American Romanian Theatre Exchange program (ARTE) ARTE began in May, 2006 when Producing Director John Clinton Eisner led a delegation of playwrights and artistic leaders to Romania, including – Tanya Barfield, Saviana Stanescu, Kelly Stuart, Doug Wright, as well as Gordon Edelstein, Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre, and Randy Gener, senior editor for American Theatre Magazine.

ARTE, supported by the Romanian Cultural Institute (RCI), is spearheaded by Stanescu, who was Lark’s Theatre Communications Group International Fellow. According to Stanescu, “The travels and projects that we developed as part of ARTE have gone far beyond ‘cultural tourism’ and allow a true artistic dialogue to happen. And we are committed to continuing to deepen, to diversify and to treasure that dialogue.” RCI’s Corina Suteu says that they were eager to take part in this program, “In order to support exchange in the field of playwriting and translation between Romania and the U.S. with the hope that it grows into a fully fledged long-term program of play development and translation."

Plays Developed:
●Gianina Carbunariu's SOME NEWS FROM THE FUTURE,
translated by Christine Paniate
● Alina Nelega's AMELIA BREATHES DEEPLY, translated with Kelly Stuart
●Saviana Stänescu's FOR A BARBARIAN WOMAN
● Peca Stefan's BUCHREST CALLING, dramaturgy by Tanya Barfield

Partner:
The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York aims to promote Romanian culture to the public in both the US and internationally and to build sustainable connections and collaborations between American and Romanian cultural organizations. The Institute serves as a catalyst for all artistic and creative fields, and strives toward the strengthening of academic associations and the enhancement of perspectives regarding Romania and its present cultural dynamics.