Hamilton College Performing Arts presents Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity on Saturday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m., in Wellin Hall, Schambach Center for Music and the Performing Arts. Suitable for ages 12 and up, this event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required.
Beyond Sacred is an interview-based theater production by Ping Chong + Company exploring the social challenges faced by young Muslims — at school, at work, and anywhere else. The five performers in Beyond Sacred all came of age in a post-9/11 society. They hail from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, reflecting a wide range of Muslim identities. The cast includes members who have converted to Islam, as well as members who were raised Muslim, but have since left the faith, those who identify as “culturally” Muslim, and those who are observant on a daily basis. Together their true stories create a beautiful, funny, and intensely poignant evening.
This powerful theater piece promotes greater understanding among and within Muslim and non-Muslim communities. The audience is invited to stay for a discussion with the cast immediately following the performance.
In addition to the public performance, members of the cast will host a community discussion, moderated by Professor Erol Balkan, at The Other Side on Genesee Street in Utica on Friday, March 1, at 5 p,m. The discussion is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.
For more information, call the box office at 315-859-4331 or visit www.hamilton.edu/performingarts.
