This is our sixth edition of Under the Radar. This is our most ambitious and expansive festival we have put together yet. UTR is responding to the wealth of work we see around the world in contemporary theater, performances that need to be seen in New York. Nationally and internationally artists continue to make work no matter what the economic weather is, and sometimes just to spite the heavens.

This year's festival introduces several companies who have not been seen in New York before as well as featuring master artists who have built long careers working in that thin space between performance and theater. We have brought back performances that have enjoyed successful runs in the city but demand another look and a wider audience. There are shows you can take your kids to and performances not for the faint of heart. There is song, dance, video, pratfalls, puppets, nudity and movingly simple performances. If you need help choosing, just ask us at the UTR desk in the lobby - we are full of suggestions.

This year's festival is tied together (sometimes literally by visual artist MK Guth) with several strands of ideas, performances with "real people", film and theater intersections, performances about youth, performances about aging, there is puppetry pushed to the limit and even a moon landing with fingers. The inventive artists of this year's Under the Radar are creating theater that questions our time, our history and our world. It's up to you to tie these threads together as you make your own festival. I urge you to drop by our blog or Facebook page and tell us what you saw and what you thought of it, or better yet come up to the LuEsther Lounge and talk with the artists themselves.

I look forward to seeing you at Under the Radar.

Mark Russell, Artistic Director and Producer

History

Under the Radar (UTR) is an annual theater festival that spotlights international artists ranging from emerging talents to masters in the field. The festival is a wild mix of works by ensembles, solo artists, writers, and creators. The ultimate goal of UTR is to offer a crash course in theater that is exciting, independent, and experimental, created by some of the most dynamic artists working today. In its five-year history, UTR has presented 67 productions from over 15 different countries. Some artists who have collaborated with UTR include SITI Company, Elevator Repair Service, Nature Theater of Oklahoma, Superamas, Abbey Theatre, Mike Daisey, Reggie Watts, Teatro De Los Andes, and many more.

The festival premiered at St. Ann's Warehouse in January of 2005, focusing primarily on theater companies based in the United States. In 2006, UTR moved to The Public Theater to place itself in the heart of the American theater. In its second year, UTR branched out further into the international theater community. This festival featured performances from Brazil, the Netherlands, Australia, Indonesia, France, Austria, the United Kingdom and the U.S. The tradition continued in 2007, as the festival once again highlighted contemporary and independent work from around the world. The festival was expanded from five days to its current two week format.

"UNDER THE RADAR has become the leading destination for new theater work and continues to raise the visibility and curiosity for new theater with this dynamic festival. Arts Presenters is thrilled to partner with Mark Russell and the Public Theater throughout the year on both the festival and what is now the Under the Radar Initiative for the creation and dissemination of devised work." Sandra Gibson, CEO and President, Arts Presenters

Under The Radar Festival 2010 is a program of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and is held in conjunction with APAP Conference NYC 2010. Major funding is provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Ford Foundation. The Festival is produced by Mark Russell and The Public Theater.

Sponsors

Under The Radar Wishes to thank: