JANUARY 2008

Checkmate & Culture Clash

Magic Theatre

The third play in Magic Theatre’s 2007-2008 season draws inspiration from cultural tensions in the Middle East and historical events when strong personalities collided on religion and gender issues. Territories reunites the creative team responsible for igniting audiences in the 2007-2008 season with the politically and socially charged piece, The Black Eyed – playwright Betty Shamieh and director Jessica Heidt.

Palestinian-American author and actor Shamieh sets her new work during the Crusades. Territories is a historic thriller where a French knight captures and matches wits with Sultan Saladdin’s sister – a formidable woman with a sharp tongue and savage intellect. Live percussion music and choreography add dynamic elements to the barbed exchanges between powerful Christians and Muslims.

It’s no accident that the characters and incidents in Territories have strong parallels with contemporary conditions in the Middle East. As a ruthless chess game of power and love plays out in Territories. Shamieh invites audiences to consider the dialogue, personalities, and scripted actions as mirrors for current events in the world of politics and dominance.

Shamieh has a new opportunity to explore these emotionally wrenching issues during a year of artistic residence at Magic Theatre. Her residency received funds through a fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Theatre Communications Group Theatre Residency Program for Playwrights. The prestigious award provides Shamieh with support while she writes her next play.

“Betty is powerful, brilliant new voice with a unique perspective,” says Magic Theatre’s Artistic Director Chris Smith. “With her second world premiere at the Magic, I am thrilled to welcome her to the Magic’s family of writers.”

While at Magic, Shamieh also teaches free “Writing the Other” workshops to encourage Middle Eastern and Jewish writers to explore new perspectives as part of the Dialogue Project. This nonprofit group works with Palestinian, Israeli, Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities to build trust among people affected by the conflicts in the Middle East.

The play’s director, Jessica Heidt, is Magic’s former Associate Artistic Director and now serves as Artistic Director of San Francisco’s innovative Climate Theater. Named the best director of 2007 by the SF Weekly, Heidt has strong experience collaborating with artists and theater professionals at a variety of venues.

Enjoy compelling performances and exceptional staging at Magic Theatre’s production of Betty Shamieh’s Territories. For details, see www.magictheatre.org and refer to January 12 in the calendar.

— Claudia Willen

Images:
Territories, Image: Evren Odcikin
Playwright Betty Shamieh, Photo: Beth Levendis