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Global Stories Rooted in Pan-Asian, North African, and Muslim Experiences

 
 

Malik Inspires on WGN-TV

On Tuesday, November 23, Silk Road Rising Founding Co-Executive Artistic Director Malik Gillani was the subject of a cover story for WGN-TV News. We are thrilled to be sharing Malik's journey of stroke and aphasia recovery with all of you. This beautifully produced piece by Gaynor Hall (with photojournalist Vincent Tagle) is an inspiring story of tragedy, determination, and love. Watch the video on the right and click logo below for more information.

 
 
 

Malik’s Two-Year Stroke Anniversary Message

Two years ago today Silk Road Riding's Co-Founder and Co-Executive Artistic Director Malik Gillani suffered a stroke. Malik has recorded a short message that we hope you will watch. Thank you for all your love and support as Malik continues to recover.

 

RECENT CONVERSATIONS IN THE FIELD

Arab American Theater

October 7, 2021

Featuring Kathryn Haddad, Lameece Issaq, Jamil Khoury and Michael Malek Najjar

Moderated by Catherine Coray

 
Jackalope Theatre Company leadership, artistic director Kaiser Ahmed and managing director Tina El Gamal, in their theatre. (Photo by Azuree Wiitala)

Jackalope Theatre Company leadership, artistic director Kaiser Ahmed and managing director Tina El Gamal, in their theatre. (Photo by Azuree Wiitala)

A Chicago Storefront Revival: Just You Wait

May 6, 2021

By Jerald Raymond Pierce

After a period of turnover and uncertainty, leaders in this resilient community look toward a vibrant reopening—even if it doesn’t happen until 2022.

 

NO SUMMARY

March 26, 2021

Featuring John Eisner, Jamil Khoury, and Torange Yeghiazarian

Moderated by Noha El Samahy

 
Image: Kevork Mourad. By kind permission to The Massachusetts Review from the artist.

Image: Kevork Mourad. By kind permission to The Massachusetts Review from the artist.

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American SWANA: A Progressive Theatre Movement Soars

FEBRUARY 12, 2021

Written by Jamil Khoury

 

Authenticity vs. Opportunity: New Possibilities in MENASA Recognition & Representation

February 8, 2021

Featuring Azita Ghanizada, Jamil Khoury, Sharone Sayegh, Torange Yeghiazarian

Moderated by Thomas Simsarian Dolan

 

The Four Hijabs

February 3, 2021

Featuring Dr. Manal Hamzeh, Jamil Khoury, and Dr. Debra Majeed

Moderated by Dr. Aminah Al-Deen

 

Story as Resistance: The Joys, the Heartbreak, and the Food

December 13, 2020

Featuring Hannah Khalil, Jamil Khoury, Lameece Issaq, Nora El Samahy, and Pirronne Yousefzadeh

Moderated by Catherine Coray

 

Black Teen Lives Matter

November 18, 2020

Featuring Bri Buckley, Jarrett King, and Londen Shannon

Moderated by Dr. Aminah Al-Deen

 

Nomadic Imagination: Transnational Homelands & Cultural Return

November 9, 2020

Featuring Arpita Mukherjee, Heather Raffo, and Kholoud Sawaf with a special message from Jamil Khoury

Hosted by Andrea Assaf

 

Critical Talk: The Theater Arts

October 15, 2020

Featuring Jamil Khoury and Dr. Michael Malek Najjar

Moderated by Dr. Aminah Al-Deen

 

A Conversation with MENA Theater Makers

August 13, 2020

Featuring Tracy Francis, Jamil Khoury, and Evren Odcikin.

Moderated by Dr. Michael Malek Najjar

 

Silk Road Rising Named a Chicago Cultural Treasure

On July 16, 2021, Silk Road Rising, along with 39 other Chicago-based cultural organizations, was officially designated a Chicago Cultural Treasure. We understand the word "treasure" as meaning something of great worth or value, or a collection of precious things. For Silk Road Rising to be recognized as a treasure, and in the company of such distinguished peers, is both humbling and galvanizing. We are determined to exceed the spirit and expectations of this extraordinary honor.

 
 
 

Malik Gillani Named a 2021 Leader for a New Chicago

Congratulations to Silk Road Rising's Co-Founder and Co-Executive Artistic Director Malik Gillani on being named a 2021 Leader for a New Chicago! The Silk Road Rising community has always known Malik to be an incredible leader. Now, the rest of Chicago knows too!

 

Read more about Malik’s exciting and much deserved award:

 

VIDEO RELEASE

Black Teen Lives Matter

Black Teens Lives Matter is a virtual project in four acts—drawing on monologues and short plays written by Black teens in the EPIC (Empathic Playwriting Intensive Course) program from 2017-2021.

 

Act One: Monologues

Written by EPIC Students
Directed by Jarrett King
Featuring Brianna Buckley and Londen Shannon

 
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Black Teen Lives Matter: Monologues &Family Stories were made possible by support from The Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust

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Act Two: Family Stories

Written by EPIC Students
Directed by Jarrett King
Featuring Brianna Buckley, Luke Daigle, Jabari Khaliq, and Londen Shannon

 

Act Three: Taking a Stand

Written by EPIC Students
Directed by Jarrett King
Assistant Directed by Brianna Buckley
Featuring Janyce Caraballo, Jabari Khaliq, Taji Senior, and Joshua J. Volkers, with Brianna Buckley

 

Act Four: Present Tense

Written by EPIC Students
Directed by Jarrett King
Featuring Brianna Buckley and Jabari Khaliq

Featured
Building-size mural honors Loop workers

Building-size mural honors Loop workers

Steven Dahlman, Loop North News
November 1, 2020

“The mural was commissioned by Chicago Loop Alliance as part of its “Loop Employee of the Month” program that has been ongoing since March 2019.” Malik Gillani, Silk Road Rising’s Co-Executive Artistic Director, was Loop Employee of the Month in April of 2019

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Will Silk Road still rise? Will we?

Will Silk Road Still Rise? Will We?

Deanna Isaacs, Chicago Reader
September 30, 2020

“I’d been thinking about Silk Road Rising, the mission-driven performing arts company founded by Jamil Khoury and Malik Gillani in 2002, before I got an e-mail from Khoury last week.”

Read More →

Our Mission

Silk Road Rising is a community-centered art-making and arts service organization rooted in Asian, Middle Eastern, and Muslim experiences. Through live theatre, digital media, and arts education, we challenge disinformation, cultivate new narratives, and promote a culture of continuous learning.

We Stand With Black People Everywhere

Silk Road Rising stands with global Black communities in demanding that Black humanity be embedded in the consciousness of elected officials, governments, law enforcement agencies, mass media organizations, cultural and educational institutions, businesses and corporations, and individuals the world over.

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully recognize the Potawatomi, Miami, Peoria, Sioux, and Kickapoo People, who have stewarded this land throughout the generations, the land that we call home and on which we create art. We acknowledge that we are on occupied land that was forcibly taken from its original owners. And we affirm that while we cannot change history, we can work for justice, and that justice begins with recognition and acknowledgment.