Golden Thread’s upcoming ReOrient Festival in San Francisco is well known for innovative, spirited, and thought-provoking theatre from and about the Middle East. With short plays by playwrights from Iraq, Iran, Egypt, England, and the U.S., the latest ReOrient promises to be a one-of-a-kind exploration of this unique region and its theater, stories, and artists.
The festival will feature 8 short plays by leading and emerging Middle Eastern writers (see below). The month-long festival of short plays, which will begin on September 10, 2015, will conclude with a FREE weekend Forum, a convening of artists, activists and scholars aimed at expanding the dialogue on theatre and the Middle East .
THE PLAYS:
LOST KINGDOM
by Hassan Abdulrazzak, directed by Michael French
When a Lebanese-American FBI agent is called in to interrogate a fallen dictator, a twisted tango ensues that complicates black and white notions of good and evil.
PICKING UP THE SCENT
by Yussef El Guindi, directed by Evren Odcikin
Hisham, an archeologist, discovers an ancient perfume bottle in a war zone. As he digs deeper, his poet wife Nisrin questions if it’s worth risking his life for history.
COUNTING IN AL SHA’AB
by Emma Goldman-Sherman, directed by Erin Gilley
Life goes on for Mr. Hattab and a colorful cast of characters from his bustling Baghdad neighborhood despite a bomb going off in front of his grocery store.
BITTERENDERS
by Hannah Khalil, directed by Manijeh Mohamedi
Maha’s Palestinian family shares their East Jerusalem apartment with an Israeli family, until a surprising letter changes everything—or does it?
CEASEFIRE
by Ken Kaissar, directed by Evren Odcikin
Can a ceasefire allow Israeli and Lebanese soldiers patrolling the border to see each other as something other than enemy?
THE HOUSE (World Premiere)
by Tala Manassah and Mona Mansour, directed by Sara Razavi
Kamal, a Palestinian-American scientist, and his philosopher daughter Alia put on a play and take an imaginary trip to his childhood home.
When: September 10- October 4th
THE FORUM:
THE PLAYS:
LOST KINGDOM
by Hassan Abdulrazzak, directed by Michael French
When a Lebanese-American FBI agent is called in to interrogate a fallen dictator, a twisted tango ensues that complicates black and white notions of good and evil.
PICKING UP THE SCENT
by Yussef El Guindi, directed by Evren Odcikin
Hisham, an archeologist, discovers an ancient perfume bottle in a war zone. As he digs deeper, his poet wife Nisrin questions if it’s worth risking his life for history.
COUNTING IN AL SHA’AB
by Emma Goldman-Sherman, directed by Erin Gilley
Life goes on for Mr. Hattab and a colorful cast of characters from his bustling Baghdad neighborhood despite a bomb going off in front of his grocery store.
BITTERENDERS
by Hannah Khalil, directed by Manijeh Mohamedi
Maha’s Palestinian family shares their East Jerusalem apartment with an Israeli family, until a surprising letter changes everything—or does it?
CEASEFIRE
by Ken Kaissar, directed by Evren Odcikin
Can a ceasefire allow Israeli and Lebanese soldiers patrolling the border to see each other as something other than enemy?
THE HOUSE (World Premiere)
by Tala Manassah and Mona Mansour, directed by Sara Razavi
Kamal, a Palestinian-American scientist, and his philosopher daughter Alia put on a play and take an imaginary trip to his childhood home.
When: September 10- October 4th
THE FORUM:
The month-long festival of short plays will conclude with a FREE weekend Forum, a convening of artists, activists and scholars aimed at expanding the dialogue on theatre and the Middle East .
This year, Golden Thread presents Theatre Between Home & Exile, a panel exploring the ideas of home and language for Palestinian theatre artists around the world. Panelists include Palestinian-American playwright and activist, Ismail Khalidi, University of Haifa’s theatre professor and professional Massoud Haman and Ramallah based, emerging playwright Dalia Taha.
Panel: “Theatre Between Home and Exile: New Palestinian Voices” (Oct 3)
Panelists: Massoud Hamdan (Israel), Yasser Abu Shaqra (Syria/Turkey), Hannah Kahlil (UK),
Ismail Khalidi (USA), Dalia Taha (West Bank, OPT)
This panel will bring five unique voices in Palestinian theatre together to discuss the complexity of telling Palestinian stories at home and abroad. The panelists will explore various identities and voices that make up Palestinian identity in the face of globalization.
Concert: ReImagined Folk Songs with Saosan Jarjour (October 4, 2:30 PM)
An afternoon of Syrian folk songs with award-winning Syrian American soprano, Saousan Jarjour.
Panel: “Theatre Between Home and Exile: New Palestinian Voices” (Oct 3)
Panelists: Massoud Hamdan (Israel), Yasser Abu Shaqra (Syria/Turkey), Hannah Kahlil (UK),
Ismail Khalidi (USA), Dalia Taha (West Bank, OPT)
This panel will bring five unique voices in Palestinian theatre together to discuss the complexity of telling Palestinian stories at home and abroad. The panelists will explore various identities and voices that make up Palestinian identity in the face of globalization.
Concert: ReImagined Folk Songs with Saosan Jarjour (October 4, 2:30 PM)
An afternoon of Syrian folk songs with award-winning Syrian American soprano, Saousan Jarjour.
For more info see http://www.goldenthread.org/