Post Classifieds
"9 Parts of Desire" brings unique views
By Tyeisha Prior
On December 6, 2012
The theater department will be presenting a play called "9 Parts of Desire" at 8 p.m., Feb. 6
through 9, and 2 p.m. on Feb. 9 and 16, at the Burchfield Penney Arts Center.
Written and performed by Heather Raffo, an Iraqi-American actor and playwright who has
struggled with her cultural identity, is about the lives of nine Iraqi women of all ages and
perspectives. It spans across the first and second Gulf Wars.
Raffo said she was inspired by the non-fiction book of the same title by Australian journalist
Geraldine Brooks. The book is about Brooks' experience with Muslim women in the Middle
East.
Director Alysha Reller said she chose this play based on the reactions of others after Sept. 11.
"I come from the Midwest -- I'm originally from Missouri. It's obviously a red state. After 9/11,
it broke my heart to see so many people that used to be accepted in our neighborhoods suddenly
looked at differently," Reller said.
She said this play has the power to make people realize the changes that have taken place since
the tragedy of 9/11.
"To see our country go into this dark time, where we stopped judging people by their personal
choices and by some organization's choices, it really upset me. When I discovered this play, I
thought it was brilliant," Reller said.
Reller added that the play is about bridging the gap between the Middle Eastern and Western
culture.
"It's about breaking down the perception that American culture has developed, the Middle
Eastern culture, the oppression of the women there, it's a collection of these women's stories,"
Reller said.
Erika Frase, who plays a 10-year-old Iraqi girl, said the play represents the strength of women.
Reller said she has been working on the behind the scenes directing since April. The casting was
done in October.
The actors of the play have already begun to connect strongly with their characters, but also face
challenges as they progress through the play.
Chelsea Correa, who plays a woman named Umm Ghada, said that one of her struggles is trying
to play a Middle Eastern woman when she isn't one herself.
Correa also has to hide her emotions on stage.
"I try not to get too emotional, but sometimes it just slips out," Correa said.
Reller said that after each rehearsal, she gathers the cast to talk about issues and their feelings
regarding the play because the topics discussed can be emotional.
"My actresses tell me that the more they read the monologues, the more they realize that they
have in common, and how much they really feel for these people," Reller said.
Derrick Sherrier, who plays the only male character in the play, said that his challenge is trying
to figure out why his character is in the play. He's also challenged to convey compassion through
video instead of with an actual person.
Reller said her goal for the play is to help change the audience's perspective on people from the
Middle East.
"We want to defeat all those derogatory stereotypes that have happened in the past few decades.
We're all human, we're all connected," Reller said.
Sam Roche, who plays an American woman with close family members in Iraq, said that she
wants the audience to come away with a shift in their perspective.
Reller said that she would like to encourage students to make their own judgments about the
world and experience it for themselves.
"I've always believed that this nation is all about progression and inclusion, and fighting
inequality, accepting everyone, and not judging a person by their religion or their orientation, but
by what they do and what choices they make," she said.
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