Reviews from Distinguished Allies

“Samara Gaev’s Truthworker Theatre Company is a beacon of hope in a culture plagued by indifference and economic distress. These brave young artists are turning the turmoil of generation WHY? into poetry, dance and theater.  Their voices strike like lightning, their movement molds time and space; they spin webs with their imagination to transform social ills into conscious solutions.  Truthworker shines light on a growing grassroots revolution, already underway.  Do everything you can to support this work!”

                                                                   ~Maija Garcia, Creative Director, FELA!, Director, Organic Magnetics

“Truthworker consistently succeeds at what all good companies strive for: engaging the next generation in theatre that is a catalyst for real social change. Ms. Gaev instills passion, courage, and confidence in her young collaborators with such power that it transcends the stage and pierces audiences.”

                                                                                        ~Jonathan Solari, Artistic Director, New Brooklyn Theater

“Theater is so important to mirror the joys, sorrows, fantasies and realities of our lives and it is one of our greatest assets to help young people examine current issues and find their own voices.  It allows them to develop a point of view, do the research and articulate that view in safe spaces to challenge, provoke and sometimes validate what we think and why.  Truthworker Theatre is meeting a great need providing these opportunities for our youth. I applaud the work Samara Gaev is doing with these young voices and encourage her to continue this amazing work.”

                                               ~Stephanie S Hughley, VP Education & Humanities, Brooklyn Academy of Music

“IN|PRISM shattered me with its truth and sincere portrayal of one man’s journey from foster-care to life on San Quentin’s Death Row. Through original poetry, heart-grabbing rhythms (feet, hands, lips, even tongues are used for rhythmic effect), original music and songs, lightning-pace raps performed in unison by two or more people, and some of the most sincere, raw, flawless acting I have seen in a long time, these young people immerse the audience in the devastating, sometimes comic, always emotional world of incarceration.”

                                                           ~Brent Buell, President: Doing Life Productions & NYC Producer/Director

“Truthworker Theatre Company cultivates critical voices of young people who transform their personal experiences and collective wisdom into masterworks that move us to the core. I am incredible inspired by the dedicated brilliance of the company under the remarkable directorship of Samara Gaev who’s skill and passion for translating social problems into liberatory platforms will have impact that ripples out in the lives of every young person she reaches, and every audience member who experiences the vividness of their work.”

                                                               ~ Naima Penniman, Co-Founder Co-Artistic Director, Climbing PoeTree