Half Magic
Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
Asian Arts Initiative
Half Magic is the autobiographical story of a biracial white/South Asian child raised on stories of white heroes. Joseph Ahmed uses physical theater, storytelling, and circus techniques to explore the childhood narratives and social structures that led him to self-identify as white for most of his young life. Animorphs, Ender's Game, and Harry Potter form the cornerstones of his identity until a loss in the family forces him to reconsider everything. What place is left in his Bengali heritage after a lifetime of white protagonists?
Created and performed by Joseph Ahmed
Directed by Mieke D
Sound Design by Damien Figueras
Prop Design by Sara Outing
First produced at Asian Arts Initiative for the New Asian Futurisms Closing Reception in December 2019.
Developed through Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists Mini-Residency Program 2019-2021; filmed work-in-progress showing in July 2020.
Livestreamed as a workshop showing in the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival November 2020.
Pre-recorded presentation at Come to PAPA in June 2021.
Half Magic's 2021 filming was featured as an Exhibition Screener as part of the First Annual Mixed Asian Media Fest in September, 2021. Joseph also appeared as a speaker at the festival, talking with Ariel Estrada of Leviathan Lab in NYC about the creation of the performance, mixed Asian identity, and more.
