The Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre presents "Frame by Frame – the 2020 Thesis Festival," featuring three groundbreaking works of theatre created by this year’s graduating MFA class. The online festival marks the culmination of three years of graduate study by an international ensemble of theatre artists.

NOTE: The pieces in the line-up will be presented at various times, both live and recorded, online. Please visit www.dellarte.com/thesis-2020 for details on how to access each show as well as their specific dates and times. Below is more information.

• “Once Upon a Time I Was Addicted to You,” created by Veenadari Lakshika Jayakody, Jayampathi Guruge, and Nipuni Sharadahra; performed by Veenadari Lakshika Jayakody. The show will be recorded live and uploaded to Dell'Arte's YouTube channel on May 15. Please visit www.dellarte.com/thesis-2020 for more information.

Description – Don’t we all love to listen to fairy tales that begin with “Once upon a time” and end with “Happily ever after”? Not all stories are fairy tales, and not all stories have happy endings. However, we become addicted to what is familiar and then feel like we need it to survive. But does that mean we are happy? “Once Upon a Time I Was Addicted to You” is the result of an ensemble working for 10 weeks to create a one-act play online between Sri Lanka and the United States. The international production is inspired by true events.

• “Disparities,” created and performed by Delilah Stowers, Dionna Fletcher, and Everson Ndlovu. The show will be performed live on Zoom May 14, 16, 21, & 23 at 8 PM. Please visit www.dellarte.coc/thesis-2020 to sign up for the event.

Description – Everyone is caught in a dream of ideas that don’t accept, respect and honor the diverse complexion of Mother Earth. Oppressors have created a longstanding color of law and culture to separate, isolate and dehumanize People of Color mentally, physically and spiritually. Domesticated by the oppressive human hierarchy, these second-class citizens experience and express the lack of humanism and social justice which has tainted their existence. It is disquieting to desire to navigate the system and a powerless paradox while facing it. How do they continue transforming this darkness into light?

• “Boo Boo: The Big Ouchie,” created and performed by Andrew Lupkes, Abigail Maguire and Joël Vining, with provocation from Erin Crites. The show will be recorded and uploaded to Dell'Arte's YouTube channel on May 15. Please visit www.dellarte.com/thesis-2020 for more information.

Description – Inspired by current circumstances, “Boo Boo: The Big Ouchie” examines how the drudgery of a day-to-day office existence becomes a little more lively as Death starts to hang around.