SAN FRANCISCO: Golden Thread Productions has announced its 2017 season of new works featuring artists and stories from or about Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, Turkey, Iraq, Armenia, Japan, England, and the U.S.
“During precarious political times, nothing is more subversive than celebrating our community in all its beauty and complexity,” said founding artistic director Torange Yeghiazarian in a statement. “In 2017, I’m excited to renew our commitment to providing space for meaningful conversations inspired by thought-provoking plays; plays that are rarely seen anywhere but here.”
The season will begin with the world premiere of Saïd Sayrafiezadeh’s Autobiography of a Terrorist (April 14-May 7), about the absurdity of the immigrant experience. Evren Odcikin will direct at Potrero Stage.
Next will be Oh My Sweet Land (October), by Amir Nazir, a solo-show based on the Palestinian writer’s interviews with Syrian refugees in Jordan. Nora el Samahy will perform the piece while cooking the Syrian delicacy kibbeh in kitchens throughout the Bay Area. Yeghiazarian will direct.
Also part of the programming will be the ReOrient 2017 Festival of Short Plays (Nov. 17-Dec. 10), featuring seven new plays from or about the Middle East at Potrero Stage. The selected writers include Melis Aker, E.H. Benedict, Sevan K. Greene, Hannah Khalil, Junichi P. Semitsu, Betty Shamieh, and Yeghiazarian.
For International Women’s Day, the theatre will celebrate with “Syria Mon Amour: Food, Home, and Healing” (March 8). The event will showcase the work of leading Middle-Eastern female artists and chef Reem Assil at the Brava Theater Center.
Next will be the New Threads reading series (July-August), featuring four new plays in development from and about the Middle East.
The season will also include Leila’s Quest for Flight, by Yeghiazarian, about mythical birds that help a little girl’s dream of becoming a pilot come true despite her poor eyesight. The Golden Thread Fairytale Players will present the work at Bay Area schools and libraries throughout the year.
Founded in 1996, Golden Thread Productions produces plays and events that represent excellence, defy stereotypes, and celebrate the multiplicity of perspectives and identities from the Middle East.
