The International Human Rights Art Movement presents

Oud Player on the Tel
A play about one Palestinian's hope
at HERE Arts Center
Written by Tom Block
	Directed by Jesica Garrou​
Starring
Rachid Halihal Mark J. Quiles* Mark Peters*	Jennifer G. R. Tulchin* Maya Koshaba*	Gary Brintz* Hari Bhaskar* Inji El Gammal*
*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, the International Human Rights Art Movement, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Palestinian olive farmer, Amir, welcomes a family of Jewish refugees and envisions a future that can never be. A story about how founding Israel on the land of Palestine could have been peaceful instead of starting a 75-year war and the conflicts of today.   Co-produced by Kitty Williams Productions Trigger Warning: a reproduction of a gun will be used

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Letter from the Playwright

~ Tom Block

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Hari Bhaskar (he/him) *

Mahmud

Hari Bhaskar is an Indian actor from the state of Kerala, and has been based in New York City since 2021. He graduated from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting as a part of the Evening Conservatory program in 2022. Some of his notable works include Disgraced (Stella Adler Professional Conservatory, 2022), These Gilded Souls (Eastline Theatre, 2022), Sonnez Les Matines (Red Umbrella Theatre, 2023) and The Dummy Detective (Rob Margolies, releasing soon) to name a few. You can follow his work on Instagram @bhaskarettan.

Gary Brintz (he/him) *

Moritz / Fight Director

Our art is our activism. Gary is thrilled to be joining this cast and making his HERE Arts Center Debut. Theatrical roles include: Mendel in Falsettos, Mendel in Fiddler on the Roof, Houdini in Ragtime, and Ethan in The Full Monty. TV Credits: Criminal Minds, Hand of God. He thanks his brother Dan for being a guiding force in his Theatrical Career. www.brintzandcompany.com

John Druzba (he/him) *

Understudy

John has been acting for over 25 years. A former professional swing dancer and I.T. guy, he attended BADA's Midsummer at Oxford and is a UCB improv alum. He continues the study of the craft of acting at HB Studio and Barrow Group, and hobbys in singing, acoustic guitar and comedy. As a proud member of Actors Equity, IATSE and SAG-AFTRA, he is grateful for the communities they support. As naturalist, he recently received recognition in conservationsim by NYC Parks for Excellence in Stewardship.

Inji El Gammal (she/her) *

Fatima

Inji El Gammal is an Egyptian- French artist based in New York City. El Gammal was born in Cairo, Egypt and grew up in Paris, France where she studied literature and philosophy. She returned to Egypt to graduate from the American University in Cairo with a minor in theatre. El Gammal then moved to New York City advocating for autism, while pursuing her acting career. Undistracted by the shiny elements in her medium she is able to fully invest herself in any character. El Gammal studied drama therapy at the New school in New York. She also had classical and contemporary theatre training at Stella Addler, William Esper, and an actor resident at The Simon Studio. Credits include the stage play Under the Tree, performed at the Howard theatre and at the Egyptian opera. She starred in the stage play Bismillah, performed in New York, Wild Project Theatre, for which she won the All Arts Award for Best Feature Performance in 2019. El Gammal was in season three of Hulu's Ramy. Her most recent work includes Banned, stage play at The Row Theatre in New York, and Superman and Serena at the Hudson Guild Theatre in New York, public readings at the Lincoln Center, the Drama Guild of America and at the Actors studio. Other credits include the independent films 3 Deeds, Hello Aurevoir (UK), Postcards of the Orient, Sekhmet, and Abdo and Saneya (in post, due for release 2024). Email injielgammal@gmail.com

Rachid Halihal (he/him)

Oud Player / Composer

Growing up in Fez, Morocco, Rachid played the nei and sang, imitating the famous singers of the time. At age fourteen he entered the Fez Conservatory of Music, later playing in the Andalus Orchestra of Fez. In addition to his voice, his strongest instruments are the oud (similar to a lute without frets) and the violin, playing in both the classical manner or upright for folkloric music. For fourteen years, Rachid presented his music with extended stays in Ivory Coast, Sweden, and Finland, including Helsinki International Music Festival. In 2005, Rachid toured the U.S. and Canada with Algerian/French singer and activist, Rachid Taha and his Rai-rock band. With his New York based band, Layali el Andalus, Rachid played throughout the metro area. In 2008 they were presented at MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), in 2010 at "Festival du Monde Arabe de Montrèal" and in 2011 Rachid took them to D.C. to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington Revels production "Andalusian Treasures". Rachid played oud and sang Egyptian style at L.A. County Museum of Art for the inaugural King Tut exhibit. He's been presented at United Nations cultural events, embassies, museums, and universities, including Columbia, Brooklyn Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and music festivals: Genesis at the Crossroads, Chicago; and International Human Rights Festival, in NYC. Later in 2010, he did a residency teaching and conducting the premier SF Bay Arab music ensemble, ASWAT, which consists of both Arabs and Americans all learning and enjoying this style of music together.

Maya Koshaba (she/her) *

Rashida

Maya Koshaba is an American actress based in New York City. She has performed in theatre, film and television. Some of Maya’s most recent work includes the lead in the play "Dining For One" and roles in the films "Child Check" and "Protocol-7". She is inspired by thought-provoking storytelling and it’s her mission to bring them to life through her performances. Maya is particularly drawn to art that aims to heal the world — moving pieces of work that encourage humanity to think deeper. Maya empathizes with her character Rashida through her Middle Eastern roots and her Jewish mentor who had a significant influence in her life.

Mark Peters (he/him) *

Melke

Mark Peters recently played The Count in a new translation of Schnitzler’s La Ronde, staged at IRT in Manhattan. At the same theatre, he was King Lear in A Fool’s Lear, an original adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, and played two roles in Duck by Tom Block. Favorite roles include DeGuiche in Cyrano with Gabriel Barre, St. Clement’s, produced by Resonance Ensemble; Sharky in The Seafarer at John Shea’s Theatre Workshop of Nantucket; Frank in The Country Girl in New Rochelle; Vanya in Uncle Vanya at Columbia; Doc in Come Back, Little Sheba (musical), in Connecticut, opposite Donna McKechnie (cast album); Emile in South Pacific and the Phantom in Phantom at Forestburgh Playhouse; Perón in Evita; Ahab in Moby-Dick (musical by Doug Katsaros and Mark St. Germain), Boston’s New Rep Theatre; Gaston in Gigi, Allenberry Playhouse; Matt in Talley’s Folly in Rochester; the revues Side by Side by Sondheim and Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill. Mr. Peters is a professional violist, orchestrator and arranger. As a classical lyric bass, he’s performed a half dozen full-length concert recitals in addition to undertaking several dozen operatic roles. With the Brooklyn Symphony, he performed his own orchestration of Mussorgsky’s song cycle for bass, Songs and Dances of Death. Mr. Peters has numerous film, TV, in dustrial and commercial camera credits. He dedicates his performance to his twin uncles József (Jóska) and István (Pista) who were both conscripted and sent to the Russian Front as forced laborers by the Nazis during World War II. Jóska did not survive but Pista did and emigrated to Palestine after the Holocaust with his wife and newborn daughter.

Mark J. Quiles (he/him) *

Amir

Former Resident Set Designer and Scenic Carpenter, Mark now focuses solely on acting for stage, film and television. Recent television credits: Secretary of Beth Midrash (Recurring) in The Chosen; Mr. Fishman, AppleTV Series' WeCrashed; and recurring role of Tamas in TV Series Émigré. Regional Theater: VetRep Theater: Ardley (Dunkirk), Dr. Rance (What the Butler Saw), Howard (Central Park West). Shakespeare Radio Dramas: Willoughby / Abbot of Westminster in Richard II and Flavius in Julius Caesar with Keith Hamilton Cobb, Jamie Bellard, and Patrick Page; Juror 11 in 12 Angry Men (Company Theater Group) and the Ghost/ 1st Player/ Gravedigger in The Curtain's inaugural production of Hamlet. New York: Salesman in Ah Wilderness and Harry, Milt and Melvin in World Premiere of The Fight (Storm Theatre/Sheen Center); Zeno, the Isaurian in Romulus The Great (Yangtze Repertory Company). Proud member of Actors Equity, AGVA and SAG-AFTRA! Grateful for his supportive family and every Kairos moment! www.markjquiles.com Instagram: @markjquiles

Hala Shah (she/her) *

Understudy / Choreographer

Hala Shah is an American-Egyptian performing artist, arts educator, and freelance writer. This past September, she participated in a Mejdi Tour 'Dual Narratives' mission to Israel and Palestine, during which she absorbed different perspectives of the diverse populations, and met with social and peace activists. She is grateful to have learned Dabke from El-Funoun Palestinian Dance Troupe. An observant Muslim who attends Friday afternoon Jummah prayers at NYU Islamic Center, Hala also engages with the Abrahamic faiths by attending services at B'nai Jeshurun congregation in NYC and Catholic mass with her Mom in Pennsylvania. In 2018, with Ping Chong + Company, she performed in and co-created the docu-dance theater work “Calling: a dance with faith” which explores her experiences as a Muslim dancer. She has been a teaching artist with PCC and also lead community movement sessions through Arts & Democracy and Malikah. Hala holds a MFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and is a seasoned contemporary dancer, performing most recently with Jonah Bokaer Choreography on several international tours, and Sameena Mitta/MeenMoves for a solo film in Germany. She is currently developing 'Body of Faith', a new work of performance art and digital media that questions the criteria that define a ‘place of prayer’ and the separate sanctities of physical and metaphysical presence during prayer. IG @halapepper

Jennifer G. R. Tulchin (she/her) *

Shoshana

Jennifer G. R. Tulchin is overjoyed to bring SHOSHANA to life. She most recently played LADY VALERIA/TAMARA/PORTIA, A VOLSCIAN SOLDIER with Hudson Classical Theater Co./NY Combat for Stage and Screen. She performs professionally in NYC and regionally, both onstage and on-camera. Her top favorite roles (so far!) include: VIOLA/Twelfth Night, BANANAS/The House of Blue Leaves, and JUDY BOONE/The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Love to Peter, Leo, Sophie Dora, Beatrice (and Pearl, the Shih Tzu), for helping her re-enter the creative world she loves, following an extended run as a stay-at-home parent. She connects with SHOSHANA as a woman of Ashkenazi-Jewish heritage. A secular Jew who loves her culture’s food and music—her ancestors lived in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Poland, Ukraine and Russia—she’s unable to trace the family tree before her great-grandparents on either side, due to pogroms and the Holocaust. She was named after her great-grandmother, Genya Golde, Americanized to Jennifer Gail. She’s grateful to her brave immigrant family of two and three generations ago who gave her the life she lives today. Tufts U. BA-DRAMA & FRENCH; Brandeis U. MFA-ACTING;Certified Yoga Instructor; proud member of AEA/SAG-AFTRA.

Tom Block (he/him)

Playwright/Producer

Playwright Tom Block has been operating in the field of Palestinian/Israeli peace-building for more than two decades, including publishing Shalom/Salaam: The Story of a Mystical Fraternity (in the United States and Turkey), which offered a novel historical exploration of Jewish-Muslim spiritual entanglement. Ambassador Sallama Shaker (Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Egypt, and Egyptian Ambassador to Canada) noted: "Block's narrative is an eye-opener for peace activists and politicians who are in search for genuine peace built on mutual respect and full acknowledgment of contemporary wrongs committed in the name of God. This is a 'must-read' book.” He is the author of twelve books, 25+ year exhibiting visual artist and Founding Producer of New York City’s International Human Rights Art Movement (https://humanrightsartmovement.org). His latest book, “Mysticism in the Theater: What’s Needed Right Now,” was published by Routledge (London/NYC) in 2022. His plays have been developed and produced at such venues as the Ensemble Studio Theater, HERE Arts Center, Dixon Place, Urban Stages, Theater for the New City, IRT Theater, Theater at the 14th Street Y, Athena Theatre Company, Theater Row, A.R.T.-NY, Drama League, Wild Project and many others. He has spoken about his ideas of Muslim-Jewish spiritual and historical connections throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. tomblock.com

Jesica Garrou​ (she/her)

Director

Jesica Garrou believes in the power of Art in Social Activism. She belongs to the League of Professional Theatre Women whose mission is to create parity for women theatre-makers. In addition to directing Oud Player on the Tel, Jesica directs and produces at New Perspectives On Her Shoulders series- bringing plays by female playwrights historically overlooked to the light of the stage. Back in her home state of Maine, she is the founder and former president of Royal River Players where she has directed a plethora of shows for audiences of all ages by actors of all ages. Other NYC projects include The LPTW Award Show with Anna Deavre Smith, the G/C International Theatre Award Ceremony featuring Anne Bogart and directing a number of pieces for Theatre Resources Unlimited. In addition she has worked with Ogunquit Playhouse, Threshold Stage, Bowdoin College, and other theaters throughout New England.

A. Kasper (he/him)

Stage Manager

A. Kasper, a classically trained musician and conductor, has conducted: Into the Woods, Chicago, The Fantastiks!, and Texas Outdoor Musical; and has performed in the pit orchestra for many others. He has been a music educator and served as Musical Director for public school districts in Texas and NYC, as well as Adjunct Professor of music technology and baton technique at West Texas A&M University. Kasper has stage managed premiers in NYC, including: October 7, Mario: The Maker Magician, Tiananmen Requiem, NYC ca.1909, Bronx Opera Co. "La Clemenza di Tito", The Joe Hill Revival, Tammany Hall, and many others. He has performed pyro stunts, worked lighting and audio op. & design for on and off-Broadway shows, and as a PA / BG for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", "Succession", "Billions", "The Gilded Age", "Gossip Girl ", and "Sex & the City: 'And Just Like That' ".

Amanda Reynoso (she/her)

Assistant Stage Manager

Amanda Reynoso, born and raised in the Bronx, is thrilled to work on Oud Player on the Tel as the assistant stage manager. She trained closely with Roundabout Theater and most recently assistant stage managed The Mulberry Tree with Loose Change Productions. Additionally some other stage management credits: Richard II (Smith Street Stage), Push Party (Theater Lab), The Script in the Closet (LaMama), La Mama’s Dance Festival and more! She thanks her family and friends for all the support.

Richie Ouellette (they/them) ^

Scenic Designer

Richie Ouellette- Member of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 IATSE.Upcoming Design: Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Signature Theater. Associate Designer for David Korins, Assistant Designer for Scott Pask. Recent design credits include Which Way to the Stage, Signature Theater; Into the Breeches, Barnstormers 2024; Baskerville, Barnstormers 2023; P.Y.G. or The Misedumacation of Dorian Belle, Studio Theatre; Mary Stuart, Olney Theatre Center; UMPO, Cape Rep Theatre; Hand to God, Watertower Theatre; Spotlight Series, Theatre Row; Erminia/The Enchanted Forest, The Kennedy Center/Opera Lafayette; Orfeo ed Euridice/Orphee Aux Enfers, Maryland Opera Studio; The Freshest Snow Whyte, Imagination Stage; The Full Monty, Cape Rep Theater; Clove, University of Maryland MFA. www.richardjouellette.com ^Member of the United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 IATSE

Cathy Small (she/her) ^

Costume Designer

Design credits include National Pastime with August Productions at Playwrights Horizons, NYC; An Evening at The Carlyle with Algonquin Productions, NYC; Bestie, A Short Film, Dir. Leila Ben-Abdallah, Winner Best Short Film Over Ten Minutes and nominee Best Costumes at The Clifton Film Celebration 2019; Fire In A Dark House at Whitefire Theater in Los Angeles; Breaking The Silence with Theatre Resources Unlimited at the Edinburgh Festival, Scotland; Benito Cereno with Horizon Theater Repertory at the Flea Downstairs, NYC; Mark Twain’s Blues with Cinna Productions at 29th Street Rep. and at The Darryl Roth2, in NYC; Deidamia, La Sonnambula, The Magic Flute, and L’Elisir d’Amor with Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, NY. Some Assistant Design credits include The Music Man, costumes by Santo Loquasto; Wicked, The Musical – Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Stuttgart, Melbourne, Berlin, US Second National Tour, Mexico City and UK Tour productions, costumes by Susan Hilferty; and Surviving Grace at The Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, costumes by Thom Heyer. ^Member of the United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 IATSE

Riva Fairhall

Lighting Designer

Katie Mack (she/her)

Director of Marketing and PR

Mack is an arts maker who loves other arts makers. Dramaturg/Performer/Marketing - www.mackstage.com

Andrea Alton/Alton PR (she/her)

Public Relations Representative

Andrea Alton/Alton PR (press representative) has been providing press services to off and off-off Broadway Theatre, comedy, and theatre/arts festivals with an emphasis on new works since 2010. Past clients include the off-Broadway productions Love Quirks for AMT Theater, and Anne Being Frank, Doris Day: My Secret Love, Sex Work/Sex Play all with Emerging Artists Theatre. Andrea has worked on productions with La MaMa, SoHo Playhouse, Peculiar Works Project, Spark Theatre Festival NYC, Rising Sun Performance Company, Retro Productions, among others. www.AltonPRandProduction.com

Costanza Bugiani (she/her)

Marketing/Social Media

Costanza Bugiani is an Italian theatre-maker who moved to the U.S. four years ago. She co-founded Teatro del Mantice acting company based in Florence. She co-produced Hamlet, a crowdfunded project (La Mama Experimental Theatre Club, NYC, August 2022). She worked as Covid Safety manager for multiple productions and theaters during the Covid era (Paper Mill Playhouse, 2022), worked as a temporary intern at The Tank (2023), attended the Summer Intensive Program at Atlantic Acting School (2024), and worked as associate producer for In Scena! Italian Theater Festival in New York (2024). She currently works as social media manager for The International Human Rights Art Movement and this is the second year she’s assistant producer of their IHRAF Festival.

Aliyah Stephenson (she/her)

Graphic Designer

Aliyah Stephenson is a freelance graphic designer who prides herself in her work. She graduated with honors as a Phi Theta Kappa member at Southern Maine Community College. She has done freelance work for years, from tattoo designs and couples portraits to posters and logos. She is eager to continue her career as a graphic designer and proud to be working on such an important project.

Paloma Dean (they/them, she/her)

Intern

Paloma Dean is honoured to work with IHRAM during this production of Oud Player on the Tel. She is a first year college student in the exclusive Global Scholars Programme at American University studying to get their BA in International studies with a focus on the Middle East. Paloma has been participating in theatre for seven years, xer most recent show was "Crime and Punishment: a Comedy" with Trinity Preparatory School. Xe is currently writing for the Pericles institute researching issues in the Middle East.

About Kitty Williams Productions

Kitty Williams Productions seeks to produce compelling and important new plays with social and cultural themes and containing significant roles for older actors. Kitty Williams was a Hungarian Holocaust survivor who settled in Iowa after the war and passed away in 2022 at the age of 98. In her 80s, Ms. Williams began a decade long role as a speaker for the Institute for Holocaust Education in Omaha, Nebraska, sharing her survival story with thousands throughout Nebraska, Iowa and elsewhere in the Midwest. She is the mother of Mark Peters, the company’s principal investor. Oud Player on the Tel is the company’s first theatrical venture.

Donors

Cars donated by Whitetree, LLC

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Victor Block

Zane Fairservice

Henry Garrou

HERE Arts Center

Katrin Hilbe

Jamaica Center of Arts and Learning (NY)

SOHO Rep

Sticks and Stones Landscaping

A few words from the Director

Over a year ago, Tom Block invited me on a journey to direct his play, Oud Player on the Tel. It seemed so appropriate to be delving into this topic at this time, but I first had to ask myself, “Am I the right person to lead this production?”

With ancestors that came to America before the pilgrims, I was raised in a small New England town centered around its baptist church. I do not consider myself to be “religious” and I don’t have a stake in the conflict represented in this play. But I do have a passion for rediscovering narratives, so I have approached this play from the perspective that everyone is an expert - an expert in their own experience. My job is to view the story of these two families through the pieces from the kaleidoscope from the multitude of narratives we gathered to be part of this process- actors, consultants, creatives, and of course, the playwright. We will be successful when you, the audience, feel a shift in your perspective or find empathy for a character you didn't expect, or if you find yourself at least considering a fact you didn’t know to be true before this evening.

Which brings me to my one request of you as an audience member. You may hear things tonight that are different than what you believe to be the truth. You may find yourself inclined to dismiss the entire play because you disagree with some of the facts presented tonight. I ask that you consider everything you hear tonight stems from multiple people’s narrative and that you attempt to listen to what is being said. Feel the emotional journey these seven characters are about to partake in front of you- experience their pain, feel their predicament, see where they have come from and where they need to get to to find peace within their individual lives. While the story is historical fiction, the emotional ride is based on experiences by the actors, the creatives, and the consultants on this production. Some of the characters will achieve peace, others will not. Just as some members of the audience will find peace and others will be disappointed at the end. When the show is over, I hope you can take time to reflect on how and why you feel as you do. If nothing has changed for you, why not? If much has changed for you, why? 

Thank you for coming. And an extra special thank you to my family for supporting me through this journey. I have been a “virtual mom” to my teenager for the last couple months, and my husband stepped-in to play the role of both parents throughout this process. Even my brother and mother have shown up in various ways to make sure that I can devote my time and energy to creating this piece, and for that, I can not thank them enough.

Enjoy the show,

Jesica Garrou, Director.

HERE Arts Center

IHRAF Festival 24

Join the International Human Rights Art Movement and its yearly event

International Human Rights Art Festival

December 9th - 15th, 2024

The Tank 

312 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018

SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

IHRAF 24 @ The Tank Theater 

The International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) began at Dixon Place (NYC) in March 2017 to create an open space for performance artists-activists in New York City to tell their stories and influence society. Freedom of expression and ethnic/cultural/economic and religious diversity are fundamental to our work, as is the protection of human rights and social justice. DEI is in our DNA, as we use creativity to build a more equitable world. Over the past six years, we have presented more than 1000 artists at our festivals and interim events throughout NYC. We believe in a world where artists are free to use their creativity to provide an engine for social change, and their work is honored as a human right.

The International Human Rights Art Festival is presented by The International Human Rights Art Movement, which values are;
Beauty as a fundamental creative principle; Sincerity and Vulnerability of presentation; Celebrating Diversity and opening doorways of Engagement!