CPT Brings Muslims And Non-Muslim Communities Together To Talk About Home This Holiday Season

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is proud to present a workshop production of Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi's inaugural ensemble performance, Dream of Home , onstage November 30 and December 1, 2018. The event will kick off at 6:00pm in CPT's Storefront Studio with live music and food. The performance will take place in CPT's James Levin Theatre, and following the workshop production, audiences will join the ensemble and advisory committee in CPT's Cabaret space for postshow live music, dancing, and dessert.

Dream of Home is about how we remember, seek, and create home, celebrating connections to our past heritage and sharing culture with the broader community. This work-in-progress production features Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi ensemble ensemble artists performing their own personal stories. Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi is a Cleveland Public Theatre new project by, for, and with Arabic-speaking communities. The ensemble of artists is open to all people who share a heritage from Arabic-speaking cultures and a curiosity and passion for theatre. This program is made possible by the generous support of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. The program is bilingual, presented in English and Arabic.

According to CPT's Executive Artistic Director, Raymond Bobgan: "Cleveland Public Theatre believes art has the power to transform communities. We are proud to launch the inaugural program of Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi , an ensemble that will share the rich diversity and perspectives that exist here in Cleveland on our stages. We know that when we move toward inclusivity and connection our lives are better and we take better care of each other. Theatre can be a bridge, a connector, a celebrator to make Northeast Ohio more compassionate and conscientious."

According to Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi ensemble and advisory committee member Omar Kurdi: "I believe that the arts are the best form of expression and Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi is the epitome of that. This is a great opportunity to build bridges and tell our stories through theatre in a time when it's much needed. Dream of Home is about me, you, us, and everyone with a story."

The 2018 Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi ensemble is comprised of amateur and professional theatre artists: Abbas Alhilali, Issam Boudiab, Jamal Julia Boudiab, Ebaa Boudiab, Hussein Ghareeb, Omar Kurdi, Manar Yared, and Haneen Yehya.

PRESHOW MUSIC and CATERING

Preshow Music by Danny Lahood

Catering by Kan Zaman

POSTSHOW MUSC and DANCING*

November 30 - Tony Mikhael Band

December 1 - DJ Georgie, Middle Eastern Music

*Dance floor is not wheelchair accessible

ABOUT MASRAH CLEVELAND AL-ARABI

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 ensemble, a pilot program, 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 ensemble is open to all people who share a heritage from Arabic-speaking cultures with an interest in theatre regardless of experience. Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi ensemble broadly includes third generation Americans, as well as recent arrivals, Muslims, Christians, and other faiths, who are curious and passionate.

CAST and CREW of Dream of Home

The creative production team includes Raymond Bobgan - Producer; Faye Hargate - Line Producer; Jamal Julia Boudiab - Marketing Translation Consultant; Inda Blatch-Geib - Costume Designer.

The ensemble includes Abbas Alhilali, Issam Boudiab, Jamal Julia Boudiab, Ebaa Boudiab, Hussein Ghareeb, Omar Kurdi, Manar Yared, and Haneen Yehya.

The advisory committee includes Jamila Alhaib, Abbas Alhilali, Alia Almashni, Pierre Bejjani, Joe Cimperman, Irene Farah, Michel Farah, Ahmad Hamo, Abdelghani Kitab, George Koussa, Omar Kurdi, Rebecca Mayhew, Leen Midani, Shirien Muntaser, Abed el-Rahman Tayyara, Ruth Tracy, and Isam Zaiem.

TICKET & SHOW INFORMATION
Dream of Home will take place Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1 starting at 6:00pm. Preshow music and catering will take place in CPT's Storefront Studio, the performance will take place in CPT's James Levin Theatre, and postshow music and dancing will take place in CPT's Cabaret. The dance floor is not wheelchair accessible. The event takes place at Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102, located in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District.

Tickets are $15. Students/Seniors receive $3 off.

PURCHASE TICKETS at www.cptonline.org or call the CPT Box Office at 216.631.2727 ext. 501. Group discounts are available-call the Box Office to inquire. (Reserve early! - CPT never charges any ticket fees, ever.)

Artwork by Emma Wolpert