'Masked' Announces New Urgent Conversations Line-Up

Masked, the off-Broadway hit play at DR2 Theatre (103 E. 15th Street), is pleased to announce the new schedule of upcoming "Urgent Conversations" following select performances of the play.

"Urgent Conversations," the Masked talk back series, explores the issues raised by this powerful work.  When the curtain falls, the conversation begins, and the pressing themes of Masked are given a forum in which all viewpoints can be explored.  The series features community leaders, experts in conflict resolution, influential writers, international reporters, prominent activists, and members of the play's creative team.

Since Masked opened late July, Outreach Director Mari Brown has presented over 40 "Urgent Conversations" panel discussions, featuring over 100 noteworthy speakers, and passionate audience participation.

Upcoming Conversations:

Sunday October 28 after 4PM Show: Lilly Rivlin, documentary filmmaker and past president, Meretz USA
Tuesday October 30 after 7PM Show: Tammy Shapiro, Union of Progressive Zionists; Rebecca Kleinhandler, New Israel Fund
Sunday November 4 after 4PM Show: Rabbi David Adelson, East End Synagogue
Tuesday November 6 after 7PM Show: Other Israel Film Festival Panelist TBD
Sunday November 11 after 4PM Show: Lena Alhusseini, Arab American Family Support Center
Tuesday November 13 after 7PM Show: Ayad Akhtar, writer/star, The War Within
Sunday November 18 after 4PM Show: Student representatives from Palestinian, Muslim, and Jewish organizations at Hunter College

Masked, by Ilan Hatsor, is directed by Ami Dayan. "An explosive play about three Palestinian brothers, Masked tackles the cultural divide at the heart of the Middle East conflict. Masked depicts the tragedy of one family torn between obligations, kinship, principles and survival. It is the first play by an Israeli playwright about the Intifada (Palestinian uprising)," explain press notes.

Masked won first place in Israel's prestigious Akko Festival for writer Ilan Hatsor (then a first year theater student). Since then, Masked has been performed continuously across Israel and has been mounted in over 100 productions worldwide.

The cast of Masked is: Rajesh Bose, Sanjit DeSilva, and Waleed F. Zuaiter