BEE Begins Tonight as Part of HB Studio Residency Project

BEE, a new work created by Melody Erfani and written by Sean Michael Welch, will be performed at HB Studio (120 Bank Street, West Village) as part of their First Floor Studio Residency Project for three weekends this fall, starting tonight, November 4th. Melody Erfani, artistic director of the LES Shakespeare Company directs a cast of eight in this compelling drama.

BEE is the story of Izat, a young Iranian girl trapped in an abusive marriage in the 1940s. After years of suffering both physically and mentally at the hands of her spouse she knows the only way she will survive is if she is able to leave him. In an unprecedented move her father is able to use his influence to secure a divorce for her. Moving back and forth in time from 1940 to 2009, the story intertwines with interviews from immigrants who have had to make the difficult choice of leaving their homeland because their very survival is at stake.

Now in its third year, LES Shakespeare Company has taken on another challenge. Taking their impetus from Shakespeare, they are presently creating new work that is timely, provocative and eloquent in both its dialogue and humanity. In keeping with 21st century sensibility, BEE is a piece intended to start dialogue and discussion. First developed as part of a residency at Barns Art Collective in Maine, Erfani's and Welch's play continues in this HB Studio residency as a work in progress, but one endowed with enough artistry, talent and political/social relevance to invite industry comment and interest.

Melody Erfani is co-founder and artistic director of Lower East Side Shakespeare Company. She has an MFA in Directing from The Actors Studio Drama School and was a participant of the 2013 Lincoln Center Directors Lab. Prior to that she served an internship with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London under the direction of Mark Rylance. She has directed productions of Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet and Antigone for LES Shakespeare. Other credits include 97 Orchard Street (Creator/Director with 5D Productions) All An Act (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Dying City, Raised in Captivity (ASDS Repertory) and Othello (The Looking Glass Forum).

Sean Michael Welch was awarded the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival John Cauble Short Play Award for his one act Earl the Vampire and won the KCACTF Ten Minute Play Competition for Charlston's Finger. His published work includes Earl the Vampire (Samuel French), Try Not to Step on the Naked Man (Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope: All Story) and Boise, Idaho (Playscripts Inc.).

BEE will be performed at HB Studio (120 Bank Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets, First Floor Studio-1 or 2 Train to Christopher Street--Sheridan Square) on Saturdays and Sundays November 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18, 19 at 7:30PM. Entertainment industry professionals are encouraged to attend. Tickets are free but seating is limited. For reservations go to www.eventbrite.com/e/first-floor-studio-residency-bee-tickets-38636306232.

Photo Credit: Shadi Ghadirian