Perfect Prayer

Response to posted comment for previous entry

2007-06-15T15:31:00.000-04:00

About a week ago, a third comment was posted to the entry below. It affected me greatly for many reasons...and i have been debating on how to respond,
IF I chose to respond.

My immediate reaction was confusion and then a slow dawining of... This individual did not get the point of the play.
He/She chose to highlight all the moments in the play that show all the wrongs the characters are doing...
which. Is ...well. Kind of the story. It's a story of discovery. The fact that the father contradicts himself by saying he's a good moslem and then wishing death every day of his life... Yeah. That's the irony.

THAT's the universal connection. We rarely hear from the people in the world making mistakes trying to be good. There are only the loud fanatics that declare themselves perfect, it seems.

But... I have to look deeper than this. It took my sister reminding me of the Qu'ran instruction: should we (muslims) see Islam misrepresented, it is our duty to correct the representation.

Despite how many time I say, "I did not write a muslim play; I just happen to be muslim"; the fact that I took a traditional coming of age story and had it centered around a muslim family leaves a lot of expectation and responsibility.

I just shudder to think what anybody who shares the same opinion/concerns as this individual would've thought had they seen the original play in its one act form. THAT version had NO instruction on Islam. It was just the bare ugly humanity of the lack of growth.

And I am stuck. Wondering. Where to go with the commentary. I don't get commentary like this very often. Rarely, in fact.

I am aware of all the contradictions. They are not there by accident. They are there on purpose. MOST importantly, they are not there to insult. This play is not JUST about being moslem. It is about TRYING to be moslem; about trying to be onesself, at the same time, and what confusion/frustration is born from that... at all ages.

Yes. I understand that in an ideal world God comes first. I understand that in an ideal life, by God coming first and following every rule, all is ok. All will be fine.
I also understand it is not usual for human nature to want to make things easy.

So. Am I wrong as a writer, if I go and correct everything? I'd lose a lot of my story. I'd lose a lot of the connection that....those who were not raised in the Islamic faith...have with this play.

And. As a muslim, am I shaming God? OR...am I shaming others of the Islamic faith?
And. If my first answer is to God... then. ....

.....

All I keep thinking is...
Never judge a religion by its followers.

As the play has grown, so have I as a muslim. It is not in the writing because the characters are not in the same place I am. They are in a place I used to be. And life keeps moving. And, God willing, I will keep learning.

However. To the invidual who posted, you are following your responsibility as a member of the Islamic faith. I respect that. And I can only honor your commentary with this post. And I thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Peace.

West Coast Premiere in the Final Frontier

2007-06-01T10:07:00.000-04:00

Spent 3 glorious days in Anchorage, Alaska with Sandy Harper, Artistic Director for Cyranos Theatre along with the cast/crew of The Perfect Prayer's third production (second professional production). ...and, in general, the community of Anchorage.

It was an overwhelmingly wonderful experience.

Hadia- Jamie Pauley
Mother-Vivian Kinnaird
Father-Marius Panzarella
Adam-Anthony Oliva

(from l-r: marius panzarella,vivian kinnaird,erick haydn,anthony oliva,jamie pauley)

Throughout the rehearsal process (and some prior), I was in contact with Erick Haydn (director). I made myself available for any glaring mistakes in structure in the script and to, possibly, answer any dramaturgical needs. Beyond that, I wanted to see how the script was handled and perceived in another director's hands.

At some point during the rehearsal process, Sandy contacted me and said they were having very little luck connecting with the Islamic community in Anchorage. I felt somewhat helpless as I wasn't sure i'd be able to connect either.

This seemed very familiar to me: During the very first production, trying to connect with the Islamic community in my own town proved rather challenging... and that was just for promotional purposes. Cyranos was looking to connect to have someone on hand, to instruct and guide for the Arabic, and movements in prayer...and just, overall...a consultant to say, "That's right. That's wrong." Etc...

Upon my arrival, I was happy to learn that they had indeed found someone in the community...simply through life's magic of serendipty. Or. God's will. However you want to see it.
This was eye-opening for me, to see the connections that were made in the process of getting this play prepared for its run. Friendships were/are growing from the cooperation and desire to maintain integrity of/for the show, the culture, and the accidental goal of this script...universality.

Now.
This is the third production i've seen of this script.

The first item up for discussion between Haydn and myself was casting. After he held auditions,he spoke to me about his choices... the one problem I had was Vivian. In the beginning, prior to seeing the show, i had an objection to this.
(It is a pet-peeve of mine that quite often arab characters are cast using african-american actors. PLUS this play takes place in the south and being black in the south has a lot of different weight on it) but Erick reassured me she good... and that it wouldn't be an issue.

And.
He was right.
*sigh* You live, you learn, you...yeah.

Moving on, though..
For the second time in a row, a director has decided to ignore my lack of blackouts for the scene breaks. For those who have seen the show, dialogue of scenes and changes overlap so that lines of conversations from a previous scene seem to connect to the next.
This is a major tool used in the script, constantly. The play should not stop except for intermission and the end. Erick chose which scenes he wanted to utilize the overlap for and simply did blackouts bewteen scene changes for the rest. GRANTED, sound design was excellent and the music playing during the scene changes was pretty good. But. I felt the rhythm for the show was definitely interrupted...
The hard thing to figure out here is how do these breaks affect the story. Or. Do they affect the story.
*sigh*

The talkbacks were excellent. 3 talkbacks. 2 full-houses that stayed. The last night was also packed but people dripped out during the talkback.
Great questions all the way around and a lot of appreciation for the opportunity to learn and be entertained.
Edu-tainment lives on.

Two great reviews here and here.

West Coast Premiere

2007-05-21T09:26:00.000-04:00

Cyrano Theatre, in Anchorage, Alaska, presents the West Coast Premiere of THE PERFECT PRAYER.

First review is already out online.

Leaving to see the production this Wednesday. Will be participating in talkbacks after each show this week.

Poster for AHANA production in ATLANTA

2007-03-22T16:53:00.000-04:00

Opening Night comes again...

2007-03-20T10:48:00.000-04:00

A second production of The Perfect Prayer opens this Friday, March 23, for a short run on the Emory University Campus. Info below:

The Perfect Prayer
AHANA Theater Spring Production

March 23, 24, 29, 31 at 8 pm;
March 30 at 7 pm;
March 24 at 2 pm

Price: $6 general/ $4 Emory students
Ticket Availability: Box Office opens on March 19, 2007
Venue: Burlington Road Building Blackbox Theater

Director: Tye Tavaras
Playwright: Suehyla El-Attar
Contact:Christie Pettitt-Schieber: (404) 558-1878
Suehyla El-Attar's play captures the essence of what it means to be a Muslim American college student raised in the American South with her play about religion, family, love, heritage, and finding one's place in the world.

---
Although some changes have been made to the script, I had NO hand nor involvement in rehearsals.
This was me taking the training wheels off...and seeing how she (my play) balanced on her own.

If she can balance, that is...

We'll see.

Two upcoming productions of The Perfect Prayer

2007-02-18T15:20:00.000-05:00

AHANA Theater group at Emory University will present the next production of The Perfect Prayer. Dates for the 6 performances are: March 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, and 31. Tickets are just $4 for students and $6 for general audience.

This will be a revised script since the world premiere and an interesting experience for me as I will only be able to see if these changes work...and not rewriting at all before the performances.

After this, will be the May/June production at (directed by Erick Hayden) at Cyrano Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska. After the AHANA production, i'll be able to see what cuts/adds I should make, might make...etc. We'll see.

Oct. 24 program designed to foster discussion of world’s major religions

2006-10-17T11:52:00.000-04:00

GAINESVILLE, GA – Atlanta actress/playwright Suehyla El-Attar will present “The Perfect Prayer: An Inter-religious Dialogue,” at Brenau University’s Thurmond-McRae Lecture Hall on Oct. 24 starting at 7:30 p.m.

The reading, which includes Robin Hale, Ann Wilson and Sean Keene, will be followed by a question-and-answer session with believers of some of the world’s major religions.

“Our objective (with this event) is to promote cultural sensitivity and discuss the commonalities among different faiths,” said Dovile Budryte, associate professor of international studies at Brenau. “Tolerance is impossible without understanding.”

The presentation is based on El-Attar’s first play, “The Perfect Prayer,” an account of a young Islamic woman’s struggle to balance the teachings of her religion against the temptations of the modern world.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution theater critic Wendell Brock describes the play, which debuted at Atlanta’s Horizon Theatre this summer, as “a wise and affecting cross-cultural dance with universal appeal” that “does more to dispel ignorance about Islam than any piece of theater in recent memory.”

El-Attar, who Brock calls “a marvelous young playwright with a humane and wisely comic touch,” acknowledges that the play is derived largely from her own life experience as an American-born daughter of Egyptian Muslim immigrants raised in Mississippi.

“The main character, Hadia, isn’t me, but I’d have to say that we have a lot in common,” the 30-year-old Mississippi State graduate told Creative Loafing in a May 17, 2006 interview. “She’s 21 and gradually feels like she has to make a choice between being an American and being a Muslim….The play also deals with not being a Christian in the South.”

“The Perfect Prayer: An Inter-religious Dialogue” is sponsored by Sigma Iota Rho, Brenau’s International Studies Honor Society, and Students for a Progressive Society at Gainesville State University. It is the second in Brenau University’s “Tolerance” series, films and discussions that focus on international and local issues related to tolerance, designed to foster debate and promote understanding and appreciation in the community of others who are different.

The series also aims to increase awareness of important international issues and relate them to the local consciousness, to explore the presentation of these issues in “traditional” history, and to relate these historical events to current issues, Budryte said.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Budryte at 770-538-4652 or e-mail her at dbudryte@brenau.edu. Directions on how to get to Thurmond-McRae Lecture Hall are available from Brenau’s website.

Closed but not over.

2006-07-05T15:42:00.000-04:00

Well. It's been a week and a half and it's felt like longer and shorter on certain days.

Closing weekend was packed.

Having worked on the marketing for the show as well, I know that we came up $2,000 short of the entire run's goal... which i'm told is still pretty good for Horizon.

Closing night was fun as we get to sit with the cast and their loved ones for a little bit at a local restaurant (Wahoo! Grill in Decatur, GA...you should stop by and check it out. -end of shameless plug-)

Pictured above are cast members and their loved ones...plus Lisa and her daughter Sophie. It was a quiet closing to a steady, beautiful ride of a first production.

There has been outside interest and i'm trying to finish all of that for a final package to send out. Working fast.
Thought i'd post.
There will be more posts, maybe, to keep all who are interested, updated on what happens after first productions.

Because...it's really about the 2nd production... *smile*

Exposed.

2006-06-16T10:55:00.000-04:00

Got this email from the NEW marketing director at Horizon Theatre (YAY!!!):

Hi guys,

I thought that everyone might be interested to see the amazing places that
Suehyla's AP article was picked up.

www.cbsnews.com
www.abcnews.com
www.examiner.com
www.crisscross.com
seatlepi.com
www.oregonlive.com
www.washingtonpost.com
www.ajc.com
Lancasteronline.com
Mlive.com - Everything Michigan
Cnn.netscape.cnn
News.yahoo.com
www.wtopnews.com - Washington's all news radio station
www.phillyburbs.com
dailystaregypt.com
www.lasvegassun.com
chicagotribune.com
Comcast.net
www.myrtlebeachonline.com
nypost.com
philly.metro.us
www.backstagecasting.com
www.thevictoriaadvocate.com - Victoria, Texas
www.ksl.com - KSL Radio Salt Lake City
www.islandpacket.com - Hilton Head, SC
www.fredricksburg.com - Fredricksburg, VA
www.ctnow.com - Connecticut Stage
www.backstage.com
www.tennessean.com - Nashville, TN
www.thewoodlandsonline.com - The Woodlands, TX (Houston suburb)

Among others! Way to go!

-------

So. Not to shabby for a bit of press, right?

My favorite HAS to be the Daily Star Egypt. Who knew??? *smile*

Several theatre companies (who attended the TCG conference) have expressed interest in reading the script. And i've had one more come to me via the AP article... which is great.

So. The next step is to meet with the literary manager (the ever serene Caleb) of Horizon Theatre and Lisa Adler; putting the final touches on the script before send off, creating a package, and following through on the interested parties.

This comes to the business of it all... *shrug* Again, we'll see. We'll learn (God willing, without a LOT of mistakes).

Associated Press

2006-06-12T09:40:00.001-04:00

The AP interview was released yesterday.

Backstage

2006-06-08T16:31:00.000-04:00

Did an interview with Kathy Janich (reporter in the southeast theatre scene for Backstage) couple of weeks ago; click here to read it. (note 1 thing: my sisters live in the United States, not in Egypt.) Okay, actually, note 2 things: i'm tired of reading me say, "It doesn't feel real." Supposed I should stop saying it then, eh? *smile* *shrug* It's just how I feel every time someone asks me, "So, how does this feel?"

The interview isn't about the play, though. Janich's focus is on combination artists (playwright/actor) in Atlanta. She interviewed my close friend Lauren Gunderson and Thomas Ward, who is enjoying HIS world premiere of Keeping Watch at Theatrical Outfit in downtown Atlanta.

This weekend is a big to-do as TCG holds their annual conference right here in Atlanta!

Had an interview with Bridges TV last night, too. Don't know when that will air. Been told it's largest audience is based in NYC.

The first question asked was, "Why did you decide to write a Muslim play?"

To which I replied, I never intended to write a muslim play. I had a story to tell and it just happened that I was muslim.

The rest is just the brilliance of God's timing.

Baptism by fire on publicity with this thing...

The Atlanta Journal Constitution

2006-06-02T16:48:00.000-04:00

The 2nd review is out, from the AJC.

The Model Muslim ahem Not it.

2006-06-01T11:14:00.000-04:00

I told my sister the other night how surprised I was by the need of the audience, post-show, to find out more (what's true, what's not, etc). She remarked (along with another friend), "You weren't expecting this? I was."

*blink*
*blink*
No.
I wasn't expecting it. I was only hoping to finish the script and then have an audience like it. That's all. I'm a pretty simple girl. Most of the time.

Anyways, deciding against a knee-jerk reaction to a comment posted to the Creative Loafing review, i'm coming here, to my blog, for refuge.

I'm a rather sensitive individual so it's interesting to me that i'm also the type of person who placed (and, quite often, place) myself wide open to the world, much as I have done with the follow-through of the production of this play.

Martyr? Perhaps.

Glutton? Absolutely.

Ready? Trying. If not, I'll have to just get over it.

Ms Thomas' comments are hard not take personally but have a validity to them on many levels; levels that i've only been able to work through in the last 12 hours and through personal discussions with close friends.

1. Statements and comments she made in her post were rampant in my interviews and the press releases, which lead me to believe she hasn't seen the actual play. I wonder if she will, now. It's occurred to me that the language in the press releases and the images used...are geared toward a non-moslem audience. Looking over it, I know, now, that most moslems will not attend the show...unless they have faith and a lot of curiosity.

2. I was asked last night by a close friend if I had intended to make a political/religious statement with this play. The answer is no. Through the development of the script, I discovered a story that allowed people to relate to an individual...who came from a background that is currently a mystery to most of the American population. Edutainment became the idea. Provide a story for people to relate and discover themselves (or others) in a most unexpected parallel.

3. The choice of words by the reporter for Creative Loafing (in both the short article and then the review) could leave an impression of letting me the choice of a "Model Moslem". *wince* Which is the furthest thing from the truth and one of the reasons that I say that I practice it "philosophically", so as to respect those that are ritualistically based in the faith. I am not representing all moslems. I am only telling one story. It's the only story I know...

4. Ms. Thomas is right that a story, like the one she wants to see, has not been told here. Therefore, somebody should tell it. "Criticize by creating." (Michelangelo)

5. As long as discussion occurrs... there is nothing wrong.

so, this reviewer walks into a theatre...

2006-05-31T17:21:00.000-04:00

The Creative Loafing Review has been released online, comments already accruing: Here.

Come on in, We're OPEN!!!!

2006-05-30T12:08:00.000-04:00

It's taken me a couple of days to process and i'm not sure that i'm actually there, but the show, The Perfect Prayer is open to it's world premiere!!

Overwhelmed is not the word... speechless is; which is why it's taken me awhile to return and post.

By the way? Speechless at the opening of your world premiere? Not a good way to be...*smile*
Perhaps I should take it as a very good sign that people want to hear more from me,though? *shrug* Who knows. I'm just glad I wasn't open-mouth breathing and drooling on myself... I could AT LEAST control that.

Opening night was attended by nearly every bit of love I have in this city and theatre community...and then some. A packed house stayed with every moment of the show. It was quite a ride... The cast was wonderful. It occurred to me that I'm not watching them work. ... especially Megan Hayes. You forget that she doesn't get to leave the stage except for intermission... she makes it look easy. *shaking head* Applause to her.
And Lisa Adler's direction of a non-stop show? Is unbelievable... This came from all of the people who watched this project grow through the last 2 workshops... people who have only been listening to the words and hearing the actions...
and finally, here it is...full blast. In their faces... and so seamlessly guided by the hand of Lisa...
The house graciously rose to its feet at the end of the show... *smile*

I've not returned and will not 'til next week... It'll be interesting to see a room full (hopefully!) of strangers with the show.

Audience comments received (and they're not even related!! *grin*) :

I loved The Perfect Prayer. And quite honestly, I was exhausted when I went and still loved it. So did my friends, who are 1 Jewish, 1 Lutheran, and 1 Greek Orthodox...made for great discussion.

Truly, it was awesome! VERY, VERY, VERY well written...I can just see it on Broadway -- in lights!... I think your audience couldn't WAIT to pop out of their seats to give you standing ovation -- you and your cast! And they were so perfectly cast!...
I am going to send an email to many of my friends and recommend that they see it.

What a funny, moving, and thought-provoking exploration of the meaning of family, culture, country, religion, race, relationships. Thank you so much. I am telling everyone I know to go see it.

....I laughed so hard yesterday that I had to use my asthma inhaler....Your play was fantastic!!!!!! It got me all jacked up, and for the first time in a very very long time I felt happy to be a Muslim...

During the intermission, I was approached by a Muslim man from Bosnia who immediately inquired about the dynamics of the family within the play. And he was also quick to say that some of the arabic (from the Qu'ran) wasn't correctly pronounced. Although his approach was sincere and quiet, I wasn't ready ...and reacted defensively to protect my cast (who had non-stop rehearsals and shows all week long) AND my script...

At the opening night party, he approached the actors themselves to let them know about the errors...
And, at first, I was a little angry... However, I realized i'd forgotten one important comment in the midst of his observations, "What you're doing here is very important."

And after a friend told me that he watched me act rather...non-charismatically... to the man (much to my embarrassment) and I remembered the comment? I awakened to the fact that this stranger is being just as protective of the work... it wasn't an attack. Just a critical piece of help to make sure his religion, faith are accurately represented. (have to watch the ego...*sigh*)

The hardest thing is, people want more. "What was true?" "Are you parents really like that?" "How did you...?"...
And i'm tired. *smile* Kindly and gratefully tired, but tired nonetheless. I understand the sincere curiousity and respect the compliment in wanting more... I just don't know that I have it give right now.

This script is not done yet (it is for this production) but there were so many things discovered that, had I not been here... one wonders...

Reviews come out this week. *deep breath*...Yep. *blink* *blink*...Yep. *sigh*

Deep thanks to all my friends(family) who made it (Julie who flew in from NYC), the board members who have watched this every step of the way; the strangers who only came because of the ads, the staff, the designers, the crew, the cast...and Lisa.

Oh. And God. Thank you, God.

Momma

2006-05-24T13:42:00.000-04:00

I also recently discovered that my mother posted a comment on the online article in the Creative Loafing.

*sigh*

*smile*

Check please.

2006-05-24T13:16:00.000-04:00

First preview audience last night. Benefit audience for the Genesis Shelter. Went really well. One comment received:

For the benefit of those on the list who were not at last night’s performance, treat yourself to a dose of culture. This one is worth your time. Funny, poignant, and thought-provoking with strong performances by each cast member. Further proof that not all good theater is limited to productions at the Alliance.

And with that, I say... there's still more work to do.

What's difficult to assess is, what works needs to be done now and what can wait to just be in an updated script? The cast, although magnificent in their adaptibility to changes...is ready to just have something concrete. After the invited dress rehearsal on Sunday night, though... there were some big changes that needed to be done and WERE incorporated into last night's show. AND, they pulled it off. But not without having had a some moments of worry and frustration.

That being said, spirits remain so strong and high.

The pieces that now need work are what I refer to as "kitchen drawer" pieces. You know, when you're moving? The big stuff is SO easy...but, it's the little stuff that begins to nag at you and seems to take forever until you finally just dump it all into a box that, in turn, when you arrive at your new home, you just dump it all into a drawer ...slowly recovering things over the YEARS.

i don't want years.

I want perfection now.
*sigh*
*smile*
Ah. Well.

Opening is Friday.
Interesting audience tonight. It is another preview/benefit audience for the Baitul Network... a non-profit organization that provides shelter for battered and abused moslem women and their children.

Which means...this will be the first audience with Moslems in it.

Spellcheck

2006-05-20T16:56:00.000-04:00

So far there has been one problem that has come up as we prepare for production.

I received a phone call from wonderfully sweet Ann at Horizon 2 days ago.

I was on my way in to pick up the newly printed fliers.
Ann calmly said, "Suehyla. I think there's something you should know before you see the fliers."

"Okay."

"Well. Despite the fact that we had 5 pairs of eyes double-checking everything on the final proof...All of us somehow missed the fact that... um... your name was misspelled."

(pause)

*now. sidenote here... I completely let my ego step in on the following statement...*

"Are you F-IN KIDDING ME??!"

Now. To anyone who gets the pleasure of meeting Ann at Horizon... let me describe her: She's beautiful. She's classy. She's UBER-kind and extremely gentle.

And despite any stress she may have been under at that moment, she immediately took the position to be vented at, ready for the flogging, at your service, sir.

"Suehyla. I know you must be upset and I am here for you to vent and release anything you need to. I cannot tell you how sorry we are. But, know that I am willing and ready to listen to anything you have to say."

Here's the thing.
It's not even about me.
It's the Theatre Company.
And...you know what? This shit happens.
Maybe if i'm really good at this... these fliers will be collector's items. And if not... then, they can be recycled.

The fun i've had with everyone lately is... if you thought my name was difficult to say when correctly spelled...
try it now:

Sueyhla El-Attar

And, another thing? If that's the only problem we have...Thank you God.

"It looks like a real play!"

2006-05-20T16:37:00.000-04:00

That would be all I kept saying yesterday during the 10 out of 12.

*shaking head* *smile* I couldn't help it...there's actors and costumes and lighting and music and stuff...it's...
*smile*

it's all real.

I stopped in a couple of times yesteray. Today there was a bit of finishing up with tech...then run-thrus.

It's hard fighting the urge to wonder if there's more I should be doing...

This is not something I can ever say I did alone, that's for sure. For all the congrats and sweeping comments that keep coming my way... I've gotta say, if it weren't for the numerous readings and the actors and Lisa's natural dramaturg tendency... there's no way in HELL i did this by myself. And to every playwright or writer who DOES do this by themselves and does it well? *bows deeply*

I'm having great fears that i've gotten all sorts of information incorrect. Panic is setting in to give me something to do.

I'm at a loss of exactly what i'm supposed to be doing today. In relation to my play. For the cast. For the director. For...the designers...

*blink*
*blink*

*sigh*

First real audience is Tuesday night (previews run through Thursday) and then onto opening on Friday.

The cast is wonderful. The director is relaxed. The designers have bonded on headsets...and the stage manager is a wonderful, cool breeze that calms everything down.

What more could a play ask for?

Besides a plot.
And an audience.

All I can keep saying is, "It looks like a real play..."

*smile*

Eve of Tech

2006-05-18T10:09:00.000-04:00

Great rehearsal yesterday. Lisa was confirming blocking/choreography for a particular scene in the 2nd act.
Most elements were sketchily in place ....and there was this moment I fell in love with.
It's not a moment that I wrote...
but one created by the collaboration of acting, directing, lights, set, and sound...

Cleaned up one more scene yesterday as well...via writing.
It wasn't making sense, even for me...and I freakin' wrote the damn thing.

*sigh*

There is still a feeling of operating with my eyes closed because I can't see the whole, i can only see the piece...and until I get an audience in that theatre... i won't be able to see a thing. I was told that during preview week (which is next week) there is usually non-stop rewriting going on... There seems to have been non-stop rewrites going on as is. The cast has been great in keeping up, amazing in fact. We're not talking brand new scenes, rewrites...we're talking about "move this line here, and this now becomes three lines...insert pause...blah blah blah" ... just big enough to change the beat as needed, and just small enough to mess with the memory recall.

I, of course, would like to be done. I'd like to be finished. I'd like to say the play is perfect.
No more is needed.
And as long as i'm dreaming, i'd like a pony.

Check out my interview printed in this week's Creative Loafing.

I'd like to say that I am not so sure I agree with the first line of the article...
Nope. Not at all.
I have had people ask me if I feel that I'm getting more exposure since 9/11...
How would I know?
How can I know?

Hop, Skip and a jump away.

2006-05-17T02:34:00.000-04:00

I don't have much in me to write right now but felt it necessary to post.

Rehearsals are going well.

Top of Act II has been driving me crazy and I finally started it off in the most random way, only to discover...I may have found the scene I needed.

Then again, It's okay to love the scene...it just not be a scene for this particular play. *shrug* Who knows?
That's another thing about the process: I can write a scene or rewrite a scene...and find that it works but that doesn't necessarily mean it works for the whole play. *sigh*

Perhaps that's common sense...and i'm just now uncovering it.
Hey. At least I found it.

Had a television interview on A Woman's Place on the AIB Network.

Just around the corner

2006-05-13T15:17:00.000-04:00

It dawned on me while watching the run-through yesterday (for the designers) that preview week is one week away.

I've tampered and added and cut and touched and worn out the script.

Watching the run-through yesterday, i'm mainly worried about one scene in Act II. And I will be done 'til preview week.
The actors have been amazingly patient and adaptable...but as a writer friend of mine said today, "Leave them alone. Let them relax. Lock it down and let them get comfortable."

Right. *sigh*
I knew better anyway...

Oh! Speaking of desingers:

Mimi Epstein - Sound Design
Laurie Price - Props Design
Kim Schnormeier - Costume Design
Jeff Weiss - Lighting Design
John Williamson - Set Design

Here's a look at a model of the set:

Little short on words today. So, i'll just leave you with a picture of rehearsal, yesterday...

3rd week, and still going...

2006-05-08T21:16:00.000-04:00

3rd week began today.
Saw a complete run of the show in it's current existence *smile* this past Saturday.

I sat through the first act, trying to see if I cared about what was happening...trying to make sure the through-lines of the characters were there... and the story.

I know there was moment when I forgot to look at the actors by their names and only saw them as their characters, had to. HAVE to be able to see that to see if i can hear the story.
Don't know that i did. I literally jumped with each line to that current line existing only within it as it was being said. Have to watch it again.

At the end of the 1st act, the director and stage manager applauded, while I sat there in silence, consumed in my own concerns of mistakes, future changes,etc.
I then realized I wasn't applauding. I wasn't doing anything, in fact. And well, that's REALLY not a good sign to the cast or director that have been busting their butts for the past 2 weeks, with rewrites flying at them left and right...

So, I immediately applauded...
I know the cast is strong because I had the opportunity to step back and really take a look at structure...and not be distracted by anything else. I'm getting a chance to look at the play, play. That's what I need. It's not just about listening but watching it happen, now.
IS it happening...is the question.
The first act is literally a non-stop force, not allowing the main character, Hadia, to leave the stage for an hour.
while everyone else is revolving around her. I have to see it again. to see if it is telling a story.
2nd act is still missing something.
I've been going through earlier drafts to find it. There's a missing moment, beat. Hmm...

Had the first production meeting last week.
Met with all designers. Due to the lack of scene breaks, both costume and sound design...had "a couple" of questions for me. *smile*

Will have designers and photo of set model posted soon.

1160 AM radio interview

2006-05-06T21:51:00.000-04:00

This is an interview I did last week that aired this past Saturday morning at 9:30am on 1160 AM.

2nd week - staying away

2006-05-05T12:43:00.001-04:00

I've stayed away from rehearsals this week as much as possible. When I say this, I don't mean that I can't keep myself away from rehearsals, I mean that I go ONLY when I have to....which is just fine by me.

Last Friday began the actual get-up-from-the-table work. Emotional and physical processing of the characters. I was there for the first 10 minutes of it and then realized...Yep. I'm gonna go crazy if I sit and watch this.

It's not that the actors are getting anything wrong. It's just...
I've been listening to the play so much now, it's like hearing a word over and over and over again... after awhile it begins to sound distorted.

My focus has been touch ups to ACT I this week and major face lifts on ACT II.
Had one moment of major restructuring of a scene in ACT I (remember, Suehyla? Doesn't play well alone). I took it in and Lisa asked, "Why did you change this scene?"

And I didn't have an answer.

Yep. Need to get out more. Most definately.

The great moment of those 10 minutes of directing that I saw by Lisa was the day after...
I'll tell you this:
As Lisa began to direct the first scene of the first act, I thought...this isn't how I picture it, not that I pictured it too solidly but that...THIS, what's going on...isn't working for me. I need to leave.

And so I did.

I returned the next day and Lisa asks, Would you like to see what we've done so far?

And I say, Yes.

And they begin.

And it's exaclty what I felt i'd written.
Funny how that happens.

So. Yes. I've been having a blast NOT going to rehearsals. Because I'm excited about what i'm not watching happen...
so i can just see what happens.

It's a little odd, anyway, switching hats: sitting at a table of actors, i'm accustomed to being WITH the cast.
AND...i'm a talker. So. *smile* Sometimes a director, too.

Yeah. Better that i'm not there. *grin*

Day 5

2006-04-28T19:49:00.001-04:00

Megan Hayes as HADIA

Photo shoot today! Taking photos that MIGHT be used on the promotional posters and pictures to have for the press.

Finding an image to represent this play is not easy. I'm not sure if this is par for the course or not. We had a couple of ideas (such as an image of a woman's face, split down the middle: 1/2 hejab and 1/2 not) but I realized the image needs to be funny otherwise people won't know they're walking into a play the can laugh at...

As an actor/director/and now writer...there is an awareness in most of the comedic projects i've worked of how we (the cast, the writer, the director) need to let an audience know it's okay to laugh. Especially with the split-label of comedy-drama.

If you have any ideas...send them my way.

We had fun with the photo shoot, though...

MOTHER, HADIA, FATHER

MOTHER, ADAM,HADIA, FATHER

Lisa and Michael setting up a photo

Day 3 and 4

2006-04-27T23:45:00.000-04:00

Rehearsals take place on the set of Permanent Collection, currently running at Horizon Theatre. We're doing the table work right now which gives me a lot of opportunity to hear all the little touch ups that need to be done...and also work really concreting the 2nd act structure/story.

Having a really personal day today, in the sense of realizing how self-indulgent the play is. I have been focused on an idea of universal theme for so long, I almost forgot it is mostly my story, my parents' story...up on the stage.

Exposed doesn't even begin to cover how i'm feeling right now.

Glad I didn't get cold feet before. I need the reailty check for a bit of humility but...wouldn't trade this experience for NOT knowing what it's like. Just wish I'd not come across this exposure-ephipany RIGHT now. In the midst of rewrites.

Conversation around the table is still good and strong and there was a wonderful moment, today, when Lisa came across an arabic word in the script (spelled out phonetically) and asked, What does this mean again? And the entire cast answered. I didn't even have to...which is wonderful.

Have provided FATHER (Tom Thon) with a video-tape instruction explaining salat. There are moments for me where I wonder how much I really DON'T know about the Islamic religion.

I really wish I could have my father come and sit in on rehearsals. It'd be great to have his feedback. Have him correct me. To have him be an active part of the process...

We'll see.

Following pictures show the cast and Lisa and our wonderful stage manager, Ronnie. (God bless all the GOOD stage managers).

The cast, in alphabetical order, again is:

Marianne Fraulo - MOTHER
Megan Hayes - HADIA
Tyler Owens - ADAM
Tom Thon - FATHER

(L-R) Lisa, Tyler, Megan, Tom's leg.

(L-R) Marianne, Tom

Everybody...and Ronnie, in the left corner.

2nd day

2006-04-26T08:54:00.000-04:00

Rehearsals run from noon to 5.
Read through the script twice on the first day. Great to hear it with all the different voices instead of just Lisa and me alternating. There's only so much two people can handle.

Today was great.
Due to line revisions and a couple of rewrites to scenes, i ran a bit late, coming into rehearsal 30 minutes behind everyone... fantastic, though. I'm glad that it worked out like that. The conversations that are taking place just two days in are wonderful to sit through. There are parallels that the actors and Lisa are finding that I did not intend but am glad are there. It makes me think of English class in high school when that one question was asked, "Is the symbolism intentional?"

Ah. Maybe. It depends. What works for you?

Plus, the wonderful thing about rehearsals, when the energy and combination of people are good... the wonderful thing is the personal sharing that begins... without thinking. The opinions, the defense of characters...the individual real-life experiences of the actors. It's wonderful.

Lisa is slowly sliding off her dramaturg responsibilities and placing her director's cap on...
This is a difficult transition for me to understand with her only because i'm accustomed to dealing with her questions on a dramaturg level. So, when she asks a questions, I immediately think that means I need to rewrite the scene...
whereas, she's just asking a question of my intent...to see if we (the director and playwright) are on the same page.

It's a bit of culture shock. But...I welcome it.

It's actually liberating to see the actors and director take the words and characters given to them...and run with it. There's no need to control, on my part. I am looking to see what I can do to help them do their job more easily...while maintaining the integrity of the script.

So many people asked me if I was going to be in this show, which always confused me. My goal as a playwright is to be a playwright. To see if my vision is properly conveyed on the page. To see if I left the script in the hands of total strangers (which would be GREAT, eventually) they vision would still be maintained.
What's the point of writing a script that I have to babysit?
And
How would I grow as a writer if I acted%

First day.

2006-04-24T11:15:00.000-04:00

Today is the first day of rehearsals.
All weekend has been filled with nothing but furious rewriting and a seeking for detachment...so I can finally see this thing.

Gave Lisa an aneurysm on Friday when I completely restructured the script.

Yep. Told you it was taking every fiber to just do edits and slight touch ups.
Never. NEVER leave me alone with a script for more than 2 days.

"SUEHYLA! WHAT DID YOU DO?"
"I don't know. I just thought i'd try this..."
"You can't TRY ANYTHING anymore!!"
"Oh."

It did help, though. It's a good thing that God makes things easy for me because i'm really good at making them difficult on my own.

And here we are.

Yesterday was an 11 hour writing fest. Scrutinizing every moment to make sure it does flow into the next.

I am so happy today.
No. The script isn't completed not to be touched anymore...
That's not the point.
The point is that I didn't notice the time yesterday 'til my stomach had a full conversation with me...outside of my body.

I'm somewhere else today. Just watching...but so excited for this play.
Right now, feel like i've hung out with Hadia ...listening to her life story...
instead of having possibly lived it. *smile*
She and I have a lot in. common. She's ok with me. *smile*
I love her family though.

It's not my script anymore but something that I need to help get ready for its purpose.

I moved out of the way, thank God. I'm not in the way. There's no 2nd guessing editor in my head telling me that I need a whole new play.
There's only...
*grin*
There's only the Matrix.

Rewrites, Papers, Scissors.

2006-04-19T22:38:00.000-04:00

The most challenging hurdles, right now, are editing and rewrites.

Edits? It's taking every bone in my body to not trash the current script and write a new one; and rewrites are like trying to throw up...carefully.

There are so many scenes that have been cut and brought back and created and then cut and kept around in my office to confuse me ...

Right now, in looking to solidify the structure and story of the play, I am delving through the older drafts. There is a comfort in knowing that something that was instinctively chosen in the beginning will work in the end. The journey i've taken in attempting different ideas and following through with this or that...is what helped me realize this. It aided in getting me to understand the story I wanted to tell, that wanted to be told.
I've always been better at knowing what I don't like than what I like. Process of elimination...

However, sifting through older scenes that were cut because they didn't add to THIS story? Is leading to a discovery of a whole 'nother play waiting to be told.

It was never my intention to do this, to be a playwright...but, it's something i've always done: construct scenes, tell stories, share experiences... I'm willing to accept I may have been in denial, somewhere.
*blink*
*blink*
The symptom I have to overcome due to this is "this is the only play i'll ever write." It's hard to remember it doesn't have to be that way. Not everything I want/need to say needs to go into the script.
There's relief in that.

God Willing.

2006-04-18T12:42:00.000-04:00

I think I will back up a bit and fill you in on one of the more interesting stories of fate with this project.

In December, Lisa and I decided it would probably be a good idea to start gathering the contact information of the actors we thought would be good for these roles. The original plan was to hold auditions in January.

Being the holidays, it was probably the most convenient time to gather this information. (Most of the parties I attended were filled with actors and not many of them went far without a headshot within reach.)

One particular evening, a good friend of mine, Karla, an actress, called me and said, "Suehyla, have you found anyone for the role of the FATHER yet?"

I said, "No. And i've seriously ...got nothin'..."

"Well, "She replied, "I met this guy at an audition and...I don't know what he can do talent wise but, I gotta tell ya...he looks the part. He's really nice, too. I went ahead and got his headshot for you. I'll bring it to the party tonight."

Great, i'm thinking. That's perfect.

She gets there, hands me the headshot and ...*shrug*... I'm like...whatever. This is fine. At this point in time, i'm just gathering. I will call no shots 'til the person is in front of me.

I stayed rather late at this particular party...or...rather early, depending on how you look at it and ended up being the DD for several friends.

On the way home, driving down Moreland Avenue, my intoxicated, rambunctious passenger(another fellow actor) notices the small pile of headshots between us.

In my peripheral view, I see him reach over, pick up the top headshot (brought by Karla) and fumble out the words, "Whoisthis?"

"That's one of the actors we may call in for Perfect Prayer."

"Thisguy?"

"Yeah. You know him?"

"No."

As we start to cross the bridge that spans I-20, I hear the ssshhhhh of the passenger window as it electronically slides down.
I feel that damp chilliness enter the car(The ability for air in the south to still be humid no matter how cold it is, is amazing). I turn to look at my drunk friend (it's all in slow motion now) as he takes the headshot and tosses it out the window, into the air...and nonchalantly rolls the window back up;...as if he's just rid himself of some lint...or...a cigarette butt.

To say I lost my temper would be laziness on my part as a writer. But. It is what I will leave you with...

I chalked up the loss to fate. To God's will. The actor probably wasn't any good anyway. Right?

Right.

Fast forward to a week and a half ago when Karla pays me a visit.
I tell her about our panicked search for an actor to play FATHER.
She perks up and says, "That reminds me! I just saw that actor in a show! The actor who's headshot I gave you?"

"Oh, yeah..."

"Yeah. He was really good, Suehyla. He played a Palestinian terrorist."

*blink*
*blink*

"Hm. I almost forgot about him. What was his name?"

"Tom Thon."

"That's right. Tom. Thon. Hm...."

I call Lisa. Ask her if she's ever heard of him. Suprisingly, she recalls having just met him at a party a few months back...and, Yes, that does seem like an interesting choice... do I have his contact information.

Why. Yes. I do. It's somewhere between Moreland avenue and I-20.

I ended up contacting the theatre he was currently working with, got the information to Lisa, and...the rest, as they say, is soon to be history.

I think what i've really come upon is a new way to audition people...

Anyways. Lisa and I continue to meet daily this week, prepping for the upcoming rehearsals. ..and upcoming production.

Just thought i'd share that little bit of fate...

What's in a name?

2006-04-16T11:15:00.000-04:00

So, it's exactly one week before rehearsals are to begin for The Perfect Prayer.

Have a meeting today with Lisa to look at some much needed script changes to 2nd act prior to going into rehearsals...you know, to cut down on the number of actors having nervous breakdowns due to a multitude of non-stop revisions.

The two main battles i've had with this script are the following:
1) the middle of the journey for Hadia (the main character)
2) The freakin' title.

As I said in an earlier post, the previous title was Sunset, inspired by the 4th prayer of the 5 daily prayers....maghrib. In the original script, the main character declares her fascination with this particular prayer due to its time requirement: It must be done JUST after sunset. I always found this to be rather magical...and decided to give the same notion to Hadia.

However, as the play has grown and the story expanded, as well as the characters... this major trait became a rather minor one...
The title no longer made sense.
In addition to that, I was advised by certain parties that be...that it's not a marketable title. I was informed:

The title doesn't tell one anything. Doesn't intrigue. Doesn't give a notion as to what a patron may be walking into on whatever evening he/she has chosen to attend. Heck. It's so lacking in intriguement, one isn't very sure people would even attend it... not without some sort of theatrical trailer giving away the whole story...as the masses are conditioned to having.

*shrug* *smile*

At the very first workshop for the script, I had a close friend helping me as a writing partner. He and I came to rest on the title, Perfect Prayer.
At least...I think we did. It's all a blur now...and somehow this name has stuck. And, i'm not gonna lie... I've racked my and my friends' brains for ...SOMETHING else. SOMETHING. Somewhere...

It was Sunset for so long, I had difficulty letting go.
And now that The Perfect Prayer has been with me for 2 years...it just seems...well...perfect.

And so it is.

It's like naming a child...except, at some point in time, if your child decides to change his/her name legally...he/she can. A piece of creative work is stuck in eternity with its name...unless, of course, the piece can be forgotten...
then the name doesn't matter at all.

And if you're wondering how The Perfect Prayer came to be the title?
You should probably come see the show...
perhaps you could even make some suggestions...
Perhaps.

Who's your Daddy?!

2006-04-12T17:53:00.000-04:00

After putting out a call across the nation for an actor to play FATHER...after receiving auditions from New York City, Chicago and Florida...

We discovered the perfect fit this afternoon in our own hometown of Atlanta.

Casting is now complete:
Tom Thon - FATHER
Marianne Fraulo - MOTHER
Megan Hayes - HADIA
Tyler Owens - ADAM

This is great news on all counts!!
I'm especially happy that the entire cast is from Atlanta.
YAY!!!

And on with the show...

Script changes and casting challenges

2006-04-12T16:12:00.000-04:00

The story has changed considerably. The hardest struggle is letting go of Hadia (the main character)...and letting her be herself...and no longer a representation of me. Just because she makes choices doesn't mean i'll have to make them, too. Just because we have things in common, doesn't mean we're the same people. Sometimes she's better than I am. Sometimes she's really whiny and gets on my f-in nerves. It will be a struggle up until opening night.

I'm still completing touch ups on the play. (uh...I think Lisa would say that's an understatement).
Rehearsals begin the week of April 24.
3 of the 4 member cast have been chosen:
Marianne Fraulo - MOTHER
Megan Hayes - HADIA
Tyler Owens - ADAM

The father is the most difficult role to cast.
To find an arab looking actor in his 60's OR who LOOKS like he's in his 60's, is talented AND available...oh. AND affordable?...is not an easy task.
2 weeks away? Lisa is scrambling to do all she can: She and I both have to be happy with the choice... I don't think this will be a difficult thing...I just hope we don't panic and choose simply because we're out of time.

(sidenote)

2006-04-12T13:39:00.000-04:00

I was pretty lucky (along with 3 other playwrights in the Atlanta area) to be featured in an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution (otherwise known as the AJC).

The picture below was placed online and in the newspaper.

I received a phonecall from my mother 2 days ago after she received my email announcement. The following conversation followed:

(Those who know me KNOW that I cannot quote my mother without actually imitating her accent. There's really no point...however, in writing? It is near impossible. Please feel free to use your imagination:)

me: hello?

mom: hello, suehyla.

me: hi, mom. how's it goin'?

mom: it is good. thank you very much for sending the picture.

me: Oh! No problem, I sent it to everyone.

mom: I know but [my sister] was the one who told me about it.

me: (confused) Did you not get the email?

mom: No. I got it.

me: Oh. Okay.

mom: It's a good picture. I want to send it to Egypt...but I can't.

(pause)

mom: do you know why I can't?

me: (not giving in to the trap)

mom: Because you're cleavage is showing.

me: i know...but it's not that bad. the photographer wouldn't have used the picture if he thought it was bad, momma. during the session, he asked me to adjust my shirt several times.

mom: oh. i see. that was nice of him. Who was he?

me: You don't know him, mom.

mom: Oh. okay.

The rest of the conversation is not necessary and rather repetitive. Let me just say now...I love my mother. I do. I wouldn't be who i am without EVERYTHING she did...

The following morning, I called my father (they live in the same house but...it's a long story). Dad's only comment?

"This is a bad picture."

"I know, Dad. Sorry."

I don't know if he's read the article or not.
I know my mother has. She called my sister to say her feelings were hurt by a comment I made...

My sister, though, reassured me that I only spoke the truth and it wasn't a bad truth...it was just...the truth.

Most importantly, for me, she told me that she agreed and understood the comment.

Hopefully my parents will as well. None of this, the play or anything...is to hurt. It never has been... and it's been one of my main concerns in the upcoming production...whether or not my parents will be able to sit through this play and enjoy it? or will it be 2 hours of an insult to them?

I really have no way to tell...
I can only ask that, God willing? Everything ends up okay...

In the Beginning...

2006-04-11T00:19:00.000-04:00

Today, i'm on the phone with Lisa Adler, the co-artistic director of Horizon Theatre in Atlanta. She is also the director of my script, The Perfect Prayer, which is about to enjoy (hopefully) it's world premiere in May.

I'm relaying one of the many stories I share with her about discussion with my parenst and friends in regards to his upcoming production and she pipes up with, "Would you be interested in blogging about this?"

"About the process and stuff?" I asked.

"Yes! I think that's a PERFECT idea."

"Sure," I replied.

Which...
of course I would. I mean, Perfect Prayer is basically autobigraphical and rather exposing as it is...why stop there? Why not share the process of also growing as a playwright and reveal even more about myself.

It's probably for the best that I do this with words...otherwise i'd be posing nude somewhere.
No.
Not really.
Maybe.

Anyway. Here we are. Let me catch you up:

Almost 11 years ago, I wrote a one act play called SUNSET. I was 19 and was taking a graduate level playwrighting course to bring up my undergrad, sub par grade point average. This is the play that saved my ass. I was flunking the class by midterm, not enjoying the professor nor the responsibilities. When it was mentioned that a rough draft of our final project was due the next and I had NOT a thing down anywhere... I knew I had to work fast.

I spent the entire night awake and only banged out 17 pages of a play that began with the words, "God I feel like hell tonight"...inspired into writing by Sheryl Crow's Strong Enough. When I started with those words, the rest of the play, around 3 am, poured out of me. I recreated recent struggles of my own life with my parents and the resentment I had about being Moslem...in the United States of America.

It was never an intentional, political statement. It was riddled with universal teen-age angst and the common, coming-of-age story . I also thought it was drama, tell truth.

17 pages. I needed 25 or more to be considered eligble worth grading...otherwise, automatic F.
I handed in what I had, along with some story about how I accidentally deleted the rest of the play...
The Professor, who mutually disliked me, said, "Save it, Suehyla."

One week later, we received the scripts...and I flipped to the final page to discover a red C. Scribbled underneathe this forgiving grade was: You've really got something here. Keep going.

And so I did.
It was then chosen as one of the two plays from the class to be staged at the end of the semester; staged at a University where my parents were pretty prominent.
I was given the option to not have my name attached: Suehyla El-Attar (not exactly your every day southern name).

I chose to attach it, anyway. I mean, why stop now?

Much to my surprise, people laughed during the play. They laughed at the moments I thought were the most difficult; the moments in a daily family life...the moments that, when living them, I thought I was the only one to have ever faced them.
Instead, through the first-time audience, I discovered the absurdity and universality of the dysfunctional family.

Best therapy I ever had.

My mother came to see the play and quickly left at the end, hurt by the way I portrayed the family. My father never attended but was beyond words with the attention he received from fellow faculty members who recognized his daughter's name...and his character.

I moved to Atlanta 7 years ago with the full intention of finishing the play and getting it produced. I got side-tracked by life...but was finally returned to my original intention by a season-friend who read the script and said, Finish it.

And so it began...
The one act became a full-lenth 2-act.
Having been exposed to the workshop process at Horizon, I had a bit of notion of how to go about discovering the script all over again...in order to complete it.

I was lucky enough to have Lisa attend one of the readings of her own volition. She immediately took an interest in the story unfolding before all of us...and invited me to take part in the New South Play Festival. Here, my play could (and would) be workshopped intensely for a week and then be subject to a reading for the general public. Two summers of this and Lisa gave me the opportunity of a lifetime by placing my script in the current 2006 season.

This is one of those random stories of right place, right time. I look at my professional, personal friends Lauren Gunderson and Steve Yockey, and wonder exactly what kind of murder I may have gotten away with, here...
then, again, I should probably wait 'til the play is up and running... and see if it's actually any good.
If i'm actually any good.