cause!
By Elio Leturia—IN CONMEMORATION OF the centennial of the death of the great Uruguayan poet Delmira Agustini, the Instituto Cervantes presents Empty Chalices/Los Cálices Vacíos, a theater play by Judy Veramendi, directed by Madrid St Angelo.
Judy Veramendi is a poet, a Fulbright Senior Scholar and a Columbia College Chicago alumna.
The Opening Night Reception, on Tuesday April 1, 2014, 6:00-7:00 p.m., is sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association and you, your friends and family are invited!
There will be a Q&A session with the playwright and directing team after each show.