Learning to Swim is a solo show written and performed by Nargiz, an immigrant artist and single mother, based on her real-life journey of transformation. Selected for inclusion in the United Solo Festival’s Fall 2025 season, the show blends storytelling, multimedia, and original music to take the audience on a powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and rebirth. Growing up in the Soviet Union, Nargiz lived under a regimented system that silenced her creative voice. Though she dreamed of moving to the U.S. as a child, life had other plans. It wasn’t until the most difficult chapter of her life that those dreams reawakened—and she found the strength to make them real. Her move to America as a single mother brought new challenges, but also the opportunity to reclaim her voice. This inspiring and emotionally resonant performance reveals how external struggles, the many faces of love, and life’s unexpected turns can lead to profound inner growth. Learning to Swim is a story of survival, artistic awakening, and the quiet power of a woman who waited patiently for the right moment to rise. Date: November 18, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Theatre Row, 410 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036 Tickets: $52.50 (includes fees). (You may need to scroll down to find the show title: Learning to Swim)
Ages: Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Cast and Creative team for Learning to Swim at Theatre Row
Cast
Nargiz Alizada
Writer/Performer
Nargiz is a solo performer, storyteller, and writer whose work bridges generations, communities, and emotional landscapes. Based in Maine and New York City, she crafts immersive theatrical experiences that blend movement, metaphor, and memory. Her debut solo show, Learning to Swim, honors her grandmother Rahila Jabarova—a celebrated opera singer—and explores themes of legacy, transformation, and reclaiming voice.
Her work bridges oceans and continents—connecting people across time, place, and culture through emotionally resonant narrative and intuitive staging. Nargiz creates art that speaks to anyone longing for connection or renewal, and is deeply committed to inclusive storytelling and the healing power of performance.
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