Rohina's UNVEILED Premieres At The Berwyn Cultural Center 4/30

16th Street Theater, a part of the North Berwyn Park District, is proud to announce its production of the premiere of Rohina’s Unveiled directed by Artistic Director Ann Filmer. Unveiled will run April 30 – May 30, 2009 at the Berwyn Cultural Center, with a press opening of Friday May 1st at 7:30 PM.

Racism.  Hate crimes. Love. Islam. Culture. Language. Life.  Five Muslim women in a post-9/11 world serve tea and uncover what lies beneath the veil in this compelling one-woman show.  Prior to each 80-minute performance, the audience will enjoy four kinds of tea donated by Todd & Holland Tea Merchants of Forest Park.  Post-show dialogues with Rohina and director are held after Thursday and Friday night shows.

Rohina is a writer and actress who specializes in solo performance.  She was born and raised in London, England, and draws upon her Indo-Pakistani heritage for inspiration for her art.  She performed at Live Bait Theater's Fillet of Solo, and workshopped Unveiled with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble.

“I come from a beautiful culture of storytellers.  My mother was born in the Bihar Province of India, and my father was born in the Punjab Province of Pakistan.  After they got married, they moved to London, England, where I was born.  As I child I would listen to my parents tell stories of their life in South Asia.  I always felt I lived in two worlds.  I know the East and the West, because I grew up connected to both.  Growing up in London, racism was something that I faced daily, maybe that’s why I explore racism so much in my writing.

I write plays because in the intimacy of the theater, people see themselves on stage, and realize that my story is their story.  In that quiet sacred space, something beautiful happens between the actor and the audience, they connect, and it is in that connection of strangers that people discover their own humanity, and the humanity of others.”

The design team includes Timothy Spencer (scenic design), Mac Vaughey (lighting), Barry Bennett (sound), Samantha C. Jones (costumes) and Jesse Gaffney (prop design).  Stage manager is Nancy Staiger.  The play is directed by Ann Filmer.  Full bios and photos available at www.16thstreettheater.org.

16th Street Theater is Berwyn’s professional equity theater under the artistic direction of Ann Filmer.  2009 marks its second season.   The Berwyn Cultural Center, a North Berwyn Park District managed facility, is dedicated to providing the highest quality and range of cultural arts programs, classes, workshops, events, and exhibitions providing opportunities for Berwyn residents and area artists.  The center provides year-round programs engaging participants of all ages in visual, performing, literary, martial and media arts and 16th Street Theater’s professional productions. The BCC also serves as an incubator for emerging artists, artisans, writers, performers and musicians to develop and present new works.  The center is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and sustainability of our local communities by advancing appreciation for the beauty of cultural diversity.

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