Hamid Rahmanian, Song of the North Playbill 02/02/24

a c i s PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD TERMINE

MODLIN ARTS PRESENTS

H A M ID R A H M ANI AN, SO N G O F T H E N ORT H February 2, 2024 | 7:30 PM Alice Jepson Theatre

Post-Show Q&A with the artists

UN I VE R SI TY of RICHMOND MODLIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Thank You

THIS ENGAGEMENT OF

HAMID RAHMANIAN, SONG OF THE NORTH IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF

E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Clinton Webb Fund

THANKS TO OUR 2023 -2024 MODLIN ARTS PRESENTS SEASON SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Louis S. Booth Arts Fund Cultural Affairs Committee Department of Music, University of Richmond Dewitt Fund for the Arts A. Dale Mayo Fund Virginia B. Modlin Endowment H. Gerald Quigg Arts Endowment Norman and Gay Leahy William and Pamela O’Connor

elcome

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE OUR 2023-2024 SEASON! At Modlin Center for the Arts, we are committed to providing the University of Richmond campus and our broader community with the best in diverse, thought-provoking, and captivating performances. Each season is cultivated with our attention to showcasing artists who provide insight into our shared humanity.

At the University of Richmond, we pledge to you—our patrons and partners, on campus and in our region—that the arts will provide broad access to rich voices, creative passion, and unforgettable experiences.

Modlin is more than our presenting series.

We operate as the home for our academic partners within the School of Arts & Sciences, providing spaces for conversation, connection, and collaboration across disciplines. Explore the full range of opportunities from the Department of Music, Department of Theatre & Dance, and University Museums. Don’t miss the extensive calendar of FREE concerts, performances, and exhibits, and make plans to join us.

I hope that you will also consider a contribution to the Modlin Center for the Arts. Your backing is a vital endorsement of the value that Modlin contributes to our cultural landscape. We are deeply grateful to have you include Modlin in your cultural investments. Thank you for being a valued member of our community of the arts.

I look forward to seeing you at Modlin performances in 2023-24 and to hearing what moves you this year!

Paul Brohan, Executive Director

MODLIN ARTS

AUGUST 2023

2023/24 Calendar

Queer Pioneers: LGBTQ+ History Through the Photographs of Robert Giard On view 28 Aug - 8 Dec

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Making Your Mark: Prints and Drawings from the Hechinger Collection On view 28 Aug - 8 Dec

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Crystals: Minerals from the Collection On view through 4 May

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Therefore I Am: Portraits from the Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center On view through 30 Jun

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FALL P Ticketed: Paid  F Free: Tickets/Registration Required 

 Free: No Tickets/Registration Required F

 Modlin Arts Presents  Department of Theatre and Dance  Department of Music  University Museums  Tucker Boatwright Festival

SEPTEMBER David Esleck Trio Thu 7 Sep 7:30pm

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Marty Stuart Thu 14 Sep 7:30pm

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Volcano Theatre, Book of Life Sat 23 Sep 7:30pm

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We All Break & Leyla McCalla Thu 28 Sep 7:30pm

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Family Weekend Concert Fri 29 Sep 7:30pm

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OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Rhiannon Giddens & The Legendary Ingramettes Sun 1 Oct 7pm

ShoutHouse Fri 3 Nov 7:30pm

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Jazz & Contemporary Combos Wed 8 Nov 7:30pm

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J’Nai Bridges, Mezzo-Soprano Thu 9 Nov 7:30pm

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Terence Blanchard, Fire Shut Up in My Bones Sun 12 Nov 7:30pm

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Sky Hopinka: Masterclass and Film Screening Mon-Wed 13–15 Nov

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Popular Music Ensemble Tue 14 Nov 7:30pm

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White Pearl Thu-Sat 5-7 Oct 7:30pm Sun 8 Oct 2pm

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Company SBB // Stephanie Batten Bland, Embarqued: Stories of Soil P Fri Oct 6 7:30pm  The Acting Company, Odyssey Wed 11 Oct 7:30pm

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Sankai Juku, KŌSA– between two mirrors Thu 19 Oct 7:30pm

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Davison Plays Davison Fri 20 Oct 7:30pm

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13th Annual Celebration of Dance @ UR! Sat 21 Oct 7:30pm

Jazz Ensembles: Little Big Band with Black & White Wed 15 Nov 7:30pm  F

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Kiara Vigil: Keynote Lecture Thu 16 Nov 4:30pm

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Fairview Thu-Sat 16-18 Nov 7:30pm Sat 18 - Sun 19 Nov 2pm

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Global Sounds Sun 19 Nov 3pm

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UR Wind Ensemble Mon 20 Nov 7:30pm

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Canadian Brass, Holiday Show Wed 29 Nov 7:30pm

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Family Arts Day: Barefoot Puppet Theatre, New Squid on the Block Sun 22 Oct 1pm-4pm

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Kenny Barron Voyage Trio Wed 25 Oct 7:30pm

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Inon Barnatan, Alisa Weilerstein & James Ehnes, Swan Song, The Schubert Project P Fri 27 Oct 7:30pm  Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale Sun 29 Oct 3pm

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DECEMBER 50th Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols Sun 3 Dec 5pm, 8pm

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Chamber Ensembles Mon 4 Dec 7:30pm

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University Symphony Orchestra Wed 6 Dec 7:30pm  F

MODLIN ARTS

JANUARY 2024

2023/24 Calendar

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Max Roach Centennial P Thu 25 Jan 7:30pm 

SPRING P Ticketed: Paid  F Free: Tickets/Registration Required  F Free: No Tickets/Registration Required 

 Modlin Arts Presents  Department of Theatre and Dance  Department of Music  University Museums  Tucker Boatwright Festival

Richard Becker Piano Concert Wed 31 Jan 7:30pm

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FEBRUARY Hamid Rahmanian, Song of the North Fri 2 Feb 7:30pm

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Paul Hanson Piano Concert Sun 4 Feb 3pm

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Layale Chaker & Sarafand, with Kinan Azmeh Fri 16 Feb 7:30pm

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Emily Riggs, soprano Sun 18 Feb 3:00

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Zuill Bailey, Cello Wed 28 Feb 7:30pm

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Yiman Wang: Keynote Lecture Tue 20 Feb 12pm

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Alexa Joubin: Keynote Lecture Thu 22 Feb 12pm

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MARCH

APRIL

MOVING | BODIES BODIES | MOVING University Dancers 39th Annual Concert Fri-Sat 1-2 Mar 7:30pm Sun 3 Mar 2pm

Emanuel Ax, Piano Fri 5 Apr 7:30pm

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UR Wind Ensemble Mon 8 Apr 7:30pm

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UR Jazz & Contemporary Combos Thu 11 Apr 7:30pm

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Doris Wylee-Becker Piano Concert Sun 3 Mar 3pm

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Richmond Piano Trio Mon 4 Mar 7:30pm

Natu Camara Fri 12 Apr 7:30pm

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Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale Sun 14 Apr 3pm

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Popular Music Ensemble Tue 16 Apr 7:30pm

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UR Symphony Orchestra Wed 17 Apr 7:30pm

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Everybody 18-20 Apr 7:30pm 21 Apr 2pm

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Danish String Quartet Sat 20 Apr 7:30pm

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Global Sounds Sun 21 Apr 3pm

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UR Chamber Ensembles Mon 22 Apr 7:30pm

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Cuban Spectacular Thu 25 Apr 7:30pm

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Martha Graham Dance Company Fri 22 Mar 7:30pm Brad Mehldau, Piano Sun 24 Mar 7:30pm Chris Thile, Mandolin Wed 27 Mar 7:30pm

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PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD TERMINE

MODLIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS PRESENTS HAMID RAHMANIAN, SONG OF THE NORTH A production of Fictionville Studio Created, Designed and Directed by Hamid Rahmanian Producer: Melissa Hibbard Script written by Hamid Rahmanian and Melissa Hibbard Based on the book, Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings Original Score written & orchestrated by Loga Ramin Torkian Featured Vocalist: Azam Ali Ensemble: Victor Ayala, Harrison Greene, J Hann, Esme Roszel, Emily Batsford, Clay Westman, and Christopher Williams Voice Actors: Mark Thompson, Christina Calph, Richard Epcar, and Rose Nisker Stage Manager: Elyse Durand Company Manager: Ray Dondero Representation: Laura Colby - Elsie Management Musicians: Loga Ramin Torkian, Azam Ali, Pejman Hadadi, Molly Rogers, Mahsa Ghassemi, Sinan Cem Eroglu, Sufi Rahmanian, and Iman Torkian

Puppets: Design: Saba Niknam, Hamid Rahmanian Construction and Mechanics: Zach Broome, Esme Roszel Puppet Colorist: Neda Kazemifar Puppet Assembly: Neda Kazemifar, Ray Dondero, Neda Izadi, Parisa Harandi, Negin Keyhanfar, Weiyi Chen, Shuhei Matsuyama, Sonia Kim, Kevin Marinelli, and Katayoun Amir Aslani Sound Mixing: Mehrnaz Mohabati QLab Setup: Mo Talani Fight Choreography: Rob Aronowitz Script Consultants: Ahmad Sadri, Lauren Whitehead Grant Writing: Alexandra Guglielminetti Additional Creative Contributions: Syd Fini, Leila Ghaznavi Technical Services: Tyler Gothier, Kaveh Haghtalab Laser-cut service provided by: Joseph Szegda Jr., Vahid Pourkay at Print Icon Photographs: Richard Termine A project of Two Chairs Inc. www.kingorama.com Tonight’s performance will run approximately 80 minutes, with no intermission. Join the artists for a behind-the-scenes Q&A directly following the performance.

PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD TERMINE

PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD TERMINE

Song of the North is a large-scale, 80-minute multi-disciplinary live performance work by Hamid Rahmanian and collaborating visual and performing artists. The show employs shadow puppetry, animation, movement, an original music score by Ramin Torkian and voiced dialogue to interactively tell a tale adapted from the Shahnameh.

The Shahnameh is an ancient collection of myths from the Iranian plateau, a historical and cultural touchstone that is a national treasure in Iran.

Song of the North continues Rahmanian’s exploration of this significant epic, and expands the theatrical methods used in Feathers of Fire, his first award-winning multi-media work, to introduce audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to the valuable artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of Iran.

The production combines multidisciplinary modes of representation to tell the story of Manijeh, a heroine admired for her strength and determination, who helps prevent war between rival kingdoms. One of the most striking elements of this work is the use of over 300 handmade puppets in the play which are inspired by the visual culture of Iran and it’s neighboring lands that evolved around the Shahnameh, with influences from Persian miniature paintings and etchings. The puppets also reference the once vibrant puppetry tradition of Iran while imbuing it with modern and international elements. The intricate puppets and seven actor-dancerpuppeteers interact and perform in front of stunning over 200 animated

backgrounds and behind a large, 16X30 foot screen set up at the edge of a proscenium, on which the audience watches the entire show projected, immersing them in a live animated adventure.

Through the multi-sensory telling of this ancient myth, and accompanying engagement programs, we aim to encourage audiences to feel a little less estranged from their neighbors, and illuminate the values and similar experiences we all share.

PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD TERMINE

Cast of Major Characters (in order of appearance) Rostam: Performance by Victor Ayala Manijeh: Performance by Emily Batsford Bijan: Performance by Clay Westman Gorgin: Performance by Harrison Greene Simorgh: Performance by J Hann

PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD TERMINE

MEET THE ARTISTS Hamid Rahmanian (Creator, Design, Director) is a 2014 John Guggenheim Fellow and the recipient of the 2020 United States Artists Fellowship. His work centers on theater, moving image, and graphic arts. For over a decade, Mr. Rahmanian’s work has been rooted in the Persian epic poem, Shahnameh by Ferdowsi, modernizing and adapting PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD TERMINE the work for new diverse audiences. Some of his recent works include the 600-page illustrated art book Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings (2013), which the Wall Street Journal lauded as a “masterpiece,” and the immersive audiobook version with an introduction

by Frances Ford Coppola. In 2018, he released the popup book, Zahhak: The Legend of the Serpent King in English and French which was awarded the Meggendorfer Prize for the Best Popup Book and hailed as “Simply breathtaking” by Le Monde. In 2019 he created the UNIMA-USA award winning shadow theater piece Feathers Of Fire (2016) which premiered at Brooklyn Academy of Music and toured around the US and abroad. In 2019, he was commissioned by Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble to create a video animation for their multimedia project, Heroes Take Their Stand. Mr. Rahmanian has recently completed the second installment of his shadow theater trilogy, Song of the North (2022) and published a new popup book, The Seven Trials of Rostam. www.kingorama.com Loga Ramin Torkian (Composer) is an Iranian-born multi-instrumentalist and composer. He is recognized internationally for his ground-breaking work with World Music groups Niyaz and Axiom Of Choice, both of which he co-founded. A highly-gifted composer and a visionary, Loga is greatly respected for his ability to adapt the Persian classical repertoire to his own unique and modern compositions. In 2014 Loga was nominated for a Canadian JUNO Award in the Category of “Best World Music Album” for the album he recorded with musical partner Azam Ali titled, “Lamentation of Swans.” He continues to produce albums and tour worldwide with NIYAZ.

Azam Ali (Vocalist) is one of the most prolific, versatile, and gifted singers/ composers on the international music stage today. Azam’s most notable work is with the cutting-edge world music electro-acoustic project Niyaz.

Her distinctive voice can be heard on myriad film and television scores including “Thor- The Dark World”, “Matrix- Revolutions”, “Prince of PersiaThe Sands of Time”, “The Fight Club”, “True Blood”, “Alias”, “The Agency, and “Prison Break”. Azam has also collaborated with numerous musicians such as Serj Tankian of System of a Down, Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, Dredg, Chris Vrenna formerly of Nine Inch Nails, Kodo, Zakir Hussain, and Mickey Hart.

Victor Ayala (Ensemble) is a Brooklyn based puppeteer, performance and visual artist with a focus in the medium of paper. He is thrilled to be involved in such a beautiful monolith of traditional story telling that is Song of the North. Performance credits: Pedro Reyes’ Manufacturing Mischief (Tank Theater, NY), Sweeney Todd (Eugene O’Neil Theater Center, CT), The Gilded Parable (Eugene O’Neil Theater Center, CT), Singin’ in the Rain (Union Dinner Theater, TX), Hair (Union Dinner Theater, TX).

Emily Batsford (Ensemble) is a theater maker with a particular fondness for devised work. International Puppetry: Book of Mountains and Seas (Basil Twist), Song of the North (Hamid Rahmanian / Two Chairs Productions), Unfolding (Margarita Blush Productions). New York Puppetry: PACKRAT (Concrete Temple Theatre), The Eye Which We Do Not Have (HERE Arts), Set in Stone (Sara Stern), End of the World (Center at West Park). New York Theater: Stop Motion (Theater for a New City), Touch (w/ Katrina Lenk, 59E59), The Brightness of Heaven (Cherry Lane). Emily is a Teaching Artist for Child’s Play NY, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Cottonwood NYC, and CO/LAB Theater Group. BFA - Acting, Syracuse University. @efcbatsford Harrison Greene (Ensemble) is a puppeteer, actor, and musician based in Brooklyn, NY. A company member of Chinese Theatre Works, he performs Budaixi and shadow puppetry in NYC and abroad. Recent Puppetry Credits: The Tiger of Zhao (Flushing Town Hall) Triple Zhongkui Pageant (International Puppet Fringe NYC), Chinoiserie Redux (Ping Chong & Co), Nora From Queens (Comedy Central), Ratso by Mollie Heckerling (Troma Entertainment) Manufacturing Mischief (The Tank), Tiger Tales (CTW), and Caveman Ballet (Boxcutter Collective). In 2019, Harrison performed in the 2nd International Teatro Lambe Lambe Festival in Puerto Montt, Chile with his original piece, The Waiting Womb. He will be returning to participate in the 3rd festival Fall 2023. He received his BFA from University of Connecticut.

J Hann (Ensemble) is a puppeteer, director, and fiber artist. Their weird and whimsical works have been performed in Italy, Greece, Serbia, Hong Kong, nationally, and in various venues in New York City. J was the Emerging Artist at the 2022 Eugene O’Neill Puppetry Conference. They have been a resident artist twice at The Object Movement Theatre Festival as well as an artist in residence at Governors Island. When not performing on stage or on the screen, they teach puppetry and the fiber arts to students of all ages, and have led workshops with The Jim Henson Foundation, Museum of Moving Image, Arts Corps, and Arts Connection, among others.

IG: @jhannham | www.jennyhann.com Esme Roszel (Ensemble) is a puppeteer, public historian and illustrator based in Brooklyn, NY. He is a graduate of University of Connecticut where he received his BFA in Puppet Arts. Esme has performed and fabricated puppets for touring productions around New England. When not performing, Esme can be found teaching puppetry workshops to students of all ages, and working at a history museum in his hometown of Plymouth, MA. Clay Westman (Ensemble) is an actor, musician, and comedian; though his parents are still a little disappointed the whole doctor thing didn’t work out. He has studied masked theatre at the Commedia Dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy; and is a graduate of Muhlenberg College, where he could have studied medicine, but chose to pursue the arts instead. He doesn’t quite know how he got here or where he’s going next, but, gradually, he is learning to be ok with that, and he hopes you are too.

Christopher Williams (Ensemble), named a choreography fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation in 2021, is a New York Dance & Performance “Bessie” award-winning choreographer, dancer, and puppeteer working in the unceded lands of the Lenape people (now designated New York City) and abroad since 1999. His works have been presented in Europe, South America, and Russia, nationally, and in many NYC venues including The Joyce Theater, Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York Live Arts, Lincoln Center, City Center, and Danspace Project. He holds degrees from Sarah Lawrence College and the École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, and has performed for Tere O’Connor Dance, Douglas Dunn & Dancers, Rebecca Lazier, Yoshiko Chuma, John Kelly, Peter Sellars, Basil Twist, Dan Hurlin, Lake Simons, Chris Green, and Erin K.Orr, among others.

Ray Dondero (Ensemble/Company Manager) is a Brooklyn based multidisciplinary designer, artist, and lover of all things puppetry. They

are a recent graduate of the University of Connecticut’s Design and Technical Theatre undergraduate program, focusing on scenic and costume design, as well as printmaking, puppetry, and animation. Assuming the role of company manager, they are proud to have cultivated a loving and supportive environment in which this incredible team makes magic happen! raycreativeprojects.com @thebimboclown Elyse Durand (Stage Manager) is a NYC-based theater artist. As a stage manager, they’ve worked at St.Michael’s Playhouse, Abrons Arts Center, The Flea, Theater Row, The New School, Manhattan School of Music, and more. Their previous directing credits include Thoughts of a Dying Absurdist (Zanni Theatrics), Lysistrata (Cal State Northridge), as well as a assistant director for Psychic Self Defense and The Story Box (HERE Arts Center), and Lorca in a Green Dress (Cal State Northridge). As a stand-up comic, they’ve hosted/produced comedy shows and open mics across NYC and LA. Major Funding provided by the National Theater Project, New York State Council for the Arts , Hamid and Christina Moghadam Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Jim Henson Foundation , Flora Foundation, Neda Nobari Foundation, and Brooklyn Arts Council Production reconstruction commissioned by Modlin Center for the Arts, University of Richmond Special thanks to our generous donors Vernon Davis Grizzard III, Francis and Dionne Najafi, Tahbazof Family Foundation, Maximum Difference Foundation, Bijan and Soraya Amin Foundation, and Primex International Trading, and Yaghmaie Family Charitable Fund Additional support provided by Rostam Zafari, Farhad Mohammadi, Parto Moshayedi, Amir Farman Farma, Michael Sabourian and Mrs. Massoudeh Sudeh Sabiurian, Haleh Emrani, Razi Family Foundation, Andrew Tavakoli, Sunset Franchise Capital, Gholamali Yaganeh, Niloofar and Bahmani Fakhimi, Nader Sanai, Alex Ramzoo, Khosrow Hakakian, Kazem and Karen Yahyapour and the Iranian Association of North Carolina We would like to express our deep gratitude to the following individuals who have helped us throughout this journey: Mark Amin, Rostam Zafari, Mahsa Hakimi, Ram Devineni, Bessy and Navid Khonsari, Amir Farman Farma, Ali Amin, Mohammad Amin, and Farhad Mohammadi

Modlin Arts Presents

t onds

LAYALE CHAKER AND SARAFAND WITH KINAN AZMEH Fri 16 Feb 2024 Camp Concert Hall

Layale Chaker and Sarafand, joined by famed clarinetist, Kinan Azmeh, pay deep respect to the cultural heritage of the Middle East.

ZUILL BAILEY, CELLO Wed 28 Feb 2024 Camp Concert Hall

Renowned cellist Zuill Bailey moves audiences with soulful renditions of works by Sergei Rachmaninoff, accompanied by pianist Natasha Paremski.

MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY Fri 22 Mar 2024 Alice Jepson Theatre

The legendary Martha Graham Dance Company presents a new collaboration by choreographer Jamar Roberts and composer Rhiannon Giddens.

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