Ukrainian theater company, Slovo. Theater Group returns (virtually) to the City of Asylum stage for a moderated discussion centering on the creation of their work Mothermotherland. The piece, which premiered at City of Asylum’s 2022 International Literature Festival in September, is semi-improvisational, and toured at all different locations, with new and different material featured in every show. This program is a combination  "where are they now" and behind the scenes style discussion with the artists, moderated from the Alphabet City stage by Alexis Jabour, who toured with their production as their freelance light and sound technician. This program also features clips of the Slovo. Theater Group's performance incorporated throughout the discussion.

Slovo. Theater Group is composed of performers Audrey Rose Degez, Lilia Degez, Daria Holovchanska, Yuliia Linnik, Maksym Panchenko, Veronika Shuster, and Olesia Zakharova. Founded in April of 2022, their mission is to increase the visibility of Ukrainian culture in the United States and stimulate dialogue between Ukrainians and Americans. Scheduled to write and workshop a play at Residency Slovo in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Audrey Rose chose the short story “I am (a Romantic)” by Mykola Khyvylovy as inspiration. She had hoped to research the topic of Motherland and to raise awareness about the cyclical nature of history and cultural oppression in Ukraine. The result is the first original work co-written and co-directed by the members of Slovo. Theater Group, Mothermotherland, a performance that explores motherland, maternity, and self.

Alexis Jabour (she/they) graduated from Duquesne University with a major in journalism and a minor in theater and acted as stage manager for several performances of Mothermotherland throughout the Slovo. Theater Group’s tour. Alexis currently works as City of Asylum’s Senior Producer, and as such, has produced over 700 programs at City of Asylum. They are also the co-parent of two lovely cats, Nikolai and Stevie.

Looking Back to "Mothermotherland" with Slovo. Theater Group