“What Sprouts First When the Earth Burns?” is a labyrinthic play that examines the multiple levels in which assumed women’s freedoms are challenged in a normative world.
Willingly or forcedly, Anisa has cut her ties with the outside world. It’s been a few weeks since she has left her house. After much consideration, she is preparing for a departure, but this is interrupted by a sudden visit by Vala. Hard to say whether Vala is her mother, lover, sister or friend but it’s clear that she is definitely not a stranger or just an acquaintance. Is Vala’s visit dedicated to supporting or maybe saving Anisa, or is there more to it?
“What Sprouts First When the Earth Burns?” was devised by playwright Fjolla Hoxha and theater director Flutra Zymi for the National Theater of Kosova in 2015. The original production included actors Kumrije Hoxha and Alketa Sylaj, visual artist Kleidi Eski, creative assistant Valmira Gashi, stage and costume designer Leonora Mehmeti. The performance was part of the repertoire of the National Theater of Kosova for six months.
“What Sprouts First When the Earth Burns?” had its U.S. debut at Kindling Arts Festival in 2024 at Global Education. In this iteration, the play was modified to fit the current socio-political events in the U.S. as well as it expanded on the meaning of the word ‘women’ by engaging two trans women artists as performers.
Photography © Kelly Ann Graff