Somali play at SteppingStone Theatre tackles cultural collision

“He is the bridge that keeps the Somali community in Minnesota connected and a cultural leader to the larger community that is now scattered across the world.”

That is how Mohamed M. Alabari describes Said Salah Ahmed, a Twin Cities playwright whose world premiere A Lion’s Tale: Somali Folktales will debut on the SteppingStone Theatre stage May 4.

SteppingStone Theatre commissioned the play by Ahmed, one of the most powerful voices in the national and international Somali community. He is working with local playwright Christina Ham on this show about the collision of Somali and American cultures. The play centers around two young Somali immigrants who are attending their first American birthday party. What their friends see as generous and fun, Ali and Aasha take as materialistic and greedy. But as the friends overcome their cultural differences, they are magically transported to Somalia where they become characters in a series of ancient folktales about village life and a dangerous lion.

Performances of A Lion’s Tale: Somali Folktales are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12:45 p.m.; Fridays at 7 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. An ASL performance is scheduled for Sunday, May 13, at 2 p.m., with an Audio Described show on Tuesday, May 15, at 11 a.m. Tickets are $11 for adults; $9 for children ages 2–17 and seniors; and $6 for groups of 20 or more by calling (651) 225-9265. More information is available at www.steppingstonetheatre.org.

Ahmed, a former refugee, has worked on humanitarian issues in the Somali community for 42 years. As a playwright, he continues to use a rich tradition of poetry, filmmaking, music, and theater to tell the Somali story and build hopes and dreams for the future of Somali people. He was a catalyst for implementation of the native language literacy project in the Minneapolis Public Schools and is the founder and president of the Somali Action Alliance. Last year, he received the Virginia McKnight Binger Award in Human Service.

The Lion’s Tale cast features numerous students from Higher Ground Academy, a K-12 charter school in St. Paul. The leads are played by Liban Elmi (6th grade), Ayan Mohamed, (5th grade), and Ifrah Hashi, (7th grade), all from Higher Ground Academy.

“The relationship between SteppingStone and Higher Ground has been both educational and rewarding,” said SteppingStone Artistic Director Richard Hitchler. “Because of this partnership, we have six Somali students in the production. We have gained both insight into and the trust of the Somali community that we would handle their stories with care and the respect that the culture deserves.”

Bill Wilson, executive director of Higher Ground Academy, concurred: “I am delighted with the exuberance our students are showing through their involvement in the production and further excited about the possibility of a longer term partnership between Higher Ground Academy and Steppingstone Theatre.”

SteppingStone Theatre has a long tradition of creating works that reflect the ever-changing cultural landscape. Said Hitchler, “With this show, the rich traditions and stories of Somalia will be shared not only within the Somali community but also with the broader community.”

Other cast members include grade, Nick Bilderback (6th grade, Oak Hill Montessori), Kandice Brooks (6th grade, Palmer Lake), Amir Elmi (5th grade, Higher Ground Academy), Amal Elmi (11th grade, Higher Ground Academy), Ifrah Hashi (7th grade, Higher Ground Academy), Alexa Jackman (5th grade, Webster Magnet), Ahmed Mossa (10th grade, Liberty High School), Egypt Pettiford (3rd grade, Webster Magnet), Deseray Russell (9th grade, St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts), Lydia Sadoff (5th grade, Capitol Hill Magnet), Hassan Sankoh (8th grade, Ramsey Junior High), Lanorra Simpson (11th grade, St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts), Devonté Sims (7th grade, Highland Junior High), Liam Skulley (home school), and Ashley Thao (4th grade, Linwood Elementary).

Barb Rose is a board member of Steppingstone Theatre and parent of a child who has been in four SteppingStone productions.