Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making skills force him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. When Buddy learns his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, he is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Book by Thomas Meehan; music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making skills force him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. When Buddy learns his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, he is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Book by Thomas Meehan; music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making skills force him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. When Buddy learns his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, he is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Book by Thomas Meehan; music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making skills force him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. When Buddy learns his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, he is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Book by Thomas Meehan; music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making skills force him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. When Buddy learns his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, he is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Book by Thomas Meehan; music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making skills force him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. When Buddy learns his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, he is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Book by Thomas Meehan; music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum

What better way to experience a new culture than to get up and dance?

Hattiloo Theatre invites young dancers to discover the rhythms and movements of Rwanda in an exciting, hands-on cultural dance workshop led by visiting Rwandan artists!

During this one-hour experience, children will learn traditional Rwandan dance movements directly from the artists while being introduced to a different form of cultural expression. It’s an opportunity to step outside the familiar, try something new, and experience Rwandan culture in a way they won’t soon forget.

No dance experience is necessary. Just come ready to move, have fun, and discover something new!

Part of the Bridging Worlds Festival

This event is presented as part of Hattiloo Theatre’s Bridging Worlds International Theatre Festival, connecting Memphis audiences with international artists through cultural exchange and shared artistic experiences.

What happens when artists from different parts of the world come together to share their experiences?

Join Hattiloo Theatre for an intimate conversation with our visiting Rwandan artists, offering Memphis audiences a unique opportunity to get to know the creative minds behind the work.

Moderated by Lawrence Blackwell, this conversation invites audiences to hear directly from the artists, learn more about their perspectives, and discover what shapes their creative expression. Rather than simply experiencing their work from the audience, you’ll have an opportunity to engage with the people behind it.

Part of the Bridging Worlds Festival

This event is presented as part of Hattiloo Theatre’s Bridging Worlds International Theatre Festival, connecting Memphis audiences with international artists through cultural exchange and shared artistic experiences

Can the arts help bring a community back together after unimaginable tragedy?

Join Hattiloo Theatre for a unique, interactive workshop exploring the role of artistic expression in Rwanda’s recovery following the genocide.

Led by visiting Rwandan artists, this experience will take audiences beyond conversation to discover how the arts have helped people reconnect and come together. Through selected performance excerpts, discussion, and interactive participation, you’ll gain a closer look at how artistic expression can contribute to a community’s recovery.

This isn’t simply a presentation to sit through. It’s an opportunity to participate, ask questions, and explore the power of the arts through the perspectives of those sharing their country’s experiences.

Come prepared to engage with the artists and leave with a deeper appreciation for the role creative expression can play in bringing people together.

Part of the Bridging Worlds Festival

This event is presented as part of Hattiloo Theatre’s Bridging Worlds International Theatre Festival, connecting Memphis audiences with international artists through cultural exchange and shared artistic experiences

Experience Rwanda through the lens of cinema at Hattiloo Theatre!

Join us for a special evening of Rwandan cinema presented as part of our Bridging Worlds International Theatre Festival. Discover filmmaking from another part of the world, explore different cultural perspectives, and connect with stories that reflect familiar human experiences.

The evening features three short films followed by the feature presentation, DECEIVER. Together, these four films explore love, identity, cultural traditions, betrayal, and the challenges of navigating relationships across different worlds.

SHORT FILM SHOWCASE

AYURUSHAKO

Feeling neglected in his marriage, Hakiza finds unexpected comfort in the attention of his housekeeper, Chantal. But when his boss also develops feelings for her, a complicated love triangle unfolds, revealing jealousy, selfishness, and the true meaning of love.

I WANNA GO BACK HOME

A young African immigrant in France struggles to adjust to a new life while navigating language barriers and workplace challenges. As misunderstandings mount, he faces the difficult realities of finding his place in an unfamiliar country.

IDENTITY

As a French-Rwandan couple prepares for marriage, differing family expectations challenge their plans. Caught between cultural traditions and

Experience the richness of Rwandan storytelling through film, right here at Hattiloo Theatre!

As part of our Bridging Worlds International Theatre Festival, we’re bringing Rwandan cinema to the Main Stage for a special afternoon film screening. This is an opportunity to discover stories from another part of the world, experience a different cultural perspective, and see how familiar human experiences are explored through Rwandan filmmaking.

Our featured film, I Bwiza (Tenacity), follows a 23-year-old artist determined to fulfill her late father’s dream of making a living through traditional Imigongo art. As she works to support her family, she must confront the challenges and exploitation standing between her and that dream.

Whether you’re a film enthusiast or simply curious about Rwandan culture, we invite you to spend an afternoon at Hattiloo discovering a story you might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.

Part of the Bridging Worlds Festival

This event is presented as part of Hattiloo Theatre’s Bridging Worlds International Theatre Festival, connecting Memphis audiences with international artists through cultural exchange and shared artistic experiences.