Actors and actresses from across the globe convene in Albuquerque for the final week of celebrations of Tricklock’s 12 annual Revolutions International Theatre Festival.

The annual festival, which imports international professionals to teach and perform, is part of Tricklock’s commitment to diversity and training in the UNM Department of Theater and Dance, Tricklock co-artistic director Juli Hendren said.

This year’s festival includes artists from France, Mexico, Israel, Italy and areas across the U.S. Hendren said the company tours internationally and domestically, and hand-picks artists to include each year.

She said the fact that it’s professional, rather than an off-the-cuff amateur “fringe” festival, is an important distinction.

Hendren said it’s an opportunity for anyone, not just students in the department, to meet the artists.

Reptilian Lounge, Albuquerque’s longest-running late-night cabaret, started in 1996 as part of Tricklock’s regular season but became an important feature of the festival. It connects visiting performers with locals, according to Tricklock’s website. The last performance is Saturday at The Box Performance Space, and features local comics, belly-dancers, monologists, musicians and naked dancers.

Stephanie Grilo, a student in the theater and dance department, volunteered at Revolutions the past two years and acted in the Reptilian Lounge. She said the festival allows for diverse theater experiences.

“As an emerging theater artist, I believe training and learning from all mediums opens your awareness and your heart to infinitely possible discoveries,” Grilo said.

For instance, Grilo said she participated in a workshop about Armenian physical theater exercises with The Buran Company’s ensemble. She said this kind of cultural exchange prepares students for successful careers in the entertainment industry by exposing them to different practices.

If you’d like to catch the end of the festival, there is one performance remaining, in addition to the Reptilian Lounge.

“The Teacher Show” features a group of up-and-coming writers and performers who have translated their experiences teaching across the U.S. into a dramatic performance that combines music, monologue, hip-hop, poetry and comedy.

The Teacher Show
Theatre X, downstairs from Popejoy Hall
Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m.
Adult tickets $18, senior/student $15

Reptilian Lounge
The Box Performance Space
100 Gold Avenue S.W., Suite 112 B
Saturday, 10:30 p.m.
Tickets $7.77, no reservations

Tricklock.com