Monday, November 8, 2021

A fascinating perspective on My Name is Inanna, In times of Trauma and Disconnection

I'm thrilled to read a fascinating perspective on "My Name is Inanna" by Becky Jenkins, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in the relational treatment of trauma.

"I saw “My Name is Inanna” last weekend and was deeply moved by the storytelling of the playwright and talent of the cast. To take on the deep responsibility of telling the story of the Persian woman in diaspora, and to do it with such grace and authenticity is a tremendous feat that is playwright Ezzat Goushegir’s gift to humanity. In times of trauma and disconnection, especially for those who hold marginalized identity, this production was a reminder of human resilience and love in the face of cruelty, and validation of the painful emotions that contend with hope and connection. I was moved to both tears and robust laughter, along the entire spectrum of emotion, in just 90 minutes. Needless to say, I have been thinking about this play for the past week, and will be thinking about it for a very long time. Please go see “My Name is Inanna” which is being offered free of charge by The Red Tape Theatre who is taking steps to decolonize the arts with inclusion and accessibility."

Thank you, Becky! 


 

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Mary Shen Barnidge’s review of My Name is Inanna in Windy City Chicago

 

Mary Shen Barnidge’s review of My Name is Inanna published in Windy City Chicago reminds me of Susan Sontag’s style of writing in terms of language and content. It raises the responsibility of the audience and reader/viewer to dig deep and reflect on the pain and suffering of others. This practice needs a thorough understanding of a text and its theatrical production. It includes any other artistic form.

I’m thrilled to see that this review was shared 456 times since Wednesday November 3, 2021.

Mary Shen Barnidge’s first review on my earlier play Behind the Curtains was in 1995.


 

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

An Intelligent Review about MY NAME IS INANNA

A fantastic review for my play “MY NAME IS INANNA”, staged at Red Tape Theatre, published in Rescriptrd. Arti Ishak, the reviewer, grasped the essence of the play and understood the artistic, creative works by the dedicated team: director, actors, dramaturg, light designer, set designer, choreographers, custom designer and many great artists behind the scene, during the hard times of corona! A review should hint on the cultural and artistic significance of a production. And this one does it all!

 
 
 
Red Tape Theatre’s exciting new production speaks to our new hybrid reality with both in person and virtual performances.”
“Ezzat Ghoushegir’s poetic script flows effortlessly between genres, and moves at an excitingly unpredictable pace.”
Ali-Reza Mirsajadi is masterful in his direction, engaging every sense at once, melding live performance and technical elements to seamlessly curate each moment.”
“A rockstar ensemble made up of Nathaniel Andrew, Tamsen Glaser, and Yongwoo.”
Maryam Abdi carries the heart and soul of this story as Inanna.”
“With stories told like this, My Name is Inanna restores faith in the future of SWANA representation by reminding our community to “hold onto hope, remember your name, and wear your crown high.”
 

CAST:
Maryam Abdi (she/her)
Nathaniel Andrew (he/him)
Tamsen Glaser (she/her)
Yongwoo (he/him)

CREATIVE
Playwright: Ezzat Goushegir (she/her)
Stage Director: Ali-Reza Mirsajadi (he/they)
Livestream Director: Anna H. Gelman (she/her)
Artistic Director: Max Truax* (he/him)
Producer: Aaron Arbiter* (he/him)
Stage Manager: Sam Flipp (she/her)
SM Production Assistant: Lindsey Chidester (she/her)
Production Manager: Corey Bradberry (he/him)
Assistant Director: Mel Elkouz (they/them)
Scenic Design: Valeriya Nedviga
Scenic & Production Design: Yeaji Kim
Assistant Production Design: Parker Molacek
Lighting Design: David Goodman-Edberg
Associate Lighting Design: Hannah Wien
Costume Designer: Izumi Inaba*
Sound Design: Tim McNulty
Movement/Rhythm Directors & Choreographers: Phaedra Darwish (she/her) & Kathie Cantone (she/her)
Dramaturg: Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel (she/they)
Intimacy Director: Amanda Pulcini (she/her)
Director of Accessibility: Brenda Scott Wlazlo (she/her)
COVID Compliance Officer: Emily Nichelson (she/her)
Marketing Director: Casey Chapman* (he/him)
Associate Marketing Manager & Webmaster: Joseph Ramski* (he/him)
*indicates Red Tape Company Member

Photo Credit: Anna Gelman. Pictured: Maryam Abdi.

 

 
 

Actor: Maryam Abdi
 
From left to right: Maryam Abdi, Yongwoo, Tamsen Glaser, Nathaniel Andrew


Actor: Maryam Abdi

Actor: Nathaniel Andrew

Actor: Tamsen Glaser


Dramaturg: Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel

Monday, October 18, 2021

Opening night of "My Name is Inanna" at Red Tape Theatre

 The opening night of my play "My Name is Inanna" at Red Tape Theatre will be on October 23. And it's sold out. 

As the director Reza Sajadi noted: "(the play) is about global political activism, intersectional feminism, ancient cosmology, storytelling, neoliberalism, American military imperialism, trauma, racism, music/dance, and living in surveillance/police states."

Bob Jenkins wrote: "The dedicated creative team, with drama, multimedia, music, dance, and poetry, has reincarnated Inanna, the prototypical ancient goddess, into a compelling, deep, and sometimes humorous set of narratives in our times.
It will be performed at the Red Tape Theatre, in The Ready at 4546 N. Western Avenue in Chicago. Red Tape Theatre is a member of The Free Theatre Movement. Tickets are free, but donations/subscriptions are welcome. Follow this link to book tickets:
https://redtapetheatre.org/my-name-is-inanna/

 
Covid compliance is strict going beyond vaccine and mask requirements to reduced and spaced-out seating."

Thank you

نام من اینانا است، نمایشنامه ای است که برای اولین بار در شیکاگو به صحنه می آید در Red Tap Theatre . تکست اولیه آن دو بار در چین، به زبان مندرین و یک بار در فیلیپین به زبان انگلیسی اجرا شده است. این نمایشنامه که به زبان انگلیسی است، با احیای استوره اینانا، الهه عشق، باروری، تمدن و قدرت، به چالش های زنان ایرانی و خاورمیانه ای می پردازد، در ارتباط با زادگاهشان و دیاسپورا. و واکنشی است به مفهوم دموکراسی، هویت، نابرابری های گونه گون و یارایی آنان در رویارویی با کشمکش های پیاپی، و پیدا کردن یک خود نو وتازه.
Red Tap Theatre یک تئاتر پیشروست و باورمند به ایده های آزاد با انگشت گذاری بر نمایش های اکسپیریمنتال. این تئاتر از پیشروان جنبش تئاتر رایگان آمریکای شمالی است، اما لازم است که تماشاگران، بلیت/گذرانه رایگان را از تئاتر درخواست/خریداری کنند. شب گشایش نمایش، 23 اکتبر پیش فروش شده است. و شب های جمعه، شنبه و یکشنبه تا 11 دسامبر بر روی صحنه خواهد بود.
کسانی که خارج از شیکاگو/آمریکا به سر می برند و یا به هر دلیلی شرایط ورود به سالن نمایش را ندارند، می توانند همزمان آن را به شیوه لایو استریم تماشا کنند. لینک دیدن نمایش در هر کجای دنیا که هستید، در وبسایت تئاتر قرار دارد.
همکاری با این گروه هنرمند، توانمند، جوان و سرشار از ایده ها و خلاقیت های نو، تجربه ای ناب و زنده برای من بوده است، که برای همیشه در وجودم نگاهداشته خواهد ماند. مهم تر از هر چیز پاسداری و احترام گذاری هنرمندان آمریکایی است که پیوسته مرا به کار تئاتر دلگرم کرده است.

My Name is Inanna at Red Tape Theatre, Chicago

OPENING This Saturday - “My Name Is Inanna” Written by Ezzat Goushegir, Directed by Ali-Reza Mirsajadi, Cast: Maryam Abdi, Nathaniel Andrew, Tamsen Glaser and...

Live at Red Tape!
FREE tickets and more info can be found here:
(Our opening night performance is sold out for in-person shows - however tickets remain for this Sunday at 7pm)
Live Stream tickets becoming available soon!
 

My Name Is Inanna Poster - Final Draft

“… And Suddenly the Leopard cried: Woman”

“… And Suddenly the Leopard cried: Woman”, is a collection of short stories I wrote in Farsi between 1985 and 2000. The book identifies women's issues; reveals trauma the characters endured through political and domestic violence and other challenges they went through. It also points out the complexity of love and relationships in our absurd world. The second edition is published by Mehri Publications in England.


 کتاب « ... و ناگهان پلنگ گفت: زن»، مجموعه ای است از 16 داستان کوتاه، که موضوع داستان ها پیرامون مسایل زنان در شرایط گوناگون چرخ می خورند. زنانی که در چرخه ترومای آسیب های سیاسی، خشونت خانگی با طیف گسترده آن، و پیچیدگی عشق و ارتباطات در دنیای آبزورد سال های 1985 تا 2000 در کشمکش بوده اند. داستان ها در سال های 1985 تا 2000 نوشته شده اند، با افزودن چند داستان دیگر برای چاپ دوم در انتشارات مهری، انگلستان.