Refugee Rhapsody at Contemporary American Theater Festival / Shepherd University Campus
Dates: 7/10/2026 - 8/2/2026
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Refugee Rhapsody by Yussef El Guindi is a world premiere in which a chance meeting of a pair of young Arab Americans and an impossibly rich patroness sets in motion a chain of events leading to a violent crime. The cast features Ellena Eshraghi as Sakinah, Jada Alston Owens as Jenny, Revon Yousif as Fouad, Joshua David Scarlett as Richard/Waleed, and Shelby Alayne Antel as Emily. The production is directed by Zi Alikhan with scenic design by Afsoon Pajoufar and sound design by Sinan Refik Zafar.
Cast and Creative Team for Refugee Rhapsody at Contemporary American Theater Festival / Shepherd University Campus
Cast
# Cast Lists
**The Smoker**
Brad Fleischer
The Smoker
Orlando Arriaga
Roberto
Danielle Davenport
Tonya
Regina Gibson
Kim
Jada Alston Owens
Jenny
Revon Yousif
Fouad
Joshua David Scarlett
Richard/Waleed
Brooke Turner
Gina
Kennedy Kanagawa
Evan
Creative Team
Shelley Butler
Director
Bradley Michalakis
Dramaturg
Christian Frederickson
Sound Designer
Michael Raiford
Scenic Designer
Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew
Lighting Designer
Lex Liang
Costume Designer
Sydney Dufka
Costume Designer
Deb Acquavella
Stage Manager
Esther Chilson
Assistant Stage Manager
Vee Romano
Stage Management Intern
Michael Strickland
Technical Director
Zi Alikhan
Director
Naysan Mojgani
Dramaturg
Venus Gulbranson
Lighting Designer
Lux Haac
Costume Designer
Afsoon Pajoufar
Scenic Designer
Sinan Refik Zafar
Sound Designer
Genevieve Dornemann
Stage Manager
Jake Vollmar
Assistant Stage Manager
Brodie Steele
Technical Director
Jessica Kubzansky
Director
Jackie Goldfinger
Dramaturg
Mona Kasra
Projections Designer
Ann Closs Farley
Costume Designer
Lindsay Eberly
Stage Manager
Jessie Flam
Production Assistant
Kimberly Senior
Director
Sarah Rose Leonard
Dramaturg
Afsaneh Aayani
Scenic Designer
Anshuman Bhatia
Lighting Designer
Caroline Eng
Sound Designer
Kelly Colburn
Projections Designer
Shahrzad Mazaheri
Costume Designer
Brandon Clark
Stage Manager
Nathan A. Hernandez
Production Assistant
Andrew Neal
Technical Director
Céline Rosenthal
Director
Paul Adolphsen
Dramaturg
Ingrid Pierson
Stage Manager
Austin Meadows
Stage Management Intern
Pat McCorkle Casting, Ltd.
Casting Director
News About Refugee Rhapsody at Contemporary American Theater Festival / Shepherd University Campus
Review: REFUGEE RHAPSODY at Contemporary American Theater Festival
July 15, 2026 Playwright Yussef El Guindi has given us a window into many issues at once—too many at once to keep track of, from this critic’s perspective. But the issues collide here in the Contemporary American Theater Festival’s Studio 112 with memorable force.
Photos: THE SMOKER, REFUGEE RHAPSODY and More at Contemporary American Theater Festival 2026
July 15, 2026 The Contemporary American Theater Festival launched its 2026 season, featuring five new plays, including four world premieres by Lisa D'Amour, Yussef El Guindi, Beth Kander, and Aurin Squire. See photos!
July 14, 2026
Review: CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN THEATER FESTIVAL'S 2026 Rollout
March 12, 2026 One of the most eagerly-awaited debuts will be Beth Kander's 'Best Line Wins,' a show dedicated to the lives and careers of two of America’s great comic treasures, Elaine May and Mike Nichols. Whether you grew up with their subversive acts back in the day, or whether you’re a newcomer, or a fan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, with its evocation of the comedy club scene in the late 1950’s, you are in for one helluva treat.About the Theatre
Contemporary American Theater Festival / Shepherd University Campus Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What shows have played recently at Contemporary American Theater Festival / Shepherd University Campus?
The Smoker (07/10/26-08/02/26)
Best Line Wins: A Play Inspired by the Improvised Lives of Elaine May & Mike Nichols (07/10/26-08/02/26)
¡VOS! (07/10/26-08/02/26)
My Favorite Sociopath (07/10/26-08/02/26)
Best Line Wins: A Play Inspired by the Improvised Lives of Elaine May & Mike Nichols (07/10/26-08/02/26)
¡VOS! (07/10/26-08/02/26)
My Favorite Sociopath (07/10/26-08/02/26)
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