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World Premiere

Autobiography of a Terrorist

by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

A fiercely funny dive into the absurdity of the immigrant experience

Autobiography of a Terrorist

Saïd has written a play about growing up Iranian and Jewish-American during the Iran hostage crisis. As he and his well-meaning collaborators try to stage his script, things go quickly and hilariously from bad to worse. Will Saïd ever be able to just fit in? Whiting Award–winning writer Sayrafiezadeh (Brief Encounters With the Enemy,When Skateboards Will Be Free) brilliantly pokes fun at the complications of hyphenated identity in America.

April 15, 2017 - May 8, 2017

Potrero Stage (formerly Thick House)

1695 18th Street, San Francisco

Written by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

Directed by Evren Odcikin

Featuring Jenna Apollonia, Patricia Austin, Cassidy Brown*, Alan Coyne, & Damien Seperi*

Design & Production Team: Jenna Apollonia, Cassie Barnes, Christian Cagigal, Beckett Finn, Sara Huddleston, Benjamin Shiu

Reviews

“A multi-layered, intellectually complex, and splendid piece of work… Under Odcikin’s deft (and often breathless) direction, Golden Thread’s ensemble of five determined artists jumps through acting hoops that range from hilariously fake attempts at empathy to painfully honest confessions; from surprisingly agile bits of physical comedy to heartbreaking moments of personal cruelty.”
The Huffington Post

“The show is often very funny, especially in the many uncomfortable moments between the performers. Just as often, it’s disturbing in how aptly it captures how thin people’s veneer of tolerance can be, even — or rather especially — when they believe it to be genuine.”
The Mercury News

“Relax everybody —Autobiography is a comedy! No bombs or blood. Just a provocative (and amusing) account of what it meant to be a ‘hyphenated American’.”
Pacific Sun

“Throughout Autobiography, there’s a running joke about people mispronouncing [Said’s last name]: “Stirfryday” is the funniest example. The play repeats this seemingly unimportant point to make a larger one. A certain American demographic remains indifferent and wary of other cultures and other languages. For those who can’t pass as a Smith or Jones, Sayrafiezadeh also points out that the rah-rah jingoism of a USA chant always carries a belligerent edge.”
SF Weekly

Autobiography of a Terrorist feels like art imitating life — brilliantly.”
Theatrius

“Saïd Sayrafiezadeh is a name you may want to remember. He writes with extraordinary power.”
The New York Times

In the Press

Meta humor and politics collide in Autobiography of a Terrorist

Playwright Said Sayrafiezadeh and Founding Artistic Director Torange Yeghiazarian are interviewed by SF Chronicle‘s Brandon Yu.

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The name game: Playwright mines identity issues in comic Terrorist

Playwright Said Sayrafiezadeh is interviewed by J Weekly‘s Robert Nagler Miller.

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SF/Arts Monthly Theatre Pick

Autobiography of a Terrorist is a theatre pick forSF/Arts Monthly‘s Jean Schiffman.

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Special Artist Conversation

Challenges Faced by Muslim Artists Today

Join us for a post-show discussion with Autobiography of a Terrorist playwright Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, and filmmaker Raeshma Razvi and calligrapher Arash Shirinbab, who lead Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California’s arts programs. Moderated by Founding Artistic Director Torange Yeghiazarian, the conversation will explore how Muslim artists are responding to the current political atmosphere in America.

Cast & Crew

Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

Playwright

→ Bio

Evren Odcikin

Director

→ Bio

Assistant Stage Manager: Jenna Apollonia, Lighting Designer: Cassie Barnes, Costume Designer: Miyuki Bierlein, Magic Consultant: Christian Cagigal, Technical Director: Beckett Finn, Sound Designer: Sara Huddleston, Stage Manager: Benjamin Shiu*, Producer: Torange Yeghiazarian

Watch video from the production:

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We are grateful for the support of the following institutions:

Thanks to The Zellerbach Family Foundation for their generous support of Autobiography of a Terrorist.

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