鈥淭he Hijabis鈥� traces the stories of three Muslim-American women as they navigate work, relationships and fear in contemporary America. While life after college isn鈥檛 what any of them expected, the women are united in their love for ice cream, their penchant for laughter and their commitment to wearing hijabs as a reflection of their faithfulness to God. In the midst of their individual struggles, their lives are upended when locals from the community desecrate their mosque. 鈥淭he Hijabis鈥� offers a challenging, deeply meaningful and wildly funny production, connecting audiences to the power of faith and life-giving friendships in the midst of life鈥檚 journey.

鈥淭he Hijabis鈥� is the second play commissioned by the Big Bridge Theatre Consortium (BBTC), a group of university theatre programs committed to developing new plays dedicated to interfaith conflict and peace. BBTC鈥檚 first play was written from a Christian perspective, and its third play (currently in development) is being written from a Jewish perspective. 快猫短视频 Theatre is a founding member of the consortium and looks forward to producing future Big Bridge plays on campus.

In response to the questions 鈥淲hy this play?鈥� and 鈥淲hy now?鈥� playwright and co-director Rohina Malik has said, 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 always relevant to talk about tolerance and people getting to know each other, and combating racism and discrimination and xenophobia and all those problematic things. So why now? Because the issues still exist.鈥� Additionally, Malik was asked why people of non-Muslim beliefs should feel welcomed and inclined to see this show. She said, 鈥淐ome get to know a different perspective. Come and get to know your Muslim American neighbors. Come and be surprised. I think that sometimes we think that people are so different, but when you see a play, you actually find we鈥檙e more similar than different.鈥�

In addition to Malik, the college鈥檚 production team consists of Rhett Luedtke, associate professor of theatre, as co-director; Keith Pitts, an adjunct member of the art and art history faculty, as scenic designer; Michelle Bombe, professor of theatre and department chair, as costume designer; Eric Van Tassell, assistant professor of lighting and sound design, as lighting and sound designer; MacKenzie Lakatos as guest props coordinator; Stephen Krebs, technical director for theatre and Hope Repertory Theatre, as technical director; and Anna Hill, theatre department costume manager and dance department costume designer, as costume shop manager.

Also serving on the production team are senior Ashley Lauraine of Holland and freshman Elizabeth White of Hudsonville as assistant stage managers; junior Adeline Thalhammer of Swartz Creek as stage manager; and senior Alegr铆a Guzm谩n of Quito, Ecuador as assistant costume designer.

The cast includes freshmen Hajar Ahmadi of Kabul, Afghanistan, Ashlynn Blankenship of Lindale, Texas, Trey Hunter of Detroit and Victor Powell of Norton Shores; sophomores Jesalyn Ashby of Jenison, Kolton Muldowney of Buffalo, New York, and Kyle Spiegel of Wheaton, Illinois; juniors Claudia Hwang of Norton Shores and Elliana Johnson of Greenville, South Carolina; and seniors Eden Comer of Farmington Hills, Alegr铆a Guzm谩n of Quito, Ecuador, and Gabriel LaForce of Paw Paw.

Tickets are $15 for regular admission; $10 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff; and free for 快猫短视频 students and other students ages 18 and under. Tickets are available at the Events and Conferences Office located in downtown Holland in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 616-395-7890. Tickets may be purchased by calling or visiting the ticket office, online at hope.edu/tickets, or in person at the performance. Reserved tickets must be claimed 10 minutes prior to performances in order to guarantee seating.

The DeWitt Student and Cultural Center is located at 141 E. 12th St., facing Columbia Avenue between 10th and 13th streets.

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