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World Premiere

Pilgrimage

by Humaira Ghilzai and Bridgette Dutta Portman
directed by Michelle Talgarow

A co-production with Z Space

Five women embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Noor, an Afghan American immigrant, must fulfill her sister’s last wish. Her daughter, Maryam, a tech CEO, seeks to evade her legal woes, while Noor’s nieces—estranged sisters Sosan and Nadia—must complete the pilgrimage to claim their inheritance. Meanwhile, Fatima, a Black Muslim convert and Nadia’s best friend, hopes to find her biological mother. Will this pilgrimage bring the five women closer, or will secrets, rivalries, and old wounds tear them apart?

October 24, 2025 - November 9, 2025

Z Space (Steindler Stage)

450 Florida Street, San Francisco, CA

Tickets start at $20. No one is turned away for lack of funds, please email boxoffice@zspace.org

Pilgrimage was developed as part of New Threads Staged Reading Series in 2022.

“In 2015, I made a pilgrimage to Mecca with my aunt Mayen and a group of lively Afghan-American women. The journey was both a bonding experience with elders in my community and an awakening to the generational trauma woven through our lives.”

Read about Humaira’s personal inspiration behind Pilgrimage!

SPECIAL EVENTS

Featuring Author Toba Adina-Jao

Afghan Threads

Sun, Oct 26, 2025 at 2pm (before the 3pm matinee)

Join us for a warm pre-show gathering with author Toba Adina-Jao, celebrating Afghan family, food, and culture, hosted by Salim Razawi, Pilgrimage Cultural Consultant and Artistic Producer at Golden Thread Productions. This afternoon event weaves together stories of heritage and creativity, inviting conversation, reflection, and community inspired by the world of Pilgrimage. Enjoy sweet bites generously provided by Ariana Sweets, browse handcrafted items presented for sale by the Afghan Bazaar, and learn about NGOs supporting women’s education in Afghanistan and how you can engage with their important work.

Hosted by Acclaimed Egyptian Actor Kal Naga

Meet the Playwrights

Fri, Oct 31, 2025, immediately following the 8pm performance

Join us for a post-show conversation with Pilgrimage playwrights Humaira Ghilzai and Bridgette Dutta Portman, moderated by acclaimed Egyptian actor Kal Naga. This engaging discussion invites audiences to explore the inspirations, collaborations, and creative process behind the making of Pilgrimage.

Humaira Ghilzai

Playwright

→ Bio

Bridgette Dutta Portman

Playwright

→ Bio

Michelle Talgarow

Director

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Salim Razawi

Associate Director / Artistic Producer

→ Bio

Isabel Alamin

Actor

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Nora el Samahy

Actor

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Fatemeh Mehraban

Actor

→ Bio

Leda Rasooli

Actor

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Jeunée Simon

Actor

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Karen Runk

Stage Manager

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Tina Mosier

Assistant Stage Manager

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James Ard

Sound Designer

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Amy Benjamin

Properties Designer

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Ray Oppenheimer

Lighting Designer

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Mikiko Uesugi

Scenic Designer

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Fatima Yahyaa

Costume Designer

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Colm McNally

Technical Director

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Sarah Phykitt

Production Manager

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Wendy Reyes

Production Associate

→ Bio

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Z Space Access Notes:

Z Space is a wheelchair accessible theater and has accessible seating for all shows. Bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and are welcoming to all genders. You will be given an opportunity to indicate access needs during the ticket buying process. Assisted listening devices available upon request. Currently there is no mask requirements for Z Space shows, unless otherwise indicated for specific performances. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact our box office at boxoffice@zspace.org.

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SUPPORTERS

Pilgrimage is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Golden Thread Productions

1695 18th Street, #C101
San Francisco, CA 94107
The ancestral lands of the Ramaytush Ohlone

boxoffice@goldenthread.org
information@goldenthread.org
Phone: 415.626.4061

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Golden Thread is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 75-3009451. Donations are tax-deductible.
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