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About:

9428 is the story of a child, torn from the bosom of his homeland to live in a new land, facing the unknown. It's a tale of confronting his fears, taming them, and learning to live with them. Arman, a recent immigrant child from the Middle East, arrives in Canada with his parents. As Arman tries to adapt to the new world, a shape-shifting monster, 9428, frequently visits him to remind him of the fears and challenges that the new environment has imposed on the family. Arman's only refuge is an imaginary world filled with colors, dreams, and music.

Director's Note:

In "9428," Shirazi tells the story of a child torn from the bosom of his homeland to settle in a new land and face the unknown. Most of the play's events are based on true stories of immigrants, including that of the author. The play also aims to raise awareness among young adults about the challenges that new members of our community may face upon their arrival. These struggles and challenges may not be visible, but living with them can be frustrating and create ongoing anxiety. As BIPOC artists, it is essential to highlight these challenges and create a cultural bridge of hope between the old and new worlds to make the transition process more visible to everyone. The performance style is based on traditional Iranian theater techniques of two artists, Ta'zieh and Naqali, on a semi-circular stage where all actors will be present throughout the show as different characters.

Awards and Media: