"FirstWorks" Connects World-Class Artists with Urban Audience

"FirstWorks" is an amazing cultural and arts organization in Providence, RI that has hosted a wide variety of programs from the Alvin Ailey Dance Company to Yo-Yo Ma's Music from the Silk Road Project. In a short six-year period this organization has brought together many national and international artists, community partners, and programs under its umbrella. Perhaps the most amazing feat of all is that FirstWorks has actualized bringing it "to the streets" and involving underserved students and communities in and around Providence.

The hallmark of the FirstWorks program is its Master Classes and Workshops. These events provide an opportunity for Providence's urban youth to meet with, talk to and learn from national and international groups of highly skilled artists (like Alvin Ailey and Yo-Yo Ma). FirstWorks does collaborate with the City of Providence's Department of Art, Culture and Tourism. During the past several years together they have "produced ten groundbreaking arts festivals, attracted more than 70,000 participants, and engaged more than 100 nonprofit community organizations and schools."

As another endorsement of the quality and success of FirstWorks, the organization has been recognized by the award of ten National Endowment for the Arts grants. That is no easy feat in these tough financial times. FirstWorks has a long history of community impact, which is a large part of why it has been successful. It began from a single event on New Year's Eve in downtown Providence. It has now expanded to year-round programming with many, many events.

Kathleen Pletcher, who currently serves as Executive Artistic Director, founded FirstWorks in 2004. She had previously served as the Artistic Director for "First Night Providence" - a yearly New Year's Eve celebration. A dynamo of activity and energy, In 1985 Pletcher founded Ragabash Studio, an experimental theatre in New York City. Interested in the arts internationally, Pletcher has performed and conducted research in several parts of Asia as well as in Italy and the Netherlands. Pletcher is also an Arts Education Consultant.

FirstWorks' mission is to connect art with audiences. It does that through presentations, arts education and arts creation. For example, in the past season they launched a new collaboration with the Taiwan Council for Cultural Affairs/Tapei Cultural Center of TECO in New York. This will bring the New England premiere of "Horse" - Taiwan's first, all-male dance theatre to Providence for a public performance and workshops in local schools. "Horse" will provide cross-cultural learning through a three-day residency.

Coming next is the Pilobolus Dance Theatre on Saturday, September 25, 2010. The engaging and entertaining Pilobus is all sorts of arms, legs and other parts acting much like an alien shape shifter. it gives an otherworldly effect to the audience as it moves and gyrates over and around the stage.

This past spring FirstWorks partnered with the daughter of Jim Henson - Heather - to bring her own brand of puppeteering to Providence. The younger Henson has traveled around the world collecting storys of puppets on film. In May, 2010 there was a special screening of "Harker", curated by Heather Henson. "Harker" is filmed in homage to the silent screen classics of German Expressionist film. It tells the story of Jonathan Harker (the hero) and his encounter with Nosferatu, the vampire. A new companion comic book by artist Scott Shoemaker was given out free to those who attended.