Past Events
Backing Track by R. Eric Thomas
Produced by Arden Theater Company
March 9th, 2022 - April 10th, 2022
Actor
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In this new play by acclaimed satirist R. Eric Thomas, a change is in the air for a family after an unexpected loss. Mel, mother of Avery and Jessica, tries to reclaim her place in a gentrified neighborhood while her kids learn firsthand how to balance their own lives. Praised by Lin-Manuel Miranda as “one of the funniest writers,” R. Eric Thomas’s play contemplates what it means to start over again.
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When: March 9th, 2022 - April 10th, 2022
Cost: $18 - $53
Where: Arden Theater Company, 40 North 2nd St.
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Half of Half Magic
November 11th, 2021
Creator/Performer
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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?
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This is Half Magic's first ever in-person showing and will feature the first half of the completed script.
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Due to COVID tickets will be limited, please pre-register!
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When: November 11th, 2021 @ 6pm
Cost: Free with pre-registration.
Where: Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine St.
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QvK
Produced by Philadelphia Artists' Collective
September 16th to October 4th, 2021
Actor
Four actors engage in a monologue battle, performing famous speeches from classical plays and competing to win the audience’s vote of supremacy. As the competition goes on, the fight becomes more heated and tactics become more desperate, with actors resorting to flattery, bribery, secret weapons, and actual weapons. The performance ultimately serves as a crafty satire about how power eventually corrupts.
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When: September 16th - October 4th 2021, 4 and 6 PM.
Cost: Free
Where: Philadelphia, Bardascino Park
Half Magic AND
The Recognition of Anjali Batra
June 10th to 20th, 2021
Performer, Playwright​
At Philly Asian Performing Artists' Come to PAPA festival I'll be presenting the next rendition of my solo performance Half Magic, as well as a reading of my new full-length play adapted from the Indian classic The Recognition of Shakuntala, The Recognition of Anjali Batra.
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These events showcase the work I've been doing as a part of PAPA's Mini-Residency Program and Playwright's Project.
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When: Half Magic will be available pre-recorded to any festival goers, plus a livestream and talkback 7pm-9pm on Monday, June 14th.
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The Recognition of Anjali Batra will have a live reading 7pm-9pm on Thursday, June 17th.
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Where: Online - courtesy of Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists
Chaos Theory @ Curious Theater Company
February 25th - March 7th, 2021
Co-Director​
CHAOS THEORY is a NY Times Recommended comedy show and winner of the Immersion Nation Best Social Immersion Award 2019. After a robust run as a live show pre-COVID-19 at Caveat, Here Arts and others, the digital adaptation premiered May 1st, 2020, in partnership with Caveat, NYC and now comes from NYC to Curious for a special two-week digital run Feb. 25th through March 7.
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When: February 25 - March 7th, 2021. Thurs - Sat 9:30pm EST, Sun 4:00pm EST.
Cost: $20
Where: Online - courtesy of Curious Theatre Company in Denver, Colorado.
It's Pronounced SH
February 14th and 15th, 2021
Playwright
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It's Pronounced SH will be presented as a world premiere through Philadelphia Artists' Collective's New Venture Reading Series, a presentation of original 10 minute plays based on classics within the theme of Transformation.
About: Anjali and Nik land what seem like dream roles in an adaptation of a classic Indian play. As rehearsals begin, their relationship reaches a turning point where tradition, duty, and personal desire collide. A deer searches for yum yums.
When: February 14th and 15th, 7pm
Cost: Free!
Where: Online!