Paper Pianos

Paper Pianos​ is a full-length theatrical work co-directed by Armenian-American composer Mary Kouyoumdjian and South African-American director Nigel Maister. The work combines the testimonies of four refugees and resettlement workers with intricate hand-drawn animations of Syrian visual artist Kevork Mourad to vividly depict the dramatic emotional landscape of displacement and resettlement experienced by refugees throughout the world. Performed live by the 18-piece contemporary ensemble Alarm Will Sound, this world premiere of Paper Pianos at EMPAC invites audiences to contemplate the dislocation, longing, and optimism of refugees.