“Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity” & Understanding Islam

Meet Ping Chong American contemporary theater director, choreographer, video and installation artist Raised in Chinatown in New York City Prominent in Asian American arts movement 100+ stage productions since 1972 Recipient of 2014 National Medal of Arts

The Undesirable Elements “Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity” Interview-based theatre production Explores the diverse experiences of young Muslim New Yorkers Discusses Muslims’ coming-of-age in post-9/11 New York City Goal: to promote a greater understanding among Muslim and non-Muslim communities in NYC Beyond Sacred was commissioned by LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, where it premiered in April 2015, with the generous support of APAP and the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges Program. Excerpts from “Beyond Sacred” The Undesirable Elements Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity Beyond Sacred is an interview-based theatre production by Ping Chong + Company exploring the diverse experiences of young Muslim New Yorkers. The five participants in Beyond Sacred vary in many ways, but share the common experience of coming of age in a post-9/11 New York City, at a time of increasing Islamophobia. Beyond Sacred's goal is to create a cohesive cultural program that illuminates life experiences of culturally identified Muslims in 21st century, post 9/11 New York City, and results in greater understanding among Muslim and non-Muslim communities in NYC. Beyond Sacred was commissioned by LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, where it premiered in April 2015, with the generous support of APAP and the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges Program.

Theatre 101: Who are the major players? Actor: conveys a written character in a believable way Director: takes charge of the play’s “vision”, technical aspects, and interpretation Producer: takes charge of the financial and managerial aspects of the production Playwright: writes the scripts that will become full-fledged productions Company: the entire cast, crew, and creative team for a production Cast: the actors or players of a show Blocking: any movement by actors onstage. The director carefully plans blocking to advance the plot and creating meaning from the script. Set: the scenery and props designed and placed onstage. The environment of the play.

Interview-Based Theatre A form of theatre in which people speak from a script based on their own experience The actors are not portraying characters, unlike in other theatrical works. The actors in Ping Chong + Company use their personal stories. The 5 cast members of Beyond Sacred come from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds Interview based theatre is an art form where people speak from a script based on their own experience.  The actors are not portraying characters, unlike other theatrical works.  Ping Chong + Company use the personal stories of the actors on stage to discuss their experiences as a Muslim in America post 9/11. Participants come from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and include men and women that reflect a wide range of Muslim identities, including those who have converted to Islam, those who were raised Muslim, but have since left the faith, those who identify as “secular” or “culturally” Muslim, and those who are observant on a daily basis.

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