Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) and Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي
Present يد الوصال|The Outstretched Hand November 16-19, 2023.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Mira wants to move out of her parent’s home without losing her connection. Third Generation American Sami seeks to travel overseas to connect with his roots. Hassan is breaking under the pressure of work, community commitments and his family needs here and overseas. These three young adults push against and pull towards their heritage, communities, and families, as they work towards becoming their full selves. The Outstretched Hand يد الوصال is about connections to our families, our heritage, and ourselves.
Through Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي, Arabic-speaking communities of Cleveland share vital, life-affirming stories celebrating family, dignity, and freedom of expression. These stories affirm a rich heritage and seek to move Cleveland to shed preconceptions and stereotypes and grow empathy and understanding. Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي is open to all people who share a heritage from Arabic-speaking cultures with an interest in theatre regardless of experience.
“Now more than ever it’s very important for us Arabs to tell our stories. This play shines light and reminds us all that we are all part of a community. People may call us names or put us in boxes, but we are all human beings. We are people with dreams and struggles. We have families and we love. This play is about people who are trying to find themselves, to grow. The Outstretched Hand reminds us that we are all learning and growing, that we are all in the process of becoming.” –Jamal Julia Boudiab, cast member The Outstretched Hand
ENSEMBLE MEMBERS:
Nadeen Abusada, Issam Boudiab, Jamal Julia Boudiab, Rita ElJamous, Beshoy Hanna, Shakeb, Julien, Danny Lahoud, Rana Samaan, Ahlem Zaaeed.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Jamila Alhaib, Abbas Alhilali, Prof. Alia Almashni, Pierre Bejjani, Ebaa Boudiab, Issam Boudiab, Jamal Julia Boudiab, Irene Farah, Dr. Michel Farah, Prof. Ahmad Hamo, Nisrine Khazaal, Alma Khoury KorKor , Dr. Wael Khoury, Omar Kurdi, Dr. Widad Mousa, Dr. Abed el-Rahman Tayyara, Haneen Yehya, Nazek El Halabi Yehya, Isam Zaiem.
TICKET INFORMATION
7:30pm Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat and 3:00pm Sun, Nov 19, Gordon Square Theatre. Opening Night is Nov 16.
Doors open at 6:45pm
Thursday—Opening night with preshow reception at 6:45pm
Friday—Dessert and dancing after the show.
Saturday— Preshow light appetizer reception at 7pm.
Sunday―Doors open at 2:30pm, show begins promptly at 3pm. Audience Talk-back and closing performance reception after the show.
Tickets are Choose What You Pay from $1 to $40 at www.cptonline.org, or at the box office at 216.631.2727 x 501. Shows will be performed in the Gordon Square Theatre which is ADA compliant featuring a ramped entrance and an all gender, wheelchair accessible restroom.
ABOUT MASRAH CLEVELAND AL-ARABI مسرح كليفلاند العربي
Cleveland Public Theatre believes when communities come together to share their stories, we grow a stronger and more vibrant city. Through Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي, Arabic-speaking communities of Cleveland share vital, life-affirming stories celebrating family, dignity, and freedom of expression. These stories affirm a rich heritage and seek to move Cleveland to shed preconceptions and stereotypes and grow empathy and understanding.
Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي is open to all people who share a heritage from Arabic-speaking cultures with an interest in theatre regardless of experience. The ensemble broadly includes third generation Americans, as well as recent arrivals, Muslims, Christians, and those of other faiths, who are curious and passionate.
According to CPT’s Executive Artistic Director, Raymond Bobgan: “The Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi ensemble and committee are bravely sharing their stories to create critical change within our community.”
According to Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي ensemble and advisory committee member, and CPT Board Member Omar Kurdi, “Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي is important because it provides me and members of my community with a platform to be represented properly. Not only do we get to perform our stories, but we get to bridge cultural gaps and change perceptions.”
تريد ميرا أن تغادر منزل أهلها و أن تعيش بمفردها دون أن تخسر صلتها بهم. يسعى سامي الأمريكي من الجيل الثالث للسفر الى بلد أجداده وبناء الصلة مع جذوره. حسن ينهار تحت ضغوطات العمل والإلتزامات الإجتماعية واحتياجات أسرته هنا و في وطنه. هؤلاء الشباب يبتعدون عن التراث والتقاليد العائلية والإجتماعية تارةً ويقتربون منها تارةً وهم يحاولون إيجاد أنفسهم. يد الوصال The Outstretched Hand تتمحور حول صلتنا مع عائلتنا وتراثنا وأنفسنا.
من خلال مسرح كليفلاند العربي Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi تشارك المجتمعات العربية في كليفلاند قصصاً مليئة بالحياة, تحتفل من خلالها بالعائلة والكرامة وحريّة التعبير. هذه القصص تؤكد على تراثٍ غني, وتحث كليفلاند على التخلّص من الأفكار المسبقة والصور النمطية والسعي لتنمية التعاطف و التفاهم. مسرح كليفلاند العربي Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مفتوح لكل من ينتمي لمجتمعات تتكلم اللغة العربية وله رغبةً بالمسرح, بغضّ النظر عن مدى خبرته. أعضاء مسرح كليفلاند العربي Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi ينتمون الى أكثر من 10 دول, ومنهم مسلمون ومسيحيون ودروز واعتقادات أخرى؛ وتشمل المهاجرين الجدد حتى الأمريكيين من الجيل الثالث.