A MUSLIM IN THE MIDST to Tackle Islamophobia at Thespis Theater Festival

As Islamophobia continues to make national headlines, given new attention by comments exchanged following the Democratic National Convention and a speech made by Muslim American Khizr Khan's powerful DNC speech, it can be argued that the fear of Muslims in this country has peaked to new heights. In his new play, "A Muslim in the midst," Indian Playwright, Anand Rao sheds light on the subject from a perspective never before seen on any New York stage.

The new play, which debuts this September at the Thespis Theater Festival is the story of an affluent Hindu couple who come across a a poor Muslim family seeking a ride 2 days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on NYC. The story, based on true events, takes place halfway across the world on a street in India and offers a perspective never before seen. The couple decide to give the Muslim couple a ride, opening an idealogical dialogue that is both revealing and frightening and surprisingly universal in nature.

Playwright, journalist Anand Rao debuts the play one day after the 15th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks at the Hudson Guild Theatre in New York City.

Anand Rao is a multi-lingual writer, actor and director with an eclectic blend of experiences in communications and management disciplines across diverse mediums and cultures. Currently, he lives in NJ just across the river from Manhattan, NY, and works as an independent management consultant and part-time academic.

"A Muslim in the midst" has its world premiere at the The Thespis Theater Festival this fall on the day after the anniversary of the attacks of September 11th.

Dates: Monday, September 12th @ 6:15pm, Friday, September 16th @ 9:00pm, and Sunday, September 18th @ 3:30pm. Performances play The Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street (between 9th & 10th), New York, NY, 10001. Tickets can be found by visiting BrownPaperTickets.com at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2561283.