Unholy Wars
Created by Karim Sulayman
Direction by Kevin Newbury
Music Direction by Julie Andrijeski
Choreography by Ebony Williams
Visual Art by Kevork Mourad
Original Music by Mary Kouyoumdjian
Costume Design by David Woolard
Lighting Design by Jennifer Fok
Projections Design by Michael Commendatore
Sound Design by Rick Jacobsohn
Associate Choreographer Coral Dolphin
Performed by Karim Sulayman, Raha Mirzadegan, John Taylor Ward, Coral Dolphin
Co-Produced by Up Until Now Collective & Spoleto Festival USA
Creative Producer Jecca Barry
About: When the Crusades are taught in schools, is the humanity of the other — the humanity of the Arabic people — considered? In this intimate new work, well-known musical selections surrounding the Holy Wars are stitched together through song, dance, and intricate animation. Yet these European standards, by composers including Monteverdi, Rossi, and Handel, are reframed by the Grammy Award-winning tenor Karim Sulayman to reveal a new story of belonging and the resilience of marginalized people.
Production History: Unholy Wars premiered at Spoleto Festival, USA in May 2022.
Unholy Wars was commissioned by Spoleto Festival USA and developed by Up Until Now Collective.
