The Crossroads Project will host four members of the Chicago-based arts organization Silk Road Rising as artists in residence in the School of Theatre and Dance on April 24 and 25.

Silk Road Rising founding artistic director Jamil Khoury, founding executive director Malik Gillani and two Illinois State alumni, production manager Corey Pond and resident dramaturg Neal Ryan Shaw, will discuss the organization’s mission and projects.

Silk Road Rising was founded in 2002 as a proactive response to anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments following the attacks of 9/11. Silk Road Rising creates theatre, both live and online, that tells stories through the eyes of Middle Eastern and Asian playwrights.

A screening of Silk Road Rising’s video play Mosque Alert will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Westhoff Theatre, Centennial West. A discussion with Khoury will follow the screening.

At 7 p.m. Friday, April 25, there will be a screening of the documentary Sacred Stages: A Church, A Theatre, and A Story at the Mennonite Church in Normal. The documentary examines the unique and inspiring partnership between a religious community and a secular theatre. A discussion with Silk Road Rising members will follow. Both screenings are free and open to the public.

For additional information, contact the School of Theatre and Dance at 438-8783.
READ MORE IDENTITY STORIES.