July 24, 2026 | Uncategorized,

ArtsEmerson Brings Global Voices to Boston

One aspect that makes ArtsEmerson unique is its commitment to introducing Boston audiences to artists and stories from around the world. As Boston’s leading presenter of contemporary world theater, ArtsEmerson presents performances that celebrate different perspectives while creating opportunities for audiences to experience stories from across the globe.

The upcoming 2026/27 season continues that tradition with productions and artists from a variety of countries and creative backgrounds.

The season also opens with Taylor Mac and Matt Ray: Songs from Bark of Millions, featuring an international ensemble performing original songs inspired by queer figures, past and present. Running OCT 15—18, 2026, the production brings together performers from different backgrounds in a large scale celebration of music, storytelling, and performance.

In February, ArtsEmerson will welcome the U.S. Premiere of WAKE from Irish theater company THISISPOPBABY. Running FEB 11—14, 2027, the production reimagines the traditional Irish wake through music, dance, cabaret, aerial artistry and slam poetry, bringing a celebration rooted in Irish culture to Boston audiences.

Later in March, Scott Silven: Wonders arrives at ArtsEmerson. Inspired by Silven’s childhood in the wind-swept isles of Scotland, the production blends storytelling with psychological illusion to create an unforgettable audience experience. Scott Silven: Wonders runs MAR 10—14, 2027.

While the 26/27 season continues ArtsEmerson’s global focus, bringing artists from around the world to Boston has been part of our work for many years.

During the 24/25 season, audiences experienced Life & Times of Michael K, a production from South Africa’s Baxter Theatre Centre in collaboration with Handspring Puppet Company. Based on J.M. Coetzee’s award-winning novel, the production followed Michael K’s journey across a civil war-torn South Africa through an extraordinary combination of live performance and puppetry.

That same season also featured Fight Night by Belgian theater company Ontroerend Goed. Rather than asking audiences to only watch, Fight Night invited them to become active participants in an interactive theatrical experience centered around voting, power, and decision making.

Most recently, ArtsEmerson presented Dead as a Dodo from Wakka Wakka, a company from Norway and the United States. Combining puppetry, music, and imaginative storytelling, the production followed an unlikely friendship between a dodo and a skeleton boy as they journeyed through the underworld. Like many ArtsEmerson productions, it introduced audiences to a style of performance they may have never experienced before.

As ArtsEmerson prepares for its 16th season, the commitment to connecting audiences with artists and stories from around the world remains at the heart of every lineup. Whether a show comes from Ireland, South Africa, Belgium, Norway, the United States or somewhere else entirely, each production offers Boston audiences the opportunity to experience a new perspective.