Program Credits

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to my dear peers and friends for being continuous inspiration throughout this wild MFA journey - David, Staci, DJ, Anna, Eric, Mario, Brandon, Natalie, Carl(os), Claire, May, and Molly.

Thank you, Alex Jaeger, for openheartedly sharing from your lived experience, imbuing this piece with the real life it was written about.

Thank you, Professor Jennifer Chang, for being a supportive and generous mentor, especially through the challenging times.

Thank you, Christina Vacchiano, for your infinite care for the students, for every production, and for the future of theater.

Thank you, Professor Marike Splint, for your profound contribution to my everlasting journey of becoming a better artist.

Thank you to my parents, my first audience, who enthusiastically witnessed my first theater pieces in their living room since I was 9. Thank you, אבא, for teaching me what ambition is, and thank you, אמא, for teaching me what love is. None of this could happen without you.

Thank you to the love of my life, Kfir, who has been my garden companion for what feels like eternity. There is nothing I believe more than in our deep and true love.

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Before World-War II, my great grandfather, living in Poland with his family (including his daughter, my maternal grandmother), sensed the rise of antisemitism around the country following the Nazi rise to power in Germany. He decided to sell his assets in Poland – his homeland – and buy land in Mandatory Palestine. Knowing what came after, the chances are high that if he would not have done so, the entire family would have been executed in the holocaust. I grew up ceaselessly being taught about the atrocities of the holocaust and hearing the holocaust survival stories of my paternal grandparents. I have been holding on to these stories for years as guidance: an inner voice demanding to be aware of dangerous systems, which thrive on creating a perceived enemy in people’s minds. For me, resisting antisemitism is not only being aware of racism and xenophobia directed at the Jewish people, but it carries a broader humanistic commitment.

On July 7, 2016, Israel’s Minister of Culture at the time, Miri Regev, said in regard to a reform in the national public broadcast corporation: “What is the use of the corporation if we can’t control it? The minister needs to control, do you want us to give money and they will just air whatever they want?” As an artist, I vividly remember that I was alarmed. It was a reaffirmation to what I have had been feeling for a long time – a terrifying, authoritative, violent governing. Regev wanted (and still wants) to use the culture and the media to propitiate and promote the government’s own agenda. That is why she and the rest of the Israeli ministers spend energy and resources (including taxpayers’ money) on silencing the voices which do not align with their own.

I moved away from Israel three years ago to begin my MFA studies here at UCLA. I moved away because as a queer and Jewish person I was alarmed by the increase of violence in the Israeli society. The on-going occupation of the Palestinian people is the core of that violence, slowly corrupting the soul of Israeli culture. I witnessed a government that not only enables violence but ignites it, marking Palestinians as the “enemy” and inciting fear and hatred.

On October 7, 2023, along with the painful heartbreak that I experienced witnessing another devastating cycle of violence, I lost my hope that art, and particularly theater, can make change. It was about 6 months after directing the play Keffiyeh/Made in China by Dalia Taha which dealt with the everyday life of Palestinians living under occupation. Not that I thought that my production of Keffiyeh/Made in China will end the occupation, but I think I hoped that some things, in some small way, will change for the better. Since October 7, I have been trying to find the strength to direct my thesis production, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. This play, for me, is about questioning belief systems, asking what are the things we hold onto religiously, why, and at what cost? Throughout the process I have been talking a lot about belief systems and how I believe in theater, but to tell the truth, throughout the past year I have been questioning my own beliefs (too) many times.

On Tuesday, April 30, the students of this university who used their right to freely express themselves and stand for the things they believe in, were violently attacked. This violence could have been prevented if the people in power in this institution would have chosen to protect their students and to reject on-campus violence (especially that which is directed towards their own students). As a reaction to the violent attack on the students of this university, Chancellor Gene D. Block chose to send his “security” units to arrest the protesters and thus to officially declare the demolition of freedom of speech on this campus.

On the night of April 30 I was horrified. I felt that the violence I ran away from chased me all the way here. I was mortified as a graduate student, a TA, and a director in this school, that the students were abandoned by all those in charge of their safety and education. That Tuesday, the people who run this university sent the message that violence is accepted on this campus as long as it serves the people who are leading it. The refusal to take responsibility, the failure (deliberate or negligent) to protect the students, is ominous, and as queer artists we do not have the privilege to close our eyes to it. We must be aware of the dangers posed by structures of power, violence, and negligence – echoing, for instance, our collective trauma of the HIV epidemic in the 80’s and 90’s, in which this play is situated. What happened that night at UCLA repeats these same structures.

Although we lost precious rehearsal time and needed to adjust our schedule, we still made it. The efforts of the people in charge to crush academic freedom (and for us also artistic freedom) was met with the courage of all the amazing artists who have been part of this production. I had the honor to work with creative, generous, and brave artists. Being a collaborative artform, in theater we rely on one another in order for things to happen. In this case, I was lucky to find in them more than collaborators, but a sense of community. Together we built a collective of diverse voices who came together to question the belief systems which seek to control our lives. This work is about – and is for – the community of beautiful souls which I have been privileged to be part of. A community I believe in.

CAST & CREW REMARKS

Brad Brady

“I believe that schools should be safe learning environments.”

The Sandy Hook Promise: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/

The Sandy Hook promise protects children from gun violence in schools, homes, and communities.

Finn Breen

“I believe in unapologetic trans liberation and representation.”

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund: https://www.transgenderlegal.org/

The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund provides legal services to trans people fighting for their rights to healthcare, equal treatment, fair public policy and legal protections.

Kyle Green

“I believe that idealizing a queer utopia is a radical act of defiance. I believe that queer utopia cannot exist without fighting for the freedoms of all who have been suppressed and oppressed.

Nada & Iyass’ Donation Drive: https://shorturl.at/bHU05

Nada and Iyass are a Palestinian couple trying to relocate their family of eight to Egypt, in order to escape the current conditions in Gaza. Nada is a mother of three children: Sama (5), Ronza (4), and Jad (3). Please help this lovely family get to safety and rebuild their lives!

Heath Grossman

“I believe in free and accessible education.”

The LA LGBT Center: https://lalgbtcenter.org/

The Los Angeles LGBT Center provides services to queer and trans people—offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, and Leadership and Advocacy.

Anoushka Hem

“I believe that the art of live theatre is a way to remind ourselves that although the world can sometimes be difficult, there is community that will come together in times of hardship. I hope you all enjoy this beautiful piece of work that we have been able to come together to share with you all.”

Lauren Lau

“I believe in the power of reformation and healing through artistic engagement.”

Stop AAPI Hate: https://stopaapihate.org

Stop AAPI Hate is a national coalition fighting against racism and racial injustice targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Together, we work with local communities and government stakeholders to document the rise of anti-AAPI hate and dismantle the systems that allow it to persist.

Gracie O’Neil

“I believe that (queer) love (and joy) conquers all.”

The Okra Project: https://www.theokraproject.com/

The Okra Project creates initiatives to provide mutual aid and other resources to the Black Trans community.

Nick Schick

“I believe that wasting not is wanting not.”

GLSEN: https://www.glsen.org/ways-to-give?form=jointoday

GLSEN is an activist group focused on making K-12 schools safer for LGBTQ+ children. Every child deserves an education, and every child deserves safety.

Maya Tanaka

“I believe that humanity always prevails; I believe in hope.”

Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

Doctors Without Borders is a non-profit agency that offers medical humanitarian assistance to people based solely on need, irrespective of race, religion, or political affiliation.

Jessica Toltzis

“I believe in laughing, crying, and love.”

The LA LGBT Center: https://lalgbtcenter.org/

The Los Angeles LGBT Center cares for, champions, and celebrates LGBTQ individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond.

Maya Valenciano

“I believe in the art of empathy and that there is empathy to be found in all art.”

Trans Lifeline: translifeline.org

Trans Lifeline is a non-profit organization that offers a hotline run by trans people for trans and questioning peers, as well as a microgrant program that provides financial assistance with legal documents and gender affirming treatment. Trans Lifeline relies on individual donations in order to deliver these lifesaving services to those who need them most. Please consider donating to support the trans community and trans youth. Trans rights are human rights!

Jeannine Vargas

“I believe that we should always make time for family and friends, no matter how busy you are.”

Nada & Iyass’ Donation Drive: https://shorturl.at/bHU05

Iyass and his family (his wife Nada, his brother Mohammed, his parents, and his three small children: Sama, Ronza, and Jad) need help funding their escape to Egypt from Gaza. The amount he’s requesting is enough to help them cross the borders and enter Egypt for the first six months until they can find work. Anything helps. Thank you.

Mary Tess Barclay

“I believe in education for all.”

Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/

Planned Parenthood provides reproductive and sexual healthcare, and sexual education, in the US and globally.

Mia Crocker

“I believe in myself and the people I choose to surround myself with.”

Center For Reproductive Rights: https://reproductiverights.org

The Center for Reproductive Rights uses the power of law to make sure reproductive rights are basic human rights around the world.

Dorothy Guo

“I believe in the power of love.”

One Love Foundation: https://www.joinonelove.org.

One Love Foundation aims to educate young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships and empower them to identify and avoid abuse. It provides extensive educational materials and workshops to help young adults understand and practice healthy relationship habits.

Bradly Olsen

“I believe in standing up for yourself and your beliefs, whatever in the world they may be.”

Scarleteen: https://www.scarleteen.com

Scarleteen has provided queer sex education for all since 1998. They are the largest resource online wholly dedicated to providing truly comprehensive and highly inclusive sex and relationship education, information, and support that centers young people.

Zen Rame

“I believe that everyone has the chance to make a difference through art.”

The TransLatin@ Coalition: https://www.translatinacoalition.org/

The TransLatin@ Coalition advocates for the specific needs of the Trans Latine community that resides in the US and plans strategies that improve our quality of life.

COSTUME RENDERS FROM COSTUME DESIGNER - ALLY MCGREEVY

DIRECTOR'S PLAYLIST AND PINTEREST BOARD

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