Inspired by the tragic events of the Fort Hood massacre in 2009, Emily Mann's new documentary-style play uses first-person accounts to examine the response of a nation in a fear-driven political climate. This unique work explores Radical Islam and the dangers that ideology can pose not only to Western nations, but also to moderate and traditional Muslims around the world. The experimental dramatic structure weaves together scenes inspired by real conversations, speeches, video, and performance of primary text, and is designed to be a catalyst for discussion and political action. Each performance of the play is intended to be followed by a panel conversation exploring the themes, encouraging thoughtful and conscientious action based on this material.
The style of the play and the following symposium are meant to create a springboard for a range of potential discussions surrounding the world of Islam and terror in the United States and in majority-Muslim countries. Themes to explore may include current trends in counter-terrorism, gender politics in the Muslim world, promoting understanding of traditional/moderate Islamic ideas, and representations of Islam in the US media.
Emily Mann has been the Artistic Director of McCarter Theatre since 1990. She wrote and directed Having Our Say, which transferred to Broadway and was performed internationally. She also wrote the screenplay for Having Our Say and won a 1999 Peabody Award. Other plays include Execution of Justice; Still Life; and Annulla, An Autobiography. She is a recipient of the prestigious Hull-Warriner Award and a member of the Dramatists Guild and serves on its Council.
