2020 Season
Celebrating the Centennial of U.S. Women’s Right to Vote: With a women-led lineup of international playwrights, Golden Thread extends the multifaceted discourse and unique stories of the evolving agency of Middle East women.
Productions
Leila’s Quest For Flight
When the optometrist shatters little Leila’s dream of becoming a pilot, a menagerie of mythic birds gather to help her accomplish her goal. Drawn from beloved Palestinian folktales, Leila’s Quest for Flight incorporates music, dance, and physical comedy. These dynamic shows are entertaining for all ages, connecting diverse cultural traditions to contemporary themes.
In response to the success of our in person tour and demand for digital programs during the pandemic, Leila’s Quest for Flight has been adapted to a radio play. Bring this inspirational story home to share with loved ones in a new imaginative format just in time for the holidays. Our digital content is free to access and to share with friends, family, and community.
On the Periphery
February 23, 2020 - April 4, 2020
For the health and safety of our patrons and artists, we have cancelled the remainder of the run of On the Periphery in accordance with the Governor’s newly updated recommendations on COVID-19 (coronavirus), effective Saturday March 14. Tickets may be exchanged for either company’s fall show, refunded, or donated by contacting boxoffice@goldenthread.org.
A magical tale of hope and home against all odds.
In the first co-production between Golden Thread Productions and Crowded Fire Theater, Sedef Ecer’s On the Periphery paints a tender portrayal of the lives of social outcasts in Istanbul’s urban slums mirroring the displacement, migration, and gentrification in the Bay Area.
Jogging
May 2, 2020
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
With broken hearts we must announce that we have cancelled our upcoming presentation of Hanane Hajj Ali’s amazing one woman show, Jogging, in the interest of public health and in accordance with the extended shelter-in-place ordinance continuing through May 3rd. Tickets may be exchanged, refunded or donated by contact us by email at boxoffice@goldenthread.org.
Hanane Hajj Ali, a fifty-something Lebanese actress and citizen, exercises daily to avoid osteoporosis, obesity, and depression. As her story intertwines with the city’s tumultuous history, Hajj Ali jogs through Beirut revisiting dreams, desires, hopes, and disillusionments.
The Language of Wild Berries
October 6, 2020 - March 21, 2021
We’re thrilled to share The Language of Wild Berries as our debut radio play, available now! Released as a podcast, the radio play is available to access and to share for free on multiple platforms such as Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, and Spotify.
The past, present, and future collide in the touching story of a couple’s annual road trips to the Caspian Sea and the mysterious stranger following them. Naghmeh Samini’s play is a rare glimpse into the lives of contemporary Iranians, as well as her first English language production in the United States.
Donya and Davood celebrate their wedding anniversary by traveling to the same sea side town where they spent their honeymoon. But on this trip, their 10th anniversary, a mysterious young man is following them. Who is he? What does he want? Trying to solve the mystery of the young man throws Donya and Davood into a time warp recalling their past nine anniversary trips. They remember what they have forgotten. But will that be enough to save their marriage?
Naghmeh discusses making theater in Iran and her first radio play!
What Do the Women Say? 2020
March 8, 2020
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Due to the release of aggressive new recommendations against COVID-19 from the SF Department of Public Health to cancel large community events, we have decided to cancel Sunday, March 8th’s Women’s Day event in the interest of public health. We will refund all tickets in full.
Each year, Golden Thread celebrates International Women’s Day with What Do the Women Say?, a curated evening showcasing the work of leading Middle Eastern women artists. The year 2020’s theme is Power, Privilege, and Agency: an artistic exploration of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting [white] women’s constitutional right to vote in the U.S.