Silk Road Sojourns / by Guest User

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Silk Road Sojourns was a 11-episode video series, launched in 2008, that sought to connect new audiences with the artists and thinkers that inspire us. Aired on Chicago's CAN-TV (a Cable Access Network station) and streamed on Silk Road Rising's YouTube channel, the program established an easily-accessible forum from which we could share insights on creative processes while exploring the motivations and challenges inherent to telling a story. Featured guests included Silk Road playwrights who contextualized the world of their art within real-world political and cultural frameworks.

Featured
We Swim, We Talk, We Go to War</em>
We Swim, We Talk, We Go to War

September 9–10, 2017

Written by Mona Mansour
Directed by Anna C. Bahow

Should an Arab American enlist in the U.S. military? A progressive woman and her conservative nephew dip into the treacherous waters of identity, family, and militarism. Co-commissioned with San Francisco’s Golden Thread Productions and New York’s Lark Play Development Center as part of the Middle East America New Plays Initiative, We Swim, We Talk, We Go to War blurs the lines between “us” and “them” presenting a provocative exploration of the tragic and indelible ripples of war.

Performed as part of Silk Road Rising's Crescent and Star Staged Reading Series: Arab and Muslim Journeys

Jihad Against Violence: Oh ISIS Up Yours!</em>
Jihad Against Violence: Oh ISIS Up Yours!

August 19–20, 2017

Written by Fawzia Afzal-Khan
Directed by George Potter

A Muslim feminist responds to the hijacking of Islam by patriarchal extremists. Her unfiltered, stream-of-consciousness reflections deliver a potent indictment of the surreal and sardonic world we now inhabit, and a welcome reminder that sisterhood is powerful.

Performed as part of Silk Road Rising's Crescent and Star Staged Reading Series: Arab and Muslim Journeys

Twice, Thrice, Frice...</em>
Twice, Thrice, Frice...

August 5–6, 2017

Written by Fouad Teymour
Directed by Kareem Fahmy

When an affair involving one of their husbands comes to light, long-held secrets begin to emerge in the lives of three Muslim women, threatening the friendship that binds them together. With humor and mischief, Twice, Thrice, Frice… unleashes a debate about polygamy and fidelity, as each woman struggles with her sexuality and faith.

Performed as part of Silk Road Rising's Crescent and Star Staged Reading Series: Arab and Muslim Journeys

Ultra American: A Patriot Act</em>
Ultra American: A Patriot Act

September 06–September 25, 2016

The World Premiere
Written and Performed by Azhar Usman
Directed by Aaron Todd Douglas

Famed comedian, Azhar Usman, takes to the stage with this brutally honest, unflinching one-man show exploring the tensions and paradoxes surrounding the double consciousness of American Muslims living in an ever-polarizing modern world.

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Mosque Alert</em>
Mosque Alert

March 24–May 15, 2016

The World Premiere
Written by Jamil Khoury
Directed by Edward Torres

Inspired by the “Ground Zero Mosque” controversy in New York City, Mosque Alert tells the story of three fictional families living in Naperville, Illinois, whose lives are interrupted by a proposed Islamic Center on the site of a beloved local landmark. Mosque Alert explores the intersections of zoning and Islamophobia with humor, family drama, and refreshingly blunt honesty.

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Ziryab, the Songbird of Andalusia</em>
Ziryab, the Songbird of Andalusia

February 18–February 28, 2016

The World Premiere
Written and Performed by Ronnie Malley
Directed by Anna C. Bahow

Take an enchanting musical journey to 9th century Islamic Spain with Muslim American musical impresario Ronnie Malley. Arabic music, poetry, and songs breathe life into the story of Ziryab, a former slave whose musical abilities brought him fame throughout Al-Andalus: a land where Christians, Jews and Muslims co-existed for more than seven centuries and created a unique and diverse society.

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My American Cousin</em>
My American Cousin

November 19–22, 2015

A Workshop Production
Written and Performed by Jameeleh Shelo
Directed by Jessica Mitolo

Through a diverse group of characters, this sketch comedy show offers a lovable view into the life of a Middle Eastern American woman from the South Side of Chicago as she navigates her way through cultural pressures and societal assumptions. What happens when the Mid-East meets the Mid-West? The answers will fill you with laughter and joy! 

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