Language Rooms
Written by Yussef El Guindi | Directed by Evren Odcikin
May 31- June 24 | Los Angeles Theater Center
presented in association with the Latino Theater Company
Golden Thread is heading south with this hit production from last season! Ahmed is a shining example of the American Dream, working as a translator in a Homeland Security detainment facility. His friend Nasser, the only other Muslim on the compound, soon brings him some bad news—that his loyalties are being called into question. As office politics take a turn for the absurd all around him, Ahmed realizes that much more than just his job hangs in the balance. Yussef El Guindi (Back of the Throat and Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes) returns to Golden Thread with this unexpected juxtaposition of a comical political thriller and an American immigrant family story. El Guindi, who has long been a Golden Thread favorite, has recently received national accolades, including the 2011 Middle East America Award and the 2012 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award. Read the San Francisco Chronicle interview of Yussef about the play Yussef writes about his inspiration and process for Language Rooms in LA Stage Times Language Rooms was originally presented in partnership with the Asian American Theatre Company. Language Rooms was originally developed at ACT Theatre, Seattle, WA and Playwrights Foundation In the Rough series, San Francisco, CA. Further developed by New York Stage and Film Company and the Powerhouse Theater in a reading at Vassar on June 29, 2009. The world premiere of Language Rooms was produced by The Wilma Theater. ___________________________________________ The LATC Box Office: (866) 811-4111 Tickets Pricing:
General admission: $40 | Students, seniors, and veterans: $20 | Thursdays: $10 Calendar:
Language Rooms plays Thursdays–Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm 514 South Spring St., Los Angeles 90014 Downtown Los Angeles
The theater complex is located at the heart of downtown Los Angeles and is within walking distance to many museums, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. You can find a directory of all that downtown Los Angeles has to offer at www.downtownla.com.
Design Team: Miyuki Bierlein, Alan Chang, Valerie M. Niles, Darl Andrew Packard, Mikiko Uesugi*, Huy Vu Production Team: Karen Runk*, Aaron Niles, Lannie Gower, Pat Loeb* (LA Stage Manager), Wan-Yin Tang, Jesse Brownstein *Member Actors Equity Association, United Scenic Artists The opening night for Language Rooms is Sunday, June 3, 2012, at 3pm. For press releases and high-resolution photos of the production, please visit the Language Rooms press room below. Sponsors:
James Asher (Ahmed)
James Asher
is an Arab-American actor and writer based in San Francisco and New York. He is a founding member of Nibras, New York’s first Arab-American Theater company and author of Sajjil (Record). New York credits include THE LARAMIE PROJECT (Tectonic, Union Square Theater), BRAVE NEW WORLD (Town Hall Theater), SAJJIL(RECORD)(Theater For The New City), DESTINATION AMERICA (Second Stage-studio), and 1000 ABU GHRAIBIAN NIGHTS (NYTW-studio). Regional credits include GROSS INDECENCY (National Tour), PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE (National Tour), THE LARAMIE PROJECT (Berkeley Rep, La Jolla Playhouse), THE FOREIGNER (San Jose Rep), TAPE (The Magic Theater), BACK OF THE THROAT (Thick Description), BELOW THE BELT (Waterstone Theater, L.A), THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Shakespeare Santa Cruz), LOVES LABOURS LOST (Idaho Shakespeare Festival). Film and T.V credits include PARENTHOOD (NBC), SPICY CITY (H.B.O), the upcoming feature film US, THE SINGULARITY IS NEAR, NEW YORK’S DIRTY LAUNDRY (Cannes ’07), SWEET JANE (Dimension Films), STITCH IN TIME, FALL OF THE AUSTRIAN SUN. James received an MFA from A.C.T.
Mujahid Abdul-Rashid* (Kevin)
Mujahid Abdul-Rashid
is pleased to be on board for the first time with Golden Thread, one of many productions to come. Mujahid has played Troy Maxson in Fences for Tabia in San Jose, various roles in the Z Space production of Sonny’s Blues which travelled to France. Other credits include: City Preacher and Relativity at the Magic Theater; Queen of the Remote Control at The Sacramento Theater Co; Woody Guthrie’s American Song at the Willows Theater; The Amen Corner, Tambourines to Glory, and Seven Guitars at the Lorraine Hansberry Theater. One of Mujahid’s favorite memories is playing Mr M in Athol Fugard’s My Children, My Africa at the Dean Lesher Theater in Concord.
William Dao (Nasser)
William Dao
is thrilled to be making his Golden Thread debut. He was most recently seen in the Bay Area Playwrights Festival as Jimmy in Clarence Coo’s Beautiful Province. Locally he has performed with Asian American Theater Company in Philip Kan Gotanda’s #5 Angry Red Drum and Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s workshop of Dominic Orlando’s Barbary Coast. He is a proud member of KT Comedy (www.ktcomedy.com), a San Francisco based sketch comedy group.
Terry Lamb* (Samir)
Terry Lamb
recently performed in Golden Thread’s NIGHT OVER ERZINGA and was previously seen in Golden Thread’s DEEP CUT. Earlier this year he acted in PENELOPE’S ODYSSEY, produced by Central Works Theater Ensemble. He has also worked with these theaters among others: Shotgun Players, TheatreFIRST, Aurora, Marin, Magic, Stage Left, New Conservatory, Pirandello Project, Berkeley Jewish, San Jose Stage, Geoffrey Chaucer, Black Repertory, TheaterWorks, San Francisco Mime Troupe, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Through his company, Videosyncracy, Terry produces videos for nonprofits and business entrepreneurs. He is also the producer of the online video series “Encounters on Earth” (original dramatic pieces showcasing Bay Area actors and writers). Terry has acted in a number of films, and in the recent San Jose 48 Hour Film Festival he was given the Best Actor award for his role in EyeQ Films’ Moonlight.
