Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor

While most of us were shocked and horrified by the events of 9/11, we have moved on with the hope that nothing similar could possibly happen again. But for Lebanese-American poet and theater artist, Andrea Assaf, 9/11 was the beginning of a new journey of exploring the impact of that tragedy as a Lebanese-American and as a New Yorker.

“It was a big shock for everyone, but it was particularly challenging for me to process the backlash against Arab-Americans and the wars that followed in Iraq and Afghanistan,” she said in a recent interview. “The way I process experiences is through poetry, so I started writing poems. In 2011, I had the opportunity to turn a series of poems into a theatrical production that premiered at the Pangea World Theater in Minneapolis.”

Titled “Eleven Reflections on September,” the show became a multi-media piece that included musicians who specialize in Middle Eastern music as well as movement/dance artists and stage designers.  A number of themes were explored from “trauma and absolute shock” and “not justifiable wars,” to the anti-Arab backlash, and ultimately to sorrow, grief and “the cultural impact of the wars.”

And then, the Arab Spring happened in Egypt, generating a new sense of hope and excitement for the Arab world, and requiring a different ending for “Eleven Reflections.” So, Assaf rewrote the last part of the show in 2012 by including a “Medley of Egypt,” and then revised again in 2015 to reflect new developments and new wars. In May 2021, the Carver Community Cultural Center produced the digital premiere of her piece.

At present, Assaf would like to expand the project to other cities by creating collaborative productions with local artists, the first of which is under development in San Antonio, at the Carver, where Asaaf is currently artist-in-residence. In fact, the organization has issued a call for artists to take part in co-creating “Eleven Reflections: San Antonio,” which will have its premiere at the Carver Theater on Nov. 20 of this year. Writers, musicians, dancers and other performers, as well as all community members who have a post-9/11 story to tell, are invited to submit their ideas for the production that’s officially a collaboration with Assaf’s non-profit Art2Action. Middle Eastern/North African and Muslim artists are encouraged to participate. An upcoming workshop will help artists learn more about expectations and format. (See below)

Assaf, who will direct the final production, will select eleven San Antonio participants to work with her both online and in-person to develop the final presentation. The San Antonio event is part of the “Eleven Reflections on the Nation” which is supported in part by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.

The Carver is also continuing to present its online series of “Reflection Sessions,” featuring Assaf in conversation with guest artists every second Tuesday of each month. (9/11 happened on a Tuesday) The next guest will be San Antonio-based, internationally-known poet Naomi Shihab Nye who is half-Palestinian.

“A large part of the project for me was reclaiming my heritage,” said Assaf. “I did not speak Arabic, I was not raised with that culture, except maybe for Lebanese food. But my father’s family was very proud of their Lebanese background.”
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Online Workshop, 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Sat. Aug.28; free; register at www.art2action.org
Film screening & Talk Back, 8 p.m., Sept.7; price TBD
Live Theater Premiere of “Eleven Reflections: San Antonio,” 8 p.m. Nov. 20, 2021; Jo Long Theater at the Carver Center; Price TBD
Reflection Sessions, Interactive dialogues with guest artists, 6-7:30 p.m., 2^nd Tuesday of each month through the end of the year; online; free; Register at www.art2action.org