The Tony Award®-winning Alley Theatre has embarked on a groundbreaking journey that transcends borders, languages, and cultures. In partnership with Swedish theatre Unga Klara and nine other renowned international theatres, the Alley Theatre proudly announces its participation in Guardians of the Gods, a captivating theatrical production set to tour 11 countries across five continents in 2025. This initiative, part of The Childhood Project, aims to unite children around the world through the shared experience of navigating a world governed by adults.

A Story That Speaks to Every Child

Guardians of the Gods, penned by acclaimed playwright Erik Uddenberg and directed by Gustav Deinoff, is a poignant exploration of childhood. Inspired by interviews conducted with children and adults from 11 countries, the play delves into universal themes of growing up, understanding authority, and finding one’s voice. The production will be performed in each participating country’s native language, with the United States represented by Alley Theatre’s own Alric Davis and Brenda Palestina.

“It is incredibly rewarding to unite people from all over the world on this universal experience: being a child adjusting to adults,” shares Uddenberg. The production’s world premiere will take place in Diyarbakır, Turkey, on May 30, 2025, followed by the U.S. premiere in Houston schools during the fall of the same year.

A Vision of Global Unity

This ambitious collaboration brings together theaters from diverse cultural and geographic backgrounds, including:

• Alley Theatre (Houston, USA)
• Mordem Arts Centre (Diyarbakır, Turkey)
• Theatre Direct (Toronto, Canada)
• La Covacha Teatro (Mexico City, Mexico)
• Theater Festival/Assitej (Warsaw, Poland)
• Unge Viken Teater (Lillestrøm, Norway)
• Svenska Teatern (Helsinki, Finland)
• Drama for Life (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• Prachyanat Theatre (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
• Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
• Unga Klara (Stockholm, Sweden)

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Rob Melrose expressed his pride in the theatre’s role in this monumental project: “I’m so proud to have the Alley as one of only three North American theaters participating in this initiative. Unga Klara, a trailblazer in children’s theatre, has been an inspiration to me personally. Their founder, the late Suzanne Osten, was a true visionary. Her work and our conversations about the power of theatre continue to influence me deeply.”

Alley Theatre: A Pillar of Houston’s Cultural Landscape

Known as one of America’s leading nonprofit theatres, Alley Theatre is a beacon of artistic innovation and cultural inclusion in Houston. Led by Artistic Director Rob Melrose and Managing Director Dean R. Gladden, the theatre produces up to 11 plays annually, delivering nearly 400 performances each season. From cutting-edge contemporary works to timeless classics, the Alley Theatre’s repertoire reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the Houston community.

Housed in the state-of-the-art Meredith J. Long Theatre Center, which features the 774-seat Hubbard Theatre and the 296-seat Neuhaus Theatre, the Alley Theatre engages over 200,000 people annually through its performances, educational initiatives, and community outreach programs.

The Power of Storytelling Across Borders

As Guardians of the Gods prepares to take flight, it embodies the transformative power of storytelling—bridging cultural divides and illuminating the shared experiences of childhood. The play serves as a testament to the universal language of theatre, reminding audiences of the resilience, creativity, and hope inherent in every child.

Mark your calendars for the U.S. premiere in Houston in fall 2025, where the Alley Theatre will once again prove why it remains a cornerstone of artistic excellence, not just in Texas but on the global stage.