Immigrants in America at Court Square Theater

RiffRaff NYC is partnering with Rogue Theater Festival to present “Immigrants in America,” a powerful showcase featuring eleven short plays that highlight the diverse experiences of immigrants in the United States. This two-day festival will take place on December 7th and 8th, with showtimes at 3 PM and 7 PM, at the Court Square Theater in Long Island City.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Rogue Theater Festival to spotlight immigrant stories that are often overlooked,” says Dorothea, Artistic Director of RiffRaff NYC. “Each of these plays reflects the courage, tenacity, and diversity that define the immigrant experience in America. Our mission is to create a platform where these voices can be heard, celebrated, and truly understood.”

Rogue Theater Festival, who will be presenting their seventh annual week long theater festival in July 2025 and the voted upon winner of “Immigrants in America” will be offered a slot in Rogue’s upcoming festival, giving the playwright the opportunity to develop their piece into a full length production. “Rogue Theater Festival is proud to be working with such a vital company as Riff Raff NYC on this short play festival. As a theater company, Rogue is no stranger to its namesake with each festival and endeavor continuing to be an ever changing attempt to serve the artists involved,” says Allison Hohman, Founder and Artistic Director of Rogue Theater Festival.

This dynamic lineup of short plays aims to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that make up America, diving deep into stories of resilience, hope, and the multifaceted challenges faced by immigrants today. Through a mix of poignant drama, humor, and heartfelt storytelling, the festival offers a vibrant exploration of the immigrant journey, bringing to life the complexities of navigating new worlds while preserving one's heritage.

December 7th @ 3pm and 7pm Short Play Lineup

La Mana del Mono

By Aditya Putcha

Pablo and Herlinda are raising their daughter, Paula, in a society cruel to Hispanics. Unfortunately, Herlinda perpetuates her culture's vicious cycle of frequent corporal punishment. When a friend of Pablo's provides a way to wish a better life for Paula, the loving father does - but then a visitor has news.

Scoops

By Timmy Ong

At his survival job selling ice cream at a kiosk in a major train hall, Billy, an immigrant and aspiring actor in NYC, confronts his co-worker about her true colors, and in turn, reveals his judgmental beliefs and questionable actions, amid increasingly alarming announcements of a security threat.

Borderline

By Amelie Eckert and Umberina

In a holding cell after a protest, Alex, an immigrant from Russia, meets Barbara, a supporter of strict immigration policies. At first they awkwardly bond over their silly arrest, but as the conversation unfolds they realize their beliefs diverge sharply, sparking a heated debate that challenges their convictions and forces them to confront uncomfortable truths.

Red Threads

By Ned Du

As geopolitical tensions rise, Taiwanese-Americans Lucas and Richard return to Taipei for Chinese New Year. Amid drinks and stories with family, they confront deep-seated questions of belonging, guilt, and the lasting wounds of immigration, exploring their heritage and facing an uncertain future that challenges their identities and connections.

Casting Maya

By Joseph Bardin

What does Israeli look like? In Casting Maya, the challenge of casting a role in a play turns into a struggle to answer that question, while doing right by the character and the story. Not to mention trying to please the investors.

Huwa Min Amreeka

By Bilal Morsi

Our story begins with a nanny, a new homeowner, and a resentful tenant who has returned to his old home in Brooklyn. Quickly, this tense situation becomes fantastical as the nanny and tenant band together to kidnap the homeowner and transport him to another dimension where he must face the reality of what it means to be an oppressor.

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December 8th @ 3pm and 7pm Short Play Lineup

No Person Except -

By Larry Rinkel

Gustavo - Venezuelan-born and naturalized American citizen - is convinced that if read correctly, the US Constitution makes him eligible to serve as President of the United States. His Brooklyn-born girlfriend Melissa thinks he's nuts, while her kid brother Ronny just enjoys stirring the pot between them. Will Gustavo prevail in his bid to run for the highest office in the land?

And I Ate a Pear

By Beth Harpaz

Two strangers meet on the Staten Island Ferry. She’s from another country and has lots of questions. He’s a native New Yorker — but only has some of the answers.

The Importance of Having Hair

By Anya Zhang

"Hair" is a spin-off from Lydia R. Diamond's "Smart People", focusing on the character Ginny Yang's backstory. After being forced into hopelessly dating 50+ "eligible" single men in the past 5 years, Ginny, on the verge of turning 31, confronts her father about why the latest match he found for her doesn't work.

Cawfee

By Rhian Campbell-Cochrane

“Cawfee” tells the story of Allie, a recent New York transplant struggling to adjust to white collar life in the city. 

Betrayed by fairytales of TV and film, Allie struggles to balance the weight of her new life, and grapples with the meaning of home. Until home, comes to town.

Catastrophe

By Abhisek Bhattacharya

When a severely stressed-out Phoebe, an international worker in a company, muses about her work-related “issues” and potential impending death, Astro, her roommate, and Cat, who might or might not be a soft toy, try to cheer her up, though in a dramatically opposite manner.

About RiffRaff NYC:RiffRaff NYC is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for immigrant artists and stories that challenge, entertain, and inspire. With a focus on diverse voices, the company aims to build bridges between communities through the power of storytelling.

About Rogue Theater Festival:Located in the heart of New York City, the Rogue Theater Festival stands as a beacon for theatrical innovation and creativity. Devoted to nurturing new voices and championing fresh perspectives, this dynamic festival serves as a platform for both emerging talents and seasoned artists to showcase their latest works. With a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, Rogue Theater Festival welcomes submissions from playwrights of all backgrounds, fostering a vibrant community of storytellers who push the boundaries of conventional theatre. Since its inception, Rogue Theater Festival has been committed to fostering creativity, diversity, and innovation in theatre, both on and off the stage.

RIFFRAFF NYC

Website: https://www.riffraffnyc.org/

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Instagram: @riffraff.nyc

ROGUE THEATER FESTIVAL

Website: www.roguetheaterfestival.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roguetheaterfestival

Instagram: @roguetheaterfestival