Original Play Dramatizes Journey from Afghanistan to St. Louis
April 24, 2009
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| Emily Guck, Erica D'Souza and Rahim Sidqui |
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| Erica D'Souza, Erna Becic and Emily Guck |
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| Amira Georges, Healy Rodman and Ghazala Fouladi |
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| Roxane McWilliams |
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| Rahim Siqui, Erna Becic, Amira Georges and Erica D'Souza |
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| Rahim Sidqui, Erna Becic, Amira Georges and Erica D'Souza |
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ST. LOUIS, MO – A startling production about the journey of refugee women from Afghanistan to St. Louis debuts at St. Louis University Theatre on May 22, 2009 with nine performances through June 7. Gitana Production Inc. will present “My Heart is Always Shaking: Afghan Women Refugees in St. Louis,” based on an original script by Lee Patton Chiles that follows the journey of Afghan women as they escape the Taliban and begin to build a new life in St. Louis.
The journey from Afghanistan to St. Louis is long and difficult, yet nearly 1,500 Afghans and 6,000 Iranians have settled here. Gitana Productions, Inc. will bring this journey to life through “My Heart is Always Shaking.” The performance is part of Gitana’s eleventh annual “Faces of Love” program, which focuses on a different culture each year.
“When we set out to understand another culture, we need to experience it as wholly as possible, using different mediums,” said Cecilia Nadal, producer of Gitana Productions, Inc. “Last year, we explored Persian culture through music, poetry and the Persian cuisine. Through drama, we’ll learn about the hardships and challenges of Afghan women who have made the long and transforming journey from one culture to another.”
Chiles, an acclaimed St. Louis playwright, interviewed two-dozen Afghan women who escaped the Taliban and traveled to St. Louis. The women’s stories are woven together to display a clearer picture of what war in Afghanistan means to women who have experienced a life of oppression. It is a story of courage, humor, sorrow and resilience.
“When I was talking with one woman, I noticed her hands were shaking and I asked if she was afraid,” Chiles said. “She told me, ‘Yes. Even here. My heart is always shaking.’ And that told me so much about her and about the journey she is on. I think this is the kind of story that helps us all grow as people and grow in our understanding of humanity.”
The cast stars several actors who are immigrants from counties including Iran, Oman and Bosnia. Vivian Watt is choreographing the production with set and light design by Kevin Kline Awards-nominated Tim Poertner. Michele Friedman Siler will provide costume design.
“My Heart is Always Shaking” runs May 22 through June 7 at St. Louis University Theatre, 3733 West Pine Mall, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for students with a valid ID and $8 for children 10 and under. Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.
Tickets are available at Screenz, 6680 Delmar Blvd. in University City or by calling 314-721-6556. Patrons of Sameems Afghan Restaurant, 3191 S. Grand Blvd. and Café Natasha at 3200 S. Grand Blvd. can purchase tickets at a special discount. Tickets also will be available at the door.
The Regional Arts Commission, the Missouri Arts Council, The National Endowment for the Arts and the Boeing Employees Charitable Trust have provided funding to support the “Faces of Love From Afghanistan” events.
Gitana Productions, Inc. is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural awareness and collaboration by bringing international music, dance and drama to the St. Louis community. Gitana events present a rarely seen diversity of international and local artists exhibiting an array of traditional and innovative artistic expressions. For more information, visit www.gitana-inc.org or call Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556.
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Media Contact: Maggie Rhynes
Synergy Group • 7915 Big Bend Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63119
314.961.9772 • 314.961.9782 (fax)
www.synergy-pr.com
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