Dil Ka

Ruby Slippers Theatre, in association with Presentation House Theatre and the Blackout Arts Society, present the world premiere production of Dil Ka by Lee Nisar

World Premiere

March 22-31, 2024

Presentation House Theatre

Tickets through Presentation House Box Office: https://www.phtheatre.org

Dil Ka [‘of the heart’] follows Zahra, a 26 year old Pakistani woman, as she prepares to meet her latest arranged match for marriage. Zahra spends the majority of the play in her family’s kitchen preparing the traditional Pakistani dish, biryani, to present to the prospective groom’s family.

Dil Ka investigates the concept of the kitchen as both refuge and place of constriction for many South Asian women, and dissects the way in which we inherit familial habits and – most importantly – recipes. Toying with direct address as a confessional to explore the intersecting identity of a queer Muslim woman and the growing tension between her familial duties and her own desires for life. As the story unfolds the biryani becomes a metaphor for the ingredients that make a “perfect bride”.

Content Notice:
The play includes: offensive language and discussions of homophobia, racism, Islamophobia.

Performance Schedule

March 21 @ TBD (Dress Rehearsal – Invited or Public)
March 22 @ 7:30pm
March 23 @ 2pm
March 23 @ 7:30pm
March 24 @ 2pm
March 28 @ 7:30pm
March 29 @ 7:30pm
March 30 @ 2pm
March 30 @ 7:30pm
March 31 @ 2pm

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM

Written by Lee Nisar
Directed by Tricia Trinh
Cultural Consultant: Adolyn Hamed Dar
Technical Direction & Production Management by Jessica Han
Set design by Kimira Reddy
Lighting design by John Webber
Sound design by Mishelle Cutler
Projection Design by Jullianna Oke- Chimerik
Costume design by Rachel Macadam

Cast
Nimet Kanji
Parm Soor
Rami Kahlon
Janavi Chawla
Talia Vandenbrink
Tanaz Roudgar

ABOUT LEE NISAR, PLAYWRIGHT
Lee Nisar (they/them) is a 22-year old writer, director, and filmmaker, living and working in Toronto, Canada. Lee’s work explores issues of place-based trauma, identity, and the intersections of queerness and race (particularly within the context of colonialism). Lee graduated from the University of Guelph with a BA in Theatre Studies and Geography, where she had the opportunity to direct various plays under her school’s play festivals, including Wanderlust (2018), Respect for the Dead (2019), and Shakespeare in the Park(ing lot) (2020). Their other interests include singing karaoke with friends, annoying their cat, and bugging the people around her to participate in photoshoots. Lee is currently an MFA Candidate in Documentary Media at X University. Dil Ka is their first full-length play.

ABOUT RUBY SLIPPERS THEATRE
For three decades, critically heralded Ruby Slippers Theatre has given voice to under-represented artists garnering over sixty awards, three national tours, and the creation of five original full length works. We are the premiere purveyors of Québec works in English translation within our region, translations that we at RST often commission, and have a reputation for smart social satire that is infectiously entertaining. RST’s annual Advance Theatre Festival provides development and showcase opportunities to female identifying and gender non-conforming playwrights and directors who also identify as Indigenous, Black, or Persons of Colour. Our two annual main stage offerings and Artist in Residency program also reflect our values and commitment to advance the radically inclusive stage.

RST’s Artistic Director Diane Brown is a recipient of the prestigious Bra D’Or from Playwrights Guild of Canada, a national award in recognition of her many years championing and furthering under represented voices.

ABOUT PRESENTATION HOUSE THEATRE

Nestled in the heart of North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale, Presentation House Theatre has become a neighbourhood creative hub, providing the community with a dynamic mix of professional theatre, music, and dance productions — all just a Seabus away from downtown Vancouver. We are the North Shore’s professional theatre company. For more than 40 years, we’ve entertained audiences with innovative programming and quality professional productions in our wonderfully welcoming space. We are committed to presenting and producing shows of the highest standard, and appealing to the diversity of North Shore audiences. We proudly offer programming for children and youth, adults young and old.

Presentation House Theatre believes that professional theatre is for everyone. Every show we present or produce will be of the highest professional standard while also appealing to the diversity of the North Shore. We are proud to offer programming for children and youth, adults young and old, the music aficionado and the innovative and emerging dancers. We are the cultural hub in your own backyard.

ABOUT BLACKOUT ARTS SOCIETY

In 2012, Vancouver, BC, witnessed the inception of a unique theatrical force: Blackout Theatre. Initially emerging as an ad hoc theatre ensemble, we passionately set our sights on creating socially aware and pioneering theatre experiences that resonated deeply with the Persian community. With the invaluable contributions of local Persian artists, our first four years were marked by performances that echoed our cultural heritage and enlightened our audiences.

Taking a significant leap in 2017, Blackout Theatre transformed into a registered not-for-profit organization in British Columbia, Blackout Art Society.

As we evolved, our vision broadened. While the essence of our Persian roots remains undeniably central to our identity, our aspirations extend beyond. We envision a theatre that bridges linguistic and cultural divides, producing enthralling pieces in both Persian and English. We aim to connect with a diverse audience spectrum and secure our place amongst government-funded theatre establishments.they