Award-Winning, One-Woman Show About Life in Mumbai's Red Light District Comes to Jersey City

Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) continues Borderless with HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan, an award-winning and acclaimed solo-show that portrays life in India's Red light District.

Borderless, the new series by Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) at Merseles Studios that runs through March, brings a diverse array of new and emerging voices to JCTC audiences with a comprehensive range of art, theater, readings and performances. JCTC series explore topics global in scope yet relevant to the community; Borderless examines the personal and political consequences of 21st century globalization.

HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan, written and starring Dipti Mehta, plays February 26, 4:00pm at Merseles Studios. (Talk-Back with audience follows performance).

"Jersey City is one of the most diverse cities in the country," said Olga Levina, Artistic Director. "Borderless is all about giving voices to those who are often under represented. Dipti brings to life stories of people living outside of society and highlights universal truths about the humanity we all share."

Based on interviews with Mumbai sex workers and other research conducted by the playwright, HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan is a deeply moving, coming-of-age story of a girl growing up in a brothel. Other 'characters" include her mother. eunuch, priest and pimp. Both Funny and heart-breaking, this poignant, one-woman performance depicts the exotic yet dangerous reality of Mumbai's brothels. Five percent of all proceeds from the JCTC presentation of HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan will be donated to ApneAap Women Worldwide, a grassroots Indian organization dedicated to ending sex trafficking. (apneaap.org).

"HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan, is an attempt to break stereotypes," said Dipti Mehta. "Art and theatre can create lasting social change. JCTC's Borderless and our show are collaborating to create a better world."

HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan won Overall Excellence Award for best solo show in the 2016 Fringe Festival and received a 5-Star review by Time Out NYC. The February 26th production at Merseles Studios marks its New Jersey debut. (for more information, visit: honourcmc.com)

Dipti Mehta, currently a Jersey City resident, was born and raised in Mumbai. Her numerous film and television credits include: The Blacklist (NBC), and The Golden Boy (CBS). In addition to acting and writing, she also holds a Ph. D in Molecular and Cellular Biology and works at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in prostate cancer research.

HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan is directed and dramaturged by Mark Cirnigliaro who has worked extensively in theatre for the past 16 years. Recent directing credits include the World Premiere of The Hounds of War by Bill Holland which Broadway World called, "A must see," and the critically acclaimed production of The Judgment of Fools by Bernardo Cubria for INTAR Theatre.

Tickets: $20.00 ($15.00 for students & senior citizens/photo ID required at door). To purchase tickets, visit: jctcenter.org

Jersey City Theater Center
Merseles Studios
339 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 795-5386

HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan, written and starring Dipti Mehta, plays February 26, 4:00pm at Merseles Studios. (Photograph by Kyle Rosenberg).

Funding for Borderless & HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan was made possible by generous support from the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Borderless & HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan was also made possible through the generosity of Ben LoPiccolo Development Group, JCTC's Board of Directors, private donors and local Jersey City businesses.

Jersey City Theater Center, Inc. (JCTC) manages programming at Merseles Studios and the adjacent White Eagle Hall, currently under construction. JCTC is a nonprofit, 501c3 arts organization committed to presenting innovative and progressive performing & visual arts as well as educational arts programs that embrace the multicultural identity and preserve the rich history of Jersey City, bringing its community closer together and enhancing its quality of life. > jctcenter.or